Healing Ministry

[PaulEBear]

Hello All -

The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to start a healing ministry at our church. We are small, only 100 members but, our church is heavily involved with the homeless and needy in our community. Last week we served 94 families from our food kitchen and were fearing we would not have enough for everyone but, every time we feel like that, the Lord provides and everyone receives what they need. There are many of these, adults and children who are obviously having health problems and some of these people are just getting by. Aside from a full-on emergency, they rarely can get medical as the two free clinics in our area are only open one day a week...

Jesus gave us the 'authority' to heal the sick and cast out demons. In touching on this subject briefly with our leadership team, there are two who believe these gifts disappeared after the apostles died out. But, others are not so sure and I belive these gifts have never been rescinded or disappeared. There are thousands of stories of people being healed in our churches even now and I believe this is something that the Lord is using in a stronger way to show His Love and to being many more into His Church.

I can't turn our little church into a 'charismatic' church nor would I want to change our dynamic that works so well for us. About 1/3 of our membership came to us "off the street" and we took them in, loved them, and helped them 'get a life' again, many of whom came to know the Lord that way and they have stayed and grown.

But, I am convinced that we do not use all the resources available to us when we limit our help to prayers and practical needs. We should be laying on hands and healing people of their physical problems so that they know Jesus Love is real and He still does miracles today.

I guess I am looking for input for ways to take some small steps into this realm without getting others upset but, demonstrate that the gifts are still as much valid today as ever. I have passive support from my pastor who is of the same mind but, has not practiced nor does he have experience in this regard. I have read two books already and working on my third, including one titled: "I Give You Authority" which does an exhaustive job of explaining the authority we have in Jesus. I believe I can work in this area to help people come to the Lord for healing and it is my personal desire to do so. I also believe that this is one item that may trigger another revival in our town that several of us feel we are right on the verge of seeing happen.

As a little background, I am not gifted in tongues. But, I have a strong spiritual life and understand the spiritual war we are in with Satan.

I welcome your input and you are welcome to contact me here, via PM or direct e-mail which is available under my profile. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[Tee_w]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Sounds like a great church you go to love the stuff your doing there. As for divine healing I would suggest you try contacting someone in your area that has some practical experience of praying for the sick and seeing God heal them. Fellowship with such folk and perhaps going out on the street with them and seeing it done first hand is a great way to learn. [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]If this is not possible just keep reading the books and pray for an opportunity to put into practise what you learn. I would also add don't get discouraged if you see failures, one of the first persons I prayed for died as I was praying for them to be healed – you'll get no encouragement from the devil. Just keep on praying God will teach you things as you continue faithfully in the ministry.[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]There's a newish book out by Bill Johnson & Randy Clark called The Essential Guide to Healing I personally respect these two men greatly and I think this book would probably help you a lot.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]
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[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Blessings, Tee
[/FONT]

 

[PaulEBear]

Hi Tee - Thanks for your suggestion. After reviewing the book some, I did find a source here in the U.S. and ordered a copy for myself. It looks like what I have been looking for and I was not aware of it before your mentioning it...

I am also reading a great book that is titled: "I Give You Authority" by Charles H. Kraft. This has provided a high degree of understanding exactly what we can realize being available to us. Along with the book above which appears to be a very practical guide, I think I will have plenty of information.

Your suggestion for visiting a church in my area who practices these gifts is something I am looking into. Being a conservative, non-charismatic Christian from a fundamental background, this is all new to me. But, I feel very strongly that this is the direction I need to be going in.

I believe that we Christians tend to do ourselves more damage by segregating our people into denominations and stereotype 'labels' which always created barriers and isolates people. In many ways, those barriers are coming down and I believe it is a sign of The Church coming together in unity more and more as we go into these 'end times'....

I would like to hear from others as well and am certainly open to any suggestions and information.

Paul

 

[PaulEBear]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]There's a newish book out by Bill Johnson & Randy Clark called "The Essential Guide to Healing" I personally respect these two men greatly and I think this book would probably help you a lot. [/FONT]

Hi Tee - I am so glad you recommended Bill and Randy's book. I found a copy on-line Saturday and ordered it. Funny, it arrived today and I didn't ask for any special shipping! I have looked through several pages and it seems to be just what I am interested in. As I work on this ministry and learn more and more, I will try and post my progress and the results in the forum when I can. I do expect that once things get going that I am going to be pretty busy.

Blessing to you and your, Tee!

Paul

 

[Tee_w]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, Its great to hear you are stepping out in faith by seeking to minister divine healing. I don't know if you have come across iBethel.TV its part of the church ministry were Bill Johnson is the senior pastor, there's lots of free resources there. In my opinion Bethel Church, Redding, CA is at the cutting edge of what God is doing in these days. [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]If you'll bear with me I have a few thoughts I would like to share with you concerning supernatural ministry. To be truly effective we need to take hold of the fact that we are in Christ and that we have access to the anointing he had while on earth, the baptism in the Holy Spirit. [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]It is my conviction that our Lord, Jesus is the measure of the Christian life and when we realise the reality of verses such as Galatians 2:20, then Jesus can continue to do the likes of Acts 10:38 and I John 3:8, 4:9 in a greater measure. [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Wishing you great success as you step out is faith,[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Blessings,[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Tee.

[/FONT] [FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]PS seems all the free stuff is on itunes not the TV channel [/FONT]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]
[/FONT]

 

[PaulEBear]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, Its great to hear you are stepping out in faith by seeking to minister divine healing. I don't know if you have come across iBethel.TV its part of the church ministry were Bill Johnson is the senior pastor, there's lots of free resources there. In my opinion Bethel Church, Redding, CA is at the cutting edge of what God is doing in these days.[/FONT]

Hi Tee -

Thanks for your kind reply. Last night I read through both Bill and Randy's bios and was captivated at their contrast of lives yet, God brought them together in such a wonderful way. It is a well written book and I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep!

I also have not see the iBethel.TV web site but, will have a look after I send this on. Redding, CA. is only a casual 3-hour drive west of Reno, Nevada where I live. It would be wonderful to make a weekend trip and visit there sometime in the spring.

Several years ago, I used to help teach a course called "Freedom in Christ" by Neil Anderson at our church in San Diego. It's thrust is in freeing people from their pasts, neutralizing curses and eliminating any involvement from the past with occult activity, etc.. It is also a course of understanding WHO a born-again Christian is 'in Christ'. You would be surprised at the number of people who do not have a good understanding of that....

I have a ton of e-mails to respond to, fix dinner for wifey and I then go to our church leadership meeting. So, I better send this along and hope to year from you more. I am enjoying our dialog and do enjoy your input.

Before I end this message, for a long time I was looking for what I could do for the Lord at church or in my peer group. I just never found anything that 'clicked' but, after much prayer, I kept being prompted to learn more about healing. The prompting always came through a little stronger and more often all the time until last year, I began really looking into it. The more I read and learn, the more strongly I feel that I am where the Lord wants me to be. Maybe what now gives me a sense of urgency is that there are so many people that need healing of one kind or another who don't know Jesus and in a very real and personal way, demonstrating His Love to them and healing their hearts and bodies would most certainly convince that God is real and he is asking them for their heart as well. Once I have the anointing and proceed, there are a list of people I want the Lord to go to work on with needs that only He can take care of. It is not at all about "me" and not at all to do anything less than present Jesus in a "real-life/real-time" situation that He can overwhelm them with His Love and I am all-in to be His instrument to do that. I want to live in what He does for everyone I have contact with. And last, I want it to help jump-start a real revival in our little church that our entire city will notice and come to see themselves. The Lord knows this city is in desperate need of serious revival and I want to be part of the Lord's work here.

OK, time to fix some dinner.... Your prayers and support are needed more than ever, Tee.

With His blessings!

Paul

 

[hhodgson]

Hi Tee -

Thanks for your kind reply. Last night I read through both Bill and Randy's bios and was captivated at their contrast of lives yet, God brought them together in such a wonderful way. It is a well written book and I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep!

I also have not see the iBethel.TV web site but, will have a look after I send this on. Redding, CA. is only a casual 3-hour drive west of Reno, Nevada where I live. It would be wonderful to make a weekend trip and visit there sometime in the spring.

Several years ago, I used to help teach a course called "Freedom in Christ" by Neil Anderson at our church in San Diego. It's thrust is in freeing people from their pasts, neutralizing curses and eliminating any involvement from the past with occult activity, etc.. It is also a course of understanding WHO a born-again Christian is 'in Christ'. You would be surprised at the number of people who do not have a good understanding of that....

I have a ton of e-mails to respond to, fix dinner for wifey and I then go to our church leadership meeting. So, I better send this along and hope to year from you more. I am enjoying our dialog and do enjoy your input.

Before I end this message, for a long time I was looking for what I could do for the Lord at church or in my peer group. I just never found anything that 'clicked' but, after much prayer, I kept being prompted to learn more about healing. The prompting always came through a little stronger and more often all the time until last year, I began really looking into it. The more I read and learn, the more strongly I feel that I am where the Lord wants me to be. Maybe what now gives me a sense of urgency is that there are so many people that need healing of one kind or another who don't know Jesus and in a very real and personal way, demonstrating His Love to them and healing their hearts and bodies would most certainly convince that God is real and he is asking them for their heart as well. Once I have the anointing and proceed, there are a list of people I want the Lord to go to work on with needs that only He can take care of. It is not at all about "me" and not at all to do anything less than present Jesus in a "real-life/real-time" situation that He can overwhelm them with His Love and I am all-in to be His instrument to do that. I want to live in what He does for everyone I have contact with. And last, I want it to help jump-start a real revival in our little church that our entire city will notice and come to see themselves. The Lord knows this city is in desperate need of serious revival and I want to be part of the Lord's work here.

OK, time to fix some dinner.... Your prayers and support are needed more than ever, Tee.

With His blessings!

Paul

Hi Paul,

I have been nosing around most of the forums just to see what is going on in other areas. Sounds like you have a home here. Looks like a good place to say "hello" once in a while. I answered your message in my profile page and didn't realize that is for visitors. Well you know us Marines, if we don't know what to do in any situation, we adapt, improvise and overcome. I'm sure you remember that phrase. Anyway, just wanted to drop in and say "hello" to all. You know where I'm at.

Semper-fi

_________________
a friend,

Harry

 

[PaulEBear]

Hi Paul,

I have been nosing around most of the forums just to see what is going on in other areas. Sounds like you have a home here. Looks like a good place to say "hello" once in a while. I answered your message in my profile page and didn't realize that is for visitors. Well you know us Marines, if we don't know what to do in any situation, we adapt, improvise and overcome. I'm sure you remember that phrase. Anyway, just wanted to drop in and say "hello" to all. You know where I'm at.

Harry, I'd love to connect with you via e-mail outside of the forum. Wanted to send you an e-mail but, I don't have 20 posts yet to do that.... So, I'll put my e-mail in a PM to you on here....

Yeah, "improvise, adapt and overcome" (Gunny Highway in Heartbreak Ridge) one of my favorite movies even if it was a little corney... I'll send off my PM...

Semper Fi!

Paul

 

[PaulEBear]

Over the last couple of weeks, I have read a lot of my Bible and also been reading a few books on gifts of the spirit as well as healing and deliverance. Two of my favorite authors are Ron Phillips and Charles Kraft. Charles Kraft books "I Give You Authority" and "Two Hours to Freedom" (that I am reading now) are excellent resources along with Ron Phillips books. I would strongly recommend them to anyone interested in healing and deliverance ministries.

While I am learning, I am still looking for a 'mentor' that I can learn from and have discovered that they are very few and far between in my area. It is my sincere prayer that by this summer I can begin a small healing ministry at my church and with the help of the Holy Spirit, actually begin ministering to people at least on a limited basis.

Paul E. Bear

 

[PaulEBear]

I thought I would post an update here on my progress toward establishing a healing and deliverance ministry. I have a meeting scheduled with my pastor for next week and we will discuss this as to whether it should be done as a ministry of my church or independent of our church. I do have another Christian man interested in this ministry who would be a partner once we can establish a foundation to build on.

I have now read six books by four different authors on the subject of healing, deliverance and spiritual gifts. The book I am reading now is captivating to say the least. It is "When Pigs Move In" by Don Dickerman. It is very well written, very easy to understand and not only backed up with scripture references, but, a large portion of the first half of the book is stories of his actual experiences many of which are dealing with the 'worst of the worst'. I would very strongly recommend it to anyone working in or interested in a deliverance ministry.

Don also has another book as a follow up to this one called: "Keep the Pigs Out" subtitle, "How to slam the door shut on Satan and demons and keep your spiritual house clean". That is my next book....

God is good and he is opening the doors for this new ministry. I don't think Satan has heard yet because things are going very well for now....

Paul

 

[Tee_w]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]It seems that things are really looking up in terms of the healing ministry. I did not realise you had such a keen interest in deliverance ministry. In my experience folk tend to specialise in one or the other, although the two ministries often overlap so to develop some expertise in both would certainly be helpful. [/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]I don't know if you have come across this organisation[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]http://healingrooms.com/ [/FONT][FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]but they might be worth looking up if you haven't.[/FONT]


[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Blessings,[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Tee[/FONT]

 

[hhodgson]

The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to start a healing ministry at our church.

Jesus gave us the 'authority' to heal the sick and cast out demons. In touching on this subject briefly with our leadership team, there are two who believe these gifts disappeared after the apostles died out.

There are thousands of stories of people being healed in our churches even now and I believe this is something that the Lord is using in a stronger way to show His Love and to being many more into His Church.

But, I am convinced that we do not use all the resources available to us when we limit our help to prayers and practical needs. We should be laying on hands and healing people of their physical problems so that they know Jesus Love is real and He still does miracles today.

I guess I am looking for input for ways to take some small steps into this realm without getting others upset but, demonstrate that the gifts are still as much valid today as ever. I have passive support from my pastor who is of the same mind but, has not practiced nor does he have experience in this regard. I believe I can work in this area to help people come to the Lord for healing and it is my personal desire to do so. I also believe that this is one item that may trigger another revival in our town that several of us feel we are right on the verge of seeing happen.

But, I have a strong spiritual life and understand the spiritual war we are in with Satan.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have read a lot of my Bible and also been reading a few books on gifts of the spirit as well as healing and deliverance.

While I am learning, I am still looking for a 'mentor' that I can learn from and have discovered that they are very few and far between in my area. It is my sincere prayer that by this summer I can begin a small healing ministry at my church and with the help of the Holy Spirit, actually begin ministering to people at least on a limited basis.

I thought I would post an update here on my progress toward establishing a healing and deliverance ministry. I have a meeting scheduled with my pastor for next week and we will discuss this as to whether it should be done as a ministry of my church or independent of our church. I do have another Christian man interested in this ministry who would be a partner once we can establish a foundation to build on.

God is good and he is opening the doors for this new ministry. I don't think Satan has heard yet because things are going very well for now....
Paul

I like your "last" quote Paul... "I don't think Satan has heard yet because things are going very well for now."....

I grabbed some of your quotes from throughout this entire thread and..."he knows!"....Your "first" quote says, "The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to start a healing ministry at our church."

The "devil knows" and has already taken action against you from the beginning. You have been assigned his messengers to observe your actions. Their reporting back and forth to their master that you are reading and learning about our authority in Jesus's name, you have discussed it with your pastor, your leadership team, you believe in the gifts of the Spirit being "active" today on the laying on of hands, and as you said, this could trigger another revival in your town. The devil knows from what you said you wanted to begin a healing ministry this summer...."the devil knows."

I pray as you meet with your pastor that he remains opened minded. He has to sense the hunger and compassion you have for the church members. I believe you are now actually taking those "small" steps in this direction and, there may be some opposition. And if it appears that those doors that are opening begin to start "closing, (since the devil "KNOWS")
....you will have to start now taking even larger steps of your faith by using the spiritual authority you have been learning. It will no doubt turn into a spiritual war and you are ready for it with the word. As you said, you are already "convinced!" Now to keep those doors open, you may have to spiritual keep kicking them down with the authority of the word.

Keep yourself with any like minded believers in your church and do what God has for you and God will bless you and your leadership team. If you get knocked down, get back up and continue on. Signs and wonders follow those who believe. (Mk 16:17)

Blessings....

(being a Marine really helps. USMC instilled our bullheadedness, now we use it as a gift with our faith.)
_________
a friend,

Harry

 

[PaulEBear]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, [/FONT] . . .

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]I don't know if you have come across this organisation[/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]healingrooms.com/ [/FONT][FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]but they might be worth looking up if you haven't.[/FONT] . . .

Hi Tee - Yes, I have known about them for a few years. I have friends in San Diego who are part of their team there. I have tried for the past three months to open dialog with them going through the nearest group to me then the area people and finally the regional office in San Jose. None of them will return my calls or e-mails so, I have simply continued on my own. I do not understand ministries like that who don't even respond at all. So, I don't care to be involved with them at all.

Anyway, yes, in my hours of learning, I have found that having a healing ministry is only 'half' of the work needed since much of needed healing is the result of demons and people dragging unwanted 'garbage' through life they need to unload; sin, unforgivness, anger, rejection, etc... Unless one can get to the root of why healing is needed in the first place, the healing is limited and more often than not, simply unsuccessful.

So, I have decided to 'do it all' and have compiled a LOT of excellent information. I have also gotten three overviews of differing techniques, all of which seem to work for them and each a bit different than the others. I am sure given time, I will find the technique that works for me and it is likely to be more of a blend of all of these plus some of my own.

I will meet with my church leadership team tomorrow evening and hopefully, we can open some discussion on the subject. I am already aware that I will have some resistance from one or two of them but, I am hoping that they afford me the opportunity to 'state my case' and that they will be open to my doing some internship with a local mentor (which I have yet to find).

I do have another man who will very likely be interested in partnering with me. We have not discussed this directly but, he has stated that our church is in dire need of such a ministry in the past....

So, we shall see.

Paul

 

[PaulEBear]

I like your "last" quote Paul... "I don't think Satan has heard yet because things are going very well for now."....

I grabbed some of your quotes from throughout this entire thread and..."he knows!"....Your "first" quote says, "The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to start a healing ministry at our church."

The "devil knows" and has already taken action against you from the beginning. You have been assigned his messengers to observe your actions.
. . .
Keep yourself with any like minded believers in your church and do what God has for you and God will bless you and your leadership team. If you get knocked down, get back up and continue on. Signs and wonders follow those who believe. (Mk 16:17)

I have already seen this happening. The past two weeks, especially, my wife has not been doing very well. She has had more body pain than in the past three months, far more light sensitivity than in the past year and that has lasted almost three days now. So, I believe the devil is attacking her in order to force me to be at home and not meet with anyone. She is finally resting this evening since I have gotten home, having gotten no more than about two hours sleep all weekend due to body pains....

So, yes, it is happening and he seems to know where my weak point is because he knows how much I love my wife and how it hurts me to see her in constant pain. I prayed over her and commanded the spirit of pain to leave and not return along with prayer for peace and comfort so she can rest. I will add that looking back, this problem with her health issues started some time ago when I first started looking into going into this ministry...

(being a Marine really helps. USMC instilled our bullheadedness, now we use it as a gift with our faith.)

You hit it on the head, Harry. I don't think it's as much 'bullheadedness' but, more persistent tenacity and determination. I'm sure the demons know that they can get to me by hurting my wife. But, they chose the wrong person to do that to because I am declaring war on them!

I still have one book to read; "Keeping the Pigs Out" by Don Dickerman. This is a follow-on guide to ministering to those who have been through deliverance and healing and provides guidelines and insight on how to NOT allow the demons back in, the best resistance to them and encouragement, all based on biblical truth. It should be here in a couple of day. I am going back through my other books this week just for review which I seem to pick up on bits of things I didn't see the first time I read them.

Anyway, that's what is happening now. I do appreciate your words of encouragement and ask that you be praying for me and my wife Peggy. In particular, pray for the approval of our leadership group as I would rather have this ministry 'within' our church yet open it to everyone than to have to do it on my own. Having a good partner to team up with would be the best way for me. Here's why:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Paul

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

A couple of weekends ago, I ran an "Equipping Believers Divine Healing Ministry Training" at a Presbyterian church. It was a great success. My ministry is more of a teaching and equipping one, rather than a healing ministry as such. I am believing for a healing revival in that area because I trained around 30 people to go and lay hands on sick people, both Christian and unconverted, and to know that they will be healed.

If you have a number of people with you, there is a good opportunity to train them up. I used "Administering the Children's Bread", available for free on the charismaministries.org site. It is compiled in a good teaching format and is Scripture-based. I believe that after teaching through that manual, your folks will be totally convinced about their authority and ability to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.

You don't have to be baptised in the Spirit or be charismatic to have a healing ministry. You and your folks were anointed (or commissioned/given the licence) to heal the sick as soon as you were born again.

Also, it doesn't matter whether many in your church are cessationist. Healing will not come on the basis of their faith, but on yours. If you believe that when you lay hands on sick people they will recover, then they will, because that is what God's Word says. When these other folk see the healings happen in their midst, they will give up their cessationist views right quick!

The healing ministry died out, not because it was intended by God, but because the church became an institution where ministers were appointed on the basis of academic training and by a central authority, rather than on the basis of their gifting; and because of the large influx of pagans into the church in the Third Century AD, when paganism was made illegal by the Roman government. It was not because God changed; it was because the church changed into something that God did not intend or approved of.

 

[PaulEBear]

. . .
Also, it doesn't matter whether many in your church are cessationist. Healing will not come on the basis of their faith, but on yours. If you believe that when you lay hands on sick people they will recover, then they will, because that is what God's Word says. When these other folk see the healings happen in their midst, they will give up their cessationist views right quick!
. . .

Thanks Oscarr, having just gotten home from our church leadership meeting, I was pleasantly surprised when the couple of folks who I expected resistance from were very interested and we're going to be proceeding in developing that ministry. I also have another fellow who I was going ask if he would like to partner with me and without my mentioning him at all, the pastor suggested that we consider teaming up together! So, things are headed in a very positive direction.

I was determined to see this through even if I met with resistance from some as they would likely change their views when we are having positive results and those that come to us are healed and delivered. The other fellow and I are meeting this Saturday morning and we will be discussing all of this at that time. So, I am expecting blessings to come and that we will be greatly used once people find out about us.

In the mean time, I plan to continue posting our progress and experiences here on CF and likely in this forum most of the time.

Paul

 

[PaulEBear]

The past two weeks have been a rollercoaster for me. Since my last posting, my meeting with the other fellow at church last Saturday never happened as he never showed up when and where we agreed. He called me that afternoon and said he got busy and simply forgot. But, he has yet to arrange another date with me.

Last Sunday, one of my close friends at church had a heart attack during the service. I am having difficulty getting information on him and while I was not at church when this happened, I did not find out until later in the week.

The other item that has been an issue for me is ever since our leadership meeting a week ago Tuesday, it is like everything has come to a screeching halt. No calls, no contact and my studies have just gone 'flat' with seemingly little more than boredom out of reading my two new books. My interest and motivation seems to have completely disappeared.

So, I have decided that since I am not getting the answers that I am expecting, I will back off of my efforts to organize anything for now and see where the Lords takes me.

Paul

 

[Tee_w]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, I'm writing to encourage you, the thing is when you make yourself available for God to start a pioneering work in your church/neighbourhood you can expect resistance. The things you are experiencing at the moment are probably a test of your resolve. [/FONT]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]If you have the heart for another book I'd recommend' The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind' with the sub-heading, 'Access to a Life of Miracles.' by Bill Johnson.
Its a great foundational teaching in regard to our relationship with God and his will for our lives in moving in the supernatural.[/FONT] [FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]

Blessings,[/FONT] [FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]

Tee[/FONT]

 

[PaulEBear]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Hi Paul, I'm writing to encourage you, the thing is when you make yourself available for God to start a pioneering work in your church/neighbourhood you can expect resistance. . . . [/FONT][FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]I'd recommend' The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind' with the sub-heading, 'Access to a Life of Miracles.' by Bill Johnson. [[/FONT]/quote]

Tee, thanks for your encouragement. There may be many reasons for what is happening right now but, taking a break for a while will give me a chance to check out the book and maybe buy it to read.

At this time, I just don't have the peace and assurance that I am doing what I need to do. So, 'backing up' some is the best way I know how to find the right path again. I will be back in the near future to continue my reports.....

God Bless and thank you again!

Paul

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

The other item that has been an issue for me is ever since our leadership meeting a week ago Tuesday, it is like everything has come to a screeching halt. No calls, no contact and my studies have just gone 'flat' with seemingly little more than boredom out of reading my two new books. My interest and motivation seems to have completely disappeared.

So, I have decided that since I am not getting the answers that I am expecting, I will back off of my efforts to organize anything for now and see where the Lords takes me.

Paul

The important thing to note is that your faith and reliance has to be on the promises in the Word of God. Continuing in the healing ministry is in obedience to the Lord's command: "Heal the sick..etc."

If you are in the army, and the sergeant-major gives you a command, you can't say to him that you feel a little flat and lacking of motivation to do what he is commanding you. What do you think will happen to you if you did that?

Well, we are in the Lord's army, and we must continue in obedience to what the Lord has already commanded us to do. The Lord has told me to minister to every sick person who comes across my path, whether I feel like it or not. Obedience does not consider feelings. It does what it is told to do no matter what.

There is always a novelty, "honeymoon" period in any ministry, and then it becomes routine. When I ran the two day conference on healing recently, I mostly felt as flat as a pancake, but there was a powerful impact on the listeners. I preached at my church last Sunday, and I felt like a cold fish speaking to a bunch of wooden indians. Yet quite a number of people came up to me afterwards and told me how good the sermon was. So you never know. You cannot trust your feelings.

Also, we do not put our faith and trust in success. Obedience, whether it brings success or failure, is the main motivation for continuing your healing ministry. If you trusted in your feelings, and you received a phone call at 2am to go and pray for a dying person, you wouldn't go because you wouldn't feel like getting out of bed. But if you worked on the principle of obedience, you would get up and go, even if you felt dog tired and bleary eyed.

Most times when we minister to the sick we so no observable results. That does not matter. What is important is that you were obedient and faithful to what God's Word told you to do. If God's Word says, "These signs shall follow those who believe...they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." then we rely on that Scripture and lay hands on sick people. We leave the actual healing up to the Holy Spirit, because once we have been obedient, He is then responsible for the outworking of it.

The Scripture does not say, "These signs shall follow those who feel movitated..." or "have the assurance of immediate results". Believing does not account for emotions. If you have faith in your emotions, you are not basing your faith in God's Word, are you?

It is not our responsibility to achieve a successful outcome. But it is our responsibility to minister to the sick. If your faith is in success, then it is not in God's Word, and the Holy Spirit will not work with you.

I am being challenged with a condition that I have. I am experiencing quite a bit of pain with it, but I am refusing to take painkillers or go to the doctor about it, because I am trusting God's Word. Everytime I feel the pain, I quote: "By His stripes I was healed." (1Peter2:24). It is not that I am denying that I have pain, but that I am taking the attitude that the Scripture is more true than the symptoms I am experiencing.

I am not trusting in my emotions because having good emotions won't bring healing. I am not trusting in a successful outcome because I have no way of knowing when that will come. I am trusting in God's Word that says that He has already provided healing for me through the Atonement, and that healing will come through faith in the Name of Jesus.

So, get up, shake off your discouragement, get out there and continue ministering to sick people. Show God that you mean business and are not just a flash in the pan, and maybe at some stage you will start to see results.

The devil would love for you to back off and stop because you lack motivation. If the truth were told, it was probably him who did that to you and then told you lies to convince you that your ministry is not going to work, that you have overreached yourself and you should back off for a while. But that's not what God says in His Word. He says, "heal the sick, cast out demons, preach the Gospel." There is nothing about backing off and waiting for some sort of telephone call from God to confirm that He wants you to minister to the sick. He has already given you your written orders in the Scripture. He expects you not to sit down on the job, but to obey and continue to obey, regardless of your feelings or any evidence of success.

When you sit down on the job, you revert to be a hearer of of the Word and not a doer. God expects and has commanded you to be a doer of His word.

So, get out there and do it!