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Faith for Healing

After having my eyes tested the other day, I just longed for totally restored eyesight. My 800 (+200 for an astigmatism) left eye seemed like a good metaphor for the Earth - in gradual decline with no hope of change. Then I thought, ' why not pray for healing? Why not ask God for totally restored eyesight?' What an amazing testimony that would be!!

I found some notes from a Terry Virgo healing talk at CCK Brighton that I listened to a few years back. I think I'll be returning to them quite often in the years to come!

MAIN PRINCIPLE: we must put aside experience (we've never seen that before) and look at what the Word says.

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues... They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (Mark 16:17,18)

'Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you have heard?' (Galatians 3:5)

"I am the LORD who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)

'Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who... heals all your diseases." (Psalm 103:3, 4)

Jesus did it! He is the 'exact representation' of God and healed many 'because God was with him'. (Acts 10:38) He is the same yesterday, today and forever; why would he NOT want to heal?

In the Gospels, Jesus is always healing someone, has just healed someone, or is going to heal someone!

1. Jesus healed consistently (Matthew 12:16)
- he healed them all
- he never turned anyone away who wanted healing
- he healed in large groups and one-on-one

2. Jesus healed confrontationally
- he healed those 'under the power of the devil'
- Jesus' life was like a battle
- 'release', 'set free'
- he saw healing in conflict terms

3. Jesus healed compassionately
- often moved with compassion
- reached out in compassion
- 'Jesus wept' for Lazarus

4. Jesus was congratulatory
- he applauded faith ("your faith has made you well")
- he censored unbelief ("Oh woman, where is your faith?")

5. Jesus healed comprehensively
- wants more than just physical pain to go (what sin is there?)
- is after complete healing
- wants those prayed for to experience the love of God
- WHOLENESS: God is often looking for much more than we're looking for!

6. Jesus' healing was confirmatory
- Healing was also a demonstration of who Jesus was and what he said
- 'God testified to (salvation) by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of
the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will' (Hebrews 2:4)
- Not just through Jesus, but also those who followed him:
'My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on
God's power' (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

7. Jesus heals continuously
- EXPECT him to heal!

If Jesus is alive, he comes when we call! It doesn't just happen in the Third World; Jesus is the same EVERYWHERE! If demons obey the name of Jesus in one place, they will in another!
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