Faith vs. Doubt - The Battle of Our Lives

1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)  Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

We have often heard that doubt cancels faith and that faith overcomes doubt and fear. There is a constant battle between what we know about God through the Holy Spirit and the thoughts that create

doubt and fear. It’s like a championship prize fight, the Super Bowl, the World Series, or World Cup.

It’s faith versus doubt and you determine the outcome. If faith wins then you win. If doubt wins then you lose. These contests happen every day most of them small and the winner is determined quickly and then there are the big ones. The outcome of these battles or contests between faith and doubt can have major consequences that can last for years, and some may last until Jesus returns.

The Tale of the Tape

This statement is used when comparing things, especially in sports; it comes from boxing where the fighters would be measured with a tape measure before a fight.

We will compare our combatants in this faith versus doubt contest with both secular and spiritual

definitions:

Faith

From Dictionary.com

1) confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another’s ability.

2)belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.

3) belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.

4) belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc: to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.

5) a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.

From Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) 

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

Doubt 

From Dictionary.com

verb (used with object)

1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.

2. to distrust.

3. Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.

verb (used without object)

4. to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.

From Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary

(Verbs) 1) aporeo “to be without a way”;

2) diaporeo “to be thourghly perplexed”;

3)diakrino ”wavereth”, “making no distinction”;

4) distazo “to stand in two ways”;

5) meteorizo “signifying “in mid air, raised on high”;

6) psuchen airo “to raise the breath, or to lift the soul” signifies “to hold in suspense”

(Noun) 7) dialogismos expresses reasoning or questioning hesitation.

You Determine the Winner

Remember you control the outcome of the contest. Here’s what Jesus said;

Matthew 14:31 (HCSB) Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Jesus was talking to Peter after he stepped out on the water to walk to Jesus who was walking, on the water. When he saw how strong the wind was he got scared and started to sink. When Peter was acting in faith he walked, when he doubted he started to sink. Peter’s doubt cancelled his faith. He lost that contest of faith versus doubt.

Matthew 21:21 (HCSB) Jesus answered them, “I assure you: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.

Jesus was answering a question that his disciples asked what happened to a fig tree that He had cursed. (Matthew 21:18-22) Moving a mountain is impossible – for anyone but God, but nothing is impossible for God. We often have situations that come in our lives that are so big and that overcoming them seems impossible but if we trust and have faith in the one who can move the mountain or do the impossible it will be done. If we have doubts about God’s ability to move the mountain then the mountain won’t move for us. We lose.

How Do We Defeat Doubt with Our Faith?

Abraham is a perfect example for us to follow. The bible tells us that Abraham didn’t question the promise of God and because of it, his faith grew stronger. His faith was able to overcome any doubt he may have had.

Genesis 15:4-6 (NKJV) 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." 5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness..

Romans 4:19-21 (NKJV) 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Believe God’s promises don't look at the circumstance. Let your faith build cancelling out all doubt. Praise God and be fully convinced that God will do what He said that He would do.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV) 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

1 John 5:4 (NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

You can conquer doubt with faith and win every time and when you win every time you become more than a conqueror (Read my blog post on becoming more than a conqueror Here!)

To Win You Must Be Born Again

In order to have faith in God and trust Him completely you need to know Him and know what His promises are for you. In other words you need to have a relationship and that starts Jesus.

John 3:3 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 14:6 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:11-12 (NKJV)11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you are going to lose much more often than you win. Remember what I said about Abraham that his faith in God allowed him to overcome his doubt because he knew that God is bigger than any circumstance and if He said it He was able to accomplish it. You and I are no match against Satan and this world system. Without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we will lose. Get on the winning side.

Here’s how

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you are tired of being afraid and full of doubt pray this prayer;

“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody, leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. Welcome to the family of God and to victory over fear and doubt.

God bless you.

Justification Is The Act Of God

We continue this series on justification with Justification – Is the Act of God”.

Let’s go back to our foundational scripture for the series;

Romans 3:30 (NKJV) since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

This scripture is specific in saying that it is God who will justify all those who believe, by and through faith. Let’s explore that a little bit more in this post as we through scripture provide evidence that the justification promised in Christ is the act of God.

Justification of the Servant

Isaiah 49:3 (NKJV) “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’

In my post, "Justification - Promised in Christ",  we identified the servant in this verse as Jesus.

This is prophetic scripture in which the nation of Israel is the shadow of Jesus and describes the fact that God the Father is near His Servant during the time of his humiliation. He was never alone so he was able to withstand all of the attacks of his enemies, the charges brought against him, and also all of the sins of the people that were place on him. God knew that he was innocent and righteous and He justified him declaring it by the resurrection. Who could then accuse him through whom we are justified?

The result of God’s act of justification

Romans 8:28-33 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Not Guilty

Here's what it says in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary for verses 31-34.

Paul now begins to point out the implications of his teaching. God became involved in man’s dilemma in order to accomplish his plan. He handed over his Son on behalf of us all. Christ was handed over for our benefit, on our behalf, and in our stead. God could not spare his Son and carry out his plan of redemption. So he handed him over to death that we might be redeemed. Paul draws certain conclusions from this action by God. With Christ he will graciously give us all things, though we may not have all of them right now. No one can bring any charge against God’s chosen or elect ones or condemn them, because God and Christ have participated in this divine action of handing over Christ.

I can’t improve on that explanation of God’s act of justification. God handed over His Son for us and then as the judge He has said we are not guilty because of the sacrifice of His Son who accepted and took the punishment for us. Therefore nobody can accuse Christians because we have been justified by and through faith as promised in Christ and the actions of His Father and ours, God Almighty.

Have You Been Justified?

If you've never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you have not been justified, pardoned, or accepted.  God loves you and has provided a way for your pardon and acceptance but it must be your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple, as simple as "TNT" (Romans 10:9-10).

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you're ready just repeat this prayer.

"Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin.  I am willing to turn from sin.  I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.

If you just prayed this prayer the call, text, email, tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody.  Please leave me a comment or email me at this Link.  Welcome to the family of God.

Next in this series is Justification – Under Law – Is That Possible?

All That Believe Are Justified By Faith - Or is it Through Faith?

Acts 13:39 (NKJV)  and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.  This is what Paul said in his message in the synagogue in

Antioch.  What did he mean by that statement which was made at the end of his message in which he briefly traced the history of Israel from the time that they were slaves in Egypt through the resurrection of Jesus?

According to the Oxford Dictionary   the definition of justify is:

1)Show or prove to be right or reasonable,

2) Declare or make righteous in the sight of God.

So according to these definitions then, by Him (Jesus), everyone who believes is shown or proved to be right or reasonable and declared or made righteous in God’s sight.  That is a powerful and awesome statement.  

In Romans 3:30 Paul says “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.   If those of us who are now one body have been justified why are did he say that some of us (the circumcised or Jew) are justified by faith and others (uncircumcised or Gentile) justified through faith since all who believe are justified?

Wow what a question!

I don’t think there is any difference and here’s why.  If there is no distinction between Jew (circumcised) and Gentile (uncircumcised), then it is logical that there is no difference in the way they are justified.  

Galatians 3:27-29 (HCSB) 27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ⌊like a garment⌋. 28  There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

This from Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers “By faith.—Through faith. In the one case faith is regarded as the instrument, in the other as the means; but the two expressions come to be almost convertible. In like manner there is no essential difference indicated by the fact that the first noun has not the article, while the second has it. The former is more abstract—the quality of faith in man; the latter more concrete—faith as embodied in the gospel. The two prepositions, “by” and “through,” are in English nearly convertible, or differ from each other no more than “instrument” and “means.”

 Justification is Instant

Justification whether by or through faith is instant it is not a process.   Just as the thief on the cross acknowledged Jesus his joining Him in paradise was instant. 

Luke 23:40-43 (HCSB) 40  But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?  41  We are punished justly, because we’re getting back

Not Guilty

what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”  42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43  And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

We are justified at the moment we do as Paul says in 

Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV) 9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Here is what Charles Spurgeon says in one of his devotions;

"We are now-even now pardoned; even now are our sins put away; even now we stand in the sight of God accepted, as though we had never been guilty. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” There is not a sin in the Book of God, even now, against one of His people. Who dareth to lay anything to their charge? There is neither speck, nor spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing remaining upon any one believer in the matter of justification in the sight of the Judge of all the earth. Let present privilege awaken us to present duty, and now, while life lasts, let us spend and be spent for our sweet Lord Jesus."

If you've never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you have not been pardoned or accepted by God.  He loves you and has provided a way for your pardon and acceptance but it's your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple, as simple ans "TNT" (Romans 10:9-10).  If you're ready just repeat this prayer in all sincerity, if it's not sincere then you're really not ready, but if you are this is all you have to ask God;

“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”

Once you pray this, or a similar, prayer in all sincerity your salvation and justification is instant.

If you have just prayed this prayer call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody, and leave me a comment or email me at donald@donjake-strategicadviser.com.  Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.  Welcome to the family of God. 

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MORE INFORMATION ON JUSTIFICATION

Justification:  God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision,  Justification:  Five Views, Justification and the Gospel:  Understanding the Context and Controversies 

Justification - Promised in Christ

Definitions 

The Oxford Dictionary defines justify as: 

1) Show or prove to be right or reasonable and 

2) Declare or make righteous in the sight of God.  

According to Paul in Romans 3:30 “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.   If those of us who are now one body having been justified why are did he say that some of us (the circumcised or Jew) are justified by faith and others (uncircumcised or Gentile) justified through faith since all who believe are justified?  

Here's the definition of justify from “Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible” 

“the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal”; it is used twice in the Ep. to the Romans, and there alone in the NT, signifying the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt. In Rom. 4:25 the phrase “for our justification,” is, lit., “because of our justification” (parallel to the preceding clause “for our trespasses,” i.e., because of trespasses committed), and means, not with a view to our “justification,” but because all that was necessary on God’s part for our “justification” had been effected in the death of Christ. On this account He was raised from the dead. The propitiation being perfect and complete, His resurrection was the confirmatory counterpart. In 5:18, “justification of life” means “justification which results in life” (cf. v. 21). That God “justifies” the believing sinner on the ground of Christ’s death, involves His free gift of life.

That last sentence in the Vine’s definition is the basis of my statement that justification was promised in Christ.

Here’s what it say in Isaiah 45:20-25 (HCSB) 20  “Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives of the nations. Those who carry their wooden idols, and pray to a god who cannot save, have no knowledge.   21  Speak up and present ⌊your case⌋— yes, let them take counsel together. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except Me. 22  Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. 23  By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24  It will be said to Me: Righteousness and strength is only in the LORD.” All who are enraged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

25  All the descendants of Israel will be justified and find glory through the LORD.

The Gentiles were invited to stop their idol worship and in faith to the only God who can save from sin and death.  He included all nations in this invitation.  They are to be saved simply by looking in faith to the Lord. All the descendants of Israel referred to in verse 25 are the spiritual Israel.  They that are those identified in Galatians 3:6-7 (HCSB)6  Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, 7  then understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s sons.. 

What Does This Have to Do with Justification Promised in Christ?

The one that God is talking about in Isaiah to redeem his people is Cyrus.  Well that’s Cyrus and not Christ you say.  Well not so fast my friend.    Cyrus is a type of Jesus Christ; and many of the promises to Cyrus in Isaiah have a spiritual fulfillment in the ministry and life of Jesus. In fact God identifies Cyrus as His shepherd in Isaiah 44:28 and then as His anointed (Messiah) in 45:1. 

Isaiah 44:28 (HCSB) who says to Cyrus, “My shepherd, he will fulfill all My pleasure” and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.” 

Isaiah 45:1 (HCSB) The LORD says this to Cyrus, His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him and the gates will not be shut:

Both these titles are used for Jesus.  

Acts 4:27 (HCSB) “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, (emphasis mine)

Acts 10:38 (HCSB) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. (emphasis mine) 

John 10:11 (HCSB) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (emphasis mine).

Now let’s look a more direct reference to justification promised in Christ

Isaiah 53:11 (HCSB) He will see ⌊it⌋ out of His anguish, and He will be satisfied with His knowledge. My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will carry their iniquities.

This is a specific prophetic reference to Christ.  To see that we need to go back to Isaiah Chapter 49. Verses 1-6 of the chapter is one of what many students of the Bible call ‘Suffering Servant Songs’ 

Isaiah 49:3 (HCSB)  He said to me, “You are My Servant, Israel; I will be glorified in him.”   

In this verse God says that Israel is His servant however nowhere else in the Bible does it say that God will be glorified in a person (servant), so I believe, as do many others, that in this context ‘Israel’ is a name for Jesus, the Messiah.  Now reading 53:11 we see that Jesus the Messiah will justify many.  The many here refers to Jews and Gentiles. 

Isaiah 49:6 (HCSB) He says, “It is not enough for you to be My Servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Then we come to the final ‘Suffering Servant Song’ in Isaiah starting at Chapter 52:13 and ending at 53:12 which reads;

Isaiah 53:12 (HCSB) Therefore I will give Him the many as a portion, and He will receive the mighty as spoil, because He submitted Himself to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet He bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.

Yes our justification was promised in Christ the anointed.   He is doing what Israel, Isaiah and Cyrus did thousands of years ago for Israel.   Jesus has done it for the world!!

Praising God in 140 Characters or Less

I wrote a post a few days ago entitled “God Will See You Through Just Trust Him”.  Here’s a comment that I got from someone who read it:

“Great post. I surely do believe in faith (I don’t worship any God tho), but I believe in the essential good of mankind, the difference between right and wrong, treating others as you want to be treated – in words and actions, the Power of the universe in all of our lives etc… What puts me off finding out more about ‘God’ as such – is that the Bible is SO long and involved… (I’m sure this puts many people off reading it – I mean, how many people does the average person know who have actually read it cover to cover?)… is there a really good ‘summarised version of the bible??… Like a ‘Bible for Dummies’…” (emphasis mine).

Here’s another one on the same post:

“Great post Donjake... very in depth and well written - (perhaps a bit too long for my liking) I felt it could have been three seperate posts (people's attention spans are getting gradually shorter) Great work none the less... left you a comment ;)” (emphasis mine)

This started me thinking.  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media applications cause us to present our thoughts and ideas in short sometimes cryptic phrases or

sentences. I wondered if  anybody has tried to reduce the bible to 140 character bites.   I found a website, The 140 Bible,which reduces each chapter of the New Testament to 140 characters or less.  Then there’s a book, “The Twible:  All the Chapters of the Bible in 140 Characters or Less”.  That’s all that I could find.  I guess that you can’t reduce something as profound and powerful as the Word of God, which give light and life to man to 140 character phrases, or sentences, of thoughts.  God is too Big and His Word too Powerful for that.

But then I realized that we already praise God every day in 140 characters or less.  Psalms alone has over 150 expressions of praise of 140 characters or less.  I see Tweets and Facebook and Instagram statuses everyday praising God.   Most of them are directly from His Word so I decided to compile some of them in this post.  These first ones are from Psalms only and are by no means all if them.  Maybe I'll do a series but this is for starters.

 Praise in 140 Characters or Less

1.    Psalm 7:17 (NKJV) I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

2.    Psalm 9:1 (NKJV) I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

3.    Psalm 22:22 (NKJV) I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

4.    Psalm 30:4 (NKJV) Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

5.    Psalm 33:2 (NKJV) Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.

6.    Psalm 34:1 (NKJV) A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

7.    Psalm 35:28 (NKJV) And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long.

8.    Psalm 44:8 (NKJV) In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever.

9.    Psalm 51:15 (NKJV) O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

10. Psalm 56:4 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

11. Psalm 57:7 (NKJV) My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.

12. Psalm 63:3 (NKJV) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

13. Psalm 67:3 (NKJV) Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.

14. Psalm 69:30 (NKJV) I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

15. Psalm 86:12 (NKJV) I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

16. Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

17. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV) Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

18. Psalm 109:30 (NKJV) I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.

19. Psalm 118:21 (NKJV) I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.

20. Psalm 135:1 (NKJV) 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!

21. Psalm 139:14 (NKJV) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well

22. Psalm 150:6 (NKJV) Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

I could go on and on.  This is Psalms only but since the headline of this post includes 140 characters I must stop.

Use some of all of them in your own Tweets, Facebook status, and Instagram Posts.  If you can think other 140 character praises please leave them in the comments and let’s praise God together.

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What’s the difference between divine healing and faith healing?

Yes there is a difference in divine healing and faith healing.   They are not synonymous. 

"When you write an article like this you run the risk of being misunderstood so I did have some reluctance in finally deciding to do it.  I do believe in healing and I believe in miracles but my belief is in the way the Bible says it and not the way we have sometimes been taught by many in the faith-healing and prosperity movement."   

Divine Healing

From Gotquestions.org:

Divine healing involves a supernatural act which resolves a physical, emotional or spiritual problem. In a Christian context, the supernatural element is God, many times through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

Most of the world’s religions believe in some sort of supernatural healing. Islam uses incantations (Ruqya), Tibetan Buddhists use a method which includes medicine, mantra and meditation. Others including those who believe in a New Age philosophy use a techniques from ancient religions and the occult. The common theme in these non-Christian beliefs is the requirement of a physical ritual, of some sort, to placate a deity into action or to manipulate a healing force.

Not so with those of us who believe in God Almighty and who live our lives in faith in Him and who stand on every one of His promises.  We know that God's divine healing is the result of His grace and because of His love for us.  There is no need for ritual, or ceremony, or manipulation.  The only requirement is the one in;

Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV) ⁹  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.¹⁰  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹  For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." ¹²  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. ¹³  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Faith Healing

Faith healing centers on actions of the sick person having “enough faith” or, in the person who claims to have special gifts or a unique connection to God. Faith healing can include psychotherapy, hypnosis, placebos, positive thinking, and those superstar preachers who claim a special anointing. I’m not talking here about those with the spiritual gift of healing. "The people with that gift quickly point to God as the one who heals not to themselves.  They don't rely on their past performance. They rely on God.  They realize that the decision to heal rests solely with God and He chooses who and when to heal.  They are ready to be the vehicle by which God decides to use them for a particular time to exhibit a sign and wonder that points to Him and captures the attention of unbelievers so that they are open to hearing the gospel of Christ.

If it was simply a matter of having enough faith to be healed or the person with the spiritual gift of healing laying on hands or anointing with oil then all who truly believe would be healed. If that was the case then Paul would have been healed, Joni Eareckson-Tada the evangelical Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community.", would have been healed, my wife who suffered a back injury many years ago would have been healed, and I’m sure that you know of devout believers who have been believing for healing, some for many years.  You may be one of those people.

"Of the 35 miracles recorded in the Gospel accounts the faith of the recipient is exercised in only10 of the accounts. Healing of the lame man (Jn.5:1-9) the cleansing of a leper (Mt.8:2-4) healing a mans withered hand (Mt.9:2-8) the healing of the man born blind (Jn.9:1-7) healing the blindness of Bartemaeus (Mt.20:29-34) The women who had a blood flow (Mt.9:20-22; Mk.5:24-34) Peter who walked on water to Jesus (Mt.14:24-33) the miraculous catching of the fish (Lk.5:1-11) and the second miraculous catch (Jn.21:1-11) The cleansing of the 10 lepers of which only one had faith (Lk.17:11-19)."  

Also see my post "My Top 10 Scriptures on Healing."

It’s God’s Decision

Exodus 15:26 (NKJV) and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."

God still heals He has not lost that ability. His still loves us. Divine healing can come through traditional medicine or through direct intervention by God in answer to prayer. In some instances it may not come until complete healing in heaven. Physical, emotional, and spiritual healing belongs to God.  Revelation 21:4 describes the true healing we should all be longing for: 

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) ⁴  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 

I would like to hear from you about your perspective on faith and healing. Is healing here on earth promised to all believers? Will God heal you if you have enough faith? What if you have big faith and you are not healed? Please comment below.