Healing in the name of Jesus

It is interesting to me that, in the Gospels, sometimes Jesus (a) rebuked the sickness/illness, (b) cast out a demon/evil spirit that was causing an illness, or (c) told the person to do what they previously could not do (e.g., "stretch out your hand", "get up and walk", etc.). In Acts 4, Peter and John emulated style (c). My question is, how do you know which style to do?  (Or is that an ignorant question?)

Acts 3:6‭-‬8‭, ‬16 NIV
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ... By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

The priests and Sadducees arrested Peter and John and questioned them the next day.

Acts 4:8‭-‬12 NIV
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'   Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

After Peter and John were released, they continued to heal and preach.  And even after Ananias and Sapphira messed up, the disciples continued to heal and preach, even to the point that they were following Jesus's example:

Acts 5:12‭-‬16 NIV
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

They looked like Jesus!  They were operating just like Him.  They even began to fulfill Jesus's prophecy that they would do even greater things than He.  The grace of the Holy Spirit was so strong that even Peter's shadow was anointed.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and love.  Jesus, thank you for your example.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power.  Please give me boldness to show your healing, and give me discernment to know how to approach each situation.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Prophetic words

Over the last several years, Brandi and I have been growing in appreciation of the gift of prophecy within the Body.  When the Lord gives a personalized message for someone, it is very encouraging and helpful.

We are participating in the Global Legacy Leadership Development Program (LDP1), and this word of prophecy was shown to us this week from the leaders of the program:

"Shane & Brandi Walker- United States
John 4:35-38 You're spiritual harvesters in your region. You've planted spiritual seeds and now is the time to reap the harvest. New heavenly downloads that bring fresh kingdom ideas are being released to you right now. Your sphere of influence increases as you continue to seek His perspective. Incredible increase and anointing is on your lives as you usher in His glory."

John 4:35‭-‬38 NIV
Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.  Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.  Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

Heavenly Father, thank you for your kindness and love.  We are your beloved children.  May it be to us according to your word.  Thank you for your grace. Holy Spirit, may we be attentive and obedient.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Living out Jesus's commission

Mark 16:15‭-‬20 NIV
[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."  After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

I want to live this out.  Except the snakes and poison stuff.  But seriously, I want to drive out demons, speak in new tongues, and heal sick people.

What does it take to actualize? Read a bunch of books?  I think it is a do-learn process.  I think I just have to try.  Step out in faith and try to be obedient.  And He will direct me.  (It is a lot easier to direct a moving car than a parked car.)

Heavenly Father, thank you for always calling me deeper with you.  Jesus, thank you for your example and commission.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power.  May I respond in loving obedience.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Sentness, empowerment, and grace

On the evening after Christ was raised from the dead, He appeared to His disciples, gave them the Holy Spirit, and commissioned them:

John 20:19‭-‬23 NIV
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

How did the Father send Jesus?  I think Jesus answered that in by explaining His Messianic calling in Luke 4:18-19 (quoting Isaiah 61) and Luke 7:22 (responding to John the Baptist's disciples).  And He has sent us in that same Messianic calling.  We, the Church, are His Body, and He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for His same empowerment by the Holy Spirit:

Luke 24:46‭-‬49 NIV
He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,  and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

The Lord is so gracious.  He sends us and empowers us, and He also meets us where we are and takes us to where He wants us to be.  The Lord knew that Peter was messed up in his soul because He betrayed Jesus, and it seems like Peter had invalidated himself.  Jesus appeared to them on the shore of the lake, blessed them with an abundant catch of fish, fed them breakfast, and then addressed Peter's soul wound:

John 21:15‭-‬17 NIV
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."   Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."   The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

As previously discussed (https://texasfarmboy.blogspot.com/2014/06/peters-reinstatement.html), there is a difference between agape (the Greek word for "love" that Jesus used in the first two questions), and phileo (the Greek word for "love" that Peter replied, and Jesus used in His third question).  I think Jesus was asking Peter to choose to love Him unconditionally, but perhaps Peter felt like he couldn't.  Maybe Peter felt like he had disqualified himself.  But I think Jesus met Peter where he was.  Perhaps, the third time, Jesus was basically saying, "If you feel like you can't agape me, but you can only phileo me, I'll still take it.  I'll take you where you are, and we will go on together to where I want you to be."  Whatever love you have for the Lord, small as it may be, give it to Him.  He will take it, use it, bless it, and grow it.

Jesus had planted something in Peter.  Over their past three years together, and especially on the shore of the lake that morning, Jesus planted something in Peter's heart.  And within the following two months, it sprouted, grew, and produced a crop of righteousness when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and Peter preached for thousands of people to become disciples of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I feel like my love for you is so fickle. Jesus, I want to agape you.  Holy Spirit, empower me, and take me on higher with you.  I am excited to see what you will do with me in the next two months.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Peace and Joy

On the night before Jesus was crucified, Jesus summarized a lot of teaching with his disciples.  I am impressed with two aspects of the fruit of the Spirit that Jesus wants for us, which I want more of in my life: peace and joy.

John 14:27 NIV
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 15:11 NIV
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

John 16:24 NIV
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

John 16:33 NIV
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 17:13 NIV
"... but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."

So, if Jesus wants these for me, how do I let Him increase them in me?  I want to abide in Christ.

Heavenly Father, I want to abide in your presence.  Lord Jesus, I want your peace and joy.  Holy Spirit, please increase peace and joy in me.  Shine your glory through increasing your fruit in my life.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

I AM

"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.
John 13:19 NIV

I like this translation of this verse.  On the night before He was crucified, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and told them that one of them would betray Him.  And He told them why He was telling them, "... so that you will believe that ἐγώ εἰμί".  That is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew version of "I AM", God's name that He told Moses.  Jesus was effectively saying, "...so that you will believe that I am who I say I am. I am the Messiah.  I am the God of the Israelites.  I am the I AM."

Heavenly Father, I love you.  Thank you for prophecy that proves that you are eternal, and you see the beginning from the end.  Lord Jesus,  you are the Messiah, the Son of God, and the great I AM.  You are one with the Father in a way that is beyond my comprehension.  Holy Spirit, help me be in more awe of who you are, and how you are one with the Father and the Son.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

The end of the world

Mark 13:10 NIV
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

Matthew 24:14 NIV
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

I was thinking this morning about how the remote places of the nations probably need clean drinking water and sanitation.  I want to partner with other organizations to meet people's basic needs and share the love and good news of Jesus with them.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in your kingdom.  Lord Jesus, I want to help people experience the goodness of your lordship.  Holy Spirit, please guide me in partnering with others to help more people around the world.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.