Provision Increased Faith Part 1

Provision

Increased Faith Part 1

     

Matthew 8:16-17 NIV

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

"He took up our infirmities

and carried our diseases."  

If God is a God of miracles and promises

What do you believe in when you are in need?

Is your faith lacking or increasing

If you don’t get a promise or miracle?

Increased Faith

About 35 years ago I almost

died because of my faith.

I firmly believed the

Scriptures concerning healing.

For 12 years I never took as much as an aspirin.

There were three things I believed to be healed…

Proper care of my body by physical

activity every day and healthy nutrition.

When affliction would come I

did the third thing…

 Pray for healing.

I am so glad Jesus went about healing “ALL”

and By His strips we are healed.

I have laid my hands on many

and always carried oil to anoint the

sick and many were healed instantly.

There is no doubt that Jesus heals.

About 35 years ago…

 We had just had a man from Walk thru

the Bible do a seminar in our church.

Sandy and I had put him up in our home.

The seminar was great and I strongly

recommend everyone to attend their

Old and New Testament Walks.

  

We were at the dining room table before

the speaker was to fly home and I

became very sick and had to go to bed.

Sandy had to take the speaker to the airport.

Over time I got to a place where I could

hardly walk to the bathroom.

 We did as the Bible tells us…

We called for the elders of the church

to come and anoint with oil and pray.

I finely got to a place where I

could not walk or get out of bed.

Sandy pleaded with me to

go get medical attention.

I refused…

 I believed I was in a battle and I took my

stand that God would heal me or I would die.

I became less coherent and Sandy

called one of the Elder of the church

to convince me to go get help.

At this point I could not resist them

because of my weakness and love for

them as they truly cared for me.

I was admitted to the hospital.

For a week, they pumped antibiotics

in me to control the infection.

I had Cellulitis.

 About a week or so earlier,

I cut my right knee with a chain saw.

It became infected and my right and left groin

areas were swollen, red and feverish as my

hymnodies were overwhelmed fighting the infection.

I recovered over a few weeks.

 And then it came back a

second time after about a month.

The other day I was working hard on our

pond, cutting down the phragmites and cat tails.

I must have got a small cut

or bit above my left heel.

We were getting ready for a big event at our

house that was to take place on a Saturday.

Throughout the week I worked on the pond,

 but on Friday I was touching up some trim with

paint and became achy with flu like symptoms.

I continued to work till I could work no longer.

My biggest concern was I had Covid-19.

Friday night when I took a shower I saw

redness in the left groin area.

 On Saturday morning as I checked it, I

 I realized the redness was above my heel and

I turned my attention from Covid to Cellulitis.

I went to an Urgent Care where as I

was waiting to see the doctor I thought…

What is my answer to why I am seeking

medical attention when thirty some years

ago I would stand in faith for my healing?

Has my faith become weak over the years?

No, my faith is still strong in

Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.

So has something been taking away from the

three things I believe in for healing?

Proper care of my body by physical

activity every day, healthy nutrition

 and pray for healing.

No, I still believe these three things.

So what has been added?

In the next devotional I will give my answer.

But for now I leave you with a question...

If God is a God of miracles and promises

What do you believe in when you are in need?

 Be sure to read the promises and healing scriptures below       

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 1:20-21 NIV

20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Matthew 8:16-17 NIV

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

"He took up our infirmities

and carried our diseases."  

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.