Devotional #8       

The Faith Healer that was moved by My Faith!

     ”Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”  They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.  Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

John 18:3-6

     This Gospel account occurred right before Jesus was crucified. The revelation of who Christ was as He declared, “I am He,” literally blew these men away, or rather blew them back. I was blessed to be a part of a situation where I observed a similar reaction from a man of God.

     My older sister, who led me to Christ, knew that I was suffering with a stomach ailment. You see, a doctor told me that my stomach produced an excessive amount of acids. At the time, I was popping antacids as though they were candy and I was no longer permitted to eat my favorite foods. She began to teach me that healing was one of God’s promises for believers.

    My sister led me through scriptures like Psalm 103:2-4; “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases…” and Psalm 30:2 “O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me,” and Isaiah 53:5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” What a powerful prophecy proclaimed by Isaiah about 400 years before Jesus was even born. As for me, God was stirring up my faith. I quickly became convinced that He was able to heal me and He wanted to heal me of this particular sickness.

   

I Corinthians 12 discusses the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Verse nine begins, “…to another (God gives the gift of) faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles...” Be certain that those who move in these gift are only vessels, these powers, such as the power to heal and cause miracles to occur come from God. When I learned that a minister who functioned specifically in these three gifts was coming to our church it confirmed to me that God was indeed planning on healing me of this condition.  

     When I arrived at church, I was already convinced of what God was about do! When the visiting preacher began to call people up for prayer, I remember running up to the altar. He asked me, “What can I pray for you about?” Looking him in the eyes, I strongly stated something like, “I’m here because I’m convinced that God will heal my stomach tonight. The doctor said that I will deal with this for the rest of my life, but God said He will heal me!” At those words, he stumbled back and caught himself before he fell on his back; just like the troops that came to arrest Jesus. My faith was manifest as a force! The minister explained that ‘the laying on of hands’ is a means of imparting faith. He assured me that there was no need for him to lay hands on me. God had given me more than enough faith to be healed. He said that in fact I was already healed and gave thanks to God for healing me. Sure enough, I was healed! I will have heartburn from time to time when I overindulge, but the chronic, unbearable stomach pains left me that day for good! Praise God!

Do you have some illness or disease that troubles you? Well, let me introduce you to a Great Physician! In fact Jesus is the Greatest Physician!

See It for Yourself: John 18:3-6, Psalm 103:2-4, Psalm 30:2, Isaiah 53:5, I Corinthians 12:9,10, Matthew 17:20

Prayer Focus:         

     Thank You Lord for purchasing my healing at great price. Your Word declares that by Your stripes I am healed. You promise to heal ALL of my diseases. I receive Your healing today!

 In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Working It Out: 

It takes a tiny mustard seed type faith to move an enormous mountain. 

Don’t hope to be healed...Believe that God can heal, and wants to heal you. 

Don’t wait any longer, receive His healing today!