When Timothy suffered an infirmity in the flesh, Paul
recommended medicine.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. I Timothy 5:23
When Trophimus, one of Paul's ministry partners, was sick, no anointing or prayer for healing was ordered. Paul was forced to go on without him.
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. II Timothy 4:20
God gives no promise of physical healing for the Body of Christ through Paul as He did for Israel through James. In fact, Paul tells us that we must wait for the redemption of our bodies. (See Romans 8:22-25)

Grace & Peace

---------------

This is one direction of the apostle:-

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5 )

As I explained several times previously in this thread there is no difference between Jew and Gentile in the body of Christ.

Shalom,

Rapha.

Getting back to the subject of the thread, I heard a testimony a number of years ago in which a Bible school did an experiment. They sent out two evangelism teams A and B. Team A was instructed to tithe and team B was instructed not to tithe .

A had no problems but B had problems. I don't know, however if this is statistically significant.

Shalom,

Rapha.

Saw an interesting Non-hyped (what a change!) program on healing on TBN called A Night of Miracles.  It played Thanksgiving Day.  Man, that was something to be thankful for!  It had two great testimonies that really moved me -- a lady healed of environmental illness (allergic to everything) and a British rocker with a bad heart healed at a church service.   The ministry, Pleasant Valley Church, teaches about sanctification's role in healing.  Strong meat.  The Pastor is Henry Wright (do a Google search) and his book, "A More Excellent Way" really changed my theology on healing.  We have a part too.  I guess it answers the question of what we do when prayer alone isn't working.  true, God hears us.  But, will he heal us if we have unforginess or fear or bitterness??

Also caughtPastor Wright on Sid Roth's website too.  Mr. Roth has many healing testimonies on his shows.

Anyone else catch this TBN special?

Many thanks for your post.

Also MAY BE some are not healed because they have "flabby faith ".( NOTE I DID NOT SAY ALL! )

see very good testimony about this @ : - http://www.christcorner.com/testimonies/testimonies1-8.html

Shalom,

Rapha.

There are a lot of folks who can't understand how we came to have an oil
shortage here in America. Well, there's a very simple answer. Nobody bothered
to check the oil. We just didn't know we were getting low. The reason for
that is purely geographical. All our oil is in Alaska, Texas, California, and
Oklahoma. All our dipsticks are in Washington DC

Just to elaborate on this:-

Dictionary defintions of a "dipstick" are:-

 noun 1 a graduated rod for measuring the depth of a liquid, especially oil in an engine. 2 informal a stupid or inept/foolish person.

Jesus also spoke about the fool with lack of oil in Matthew 25:1 f

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. F48 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
 
I pray that we will have oil in our vessels when the door is shut!!!

Shalom,

Rapha.

Generally speaking, if you cannot heal yourself and the doctors cann't do it, it leaves only the Lord Jesus Christ / God as your option.

Because certain people believe that healing is only for Israel, I mentioned the seed of Abraham above to show that healing is for Christians ( Jew or Gentile ).

Also came across the following healing miracle which is well worth reading / listening to!

The Story of Betty Baxter is True. She was a dying cripple but she had faith that Jesus Christ would heal her. After revealing the exact day and hour that He would, (Sunday August 24th, 1941 at 3:00 PM) Jesus did heal her completely. She has since taken up the call of God to go and tell her story all over the world.

The URL link is @

http://www.geocities.com/bettybaxterstory/index2.html

Shalom,

Rapha

I have a question: Will you be holding your weekly fast on Thanksgiving??

ANSWER :-Yes

TIMES OF FASTING AND SUPPLEMENTS

We are now fasting in a group every week from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday ... a period of 24 hours without solid food... just fluids. We plan to continue, Lord willing, and invite you to participate in these collective fasts.

I believe by corporate fasting we will get some needed breakthroughs!!!

God bless,

Rapha.

i wonder why we must talk people down?Is it to bring our self up?Gossip what is it?Are we doing good to keep pointing out errors?Or are we doing Bad?Do we all have errors?

A man called Collie Knox tells of what happened to himself and a friend. He himself had been badly smashed up in a flying accident while serving in the Royal Flying Corps. The friend had that very day been decorated for gallantry at Buckingham Palace. They had changed from service dress into civilian clothes and were lunching together at a famous London restauarant, when a girl came up and handed to each of them a white feather - the badge of cowardice.

There is hardly anyone who has not been guilty of some grave misjudgment.

Shalom,

Rapha.

Only guys like Benny Hinn, Robert Tilton, 700 Club and you believe the people should support you.

Brother Love

Shalom,

When we are attacked in our character, we do not need to defend ourselves, for we answer only to God, and He is the one who justifies us, we do not need to do so ourselves.

Regarding Benny Hinn et al, for the third time * in less than  a month my comment on Benny Hinn et al is: " No Comment!"

Rapha.

* mentioned this before on the " Healing Check It Out " and " Speaking In Tongues " threads and now on this this thread!

I'll check out the website!

Our web site, PRAYER AND FASTING NETWORK @ http://www.angelfire.com/md3/pafn777 is done on a shoestring!

Shalom,

Rapha.

Petro, actually 15 not 25 years!

Many thanks for your reply. The latest encouragement I received from the Lord was: " I will help you!"

"...The Lord is my helper, ... " { Hebrews 13 : 6}

Man and woman can walk away when it gets tough but Praise the Lord He does not... He stays with you !

Every blessing,

Rapha.

 
Also the laborer deserves to be paid! The laborers in this case are those who teach, preach and live by God' s word as examples of faith.

I have been full time with the Lord since 1988 and rely on gifts from God' s people. One month ... not too long ago I received a total of about $ 20.00 US in gifts!

Shalom,

Rapha.

Thank you, rapha!  

 
Willowbirch, many thanks for your reply!

The experience mentioned above occurred over 17 years ago... glory to God.

I was of no fixed abode for 4 and 1/2 years as a born again Christian ... have lots of good stories from that time. One such testimony is @ http://www.angelfire.com/md3/pafn777/outofjam.html

{I know certain people love reading and hearing testimonies!}

Shalom,

Rapha.
 

[Being Born Again Does Not Depend On]

For the first time in my life I unexpectedly went to a Bible study meeting. During the study most of the scripture mentioned appeared applicable to my life at the time and without warning my legs started to shake slightly; prior to that time I had no problems with nerves. Afterwards I gave a lady a lift home, she invited me in for a cup of tea and I sat on a sofa in the living room.

After we had drunk our tea and discussed some of the things which had occurred at the Bible study the lady asked a simple question, " Do you want to pray? " I repeated after her the sinners' prayer (see below for an example) phrase by phrase and immediately my legs started to shake such that I could not walk for about 30 - 45 minutes. Prior to that time I had never shaken anything like that. Some time later I discovered that I had been born again.

Being Born Again Does Not Depend On

1.denominational church you attend; 2. baptism in water; 3. giving to the poor; 4. whether you go to a Bible study; 5. whether you are rich or poor; 6. whether you are fit or in poor health; 7. the type of past life .

What Must I Do To Be Born Again?

In the Gospel of John ( in The Holy Bible) you will find these words: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (JOHN 3: 3). It is a MUST, it is necessary to be born again to get into heaven (see also JOHN 3: 7 and 1 PETER 1: 23).

In practical terms, as a first step a prayer, which you can speak out ALOUD, is as follows:

Heavenly Father, I come to you now, Lord I am a sinner. I have sinned against you even this day but Lord I come and ask you in the name of Jesus that you will forgive me for all my sins, that you will wash me in the blood of Jesus and I shall be cleansed from all sin and I thank you now for saving me. Come into my heart and into my life and Lord lead me by your Spirit and help me to live for you from this day forth and I thank you now in Jesus' name, Amen.

To continue as a true believer you must follow the Lord Jesus Christ. This involves regularly: 1. Reading the Bible; 2. Praying to God in Jesus' name; 3. Fellowshipping with other born-again believers.

Many thanks for your replies. I noticed a few words earlier this year about the subject passage in Malachi 3 and that is in verse 6

" For I am the LORD, I change not; "

In context the passage reads:-

Mal 3: 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,...

I believe also that giving should be an extension of a Christian' s relationship with the Lord. In other words, the Christian should be giving according to his leading in the Spirit.

Every blessing,

Rapha.

P. S. Please also note Genesis 28 : 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

... this happened along time before the law was given unto Moses!

[spirit of infirmity]

Recently, I have been meditating on the healing testimony in Luke 13 : 10 - 17.

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Several questions come to mind. In particular they are :-

1. This woman was afflicted with a spirit of infirmity which is an evil spirit. If someone went to the normal doctors today could they cure this condtion with drugs and normal medical practice?

For example, last Saturday, while street preaching, I met a man who was hearing voices on a continual  basis ( and it wasn't the Holy Spirit! ).  In my opinion, he needs Christian deliverance .

2. Who are the sons and daughters of Abraham today? Answer - see for example, Galatians 3, verses 7 and 29.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Any Comments?

Rapha