Healing

The Apostle Paul healed individuals and probably raised Eutychus from the dead but he could only do those things when it was God*s will. He could not heal Timothy, Trophimus or himself.

1 Timothy 5:23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach*s sake and thine often infirmities.

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

2 Corinthians 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.

I have thorns in the flesh that are sometimes painful and limit what I can do physically. They are not usually as painful as many others suffer or as long-lasting. But they might interfere with my ministry and/or shorten my life. The Lord has not seen fit to heal them and I take meds every day for a couple of them. They sometimes keep me from doing what I want to do but I don*t believe they ever interfere with what the Lord wants me to do. God can and does heal and He can do that by Himself, through doctors, medication, prayers, anointing with oil or laying on of hands. He loves me and has promised to work all things for my good. He knows best and does what is best for us. That sometimes means health problems. When I pray for my health or someone else*s I must remember that God is sovereign and that I cannot control Him. I must pray for His will and I must not pray for something to consume upon my lusts.

Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1 John 5:14: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

James 4:3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

I must also confess and forsake my sin. He sometimes uses illness as part of His chastening.

Proverbs 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Corinthians 11:29: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord*s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Then too, He sometimes uses afflictions to teach us something and/or to keep us humble.

Psalms 119:71: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

He also permits illness so we will be able to comfort others with troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Paul knew why he had his thorn in the flesh. We don*t always know.

2 Corinthians 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ*s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Healing was a sign that followed the Apostles to confirm that the words they spoke and wrote were the words of God. Those signs are no longer necessary to confirm scripture. Scripture is complete.

Mark 16:19: So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Care to discuss Healing with Ron?

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