Let's talk about healing and where and who it comes from. Jesus died on the cross for the atonement of our sins. People didn'deserve it then, and we certainly don'tdeserve today to have anyone die on the cross for our sins. He suffered a horribledark tomb.The third day he arose from being dead and is today alive ruling Heaven with God the Father. Praise the Lord, he'll be coming back for us soon.

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 uised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed

Matt. 8:16-17 When the even was come, they brought unto him any 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.

"With His stripes, we are healed." So why are we walking around from time to time with sickness, pain and suffering instead of being healthy and well? Now that is a good question and through this writing I will attempt to throw some light upon this troublesome
subject.

     Were there any sick people in the Bible that weren't healed? Yes there were people who were not healed. There was the Apostle Paul himself who had a "thorn in the flesh," and hehimself tells us why he did.

2 Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

   God told Paul "His grace was sufficient for him." You see, in Paul's case the thorn in the flesh, (we don't really know what kind of trouble it was) would keep him humble. Paul would have to still  rely upon the Lord instead of his own puffed up self pride. He knew that when he was weak, then he was strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. "Pride" could have been his downfall, so "lack" of healing kept his eyes in reliance toward the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

    Another person mentioned in the Bible that was not healed for a time was Trophimus. He was a companion to Paul, and was left in the town called Miletum because he was sick. The Lord through Paul healed a lot of people. Why did He take histime healing Trophimus?

     There was also Epaphroditus who was sick in presence of the Apostle Paul to the point of almost "dying." The Lord healed many people through Paul, why not heal immediately his two friends? Could it have been that they were too close to Paul, knowing all of his frailties and weaknesses. Maybe they simply didn't have the faith to be healed? Or, did the Lord have another purpose, maybe to win souls? (Lack of faith is not always the
reason!)

     Timothy often had problems with his stomach I Timothy 5:23. Worry and stress of the ministerial job that he did, overtook him and his stomach suffered the consequences. Timothy was just plain overworking himself. Do you know of any Pastors or Evangelists
today that are doing that, bless their hearts?

     What are some of the reasons that people don't get healed today? The first thing that believers will answer and say is lack of belief and faith. There are other reasons other than that one, but let's discuss lack of belief and faith for a minute.

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

    This verse says that we must do more than just believe, all of  the devils and demons believe that there is a God. They were in Heaven, and actually were in the presence of the Lord Almighty. They were with Him before they fell from grace and were cast
out of Heaven because of their sins.

     We can not get to Heaven ourselves without total, complete surrender of all of our self will and pride. This means that we must have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus as our
Lord and Savior. We must ask for forgiveness of our sins and ask Him into our hearts accepting His forgiveness. We then can  walk in His grace and love knowing that Heaven is our reward.

Matt. 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

     Does the Lord want some of us sick and some of us well? No, it's his desire that we all accept him as our Lord and Savior claiming that healing anointing through Jesus Christ upon ourselves. Jesus is alive today as He was then and this meansthat He can still bring about our healing. Unbelief can hinder healing.

     Remember this important fact, that we all are different and we all have different levels of faith and trials. So be kind to one another seeing each other through the gental eyes of Jesus, not judging one another harshly. Sometimes people get healed fast and others
seem to take longer, but when we give it to God He is in control of the circumstances.

     Everything you say and the way you act when you speak, are indispensable to your good health! When you verbalize God's Word over and into your body, because of the faith of this righteous, positive attitude, you begin to have a manifestation of healing. Your attitude of being confident in the Lord, believing in his Word you receive healing into your life.

     Remember faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. When you speak the Holy Word of God into your life------"boldly with confidence out loud being self-assured in your faith "---- your strength of faith builds, and builds.

     Jesus desires to heal people but sometimes their lack of faith and belief does hinder them from receiving healing. When people don't walk in true faith turning their eyes away from Bible truths they are in trouble. Jesus is our healer and He wants to heal us as a reward of diligently seeking Him.

     What is another way that people don't receive their healing? SIN! Yes, you see there are a number of other reasons why people don't receive their healing. Sin is a strong reason why here is hindrance of healing.

I John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those hings that are pleasing in his sight.

James 5:14-16 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.

     Illegal drug usage, cigarette smoking (If it harms the body, it is sin,) prostitution, homosexuality, drunkards, murder, rape, lying, gossiping, cheating, stealing etc., are all sins. Anything Spirit and it's a sin to destroy and abuse it, no matter how mild sin against ourselves but we sin against our fellow man. Sin is linked with the body causing trouble receiving healing.

     Oil is both a spiritual symbol of God and a medical medicine. Oil represents a total healing of mind and physical body through the precious name of Jesus. He is our Lord, helper and total healer. Isn't it wonderful to know that when we go up for prayer at the church to be healed, that our sins are forgiven too at the same time. When we walk in healing faith our sins are totally forgiven. (This happens in private prayer with prayer using oil
too.)

     Lack of healing doesn't always mean that the person is in a position of concealed sins, and the miracle of healing doesn't mean that sin is gone out of their lives. Confession and  forgiveness may be used of God to bring about salvation  through your sickness.

     What greater witness of the power of God when a person has been told by the doctors that they were going to die of cancer, only to find out that total healing has happened through faith and forgiveness of sin.  Some people have to go through some pretty rough surgeries only to have the doctors perceive the revelation of healing and the power of God in the healed person's life. Many doctors and nurses receive salvation that way, by  peoples' healing testimonies. (Below you can click on "Special Teaching" to hear how the Lord healed me of Crohn's decease.)

     Does God desire healing? Salvation can be the reason for the delay or seemingly lack of healing. Yes he does, but we must be the kingdom of God. The Lord's timing, always remember that! I have suffered terribly in my life time from car accidents and sickness, but now after compete healing, what a testimony I  have to use for winning souls to the Kingdom of God.

     "Continue doing all medical procedure ordered by your doctors until you have received a confirmation from them of that healing." In other words "wait until the doctor says" that you are well before you quit undergoing medical treatment. That is God given common since! Remember that this could really be a tremendous witness for the doctors to see about the miracl working power of the Holy Spirit!

     Here is another reason that hinders healing, bad attitudes and wrongful thoughts. Negative talking and acting upon feelings of being helpless. You are "not" helpless, no matter how sick you  "thinking mind" to pray. It helps if you can say your prayers out loud, but if you can only think them,  God still hears you. Even if the rest of your body can't move,  you can still pray with your mind.

 There is so much power in prayer. More power then people normaly realize. Don't under estimate that power of praying.  The greatest thing you can do is "pray" with all of the faith that you have.

     I have had pain and been under a strong medicine called Morphine so I prayed, "Lord help me still to witness and tell people about  Jesus, inspite of these seemingly bad circumstances." He did, and I did witness about Jesus to a lot of people. God was able
to still use me even though I was in a hospital bed because my positive attitude and my eyes fixed firmly upon Him.

     Did I cry from the pain? Yes! Did I share Jesus with people? You bet I did! Was I physically helpless? Yes, but I didn't allow  myself to wallow in helpless feelings. I said, "Lord no matter what, I will keep my mind and heart on you. I know that you will help
and heal me." You see, if we train our attitudes and thought lives  fight back with in times of great need. There is a lot to be said about always talking with positive talk. Bad attitudes and a wrong thought life can hinder healing of our physical health and spiritual growth.

Now let's talk about neglecting ones health. Some Preachers lead a life of rigorous self denial, physical neglect.  They fall pray to sicknesses, diseases or mental breakdowns. Devotion to one's ministry must not prevent common sense to take place. You see, each of us is immune! (Delegating authority to the right church people helps! Didn't Jesus send His disciples out by twos on various jobs? Delegation certainly is a healthy answer to  phatige and burn out!)

    Didn't Jesus tell us to pray for workers? More workers would ease up a Pastor's responsibilities, and enable them to be winning souls for the Kingdom of God. Isn't that their main calling, as well as shepherding the body of believers into a deeper spiritual
growth?

     Changing one's life style may be in order.  This helps bring about healing along with prayer and faith. Wisely exercising and eating wholesome foods on a regular basis is not only wise but  it is preventative medicine. It's a lot easier to take the problems of the world on when one has been consistently taking care of  one's physical body in a healthy intelligent way.

     Here is a reason that some of us may sincerely think as being sad, one's "appointed time to die."This can prevent healing. Feel sad, it isn't really. Remember what I was saying about a positive attitude?If you are truly "born again" an eternity in Heaven is
your reward. For all eternity we will be healthy and happy!

   Unless the rapture of the Church happens and Jesus takes us away, "we are all going to die!" Happily, eternity in Heaven awaits us! I personally refuse to think of this as being a sad thing, dying I mean. Yes, I do know what I am talking about, because I have had to look  at death in the face many times over the years. I have peace about it and so can you! Dying maybe painful but we don't have to walk in fear of it.

Ecclesiates 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planed;

Hebrew 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that took for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

     Accepting God's perfect timing with appreciation is the secret to having His peace about death. If one doubts, fears and hates this idea of permenate death, then they are setting themselves up for resentment, despair and finely rebellion. You can't "out run"
death and you "can't hide." It will come, in one form or the other, it will come. Make peace with that fact and enjoy the time that you still have winning souls for the Kingdom.

     Even if you are in a wheel chair or hospital bed, you can still take joy in worshipping the Lord and praying. Your life at what ever  stage of life that you are at, still has meaning.

(Click at the bottom of the page "THE WINGS OF AN EAGLE" for more on this subject.)

     God may have a purpose to delay healing to winning souls or being a mighty witness in other people's lives. There may be a  special purpose, you just don't know. Your job in life is to "walk  in faith" believing for that healing, allowing the Lord to work in all of the circumstances of lfe that your in.

     It is "Not" God's desire for you to be sick and hurt, (as some people have suggested,) Jesus died on the cross for your sins and sicknesses, but He might use the circumstance for His  didn't stop the gospel from being preached or churches being established.

     When healing is being hindered and delayed in coming then a person needs to look at "these reasons

1. Unconfessed sin(like having unforgiveness towards someone)

2. Believer's thought life and attitude (worry, fear, and stress have to be brought under control with the help of the Holy Spirit)

3. Changing life styles that could prematurely bring death on or lasting sicknesses need to be changed. (Stop smoking cigarettes is smart, they cause cansor. Eating right, exercise and changing one's actions)

4. Death at the appointed time looses it's fear when considering eternity in Heaven. (But we can still be praying for healing, you never really know how long you have.)

5. Faith and unbelief (Faith must be daily exercised and prayed into coupled with the Word of God.)

     Prayer must continue until healing has taken place. After asking yourself if God might have a reason for the delay, then walk in faith. Sometimes we will not know until we die and are in Heaven. WE DON'T EVER GIVE UP WALKING IN FAITH BELIEVING FOR THAT HEALING! Never, never, never, never, ever give up believing!

Your healing is a personal thing between you and God. No one can judge you and your faith. Only you really know for sure. Don't let anyone tell you different. You need to judge yourself and pray for a wise answer from the Lord.

     In "PART II" of "HEALING BIBLICALLY"I talk more about "faith healing!"I hope that you read it. It really has an important teaching on walking in "real faith healing. You'll be  Strong Spiritual Conviction!" IT IS REALLY A "POWERFUL MESSAGE" and I know that "YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT!"

Bible Ref. K.J.V.

Disclaimer:  This information is given out and covered by the "Good Samaritan Act"  It is being given out in worshipful faith and spiritual  beliefs.  No promises or guarantees are made or implied. HEALING IS A  MATTER BETWEEN A PERSON, THEIR FAITH, AND THE LORD  GOD.  I  ENCOURAGE FAITH THROUGH GOD'S WORD.