Healing Ways 2 Though our bodies are wonderfully designed with the capacity for regeneration, an immune system, and cells continually working to preserve and restore health, there are times when additional remedies are necessary to assist the natural healing process. Yet, regardless of how effective a remedy may be, its benefits can only be experienced to the degree that it is applied. It does little good to hear of a medical breakthrough that promises relief from a condition if there is no corresponding response. Until the solution is received and applied, it is as though it does not exist. There may be numerous supplements, procedures, medications, or treatments capable of bringing restoration, but only those that are actually utilized can produce their intended results. In the blood of Jesus, we have been redeemed from the curse of sin and its consequences. By His stripes, we have been healed. He has revealed Himself as the Lord who heals us, demonstrating His heart for the wholeness and restoration of His people. His presence and glory are continually available to us, carrying the healing virtue of His divine life. There is no deficiency in His power, no limitation in His ability, and no reluctance in His heart to bring restoration. What He has provided in Christ is not something we must persuade Him to accomplish, but a provision to be received and experienced. Because of this great love and passionate desire for our wholeness, God has revealed numerous ways through which His healing power may be received. Though the methods may differ, there is one essential response that connects us to His provision: faith. Faith is more than an acknowledgment that God is able. It is the response of a heart persuaded of His Word, demonstrated through corresponding action. Hearing of His provision without responding to it leaves its benefits unexperienced. Just as a natural remedy must be applied to accomplish its intended purpose, the promises of God must be embraced and acted upon in faith. There is no limitation in the power of Christ’s blood or in the healing virtue made available through His sacrifice. The necessity is not for God to become willing or His power to become sufficient, but for our hearts to become established in what He has already accomplished. Faith does not create the provision; it receives what grace has supplied. It is not an attempt to convince God to act, but a confident response to what He has declared and made available in Christ. Healing, then, is not confined to one particular method or familiar expression of faith. Whether through prayer, the laying on of hands, speaking His Word, anointing with oil, or another means revealed in Scripture, the essential element is a heart responding in faith to the One who heals. It is not merely knowing that healing is available, but believing His Word enough to respond to it. What grace has provided must be received by faith. What has been accomplished in Christ is to be embraced as our present provision. And what we truly believe will be demonstrated in how we respond. Notes Exodus 23:25 (NKJV) 25 "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. Healing’s Common Denominator - Faith Faith is not information - it’s belief in what is heard validated by action. While there may be a period of time involved in the process, in the action of faith is the removal of time as a factor in what has already been provided for and received. The force of healing virtue is powerfully pressing to make its effect in whatever way is acted upon. Personal faith Mark 5:28-34 (NLT) 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” 31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” A way that was heard of became healing faith when acted on. Our own faith in motion is sufficient for the greatest infirmity. Faith of others Luke 5:17-20 (NKJV) 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Healing was present for all that heard Jesus, but it was faith’s action that turned presence into transformation. Our faith can make a way when it comes alive in a demonstration of belief. Speaking the word Matthew 8:8-10 (NLT) 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! Matthew 8:13 (NKJV) 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. With revelation of authority over sickness comes a way to be free from it with just a word. Belief is at work even, before the speaking. Anointing with oil Mark 6:13 (NLT) 13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. Established understanding of God’s applied presence with oil became an action point for faith. Belief in the transfer of virtue inspired an application/anointing with healing power. Through obedience 2 Kings 5:14 (NLT) 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! Luke 17:14 (NLT) 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. With belief in the Healer came movement to respond in obedience to His direction. When hearing what God can and is doing, there is an opportunity for personal reception in the response to however He directs. There is a precious way of healing that is simple obedience to His direction. Overview To have God as your God is to have a healer that takes sickness from you. As His power is far greater than any infirmity, so His ways are unlimited in removing sickness. In every way of healing provided there is a common requirement of faith, where belief comes alive in motion. Though each is more than sufficient, it is only the way that is applied that is rewarded. Personal faith draws on power by acting on truth that is heard. When friends include determined action in their belief for a loved one, their faith makes a way where there may be personal faltering. Understanding of authority turns a word into a healing way. Applied presence with oil transmits life in that presence. With each response in obedience is activated faith for a healing way. Prayer Father, You are far greater than the sickness and disease that comes to disable and oppress. You are the Lord, my Healer, who is always surrounding me with deliverance and freedom from every work of the curse. Flood me with light in the revelation of Your healing provision so that I may fully glorify You in the health You’ve provided for me in Christ. I set my heart now to respond with faith’s action in obedience to each way you provide to my healing. I am so grateful that healing is already mine and will walk in its provision with all my heart. In Jesus’ Name Declarations I have been delivered from the power of darkness, that includes all sickness and disease. I’ve been translated into the Kingdom of Light, where there is complete health and freedom from infirmity. For every threat to my health, there is a way provided in the blood of Jesus to victory over it. With every revelation of the way He’s provided, I respond in faith, acting in obedience to His direction. Healing is not only present, but actively working in me as I move with faith’s action. I am seated with Christ in authority, far above sickness and disease where a single word renders it powerless. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, set apart to glorify God with complete health and functionality.