Category Archives: Teachings on Prayer and Fasting
Biblical instruction to empower your prayers.
How Prayer Can Help Conquer Addiction
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
If you have been struggling to overcome the grip of addiction, it is important to remain hopeful. By combining your spiritual faith with the proper mental and emotional tools, you can go from living with addiction to thriving in a joyful, fulfilled, sober life.
One of the most important aspects to treating addiction can be rooted deep within the soul. Although we think of addiction as a physical condition, that’s only part of the story. It is not only about chemicals and biology but is also a spiritual stronghold.
Spirituality provides a sense of connection to ourselves, to other people, and to God, which can be powerful in preventing the feelings of loneliness, isolation, and negative emotions that drive addiction.
We now know that spirituality and prayer can help promote healing from addiction. This is true for people of all ages. We also know that coping skills and self soothing are learned behaviors. This means that it’s never too late to start learning healthier ways of caring for our mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.
If you (or a loved one) are coping with addiction, these spiritual practices can help you reclaim your life:
Prayer
There is so much to be said for the power of prayer. In fact, it may be able to help those in recovery avoid relapse by finding better ways of reducing stress when triggered.
If you are uncertain of what to say as you pray to God to release you from your addiction, here are a couple of ideas:
- The Serenity Prayer. There’s a good reason why this popular prayer is so common among addiction recovery programs. It’s great for letting go of the things that are beyond our control in life. This allows us to keep a calm mind and live fully present in each moment. In fact, one study even called it “a form of wisdom that helps individuals better manage their lives through reflection and personal insights.”
- The Prayer for Drug Addicts. Hundreds of people have found relief in this prayer to end addiction. Best of all, it is in a YouTube video format so you can follow along from anywhere in the world, including the comfort of your own home.
Patience and Faith
Above all else, be gentle with yourself as you make these big life changes. When it comes to retraining your brain so you can break free from deeply ingrained behavior patterns, some days will be easier than others. Your faith will help you get through the tough days.
Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, be patient with yourself. In the words of Paul Coehlo, “Patience is not about waiting but how we act when things take longer than we expect.” Maintaining your spiritual faith in God throughout your journey will help you maintain patience with yourself so you can stay on track to sobriety.
Jill Palmer, Mental Wellness Center
Effective Fervent Prayer Must Be According to the Will of God
Some people think prayer is a matter of our trying to convince God to do something He does not want to do.
Where did we ever get that idea? Not from the Bible. Jesus taught us to get in line with God’s purposes and to pray: Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10
God is not unjust. Confusion has arisen because of the parable in Luke 18:1-8, where a widow pesters an unjust judge until he finally relents and gives her justice. The divinely inspired lesson of the parable is provided at the beginning of the story: Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
Jesus said God would ultimately avenge injustices against His people. So, this is not a matter of our trying to convince God against His will. God will avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them.
So, why pray? First, we should pray because God tells us to pray. Second, it honors God for us to humbly bring our petitions to Him. Third, it pleases God when we seek His will and get in line with His plans and purposes. Fourth, God is glorified when He answers our prayers. Fifth, the fellowship we have with God is greatly enhanced and we come to love Him more – whether He answers our prayer or not.
Unfortunately, many of us grow up pestering our parents until they give in and give us what we want. But, when God is not cooperative, we want to find another god, who will go along with our requests. But remember – Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Psalm 115:3
One man prayed for the salvation of his uncle for over thirty years. The uncle was especially antagonistic against women preachers. When the hard-hearted man was on his deathbed, he relented and agreed to listen to a woman preacher tell him the Gospel. He was saved two weeks before he passed on. It is sad the uncle’s pride kept him from enjoying God’s forgiveness and peace all those years.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Psalm 103:19-21
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
Jesus, the Son of Man, willingly submitted Himself to His Father’s will as foretold by the Prophet: Then I said, “Behold, I have come – in the volume of the book it is written of Me – to do Your will, O God.” Hebrews 10:7; Psalm 40:7-8
Therefore, when Jesus, was faced with having to drink the cup of our iniquity on the cross and be alienated from God because of our sins, He prayed saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
Article submitted by Walter D. Willet, author of Before Time Began: The Eternal Purpose of God
Hearing from God – The Bible, Dreams & His Still Small Voice
There are several ways that we can hear the voice of God. He may speak to us by means of Scripture, dreams, visions, nature or through His still small voice. Although there are several ways that God speaks to mankind we first must listen, not just with our ears, we must also be ready to receive His words in our heart.
Moreover he said to me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. Ezekiel 3:10
Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. Job 22:22
It is not simply enough to hear the Word of God; His instructions must be received whole-heartedly and obeyed.
To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. Jeremiah 6:10
The great prophet Jeremiah lived during the most crucial period of Judah’s existence as a kingdom. He had incessantly warned his people to turn from their sins before it was too late. Although the LORD spoke to the people of the Southern Kingdom through His prophet, their hearts were hardened so that they did not heed the warnings. Because they failed to listen to the LORD, Jerusalem and the holy Temple were destroyed and the survivors were taken captive into Babylon.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22
The primary way that a born-again believer hears God is through the Bible – God’s Holy Word. Through Scripture, God speaks both to the individual and to the body of Christ. But again, it is not enough to be exposed to the divinely inspired written word; a person must receive the message in his heart (a person must have a listening ear).
“Indeed God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, when sound sleep falls on men, while they slumber in their beds…” Job 33:15-16
There are several biblical accounts that record that God has spoken to mankind through dreams or visions. A dream is a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. On the other hand, a vision portrays scenery or dramatic circumstances to the human recipient while the human is awake.
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
The “last days” began at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power. The “last days” continue until the return of the Lord. Today, God still speaks through dreams and visions.
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”1 Kings 19:11-13
In Exodus 20:18-19, the people of Israel trembled with fear when they saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw Mount Sinai in smoke. They cried out to Moses, “Do not have God speak to us or we will die”
Although the voice of the Almighty is like the noise of many waters (Ezekiel 1:24), He often chooses to speak to us with a still small voice. Again, we must be attentive and listen for His still small voice as we receive it in our hearts.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4
God also speaks to us through His creation, and He does so without using audible words. When we look up into the sky in the daytime and see the beauty of a sunrise, or on a clear evening when we contemplate the vastness of outer space, God speaks to us of His glory and power.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21
The heavens and the earth speak of God’s glory. He has given all people a revelation of His eternal power and nature, but those who are not ready to receive His message with a humble heart cannot hear His voice.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Revelation 3:6-8
If you are willing not only to hear, but to listen and receive, the Spirit tells God’s people that we can hear the voice of God through the circumstances of life. There will be times that we may discern God’s will because of an opened or a closed door. The will of God will never contradict the word of God or His character. An opened or a closed door must be evaluated in the light of God’s character and according to the “plumb line” of Scripture. We usually desire an opened door because it often means opportunity, progress and/or promotion. But is it God’s will? What appears to be an “opened door” needs to be confirmed according to God’s word and character. We need to seek God in prayer and have an inner peace to help us confirm the circumstance as God’s will for us. We are often frustrated or disappointed when we encounter a “closed door.” A closed door is for our good. The door may be closed so that we must wait upon the Lord in order to develop patience and build our faith. A door may be closed because God wants to take us in a different and better direction or a closed door may result in more fervent prayer and closer communion with God.
Whether God is speaking to you through His Word, a dream or vision, with a still small voice, through natural revelation or circumstances, you must be prepared to listen with a heart ready to receive and obey His voice.
The Power of Prayer is Unleashed in Unity
Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Why is it when “two or three” are gathered to pray and not just “one” person alone? Because there is power in unity!
Jesus said in Matthew 18:19, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” God the Father said in the Torah although, one can chase a thousand, two can put ten thousand to flight. (Deuteronomy 32:30a). Simply put, there is more power in unified and combined faith than there is in solitary faith because “in unity” the power of God is multiplied exponentially.
Let’s look at what God said at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:5 – But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
Watchman Nee wrote a book entitled, “The Latent Power of the Soul.” In it he states that man has a power in his soul (given by God at the time of Adam), enabling him to subdue the earth and all on it! It’s not physical might that enables mankind to rule over every creature as some creatures are mightier than man. Nee also asserts that mankind does not exercise this godly use of “soul power” today. On the other hand, Satan and his demonic forces manipulate mankind into utilizing their soul power for evil purposes. In Revelation chapter 18 which concerns the “Fall of Babylon,” verse 13 lists the “souls of men” among the merchandise traded in Babylon.
I believe that this soul power of mankind can be used for God’s purposes when we are led by the Spirit of God and come to understand how our soul power works in conjunction with the divine power of the Holy Spirit.
An important biblical principle that we need to understand is the power unleashed in unity. It was whenever the people of God were in “one accord” that we see the mighty movement of God recorded throughout the Bible. From the time of Moses, the Israelites were victorious through the power of God whenever they were all in one accord and purpose, and were aligned with the will of God. But whenever divisions came between them and they no longer stood in one accord in accordance to God’s will, defeat overcame them.
In Acts 2:1 we see the disciples were all in “one accord,” when on the day of Pentecost, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit with power. In Acts 2:46 we see the believers in “one accord” and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. In Acts 4:24-31 all the companions of Peter and John were in “one accord” when they prayed to the Lord for boldness to speak His word with signs and wonders and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 5:12 the believers were in “one accord” and through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14a, “You are the light of the world.” Think of that light as single flashlight illuminating an object in the darkness. Then consider how much more illuminated that object would be with many flashlights shining on it at the same time. That is the essence of unity and being in one accord.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. Strength, whether physical or spiritual, is multiplied by numbers.
When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:21, He summed it all up when He said, that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. Jesus was praying that all of His followers (later called Christians), would be united in spirit and purpose and be in “one accord,” just like Jesus and the Father. This unity would both serve as a witness to the world and assure that believers would be one in the Father and the Son as well.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 2 verses 1-5, unity is all about humility:
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
When we follow the example of Christ and believers are like-minded, serving one another in humility, there is great power that will be unleashed in our unity.
Article by Mike Minton, Editor of “The Inside Ministers’ Journal”
We have a variety of resources for you on our website such as:
Biblical Insights into Combating Addiction, Teachings on Prayer and Fasting, links to Christian resources for the addicted: Find Help, Healing Scriptures and information on our Annual Weekend of Prayer event.
The Pinnacle Privilege of Prayer
The Most Holy Place located in the Tabernacle and then later in the Temple in Jerusalem, was the focus of worship in Israel. The inner room was known as the “Most Holy Place” or “Holy of Holies.” This room contained the Ark of the Covenant. The lid of the ark was called, “The Mercy Seat” or “The Atonement Cover,” which had two cherubim of gold over it. There was a thick curtain or veil to separate the Holy Place which had the lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the table of showbread from the Most Holy Place.
“You shall put the Altar of Incense in front of the curtain that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the Mercy Seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you. Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.”Exodus 30:6-8
In Revelation chapter four, the Apostle John is translated to the throne room of God which is an incredible scene. In Revelation chapter five God has a scroll that no one could open. John wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. One of the elders told John, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Rev 5:5b).
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:6-7
After the Lamb that was slain took the scroll from God the Father on the throne, verse 8 declares that the angels fell down and worshipped Jesus. In the hands of the angels were bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints!
The prayers of God’s people rise in the face of the Risen Lord and the Father Himself!
Also in Revelation 8:4 it says that the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.
King David said in Psalm 141:1-2: “O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! May my prayer be counted as incense before You.”
Why would God want to have incense in His throne room? To enjoy the sweet fragrance of it!!! The incense of our prayers continuously rises before the very face of God and they are a pleasing aroma to Him.
Wouldn’t it be marvelous to be a part of this heavenly scene? Well, our prayers are! With this in mind, the question arises, what could be more important than prayer? When we compare all of the events of our daily life, what compares to this?
Do you hear the Spirit of God calling you to the pinnacle privilege of prayer?
Article submitted by Pastor Eric Young of Shepherds Heart Ministries
We have a variety of resources for you on our website such as:
Biblical Insights into Combating Addiction, Teachings on Prayer and Fasting, links to Christian resources for the addicted: Find Help, Healing Scriptures and information on our Annual Weekend of Prayer event.
Bible Verses to Build Your Faith and Strengthen Your Prayers
Faith building Bible verses will bring blessings of answered prayers. These verses will enable you to pray the prayer of faith according to God’s Word.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature …
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be… followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 18:19-20
“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Matthew 9:22
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 9:29
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Acts 3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Mark 16:15-18
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew 15:30-31
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
3 John 2-4
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
1John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of him.
Bible Verses About Faith: 20 Popular Scripture Quotes
Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-faith-20-popular-scripture-quotes/
Pray the Prayer of Jabez for it is a Prayer of Deliverance
Pray the prayer of Jabez who was delivered from a life of shame, sorrow and suffering. Pray in faith. God is able to bless you and keep you from evil.
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez saving. “I gave birth to him in pain. “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil so that I will be free from pain. “And God granted his request. 1Chronicles 4:9-10
The data of Israel’s history was organized and recorded by the Chronicler to address the exiles who had returned from Babylon. The first nine chapters of First Chronicles are devoted to the genealogies which span from the time of Adam to the generation that returned to rebuild Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity.
These two verses concerning Jabez stand out in stark contrast to the mere recording of name upon name which characterizes most lineages. It is evident that Jabez descended from the tribe of Judah. But unlike the other descendants of Judah whose names are recorded; there is no clear reference to Jabez’ clan or family. Obviously, this account of Jabez was not included to focus upon his lineage, but to emphasize the impact that his prayer had upon his life.
Keil, in his commentary, supposes that these verses are a record of a vow made by Jabez. Keil goes on to suggest that the vow’ was so significant and its fulfillment so apparent that it has been handed down.
More importantly, we must remember that the information recorded in the Books of the Chronicles are not only historic fact, but are the inspired Word of God. The account of Jabez has been preserved by God to teach us spiritual lessons and to help us draw nearer to Him.
His mother named him Jabez, saving, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
Jabez’s mother named her son a name which sounds like the Hebrew word for pain or suffering. It also can be translated as sorrow maker. Biblical names are very significant. Some names have been prophetic, such as the name Jesus which means Savior. More often they expressed some outstanding personal characteristic. Abram, which means exalted father, had his name changed by God to Abraham, which means the father of many. Abraham’s grandson was named Jacob which means he grasps the heel or figuratively means the usurper or deceiver. After Jacob spends twenty years being deceived by his uncle Laban, he returns home. On his journey home, he spends a night wrestling with the Angel of the LORD. Jacob is renamed Israel which means he strives with God or having power with God.
It can be assumed that Jabez, who was named the sorrow maker, harmed others, and in turn, his life was filled with pain.
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel
Jabez descended from Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel who had seen the misery of His people during their Egyptian bondage. The LORD God heard as Israel cried out because of their harsh taskmasters.
“Oh, that you would bless me indeed …
As a Jew, Jabez was circumcised as a sign that he was a partaker of the Abrahamic covenant. Jabez knew that God’s gracious covenant with Abram was full of blessings. Because Abram was obedient and left his country, his people and his father’s house in order to follow God, the LORD promised the following to him:
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3
Jabez understood that God is a God of love and grace who desires to bless His people.
… and enlarge my territory”
Jabez knew that when the Israelites were finished with their wilderness experience and entered into the promised land that the LORD said to Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set foot, as I promised Moses.” Joshua 1:3
The God of Israel also promised that if Joshua obeyed the Law handed down through Moses, that Joshua would be successful wherever he would go. Joshua was encouraged to be strong and courageous in battle because the LORD’S hand would be with him. So Jabez prayed:
Let your hand be with me
Jabez desired to be blessed and his territory enlarged. Jabez realized that in order for his sphere of influence, his personal wealth, and his impact for God’s kingdom to increase, it would take the grace of God, the power of God and the presence of God’s Spirit – the hand of God – to accomplish it.
and keep me from evil so that I will be free from pain.”
Jabez cried out to God “keep me from evil.” Just as the children of Israel fervently cried out to God to be delivered from their physical bondage and physical pain, Jabez fervently cried out to be delivered from his spiritual bondage and emotional pain. He was named the Sorrow Maker. Jabez caused others to suffer pain. Jabez wanted to be kept from evil so that he could be free from pain. Doing what is evil is sin. All wrong doing is sin. Sin not only breaks our relationship with God, but also harms others as well as ourselves.
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.
Why is a man whose name means pain and who had to cry out to God, “keep me from evil…”called more honorable than his brothers? Because Jabez wanted to turn from his painful ways and knew from whom to seek help.
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? Mv help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
The LORD is translated from the Hebrew Yahweh – the covenant name of the God of Israel. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel for deliverance and blessing. Jabez was not more righteous than his brothers because of his noble character or actions, but because he humbled himself, repented of his sins and trusted in the grace of God for forgiveness and blessing.
Jabez came from a dysfunctional family. He was cursed from birth by his own mother who labeled her newborn as a pain maker. He may have been ridiculed by other children and even by his own brothers. Jabez may have even tried to live up to his name. But we have no record of the names of the brothers of Jabez. Although he was named Sorrow Maker, the Scripture refers to him as an honorable man.
And God granted his request.
Jabez was blessed indeed. Jabez’s wealth, influence and impact for God’s kingdom remarkably increased. God presence and power was with him. Jabez was kept from evil and free from pain.
Have you come from a dysfunctional family? Are you burdened with the guilt of pain that your misdeeds have wrought? Do you want to experience true forgiveness? Do you want to experience true forgiveness? Do want the power and presence of God in your life?
THEN LOOK TO THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST
If you have never made a confession of faith then say the following prayer aloud:
“Lord Jesus Christ,
I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to earn my way to heaven. Although I deserve God’s wrath, by God’s mercy, I accept your free gift of eternal life by faith. I believe that You were born of a virgin and died on the cross to pay the price of my sins. I believe you were buried, rose again on the third day, have ascended into heaven, and will soon come again.
Lord, please forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and take control of my life.” AMEN
Then you have just made a decision by faith, to accept the free gift (God’s grace) of the
substitutionary sacrifice of the Messiah (the Christ), whose suffering and death paid the price of your sins.
Please contact us. We want to rejoice with you!
You have been born again. As a new born, you need to be nourished.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In order to grow and mature spiritually you need to:
- Be baptized into Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ)
- Speak to God each day through prayer. (Pray each day in the name of Yeshua/Jesus).
- Read your Bible every day. When you read the Bible, God speaks to you through His Word. (If you don’t own a Bible, then we will help you get one.)
- Find a Bible believing church and attend regularly – both worship services and a Bible study.
- Share with someone what God has done for you.
Anointed to Walk in the Power of the Spirit through Fasting and Prayer
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?…” Isaiah 58:6
Fasting and prayer are powerful spiritual weapons that can set the oppressed free from every yoke and bondage of sin. Jesus himself fasted for 40 days.
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit …
Jesus had been baptized by John. This was not for the remission of His sins because He was sinless, but to fulfill all righteousness. And afterwards, as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. Full of the Holy Spirit, He returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he fasted and was tempted by the devil. Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
These significant, historical events occurred in accordance to the liturgical cycle of Scripture readings in the synagogues. From the times of the Babylonian captivity to this very day, each Sabbath weekly portions of the Sefer Torah or scroll containing the Five Books of Moses is read in every synagogue throughout the world. Not only are the books from Genesis through Deuteronomy read annually, but portions of the Scroll of the Prophets are read each Sabbath as well.
The reading of the Haftorah dates back to the era of the Greek empire. The enemies of God’s chosen people recognized the vitality of the Torah and banned the reading of the weekly Torah portion. In response, the Rabbis of those days substituted the reading of a segment from the Prophets, commonly known as the Haftorah. They carefully chose specific sections of the Prophets which correspond to the sedra (weekly portion) and intended through this to capture the lessons of the weekly Torah portion. Although the Torah reading has been restored, the Haftorah remains an integral part of Shabbos (Sabbath) and Yom Tov (holiday) experience.
Luke 3:4-6
As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’ ”
John was preaching from Isaiah 40:3-5. Isaiah 40:1-26 is the passage of Scripture read from the scroll of the prophets on the first Sabbath after Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the ninth day of the fifth month, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, especially the destruction of the First and Second Temples. There are seven readings from Isaiah between Tisha B’Av and Rosh HaShana. These passages span from Isaiah 40 through Isaiah 63.
After Jesus’ baptism, His forty days of fasting in the desert, and time spent preaching in the synagogues in the Galilee, His return to His hometown synagogue in Nazareth would have marked the end of seven week period between Tisha B’Av and the Sabbath before Rosh HaShana.
The destruction of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians was a judgment of God due to the sin of the nation of Judah. More than a century earlier, the Northern Tribes were taken into captivity by Assyria for their idolatries. John’s crying out in the wilderness was a call to repentance and spiritual preparation for the coming Messiah Jesus. It was initiated on a day of great mourning and fasting.
Seven weeks later, Yeshua – Jesus, whose name means salvation, read from Yeshayahu HaNovi – Isaiah the Prophet, whose name means -G-d is Salvation. Jesus read from Isaiah 61 verse one and the first half of verse two. He proclaimed the year of the LORD’s favor, but did not go on to pronounce the “day of God’s vengeance.”
Rosh HaShana commences the Ten Days of Awe. These ten days are the most solemn and introspective on the Hebrew Calendar. They mark the days between the New Year and the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is the most holy, most solemn day for the Jewish people. It is the last day of the High Holy Days which began on Rosh HaShanah. Many Jewish people spend the entire day in the synagogue, praying and fasting in the hope that their sins will be forgiven and that they will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life for the coming year.
Tisha B’Av was the day that John the Baptist proclaimed that he was a voice crying out in the wilderness. It was a day of mourning and fasting. It was a call to turn from sin. Jesus proclaimed that He was the Messiah on the Sabbath before the Ten Days of Awe.
These days of repentance culminated on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a day set aside to “afflict the soul,” to fast and pray.
Jesus is the Anointed On. He is the Messiah. He was anointed to preach the good news, the gospel. He was sent to set the captives free.
But first, in order to receive Him, the people’s hearts had to be readied through prayer, fasting and repentance.
Joel 1: 5, 14
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!
Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips.
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
The first time in Scripture that we see the LORD ordaining a fast is when the nation had turned from their God and were drunk with wine.
2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Fasting and prayer are powerful spiritual weapons to demolish the strongholds of alcoholism and other drug addictions.
Unleash the Power of Prayer and Fasting
There is great spiritual power in prayer and fasting. Addiction is a spiritual bondage that must be fought with spiritual weapons. Fasting and prayer will enable you to be empowered by the Holy Ghost and allow His anointing to break the yoke that binds you.
Mark 9:17-22a
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him…”
John 10:10a
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
The cost and consequences of alcoholism and drug dependence place an enormous burden on American society. According to the “National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence,” Addiction is the nation’s number one health problem. Addiction strains the health care system, the economy, harms family life and threatens public safety.
There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the U.S. from substance abuse than from any other cause.
- About 18 million Americans have alcohol problems; about 5 to 6 million Americans have drug problems.
- More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
- More than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs.
- Heavy drinking contributes to illness in each of the top three causes of death: heart disease, cancer and stroke.
- Almost half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.
- Between 48% and 64% of people who die in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation.
- One-quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol-related.
Alcoholism and drug dependence are not just social or medical issues, the outward manifestations of violent acts and lewdness associated with drunkenness and drug highs confirm that addiction is spiritual bondage that must be fought with spiritual weapons.
Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness.
Your mind is the battlefield of the spirit. Whether you’re bombed, blasted, whacked, wasted, drunk, stoned, or high, on alcohol or other drugs, you’ve given the thief the opportunity and the right to enter into your mind. Altered states of consciousness can also be accomplished through eastern mysticism, transcendental meditation and bio-feedback. Whether by means of distilled spirits or by occult practices that open the dark side of the spiritual realm, the result is still the same – spiritual bondage.
Satan comes disguised as an angel of light. Sin feels good for a season. By getting high on drugs or by the habitual drinking of beer or other alcoholic beverages many have surrendered themselves to the will of the evil one and have been enslaved by sin.
“How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him…” Mark 9:21-22
Usually when we think about suicide, we imagine one act of desperation. Someone jumps off a bridge or takes a loaded gun to their head. This demon possessed young man often was thrown into the fire to burn alive or into the water to drown since childhood. Yet, this biblical account is not quite as uncommon as you would suppose. There are millions of Americans and even some reading this teaching who since childhood have been choosing to slowly kill themselves.
More Americans are killed by cigarettes than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs.
John 10:10a
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
Cigarette smoking is a major cause of cancers of the lung, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus and is a contributing cause in the development of cancers of the bladder, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney, stomach, and some leukemias.
Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, bronchitis, emphysema, and stroke and contributes to the severity of colds and pneumonia. Tobacco has a damaging affect on women’s health and is associated with increased risk of miscarriage, pre-term delivery, stillbirth, and infant death, and is a cause of low birth weight in infants. Furthermore, the secondhand smoke from cigarettes has a harmful health effect on those around the smoke.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Mark 9:22b
“… But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
It was not only the son that needed help, relief and deliverance but the father as well. How often have we found comfort in times of trouble when a friend was compassionate enough to listen to our problems? The father grew hopeless, not only as he endured through years of agony seeing his own son suffer; but unable to even offer some measure of comfort to his son who was mute and unable to speak to his father of his fears and pain.
Today, how many fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, suffer when they see the ones that the love bound up by addiction? How many have grown hopeless after years of enduring the broken promises and lies?
“… But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
The father, after many years of emotional pain and dwindling hope, again suffers the disappointment of finding the disciples of Jesus unable to help. Understandably, the father then questioned Jesus by saying, “If You can,” have compassion on us and help us. Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, is full of compassion and unlimited in power. Instead of rebuking the father for questioning the Master’s ability or desire to help, Jesus challenges the father to step out in faith. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
The father was not only subject to the pain of his child’s suffering but also to the stigma of a child who evidenced demonic possession. Had he failed as a father? Was it his fault that his son no longer was in control of his life? If Jesus was unable to deliver his son, wasn’t the father going to suffer public disgrace once again?
Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” This short, but sincere and honest prayer was immediately answered. Both the father and his son were free after years of physical pain, emotional suffering and spiritual bondage.
Mark 9:25-29
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
Addiction is not limited to alcoholism, drug dependence or smoking. There are blood-bought Christians who are struggling with pornography, eating disorders, lust, anger, or jealousy.
“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
1 John 3:8b
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Jesus was anointed to proclaim release to the captives and to set free those who are oppressed…
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Before we can be made clean, we must first recognize our sinfulness.
Recently, I took a panhandler to breakfast and asked him his name. He called himself “Doc.” He had a PHD from Michigan State in English literature… He had been living on the streets since 1999. He had been a lecture in his church up north; meaning that he often read publicly from the Scriptures and assisted in serving communion. He even insisted that he had a relationship with Christ and was able to quote some verses. Why then, was he living in the streets pan-handling, filthy, diseased and undernourished? It wasn’t because he was a drug addict, he only had a couple of beers each day and he never got rip-roaring drunk.
I told him that he could not serve two masters, Christ and beer. His response was honest, although it brought me to tears. He said, “I guess I’ll have a couple of beers every day until I die.”
Many people seek Jesus as savior but they refuse to make Jesus Lord of their life.
Are you willing to make Jesus Lord of your life by submitting your will to His? Will you allow the Son of God to do a work in you so that you may be wholly sanctified spirit, soul and body? Will you cry out to Jesus, “I believe you can deliver me” “Help my unbelief!” Will you fast and pray in order to be empowered by the Holy Ghost and allow His anointing to break the yoke that binds you? Then pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ,
I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to earn my way to heaven. Although I deserve God’s wrath, by God’s mercy, I accept your free gift of eternal life by faith. I believe that You were born of a virgin and died on the cross to pay the price of my sins. I believe you were buried, rose again on the third day, have ascended into heaven, and will soon come again. Lord, please forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and take control of my life.” AMEN
Then you have just made a decision by faith, to accept the free gift (God’s grace) of the substitutionary sacrifice of the Messiah (the Christ), whose suffering and death paid the price of your sins.
Please contact us, we want to rejoice with you!
You have been born again. As a new born, you need to be nourished.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In order to grow and mature spiritually you need to:
- Be baptized into Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ)
- Speak to God each day through prayer. (Pray each day in the name of Yeshua/Jesus).
- Read your Bible every day.
- When you read the Bible, God speaks to you through His Word. (If you don’t own a Bible, then will help you get one.)
- Find a Bible believing church and attend regularly – both worship services and a Bible study.
Share with someone what God has done for you.
The Medicine of God’s Word
The Medicine of God’s Word
31 Healing Scriptures
Daily Meditation on the Promises of God
Proverbs 4:20 – 22 says, “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart; for they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” The Hebrew word for “health” in verse 22 is “medicine.” God’s Word is medicine to all our flesh. Isaac Leeser’s translation of Exodus 15:26 reads, “…I the Lord am thy physician.” The medicine He prescribes is His Word.
Many make the mistake of substituting belief in healing for the actual taking of God’s medicine – His Word. They say, “I believe in healing” without actually taking the medicine. What good would it do you to believe in food if you didn’t eat it? You would starve. What good would it do you to believe in water if you didn’t actually drink any? You would die of thirst.
God’s Word is His medicine. There are several parallels between God’s medicine and natural medicine. First, God’s Word is a healing agent just as natural medicine is a healing agent or catalyst. In other words, the medicine itself contains the capacity to produce healing. God’s Word contains inherent within it the capacity, the energy, the ability, the nature to effect healing in your body. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Fenton says, “He sent out His word, and it healed, and from their corruptions it freed!” Proverbs 4:22 Says, “For they (His Words) are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Isaiah 55:10, 11 says the Word of God will accomplish what it was sent out to do.
The Word itself contains the power to produce what it says, just as when God said, “Let there be light … and there was light.” Healing Scriptures contain within them the capacity to produce healing. Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…” Weymouth says, “God’s Message is full of life and power…” Jordan says, “God’s Word is alive with energy…” Knox says, “God’s word to us is something alive, full of energy…” The key to partaking of the life and healing energy in the Word is feeding on it until it penetrates your spirit where it deposits that life and energy.
Secondly, we might say that medicine is no respecter of persons. It will work for anyone who takes it. It is not a matter of God willing or not willing the healing of any individual, but whether or not the individual will receive healing by taking the medicine that produces it.
Thirdly, and most importantly, medicine must be taken according to directions to be effective. Some medicine labels read, “Take internally;” others say “Take externally.” To rub it on your body externally when the directions say to take it internally will not work. To take it after meals when the directions say take it before meals will reduce its effectiveness. To take it once in a while when the directions say three times every day will mean limited results, if any. No matter how good the medicine is, it must be taken according to directions, or it won’t work. So it is with God’s medicine. It must be taken according to directions to work.
The directions for taking God’s medicine are found in Proverbs 4:20, 21. Attend to them, incline your ear to them, don’t let them depart from before your eyes, and keep them in the midst of your heart. We might say that attending to them, inclining your ear to them, and keeping them before your eyes causes them to get into the midst of your heart. Notice this – it is only as they get in the midst of your heart and stay there that they produce healing in your body. Head knowledge won’t do. They are going to have to penetrate to your spirit through meditation – attending, hearing, looking, muttering, musing, and pondering – to produce healing in your body. But once they do penetrate, they will surely bring health to all your flesh. The Living Bible says, “…let them penetrate deep within your heart.” You can see again that God’s way of healing is spiritual. Power is ministered first to your spirit and then distributed to your body. God’s medicine must be taken internally.
Listen, instead of wondering whether you have enough faith to be healed, just take the medicine. Here is a list of healing Scriptures – feed on them several times a day, repeating them over and over again to yourself. The medicine itself will work if you will get it inside you.
Fourthly, remember that it takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine a lot of time and patience and money to work. They take the prescription back for refills and more refills. They are diligent about it. They don’t just take one dose and expect a miracle. Keep taking God’s medicine. Give it time to work.
Take your medicine. Say these Scriptures to yourself. Think on what you’re saying in your heart. Use them in praise to the Father. His Word is medicine to all your flesh.
Day 1: Exodus 15:26
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Day 2: Exodus 23:25-26
And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
Day 3: Deuteronomy 7:15
And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Day 4: Psalm 91:9-10
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Day 5: Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Day 6: Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Day 7: Proverbs 4:20-23
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart; For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Day 8: Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Day 9: Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Day 10: Isaiah 55:9-11
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Day 11: Isaiah 58:6-11
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Day 12: Jeremiah 30:17
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, “This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.”
Day 13: Malachi 3:6
“For I am the Lord, I change not”
Day 14: Malachi 4:2-3
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Day 15: Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Day 16: Matthew 8:16-17
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Day 17: Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Day 18: Matthew 15:30-31
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Day 19: Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Day 20: Mark 16:17-18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Day 21: Luke 4:17-19
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Day 22: Luke 9:1-2
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Day 23: Luke 10:8-9
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Day 24: Luke 13:16
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?
Day 25: Acts 4:29-30
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Day 26: Acts 5:15-16
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Day 27: Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Day 28: Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Day 29: James 5:13-16
Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Day 30: 1 John 5:14-15
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Day 31: 3 John 2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Submitted By Encourager Linda Flagg, LM, CS
http://www.theencourager.net
"Just Pray NO!" Ltd. 