Tag Archives: James 5:14-15

Christian

By His Stripes

Have you heard “by his stripes we are already healed”?

Most preachers and teachers today use this as a verse to say God doesn’t want you sick. They use it to talk about healing from physical illness or diseases, even going so far as to say it is a promise of God.

I interpret it differently. I believe we are to place value on each stripe and wound laid upon Jesus when he was scourged. If we truly appreciate his suffering, the healing referred to in “by his stripes we are healed” is healing from sin and death. We stop sinning and learn to walk in the light. In other words we strive to live righteously because Jesus suffered and was crucified showing us exactly that, how to live for God.

If you are seeking physical healing, seek it in accordance with James 5:14-15. If you want to truly be healed, appreciate our Lord’s sacrifice and turn from sin.

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Christian

Is Skepticism Healthy?

I don’t have a quick answer.

I want to believe in the word of God. I want to believe prophets exist today. I want to believe in modern day miracles.

But honestly I’m a skeptic. When I hear someone on television say “God told me” or “God said”, my immediate inner response is bs or bullsh*t. Sorry for the curse word, but I don’t know a better way to express that inner feeling. It’s that strong and usually that immediate.

Let’s take a moment and look at God’s word.

What about prophets today?

Acts 2:17 KJV
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

So we know that there was no end to the time of prophets. There will be prophets in the future. I hope if I encounter one I will believe. Unfortunately I have a preset notion. I don’t believe the ones I see on tv. I haven’t heard one yet, where I said yes it happened and it happened when and how you said it would.

I’ve seen some on tv who say stuff like there’s someone in the audience who has this condition. And they can guess their name, maybe their address or other bits of information. I’m sorry but these guys remind me of magician acts which have a basis in evil spirits. They do not strike me as true prophets of God.

What about modern day miracles? I cannot limit God. He can heal however he likes, but in my opinion he would most likely heal people according to his word.

James 5:14-15 KJV
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.

I think skepticism is healthy. I hope with the fear of the Lord and biblical knowledge my spirit will recognize a true man or woman of God. I hope the same for you.

Iron may sharpen iron, but all I see is rust. If you think you are iron or want to be like iron, follow me on Twitter, I will follow you back, and perhaps we can start a friendship strengthening and encouraging one another in the Lord. @DeanNelsonHoff. Or you can just use the link at the top. DM me and introduce yourself.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Test of Faith

I admit I don’t know all the answers, but I do recognize the test. Should Christians attend church or not?

To me and I suppose most people it makes sense that the government can request or order certain actions in times of great need. Public health can be protected they say with a stay at home order.

But let’s take a moment and examine what the Holy Bible says about the new coronavirus and attending church.

Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Matthew 18:20 KJV For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

And let’s not forget the cure: James 5:14-15 KJV 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.

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Christian, Inspirational

Limitations

If you read my previous post, Healing School, I wanted to clarify a few things.

God can heal whenever, wherever, and however he wants.

Please, don’t think that I’m putting limits on the Lord as some do. In James 5 he tells us how seekers should seek healing and how elders should perform healing.

It is a scripture with promise. It perturbs me when people try to heal other than as prescribed in James. My belief is if people would follow James 5:14-15, the healing success rate would be around 100%. I suppose it’s possible none of the elders could offer prayer in faith, but this could be remedied by seeking prayer at another Church. Seek …

The main problem is no Church that I’ve seen performs James 5 and I suppose that in itself could be indicative of lack of faith.

Ask …

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Christian, Inspirational

Healing School

Let me start by letting you know I’m a doubter. I don’t believe the majority, if any, of the healings done on television are real.

I do believe in miracles and I believe God can heal today. I think that if you’re seeking healing or trying to perform it you should take instruction from the Bible. The Bible does not say breath into the microphone and push someone while they fall over. It does not say to hit someone and scream “out”. Nor does it say to pull a name and ailment out of thin air and call it a word of knowledge.

What the Bible does say concerning healing is this: If any be sick let them come before the elders of the Church. Let them be prayed over and anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. And as a bonus God says if they are healed their sins also are forgiven. That’s a pretty big bonus. James 5:14-15.

I have never seen this performed on television or in person, but if you are a seeker of healing or wish to perform it let me qualify James. Elders of the Church including the preacher are male. I would use a decent olive oil. If you’re worried about the carpet, put plastic down.

Happy healing. And moreover blessed forgiveness!

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Hurt not the Oil and the Wine

There is a spirit in the world today which seeks to spoil the joy of life. It is a spirit of scarcity. It is a spirit of stinginess.

Light – It might not come to mind first, but I believe it even exists in church architecture. Few are the churches that I’ve visited which allow natural light and fewer still with windows that have views of the outdoors.

Water – Baptism is supposed to be by immersion in water. That is in other words by complete submersion of the baptizee. Fresh water is acceptable, saltwater is acceptable, dirty water is acceptable. Yet while the world is virtually covered in water, people baptize (or attempt to baptize) people with a sprinkle of a few drops of water or by pouring from a pitcher.

Oil – Spare the oil and spoil the carpet. James 5:14-15 clearly tells us how God will perform miracles of cures in his churches today. Why is this not performed? Is it for scarcity of oil, lack of belief in God’s word or fear of ruined carpets?

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Inspirational

Power of God

2 Timothy 3:5 KJV
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This verse I think describes many churches. They sing psalms, they pray, they offer the Lord’s Supper, but do they believe in the power of God?
The following are a few things I have heard and observed at the Church of Christ I attend:
Miracles are ended because Jesus is perfect and he has already come. 1 Corinthians 13:10. This is misinterpretation and contrary to James 5:14-15 that tells us God will do miracles in the Church if you follow his word with performance.
I believe perfection of a man occurs only in Christ. He can provide the strength to help us be sinless. Philippians 4:13 Yet, a member did not believe Christ could help us walk perfectly. I say believe. His intent in dying was to show us how to live.

When discussing the gift of wisdom, one member said God grants it through study not miraculously. I do not say do not study, but the Bible says in James 1:5 the Lord giveth wisdom to those that ask. Therefore ask and believe.

The preacher once said of God when he said he hardened Pharaoh’s heart it doesn’t actually mean God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but rather Pharaoh set his mind against the Lord. Why do you doubt scripture? Why argue against the Lord? If the Holy Bible speaks, listen. Your own interpretation is not better. If you cannot believe God has the power to harden a man’s heart and to heal, do you really truly believe God has the power to Save? Or sadly are you just going through the motions? Does your church have the form of godliness, but not truly believe in God’s power?

I say again to you and to me Believe!

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