Being a Believer and Being Sick

At Shepherd of Hope Ministry we have a view of "Being a Believer and Being Sick."
We believe that healing is taught in the gospels and in the writings of the Apostles to the Churches.
We believe that God still heals today, both supernaturally and naturally. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." James 1:17
We believe in ministering to the sick.
In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus reveals a future judgment. In this judgment, Jesus says. "I was sick and you visited me." Notice that
1) Jesus IDENTIFIES with the sick person.
2) Jesus does not say, "I was sick and you HEALED me" and
3) Jesus does not say, "I was sick and you REBUKED ME FOR MY LACK OF FAITH."We are trying to say that you can be sick and still be all that God wants you to be. Being sick does not mean there is something wrong with you spiritually.
Next, let's look at 2 Kings Chapter 13:14, 20-21.
14 Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, "O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!"
20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year 21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.Elisha was a prophet, he was a servant of Elijah, he had a double portion of Elijah's spirit, he performed more miracles in the old testament than anyone else, including raising people from the dead. And in Chapter 13:20-21 he had so much of God's Spirit that when a dead man touched his body, the dead man was brought back to life.
From this we see you can be sick, and still be used of God. In verse 14, Elisha was still being used as a prophet to the King of Israel even though he was sick and in bed. Notice that Elisha did not go to bed healthy and 'die in his sleep'. He BECAME sick, he WAS sick for a period of time, and EVENTUALLY died from this sickness. Even though he was sick, God was using him.
You may be sick, but what Jesus said in Matthew 25 still applies. You will either be one who, visited the sick, fed the hungry, clothed the naked; or one who did nothing. Being sick does not give us an excuse to not minister, nor does it disqualify us from being used of God.
God wants to use all believers. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reads, "9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."When we say "Lord, here am I, use me" He will. He puts us in places where we must depend on His grace. He puts us in ministries that we cannot do in our own power. We must be totally dependant on Him, then He works through us and He gets the glory. God is not a wasteful steward; if you belong to Him, He has placed you where He can use you.
In closing let me remind you that Jesus did not come to take us OUT of this world, but to go with us THROUGH this world. Jesus says in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, even to the end of the earth."Written by Harold Wilson, Inspired by the Word of God If you wish to share this with an individual, please do so with credits to the writer and the website. If you wish to use it in any other form, please contact us first. Thank you.

Shepherd of Hope Christian Chat and Chronic Illness Support
From March 2008 Guest Chat - "Being a Believer and Being Sick", Harold Wilson (PDF file available)

Spirit, Soul, And Body: We are 3-part beings.

Wonderful explanation of our spirit, and its distinction from our body and soul. It fits right in to Ardent Cerebration's blog concept, distinguising My Musings into the different aspects of myself.

Understanding Spirit, Soul, And Body By Andrew Wommack

Did you know a Christian can actually die from sickness or disease while the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lies dormant within them? Or did you know that believers can be overcome with depression, anger, and bitterness, all the while possessing God’s love, joy, and peace in their spirits?

It’s true—they can and they do. Why? Because they really don’t understand what changed when they were born again, and therefore have difficulty receiving the promises of God. The Bible says that every born-again believer has undergone a complete inner transformation.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God,
who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17-18).

It doesn’t say that all things are becoming new or have the potential of becoming new; they are new, the moment you are born again. But in order for that to make sense, you must first understand how God created you.

God’s Word clearly teaches that we are three-part beings, but very few Christians have a functional understanding of spirit, soul, and body in their daily lives. Intellectually, most Christians believe they’re three-part beings, but functionally, they act as though they’re only made up of body and soul. They’re confused about the operation of the soul and spirit, seeing them basically as the same thing.

Even Strong’s Concordance fails to distinguish all three! It defines “spirit” (pneuma in the Greek) as “the rational soul.” However, in my study of God’s Word, I have found a very distinct difference between spirit and soul. Your spirit is your innermost part, not your “rational soul.” First Thessalonians 5:23 makes it very clear:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit
and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (emphasis mine).

If you were talking to me face to face, you’d be looking at my body but speaking to my soul. The word “soul” is defined by some as the mind, will, and emotions. While that’s certainly true, it’s incomplete. The “conscience” should also be included in that definition. The soul is really what most people call the “personality.”

You can feel both your body and your soul and are receiving information from them all the time. For example, if I put my hand on your shoulder, you would know that I touched you. I could also make you feel happy or sad, or even hurt you without any physically contact, simply by the words I speak. Those words are processed by your mind, and the result of their effect is often expressed in your emotions.

It’s easy to know how your body feels, what’s going on in your mind, and what emotions you’re experiencing. However, your spirit is much different. It cannot be accessed in any natural way.
John 3:6 says,

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Jesus meant that there’s no direct connection between the spirit and flesh. They are interrelated, but spirit is spirit and flesh is flesh. You simply cannot contact your spirit through your five senses or through your mind, will, or emotions. Therein lies one of the great problems of the Christian life!

If you don’t understand that spiritual reality can’t be felt, then you’ll be confused when God’s Word declares that you have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead living in you (Eph. 1:19-20). If you think truth can be discerned through your natural senses, you’ll be baffled when the Bible says you’re a brand-new creature who can do the same miraculous works that Jesus did (2 Cor. 5:17 and John 14:12).

The apparent disparity between your natural experiences and God’s Word will cause you to throw up your hands in frustration and conclude, “It must not be true.” It’s understanding spirit, soul, and body that unlocks the spirit realm so you can experience who you are and what you have in Christ.

In the natural, the spirit realm can’t be seen or felt; the only way to accurately perceive spiritual truth is through the Bible. Simply take God’s Word and believe it!
Jesus said in John 6:63,

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

God’s Word reveals spiritual reality. If you want to know what your spirit is like, you must find out from the Word, not rely on emotions or other perceptions. God’s Word is spirit and life! When you look at your face in a mirror, you aren’t really seeing yourself; you’re viewing a reflection. Even though it’s only a reflection, you have learned to trust it and act on what you see. God’s Word is just like that mirror: it reflects perfectly who you are in the spirit.

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therin, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:23-25).

You must look into God’s mirror and trust the spiritual reality you see! It reflects your new born-again spirit, your innermost part. However, it does not reflect your body or your soul.

Although full payment has been made for your glorified body through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, you still have a corrupted body. One day it will be redeemed and changed into an incorruptible one. For now, you still must live in the same body you had before you were saved.

Your soul wasn’t saved either. You may have the same thoughts and emotions you had before you were saved. And because of that, some people seriously doubt whether or not they are saved. They don’t understand that the change took place in their spirits. Typically, your body and soul are both impacted by what happens at salvation, but that’s not where the complete change took place.

The good news is you can change your mind. In fact, we are commanded to do so.
Romans 12:2 says,

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Your soul can be transformed to the degree that you renew your mind, change your attitudes, and conform to the Word of God. This should happen, and it’s in the process of happening, but it didn’t happen automatically when you were saved.

In your soul, old things did not pass away, and all things haven’t yet become new. For that reason, you could actually die from sickness or disease even though you have all of the power that raised Jesus from the dead residing untapped within your spirit. It’s like dying of thirst while leaning against a well full of life-giving water.

Think of your soul like the valve on a faucet. It controls the rate and volume of the flow of the spirit into your body. If your mind is renewed and in agreement with the Word, the valve is wide open. But if it is in agreement with what your body is feeling or your emotions are experiencing, the valve is either closed or in the process of closing.

Your soul has the power to keep every drop of life-giving power from ever reaching your physical body or flooding it with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. If the valve is open, you’ll experience healing, deliverance, anointing, victory, power, joy, prosperity, and more. So, keep it open!

This revelation of the relationship of the spirit, soul, and body has transformed my life. When I realized that God had already given me everything I needed and it’s all contained in my spirit, it set me free. All I needed to do was release it. That simple understanding changes everything.

The Christian life isn’t a process of “getting from God”; it’s a process of renewing the mind and learning to release what you’ve already received.

If you don’t understand that you have already received all that you will ever need (in your spirit) at salvation, there will always be an element of doubt. You may know it’s possible or even promised in the Word, but you’ll be trying to perceive it in the mental, emotional, or physical realm. That’s a formula for failure.

That erroneous concept can also result in a performance-based relationship with God: “If I’m good enough, if I read the Bible enough, if I pay my tithe,” and on and on it goes in an attempt to motivate God to give you what you need. It’s the misconception that God hasn’t already given you everything and that somehow you have to make yourself worthy enough to get it.

You’re already worthy because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. He paid the price for everything you will ever need. In fact, you’ve already got it. It’s just a matter of understanding the relationship of the spirit to the soul and body.

Understanding spirit, soul, and body is critically important to every believer. It’s like the key that opens the treasure chest of God’s grace. It could be a matter of life and death, and it’s the foundation to understanding the rest of Scripture.

Cardboard Testimony

LOVE, OBEDIENCE, & SALVATION

I finally get it the beauty and grace of God, the true definition of salvation and divine justification, the magnitude of God's love when you realize he is the one always there for us. All we have to do is talk to him. He is always listening. He is the God of second chances. Knowing our infirmities in our flesh bodies His son already paid the price for a lifetime of mistakes. All we have to do is sincerely ask for forgiveness and like no earthly judge He not only acquits, he strikes it from the record as if it never happened. So let no man judge us and decide when we should no longer be guilty. Only God can judge. Let Jesus be our advocate. The only one to mediate for us is Jesus Christ. He is our priest. We need not follow these "traditions of men" that have turned the church into a country club for the "saved". These glorified leaders may disappoint you. Man will always disappoint, but God's love and grace is everlasting. He keeps his promises. Its so simple: believe and repent and be saved. Don't let any man complicate this. It is His words. Know the Word for yourself and He will give you "discernment" for the truth. If you love God ( he already loves you ) you will be obedient. Not obedience to be "righteous" as judged by men. Not obedience to obtain your "earthly blessings" but obedience because you love Him. When you love someone you want to please them with all your heart. But through obedience you are simply following the commandments that God established because He loves us. It is not a power play, although He is all powerful. Because He loves us He gave us the commandments and the statues as the ultimate guide for our earthly lives. His commandments reveal His love for humanity providing us directions that will protect us from our own actions that would ultimately harm ourselves. Therefore, if we love God we obey him. When we obey him we are loving ourselves. We are really loving humanity. We reap the benefits of a more abundant life on earth and a reservation for an eternal life free of earthly sorrows. A residence for our spirits free of our corrupt flesh to live on in glory with Him.

reference scriptures: ACT 10:31,TIT 2:11,ROM 5:1, ROM 8:13, ACT 3:19, I JN 2:1, JN 14:26, JN 12:47, ROM 14:10, COL 2:16, MT 17:1-5, HB 9:11,15, GAL 3:20, I TIM 2:5, HEB 4:14, RM 10:3,4, MT 15:9, I JN 4:19, I COR 13:4-9, MT 22:37, JN 3:16, RM 10:9,10, ACT 3:19, I JN 1:9, RM 3:21-22, JN 1:14, I PTR 1:25, II TIM 3:16, LK 21:33, GAL 3:21,24, RM 6:23, JN 14:15, I JN 2:3, HEB 13:8, I PTR 1:3-5

Lamentations for our City! Lamentations for our Nation!

In remembrance of the terrorist attack on America at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, September 11, 2001.

[COPIED FROM MY SCRIPTURE JOURNAL ENTRY FROM 9/23/01] Scriptural analogies in Lamentatios for 911 EVENTS. Jeruelum=NYC; Israel=USA But today 9/12/05, 4 years later the 'lonely' city that was full of people seems to be New Orleans. Through our lamentations will our nation repent and return to our LORD?

LAMENTATIONS New Living Translation

Sorrow in Our City
CHP 1: GOD ALLOWED THE ENEMY TO STRIKE HIS OWN TO PUNISH THE LORD'S CITY FOR ITS INIQUITY.

Jerusalem's streets, once bustling with people, are now silent. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. Once the queen of nations, she is now a slave.

5 Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper, for the Lord has punished Jerusalem for her many sins. Her children have been captured and taken away to distant lands. ....EVACUEES

7 And now in the midst of her sadness and wandering, Jerusalem remembers her ancient splendor. But then she fell to her enemy, and there was no one to help her. Her enemy struck her down and laughed as she fell.

9 She defiled herself with immorality with no thought of the punishment that would follow. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out. "Lord, see my deep misery," she cries. "The enemy has triumphed."

21 "Others heard my groans, but no one turned to comfort me. When my enemies heard of my troubles, they were happy to see what you had done. Oh, bring the day you promised, when you will destroy them as you have destroyed me. ....IGNORED AT THE NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION CENTER & SUPERDOME

God's Anger at Sin

CHP2 GOD'S ANGER BEFALLS HIS OWN CITY W/O MERCY AS IF HE WAS THE ENEMY. FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE WORSHIP MISLEAD HIS PEOPLE TO NOT POINT OUT THEIR SINS...ALTHO THE ENEMY BOAST OF THEIR POWER, THE LORD DID IT! GOD IS SOVERIEGN

The Lord in his anger has cast a dark shadow over Jerusalem.* The fairest of Israel's cities lies in the dust, thrown down from the heights of heaven. In his day of awesome fury, the Lord has shown no mercy even to his Temple.*

4 He bends his bow against his people as though he were their enemy. His strength is used against them to kill their finest youth. His fury is poured out like fire on beautiful Jerusalem.*

7 The Lord has rejected his own altar; he despises his own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem's palaces to her enemies. They shout in the Lord's Temple as though it were a day of celebration.

14 Your "prophets" have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They did not try to hold you back from exile by pointing out your sins. Instead, they painted false pictures, filling you with false hope.

17 But it is the Lord who did it just as he warned. He has fulfilled the promises of disaster he made long ago. He has destroyed Jerusalem without mercy and caused her enemies to rejoice over her and boast of their power.

19 Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer. Plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets.

21 "See them lying in the streets-young and old, boys and girls, killed by the swords of the enemy. You have killed them in your anger, slaughtering them without mercy.

22 "You have invited terrors from all around as though you were calling them to a day of feasting. In the day of the Lord's anger, no one has escaped or survived. The enemy has killed all the children I bore and raised."

Hope in the Lord's Faithfulness

CHP 3 HOPE & WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
NOTE THE REPITIONS OF 'HE' IN THE EARLY VERSES [1-16] OF THIS CHAPTER...AN EMPHASIS ON WHO IS IN CONTROL ...OUR LORD

19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.* 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

22 The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. 24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"

25 The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. 27 And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of his discipline. [PATIENCE AND DISCIPLINE]

28 Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord's demands. 29 Let them lie face down in the dust; then at last there is hope for them. 30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them. Let them accept the insults of their enemies. [HUMILITY]

31 For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. 33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

34 But the leaders of his people trampled prisoners underfoot. 35 They deprived people of their God-given rights in defiance of the Most High. 36 They perverted justice in the courts. Do they think the Lord didn't see it?

37 Can anything happen without the Lord's permission? 38 Is it not the Most High who helps one and harms another? 39 Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?

40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord.

LESSON: HAVE HOPE; HAVE PATIENCE; HAVE HUMILITY