GOD IS OUR HEALER

 

  Today is our Healing Service.  It is a time where we focus on God’s power and ability to heal you physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, family wise and financially.  It is a time where we stand upon 1 Pet 2:24 that states by His stripes we are healed.  It is an opportunity for God to do what he promised in Eph 3:20, to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.

 

Here are seven Reason why Jesus healed.

 

1.      Jesus Heals because of Compassion.

2.      Jesus Heals because Healing Is the Children’s Bread and the promise given in the Old Testament.  Mark 7:27

3.      Christ Heals to Fulfill the Prophecy of Healing in the Atonement.  Is 53:4-5

4.      Christ Heals to Reveal His Father’s Glory.  Matt 15:30-31

5.      Jesus Healed to Prove His Mission.

6.      Christ Heals to Fulfill the Bible Type.  John 3:14-15

7.      Christ Healed to Destroy the Works of the Devil.  1 Jn 3:8

 

Jesus healed Peter Mother-in-Law in Matt 8:14-16

 

1.      God Is Glorified When You Are Healed, Whole and Ready for Service.

2.      God Still Heals.

3.      Healing Is Always God’s Will.

4.      God Wants You to Live an eternal and Abundant life.  John 10:10

5.      The Lord wants y ou have prosperity and health even as your soul prosper.  Healing, prosperity and success come from the inside out. 

 

In John 9:6-7, after telling the blind man "I am the light of the world," he healed him: "Having said these things, He spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud on the man's eyes. He told him, ' Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is translated Sent).' So he went away, washed, and came back seeing."

 

Today the Lord wants to heal you.  We lose with this exhortation from James 5: 14, Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

 

 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 19, 2026

 

PSALM 111

 

 Today we are focusing on the second part of Psalm 111.  Ezra is using this acrostic psalm to make 22 statements about God.  It is also a psalm to help the people of his day learn the Hebrew language that had been lost because they had been in captivity in Babylon and then Persia for 70 years.  His task was to reintroduce the Hebrew language, lifestyle and religious life.  We are in the same critical time.  The church is losing our young people at an alarming rate.  Like Ezra we are in a time where our children could lose their identity.  That is why we must pray for revival and work hard.  Paul says that in the last day there will be a great falling away in 2 Thess 2:3.  We are in that time.  We must recapture this moment or we could lose our children, society and nation.  Remember righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.   Ezra gives us seven things to remember about the Lord.

 

 

1.      He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord does this in several ways.  He uses His people and the pages of the Bible to do this.  The Bible is a love letter, a written account of God dealing with mankind throughout history.  The Bible is a written account of redemption.  It is a record of the character, nature and essence of God.  We get a glimpse of God because of the Bible. 

a.      Next, He uses science.  Science is practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.  As mankind studies creation it points more and more to a master designer.  One policeman told me when he is in doubt all he has to do is look around.  Creation is God silent witness.

b.      He uses us to proclaim Him as creator, redeemer and love agent in our world.  We are His love letters.  We are His bibles.  Our words and deeds present Him.  Our job is to go into our world and love others.  I love this quote, “People may not always remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.” 

2.      The Lord is gracious, we have been saved by the gracious intervention of the Lord.  The Lord is merciful, forgiving, kind and lenient.  By grace He does not give us what we deserve.  All of that came because of the broken body, shed blood, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  His grace gave us undeserved mercy and will lead, keep and help us no matter when and where we find ourselves.  Paul says as we have received we are to give to others.  That means as Christians we are to express, kindness, graciousness, being courteous, encouraging and inspirational.  It also means having an elegance, good taste and being a lady or gentleman.  Being a gentleman or lady means to make those around you feel as comfortable as possible. 

3.      And compassionate.   This means to show sympathy and concern for others.  Pitying, empathetic, understanding, caring and concern.  This of course is an outgrowth of our life in the Lord.  When we love God and are healed we will in turn show true genuine love for others.  It is what flows out of our innermost being.  Jesus calls these rivers of living water.  Jesus showed compassion numerous times.  He often looked at people as sheep without a shepherd.  I often feel great pain for those who do not have the Lord.  They have no foundation, help, support, direction and destination.  We have that and so much more.  It was God’s compassion that brought about salvation and divine intervention.  Well we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  We did not go looking for Him He came looking for us.  Talk about my conversion.

4.       He provides food for those who fear him;  Ezra, points out that God is Jehovah Jireh.  Phil 4:19, says our God will supply every need according to His riches in glory.  Jesus reminded us in the Sermon on the Mount that we do not have to worry if God can clothe the flowers of the field and feed the birds of the air He will take care of us.  Worry means you do not trust God, yourself and others.  I like this quote.  “If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.”

 

a.      Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries, and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy.”

               ― Roy T. Bennett

b.      God will take care of your needs, food, clothing, housing and transportation.  Remember the mercies of God are new every morning.  This is the day which the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Live this day for the fullest it is the only one you have.  Look at the present as a gift given by God to be lived fully and abundantly

 

5.      He remembers his covenant forever.  That means when God makes an agreement or promise He will keep it forever.  That why Paul could say in 2 Cor 1:20, the promises of God are yes and amen.  We may not keep our side but God will keep His.  That is why God is still dealing with Israel and will in the future.  That is why the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  He uses us in spite of us.  Ezra pointed this out because the people had just returned to Judah.  They had been in captivity because of their sin but God was restoring them because of a covenant He had made with Abraham.  When you gave your life to Jesus Christ God made a covenant with you.  You are His we may walk away but God will not.  This promise is the foundation for 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us.  Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.  God will be with you as He was with those in the past. 

6.      He has shown his people the power of his works, Ezra was telling the people to remember the power of His works.  The exodus, parting of the Red Sea, manna, the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  How God enabled them to take the land.  The prophets like Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah.  The judges like Gideon and Samson.  The Kings like David, Solomon and Hezekiah.  Today we have the record of the Bible with its miracles, healings, resurrections and prophecies.  In my own life I have seen signs, wonders, healings, miracles, gifts of the Spirit, supernatural provision, visions and dreams.  I contend that God can do the same for you.  He is no respecter of persons.  As His people He will do the same for all of us the secret to look and expect.

7.      Giving them the lands of other nations.  Ezra was reminding them that the reason they were back in Jerusalem and Judah was because God gave them back their nation.  Other people had been living there but God gave them back their promised land.  The grace of God was again extended to His covenant people.  In 1948, that happened again.  This of course has not been without opposition.  For Ezra, Zerubbabel, Joshua and Nehemiah their resettling of the land was filled with opposition.  Israel has fought five wars, numerous attacks including one this year.  God did this because of His covenant with Abraham.  Jesus told us to go into our world.  We have a mandate to take our world.  We have the power, enablement, authority, right and boldness to do it of course there will be opposition but we can and will win if we rely on the Lord.  I love the testimony of Paul in Thessalonica.  The people there said the men who have turned the world upside down have come to our city.  The world should be more fearful of us than we should be of the world.    Let us turn our world upside right today

TRANSFIGURATION

 

Mark 9:2-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

 

1.      So Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  Most believe this mountain was Mount Tabor about 18 miles southwest of Sea of Galilee.  Mount Tabor is one of the three mountains that form the valley of Megiddo.  The other two are Mt Gilboa and Mount Carmel.  Peter, James and John were what scholars call Jesus inner circle.  He had his 12 disciples then he had his inner circle. 

2.      Jesus leads up the mountain and they became witness to a glorious moment.  Jesus was transfigured before them.  In that moment His clothes became dazzling white.  Jesus appeared in His pre-incarnate form.  For this moment he threw off the veil of the flesh and became so much more.  It was dazzling white and as Mark stated no one on earth could bleach them that white.  This is a supernatural moment.  This showed that Jesus was who He said He was.  Jesus was no longer terrestrial but celestial.  The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus himself as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth.

3.      The Transfiguration provides further evidence that Jesus was the divine Son of God. It is not coincidental that this happened soon after Jesus had acknowledged Himself to be the Christ, the one who left heaven's glory to come to earth. Now three of His disciples were to get a glimpse of that glory. The Transfiguration scene of Jesus is a representation of His coming kingdom in its fullness.  This is also shows Jesus in His glorified body.  The purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into at least a part of His heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was.  This showed all His claims He made were true.

4.      Now Elijah and Moses appeared with Him.  Elijah representing the prophets and Moses the law.  Remember Jesus said He came to fulfill the law and Jesus is the greatest prophet who ever lived.  Jesus is the balance between the two.  Jesus is the living and revealed Word of God.  The presence of Moses and Elijah in the Transfiguration has been read as summarizing “the Law and the Prophets” now being fulfilled in and by Jesus’ life, the Messiah.  They were talking with Jesus.  I would have loved to be privy to that conversation. 

5.      The Transfiguration is considered one of the five milestones of Jesus’ life according to the Gospels, alongside his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension.  Moses was the law and Elijah was a representative of all the prophets who looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. 

 

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

 

1.       So we have a Peter moment.  He seems to say what the others were thinking.  Now the reason he said it was because they were frighten.  They had just witness a great event.  This was a divine moment.  Peter says, “Jesus it is good that we are here.”  It was because they will talk about it later.  Peter and John will mention this in their writings.  It would have had a lifetime effect on them.  They would never be the same and never look at Jesus the same after this.  You cannot be the same when you have had a divine encounter.  This changed them. 

2.      Peter recognized Moses and Elijah.  This speaks of divine recognition.  Even though he had never met them he knew who they were.  We will know those who have gone before.  Each one of us will have a divine signature.  When we put on incorruption and immortality we will still be recognized.  Our identity will be our own.  Our bodies will never know pain sickness or death.  In this moment Peter had a spirit to spirit recognition. 

3.      Peter suggests to Jesus that they make three dwelling places for each of them.  There are several reasons.  First, it was the habit of Jewish people to build a temporary shelter called a sukkot to celebrate and meet with God.  Secondly, he wanted to commemorate the experience.  This was a mountaintop experience.  Thirdly, he wanted to keep the divine on the earth.  Whenever we have an experience like this the natural response to try and make it last or make  a memorial.  Jacob did at Bethel, Abraham at Hebron and Solomon at Gibeah.  Sadly, the place can become more important than the experience.  Fourthly, Peter wanted to honor these men.  Lastly, because he spoke out of fear and did not know what to say.  The gospel writer often said, Peter not knowing what to say then said.  Which Mark stated.

 

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

 

1.       What an amazing moment.  Moses, Elijah and then a cloud comes and over shadows the whole place.  The divine glory, presence, splendor and essence of God shows up.  Then a voice speaks out of the cloud.  This is the second of three divine proclamations.  The others were the Jesus baptism, and the temple.   

2.      The voice identifies Jesus as the Son of God.  The second person of the God head.  The Messiah and King.  He is Savior, healer, baptizer in the Holy Spirit and the Soon Coming King.  Jesus is the beloved.  Jesus is the beauty, unity and endearment love.  He is love with a face.  The New Testament word here is means to breathe.  Jesus is the breath of love.  In this case Jesus is the object and giver of love.  As He is beloved so through Him we become the beloved. 

3.      The voice tells them to listen to Him.  He has a message.  He is the way truth and life.  Jesus has come for a reason.  Jesus told his disciples to learn of Him.  Have eyes to see and ears to hear.  Let Jesus be your example, role model and mentor.  Learn everything you can from Him.  He is the master teacher.  Don’t let go of one thing you hear and see. 

4.      Suddenly they look around and they saw no one by Jesus.  It was only a moment of time.  Only long enough for Peter to say one thing and the Father to respond.  Often divine moments are just that but they can last a lifetime.  Divine moments change you.  They make you more focused.  They give you a purpose. They show you there is more than just this world.  They prepare you for eternity.    They remind us that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.  You know there is more and greater things on the other side of eternity. 

 

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 

1.      There are four reasons why Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone.  The first because Jesus told them not to say anything till after he had reason from the dead.

2.      Secondly, waiting for the Right Understanding.  They would not fully understand this experience till after Jesus had been raised from the dead.  God doesn’t show all things until we are mature, wise and understanding enough to grasp what is being revealed.  That is also why we need to ask for wisdom.  For example you do not give a 3 year a manual for building a house.  There is a time, maturity, education, knowledge and understanding that is needed.

3.      Lastly timing.  Jesus continually said my time is not right.  Timing is everything in the things of God.  God is never early, late but always on time.

4.      Lastly, it was a matter of obedience, trust and faith.   Jesus entrusted these men with this experience and He was entrusting them to reveal it at the right time.  Jesus was telling them keep a great secret.  It was a matter of honor, trust, truth and integrity.  They had seen something no other human beings had seen or would ever see again.  I have a question for you can God trust you.  It is easy for us to trust God but can He trust you?  Close with how Paul waited 14 years before his first missionary journey.  Timing is everything and trust is paramount.  Cam Floria said this, “Waiting is often providential disciple for those who are being entrusted to a great task.” 

 

 

 

TRIBUTES TO MOTHERS

 

     Good day.  I know that this article is a little late for Mothers  Day but actually we should be thanking our Mothers and spouses  every day of the year.  Abraham Lincoln said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life"  Mothers are the hidden workers .  They do all the things that would not get done.  Today being a wife, mother and balancing a career is a fine line.  My hat goes off to women who choose a career and still raise a family.  My daughter is such a woman.  She is a nurse and raises four children the years.   She is absolutely amazing.  My wife help raise four children and she has been my helpmate for decades.  She is an example of a godly woman

     One man wrote, “A mother's role is to love her children with all her heart. It is also the role of every mom to understand her children. When a child feels this, he or she learns to trust the parent(s) better. Listening is crucial to understanding.”  Here are six qualities of a good mom.  Be a good role model.  Set boundaries and Rules.   Be respectful.  Respect is two sided.   Be supportive and loving. Be Patient.  Walk in forgiveness.  Children need to see what true motherhood especially in a world of changing values.  Consistency is the key.

     One mom wrote, there are several things mom do on a weekly basis.  You are housekeeper, resolve conflicts, event planner, teacher, driver, laundry, counselor, health care provider, finance manager, activity coordinator and world changer.  That is an amazing list.  I just want to say on behalf of all of us a great big thank you.  You are an example for all of us.  I also want to especially thank all the single mother households.  You are everything in your family unit.  Many professional athletes were raised by single mothers and so many attribute their success to the tenacious determinations of their mothers.  Thank you.  As I close this article I am going to leave you with Solomon’s view of a godly woman from Proverbs 31.    A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.   She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. she watches over the affairs of her household  and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Thank you from all of us. 

:

QUOTES FOR APRIL 18, 2026

 

TRUE BLESSING PART 2

 

8 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” 

 

Lesson One:  So Jacob is looking at two grown men and he says, “who are these boys.”  Jacob had not seen the boys for a long time.  A few lessons about family I want to bring to your attention. 

 

Always see each other as often as you can. 

Eat meals together and do things together whenever possible. 

Support and encourage one another. 

Listen and look for times of conversations and listen. 

Make time together a priority, control your schedule, plan with purpose, and get involved in your children’s interest. 

Your motto and mission statement must be God, spouse and then family.   Now in our society somehow work, sports, and other things have gotten in the way but if you want a strong family you have to get your priorities straight.  Talk about Cats in the cradle

      Now it is sad that Jacob did not meet the boys for years.  Now they would have been dressed as Egyptian nobleman, which they were.  They had been raised as Egyptians but now they are about to embrace and receive what being a Hebrew nobleman was.  Remember our lives have many facets to them.  We are complicated beings.  Always make your spiritual life a number one priority.  This is the most important part of life.  Remember Jesus said, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Gordon Macdonald tells us that who we are in private is the real us.  Jesus said out of the heart is the issues of life.  Make sure your heart is right before God.  God wants to walk with us! Getting our lives in order spiritually and practically begins with the decision to make it our number-one priority.  God wants to have a meaningful relationship with us daily. He never puts us on hold, and we never have to stand in line.  He does not delegate our spiritual growth.   He is always waiting on each of us to come to Him.  Bringing our lives into spiritual order requires a strategy.  Daily Bible reading, journaling, reflection on the word and application of the word.

 

9 “They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father.  Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.” 

 

Lesson Two:   Now Joseph says, “These are the sons God has given to me.”  Joseph acknowledges God’s hand upon his life.  From Hebrew prince to slave, to prisoner and now Prime Minister God has been with us.  Remember God is with you always.  He promises never to leave or forsake us.  In the dark, troubled and difficult periods He is with us.  When things are going well He is with us.    Joseph made his family is a godly family.  The main responsibility of a parent is to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Our children are a gift from God.  They are a heritage from God to us.  We must look at our children as a borrowed gift we have been given to raise and then release into the service of the Lord.  We are to train them in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.  So here are some tips on raising Godly children. 

 

Put Christ first.

Model what a Christian should look like.

Make family a priority.

Teach your children from the bible and about God.

Connect with a church and attend regularly. 

Encourage your children to have godly influences in the lives. 

Pray for your children everyday,

Serve others with your children. 

Share your faith around your children. 

 

     So Jacob, asked Joseph to bring them to me so that He can bless them.   Israel was about to confer or invoke divine favor upon and ask God to look favorably on.  It is a moment where you want to bestow on them some gift temporal or spiritual.  You want the person you are blessing to have God’s mercy, grace and goodness on their behalf. 

    

10 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

 

 

Lesson three:  So Jacob, asked Joseph to bring them to me so that He can bless them.     Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age so he could hardly see.  Just a note, Jacob had the same problem as his dad in old age, failing eyesight.  Just because you are godly does not mean you are not subject to problems with old age.  If you are not you are blessed.  I guess that is why we now have medical replacements these days. 

 

So here are some great ideas on how to grow old gracefully.

 

Stay connected with God.

Stay connected with family and friends. 

Be kind to your skin. Your skin is your body's largest organ. 

Exercise and stay physically active.

Mind your diet.

Mental health matters.

Lower your stress.

Get enough sleep.

 

    So Joseph brings the boys close and he hugs and kisses them.   Science shows that kissing, hugging, snuggling, and holding hands produce more than just beautiful moments. They can actually boost overall health, helping you lose weight, lower blood pressure, fight off sickness, and more.  It is a moment of affection, love, encouragement, affirmation, reassurance, security and comfort.

 

    Now the text uses the word Israel, because Jacob is about to kiss and bless them.  This is the moment where the boys are about to be elevated from where they were to where God was going to make them.  Remember God puts us where we are and makes us into what we will be all because of grace.  These boys were about to become greater than they ever thought they would be because of grace. It is the same with us because we could not do anything to bring about our elevation from sinner to saint and from alien to son.  This is such a powerful moment.  Last week we learned that they had been adopted into Jacob’s family and they are about to receive all the blessings that comes with it.  We in turn have been adopted into God’s family by Jesus Christ with all the blessings it brings.   As we close today.  Take a moment and let’s get ready to receive from the Lord today.