healing

Did God ruin Job? (Job 2:3)

August 16, 2018 // 47 Comments

Pop quiz: Which Biblical character has attracted the most comments on this blog? Yes, it’s Job, which tells me that the story of Job-who-lost-everything is one of the most divisive in scripture. For the past eight years, I have maintained that God was not complicit in the ruin of Job. God did not rob him, kill [...]

Did God Hand Job Over to Satan? (Job 2:6)

March 15, 2018 // 117 Comments

God good; Satan bad. That’s deep revelation, yet many don’t know it. They think a good God does bad things and that he sometimes employs the devil to do his dirty work. Take the subject of sickness, for instance. When we get sick it’s natural to ask, how did this happen? Did I catch a bug? Did I eat [...]

The Lifter of your Head

September 8, 2016 // 38 Comments

In Jesus’ day, only certain people were allowed to participate in temple life. Those with diseases such as leprosy had to stay away. They weren’t welcome. They were considered infectious and untouchable. But Jesus was not afraid to touch the untouchables. He went to where they were and “infected” them [...]

Two books on healing

April 15, 2015 // 60 Comments

When you’re sick, the last thing you want to hear are pithy, powerless platitudes from people who are healthy. What you want to hear is good news from someone who has experience healing the sick. This is why I recommend two outstanding books on healing. Diving Healing Made Simple, by Praying Medic The first [...]

Why do people still die?

February 7, 2013 // 37 Comments

Death is sin’s wage, so if sin has been dealt with at the cross, why do people still die? Good question! I’ve seen sick people healed by the grace of God. I’ve seen deaf ears and blind eyes opened. But everyone still dies. Why is that? If Christ’s sacrifice undid Adam’s sin, why do people still die? If [...]

Which Jesus are you Trusting?

December 12, 2012 // 23 Comments

The whole gospel is the gospel of grace. It is Christ alone. But which Christ are we talking about? Which Jesus are you trusting in? Is it baby Jesus who appears each Christmas? Is it the tolerant teacher who was friendly to sinners? Is it Jesus on the cross dying for the sins of the world? Hopefully, it is none [...]

Is Confession Good for You?

October 25, 2012 // 38 Comments

Nothing winds me up faster than telling people they must do things like confess to be forgiven. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, confessing your sins does not compel God to forgive you. God does not forgive us on account of our confession but in accordance with the riches of his grace (Eph 1:7). [...]

Life doesn’t have the last word (when you’re walking in the spirit)

August 22, 2011 // 18 Comments

A man, blind from birth, learns of an operation that will give him the gift of sight. Encouraged by his friends and family, he undergoes the procedure. The operation is a success and for the first time in his life he can see. However, he finds himself disoriented and confused. He recognizes nothing and is unable [...]

I believe, help my unbelief

June 16, 2011 // 89 Comments

Imagine you had a successful ministry that saw you healing the sick and casting out demons everywhere you went. Then one day a father brings his son to you, the boy has a seizure right in front of you, and you can’t heal him. How would you react? Would you; (a) conclude that it’s not God’s will to heal all [...]

“God Wants You Well” by Andrew Wommack

May 31, 2011 // 130 Comments

Back in the 1970s, Andrew Wommack prayed for a four year old boy who was sick. The boy died. At the funeral, Wommack was tempted to comfort the parents with religious clichés like, “God allowed this,” “He works in mysterious ways,” and “God needed your son in heaven.” But he couldn’t do it. He [...]

Who Can Take Communion?

April 13, 2011 // 132 Comments

Ever heard this said at church? And now as we turn to the communion table, I would like to invite all those who love Jesus and call him Lord to join with us in partaking of the elements. If you’re visiting with us today and you don’t know Jesus, feel free to spend this time in quiet reflection. Communion is [...]

1 Corinthians 11:26-32

April 12, 2011 // 30 Comments

A big part of the communion-confusion stems from a misreading of Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians. As I have not found a good translation of 1 Corinthians 11:26-32, I have provided my own paraphrase below. (I looked at the meaning of the original Greek behind some of the words in an earlier post.) Take [...]