“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” —Revelation 12:11(a)
Our thoughts concerning healing and miracles derive from our personal experiences.
“13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” —James 5:13-16
Faith is not just an instant, faith is a journey.
God still heals people.
“8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” —Hebrews 13:8
“8 ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” —Isaiah 55:8
We celebrate miracles and still grieve loss.
“26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” —1 Corinthians 12:26
Healing on this side of eternity is still temporary.
God is deeply concerned for our souls.
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” —2 Corinthians 5:1
“28 ‘Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.’” —Matthew 10:28
“20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.’” —Luke 10:20
We tend to focus on temporary. God is focused on eternity.
God wants us to grow in our faith.
We are concerned with what is happening to us. God is concerned with what’s happening in us.
Healing is a faith journey.
“6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6
“17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.” —James 5:17-18
“Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, ‘As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!’” —1 Kings 17:1
Faith begins with a Word from God.
“17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” —Romans 10:17
“63 ‘The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’” —John 6:63
“12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” —Hebrews 4:12
“43 Then he said to his servant, ‘Go and look out toward the sea.’ The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, ‘I didn’t see anything.’ Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.” —1 Kings 18:43
“44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, ‘I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.’ Then Elijah shouted, ‘Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” —1 Kings 18:44
Faith continues regardless of what you see.
“7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.” —2 Corinthians 5:7
“45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.” —1 Kings 18:45-46
Faith goes from a small beginning to a grand finale.
“10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” —Zechariah 4:10