Biblical View of Astrology?

There is hardly a newspaper in this country that doesn’t carry horoscopes on a daily basis.  Horoscopes  come up daily on our internet pages.  They can come to your email address or Facebook, etc.  They are so prevalent that it is easy to forget that the bible teaches that they have their roots in the occult and the bible teaches against being involved in such practices.  So, why even discuss whether Horoscopes are against bible teachings in this present day.

 

Most of the predictions we see in the paper are fairly benign guesses.  Often they are so off base that they are just funny.   Still  there is concern among some Christian groups about astrology. The main concern is Christians may look to astrology for advice over God. If Christians look to astrology first then they are taking their eyes and trust away from God. Yet most Christians only glance at a horoscope to laugh at the generalized predictions, feeling no need to delve further into occult practices or divining the future.  Does this make it alright?  And does flirting with the occult have an impact on Christians?

 

 After all, many people don’t really believe that there is any danger in messing with the occult or argue that Horoscopes are not of the occult at all.  Some people could care less as it doesn’t seem important to them.  What harm can come from reading their horoscopes each morning?  Isn’t it just good fun to see what the stars are predicting.  One reason I decided to investigate this is that I saw on Facebook many Christians that had added the Horoscope to their page and that it was coming up daily for them.  I began to wander why so many were adding this application.  Didn’t they know that the bible teaches against this?  Was I wrong about this? 

 

 These same Christians are quick to put scripture verses on their pages and  quick to condemn abortions.   Obviously, they want to take a stand for Christ and are trying to do so.  It is easy to say well they do not have a real relationship with Christ or they wouldn’t be adding Astrology applications.  To me that’s an assumption and is not an answer at all.  Because I believe they are true Christians.  

 

Now I know that I am going to make some people mad by saying all of this but so be it.  I hope that I will be able to answer all of these questions in this blog by making a thorough investigation of what the scriptures actually say. You need to know at the outset that my view will conform to what the Word of God says about the subject.  I believe that scripture  rightly divided   gives  us the information that we need to make wise sound and biblical decisions on subjects that effect us.  I believe that the bible is relevant for our lives today and in fact, we should base our lives on what the Word of God speaks to us.  That being said, let’s move on.

 

 

I searched out  the topic what the bible has to say about Astrology and found over 200,000 hits on the topic on the internet.   I found as you will if you decide to search it, opinions  all over the map.  Those that argue Astrology is alright and has it basis in scripture  and those that argue that Astrology is of the occult and therefore  wrong according to the bible.  It seems to me that a lot of the confusion exists.  I can only call it that since both opinions cannot be right as they are exact opposites. So let’s see if I can clear some of this confusion with the Word of God.

 

  

What is Astrology and Horoscopes?

 

Astrology as defined is a pseudoscience or art claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon.  Astrology is a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs which hold that the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details can provide information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. A practitioner of astrology is called an  astrologer.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology  The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies and their supposed influence on human affairs  en.wiktionary.org/wiki/astrology

 

An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology.   Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person’s birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to  better understand someone and determine events that might be occurring in a person’s life.  Astrologer’s indicate that they can help you use the stars as a guide to who you are and to further predict events that may be coming into your life.

 

Astrology is different from astronomy in that astronomy is the study of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.  They deal with where planets are located in the universe and their relationship with each other.  Not with the purpose of divining their impact on personalities and traits.

 

 

 Let’s look at the roots of Astrology and where it originated:

 

Astrology began as a form of fortune-telling.  Astrology is based upon the use of stars and planets to “read into” a person’s past, present, and future. For many astrologers it is a belief that the position of certain celestial entities have an impact on our lives. For other astrologers there is a belief that there are gods in those celestial bodies that impact our lives.

 

 

Here are some scriptures from the bible that give us some guidance about such practices:

 

Exodus 20:3 – “Do not worship any other gods besides me.” (NLT)

Over and over we are told in the bible that God is jealous.  He will not share us with any other God’s.  In the world system today and yesterday people worship other God’s.  In fact, many famous TV  personalities say that there is not one way to God but many ways.  The bible teaches that there is only one way.  And that is through Jesus Christ.

 

2 Kings 21:6 – “Manasseh even sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practices sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the Lord’s sight, arousing his anger.” (NLT)

In this scripture, practices of sorcery and divination is called evil in the Lord’s sight.

 

Deuteronomy 4:19 – “And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. (NIV)

It is clear that God made everything and His intent is not for us to bow down to anyone but himself.

 

Do Stars Offer Advice?

 

 

Genesis 1:16-17 – “God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. He also made the stars. God sent these lights in the heavens to light the earth.” (NLT)

 

Isaiah 47:13 – “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.” (NIV)

 

The Bible states that the stars, along with the sun and moon, were created to give light to the Earth.

 

The Bible is actually quite critical of astrologers, asserting that they cannot save people as God can. In Isaiah, the Bible points to this issue when God proclaims that doom will come to Babylon and there is nothing the astrologers can do to save the people from it.

 

However, in today’s era of generalized horoscopes, most Christians do not use astrology as a way to predict major events.  In fact, if I can say this in as kind a way as I know how, most people will not let the bible get in the way of their personal views.  Their world view is much more important to them than  what God has to say in his Word and in fact, their belief systems color what the word of God says.  They just dismiss it.  If you don’t know people like this then you may be one of them. 

 

I want to discuss the incident of the wise men who came from the east in Matthew’s gospel.   Here is an excerpt from Andrew Wommack’s bible commentary on the subject.

 

Matthew 2:1 

 

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem”

 

Bethlehem was located approximately 6 miles south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis 35:19 as near the place that Jacob buried Rachel after she died in childbirth. Bethlehem became famous as the home of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:11) and also the hometown of King David (1 Sam. 17:12). Micah’s prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem was fulfilled at the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and it was fitting that the “living bread” (Jn. 6:51) should be born there.

 

There is no mention in scripture that these wise men were either three in number or that they were kings. The Greek word used here is “magos” and comes from the Babylonian language, and originally referred to astrologers or interpreters of dreams. It was later a name applied to the Persian priests. It is unusual that they would have interpreted the appearance of this star, no matter how unique it was, as signaling the birth of the Jewish king. This suggests that there was an understanding of Jewish prophecy among them which no doubt came from Daniel’s influence (Dan. 1:20-21; 2:47-48; 4:8-9). It was the fact that Daniel was promoted to be master over all the magicians (Dan. 4:9) and his revelation of the time Christ would be born (Dan. 9:25) that served as the wise men’s inspiration. The star served only as a sign, not an influence. The Lord has used, and will use, signs in the heavens (Acts 2:19-20) to declare his glory (Ps. 19:1-3), but the stars do not dictate, nor can they predict, events on the earth. Astrology is forbidden in scripture (Lev. 19:26; Dt. 18:10; 2 Ki. 21:6; Isa. 47:12-13; Jer. 10:2).

 

Here are some of these scriptures.

 

Leviticus 20:6 says God will separate himself from those who go after mediums and spiritists.

 

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says that practicing witchcraft, sorcery, soothsaying, interpreting omens, making spells, and being a medium or spiritist, are all terrible sins to God.

 

Daniel 2:27-28 talks of how God kept King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation secret from the astrologers, magicians or dream interpreters, and soothsayers. However, he revealed it to his prophet Daniel.

 

Acts 16:16-18 talks of a girl who was possessed by an evil spirit that enabled her to be a fortune-teller. Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of her in the name or authority of Jesus, and the spirit left her.

 

In Deuteronomy 18:9-11, Moses informs the Israelites: When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:9-11 NIV).

 

2 Chronicles 33:5-6 (NIV): In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his sons in [a] the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

 

Throughout the entire Bible God allows only His prophets to accurately interpret any kind of “signs.”

 

With so many people insisting on using their human mindsets to interpret God’s word, is it any wonder we have so many “religions” and weird beliefs and false prophets today?   

 

 We are like sheep. We all follow something or somebody. Those who are desperate to know their future follow astrology or tarot card readers or Kama Rama (bringing events about through our speech).  We can only look to politics to see that we have all kinds of incidents where good people including Christians follow the wrong person.   The Germans followed Hitler, even after they became aware that he was off his rocker; history repeated itself with Milosevic in Kosovo when his followers went along with his efforts at ethnic cleansing in that region; and on and on and on.

 

In America today Hollywood personalities follow Scientology and every kind of mystic that comes along and then Americans follow them because afterall aren’t they glamorous and successful.  Look at the hundreds that followed Jim Jones and even drank his poisonous cocktail.   Instead of listening to God and what He wants, most people simply turn their backs and do their “own thing” because it’s easier to be “in and of the world”.  I don’t know about you but I DO NOT want to be one of those.  I want to follow God’s Word not some fortune-teller reading the stars or otherwise. 

 

We all have the choice to believe whatever we want and however we want – but we’d also better be prepared to explain “why” on Judgment Day, because God isn’t going to let us off the hook:

 

Revelation 3:16 (NIV): So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

 

In Matthew 7:22-24, Jesus said: Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:22-24 NIV).

 

Astrologers, Satanists, witches, psychics, and all those who are dabbling in magic of some kind – take heed: Man’s efforts to predict omens and tell the future through magic are always fruitless. These “gifts” come from Satan, not from your Creator. Dabbling in these will only result in certain spiritual death. God says so.  To me the bible is very clear that we should turn away from astrology, the occult, mediums, divination and sorcery.

 

I would like to review what we have been learning through the scriptures.

 

Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God (Leviticus 19:31).

 

We are disobeying God’s Word, the Bible.  For Christians this should be enough.

 

The Israelites often made the same mistake and turned from God, although God clearly warned them about this.

 

When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

 

Saul, Israel’s first king, started out well. He expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, yet then violated God’s word and his own conscience by consulting a medium (1 Samuel 28:3-25). His end was tragic (1 Samuel 31:1-6).

 

New Testament Christians turned from sorcery. Let their example serve as an inspiration and a warning.

 

Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (Acts 19:18-20).

 

These verses are given to us as warnings. God wants us to learn from the examples he gives in the Bible, and to avoid making the same mistakes. He loves us and wants us to turn from anything that will get between us and the joyful life he offers!

 

Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel.This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them” (Jeremiah 10:1-2).

 

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom (Daniel 1:20).

 

Bible verses warnings about divination, sorcery and magic charms

 

Do not practice divination or sorcery (Leviticus 19:26).

 

Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds (Ezekiel 13:20).

 

The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd (Zechariah 10:2).

 

“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty (Malachi 3:5).

 

Bible verses warnings about idol worship

 

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me (Exodus 20:4-5).

 

Watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below (Deuteronomy 4:15-18).

 

After reviewing the scriptures, it is without a doubt that we are to steer clear of the occult in any form.  Does reading a watered down horoscope qualify for this?  I ask you this question in a different way.  Is reading a watered down horoscope worth bringing on some type of displeasure from God?  Does it open up a pathway from Satan to move into your life?  Is reading that horoscope worth all that?

 

For me, the answer is a simple NO.

 

 I would like to bring up one other consideration.  Christians are supposed to be the light to this world, the salt of the earth.  If Christians are not on the walls warning of the dangers and pitfalls to the world who will do this?  If your children see you reading the Horoscope – messing with the occult no matter how innocent you feel it is – What do you do when they start calling 411 psychic or become a witch in an occult.  Aren’t you opening up your whole family to the occult at some level?

 

Here is what astrology offers:

 

1.  Charts that are supposed to enlighten their disciples

2.  Offers false gods of the universe of the ancients.

 

God offers:

1.  His Word which  is God breathed that speaks into a man or woman’s heart to bring understanding and direction for all areas of their lives.

 

Christians must stand on the wall as soldiers that call things as they are.  Astrology is a deception and practice which must be called what it is.  It is evil and we must stand and rightly speak God’s truth into each soul and thereby become a missionary of hope, rather than a deceiver of the starry hosts and demonic spirits.

  

Nothing can be gained for the Christian to involve themselves even in a rudimentary way with Astrology and we have so many reasons to leave it alone.  I stand by my decision that I felt the Lord spoke to me over 30 years ago. If I can put this in my on crude way. I don’t need it and don’t want it and don’t want to be involved with it. 

 

You on the other hand can do what you want to do.  That is your God-given right.  BUT be aware that if you have read this far, you are now accountable for every verse that you have read here. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

 

Gluten Free Chicken & Dumplings – Just didn’t turn out

I  would like to catalog  my progress with gluten free cooking. Today I am trying to convert my southern chicken & dumpling recipe to gluten free. I also want to make it as easy as possible. All those steps you have to do for gluten free cooking requires too much effort for me. I am all about easy. I am also making a pot of regular chicken & dumplings for the family. My nephew Dylan loves my dumplings and his birthday is today. I don’t want to mess them up for him. We will see how the gluten free dumplings turn out. I am making a small batch for my sister and myself to try and can easily triple the recipe.   If they are at least partially as good, I will convert. Here is my recipe.

Recipe:

Dumplings:

1 cup fine ground rice flour
1 cup tapioca flour
3/4 cup tapioca starch
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup to 1 cup milk
1 teap. salt
Mix dry ingredients – Add oil – Add in milk a little at a time until  dough is  much like biscuit dough. Put in fridge until ready to use.

then

1-2  large chicken breast
4-6 cups water
pepper
salt

Boil chicken in water with salt and pepper until tender.
Remove chicken. (Chop for later use)

Bring broth to a boil. Make dumplings by taking small amounts and patting until thin. Drop into boiling broth. Let dumplings cook on med. low until dumplings are done. About 20 minutes.

Add chicken back in.

Also add in 1 can of gluten free cream of chicken.

Dumplings are ready to serve.

Will let u know how this turns out before I publish.

I will rate them: Not worth trying
Alright but not like the real thing
Will follow this recipe in the future.

Results:  Not worth trying

Tribute and Honor to Sister Margaret

This is a speech I made on Pastor’s Appreciation to pay tribute and honor our Pastor’s wife – Margaret.      While I was in prayer asking God to help me with the things to say to and about Sister Margaret, I felt the Holy Spirit drop into my heart an idea to use colors and jewelry to represent and symbolize Sister Margaret’s personality and characteristics that God uses to bless our Church.    Logan held up the jewelry and showed each selection to the congregation as I was talking about it.  He did a wonderful job.  At the end he read a simple poem that I found on the internet.  Anyone looking for a speech is certainly welcome to use this idea, although the speech itself is unique to Sister Margaret.  There is only one like her and she is definitely a great blessing to our Church.  

 It is my priviledge to stand here today on Pastors Appreciation to honor and pay tribute to our Pastor and Sister  Margaret.  Pastor we love and appreciate you very much but today I would like to focus my remarks to  Sister Margaret.   Logan is going to help me this morning. 

You  may think that this is a gift for Sister Margaret but actually these represent   some of the gifts that Sister Margaret  has given to us as a Church body.  (Holding up a gift bag)

 I am sure you know that colors and shapes or symbols have meanings and represent and characterizes  different personality traits.   As I was praying about what to say about and to Sister Margaret the Holy Spirit droped into my heart the idea of using these colors and symbols to represent Sister Margaret’s personality and how God uses her personality and gifts to bless our Church. 

The first gift that I have selected  is red.    Red characterizes certain personality traits.

• Red represents beauty,  joy, life, energy, and creativity.  Also, great enthusiasiam.
• Also, it represents action and confidence to go after your dreams.
•  red is associated with good luck and fortune
• Red is the warmest of all colors
• Red is the color most often chosen by extroverts
• Red is a person of action – Confident and fearless

There is no doubt that Sister Margaret definately has a red personality.  She is bold and ministers her gifts to this Church in this fashion.  She is an extrovert.  If she feels the Spirit of God move on her to do something then she has no hesitation to move in that direction.  She doesn’t spend time questioning God but acts on what the Spirit says to her.

Interesting information about red

•  So, it may be said that pure red is the color of divine love, the Holy Spirit, courage, self-sacrifice, martyrdom, and all the warm impulses that belong to the great-hearted everywhere.

Now it is easy to understand why I have chosen the color red.  These characteristics represent Sister Whichard:  Extrovert – Warm – friendly – life and vitality. 

 Logan holds up red necklace and points to a red heart with the back side of the heart  which has a touch of black.

 However, too much red will give you  danger.  You have seen a stove eye when it turns red.  Everyone knows to be careful or you might get burned.  That is why I believe Sister Whichard’s red is balanced out with a touch of Black.

Black is considered the negation of color, black is conservative, goes well with almost any color except the very dark. It also has conflicting connotations. It can be serious and conventional.The color black can also be mysterious  and sophisticated.  In fact, too much black and you have a darkness come with it. 

 But Sister Margaret has been given just a touch to give balance to her red personality.

 

The color black

This means that black surfaces can act as thermal collectors, absorbing light and generating heat(see Solar thermal collector).

Absorption of light is contrasted by transmission, reflection and diffusion, where the light is only redirected, causing objects to appear transparent, reflective or white respectively. 

In the Elizabethian era it signified authority and power with humility and the fear of God.

So the Red is balanced by the color black giving Sister Margaret humility and a great respect for God.

On the end of this necklance is a heart.  Now everyone knows that the heart  is a symbol for love.

 

The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being. As the heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind, the word heart continues to be used poetically to refer to the soul, and depictions of hearts are  symbols that  represent love. 

 

Sister Margaret has given her love to this Church and to everyone who comes in her path.  How many times has she called us and prayed with us and how many times has she visited us and how many times has she found time to give to our Church and to minister to us in some way?   Thank you Sister Margaret for ministering to  our Church and finding time to love us in all the different ways that you find.  If there is a ministry or a need that has to be filled Sister Margaret stretches herself and steps up to meet that need.  She has steped up recently and begain ministering to our children in children’s Church.  Logan is in her class and I am here to tell you that our children are blessed because of it.  They are learning to minister, to sing in front of the Church, to learn bible verses, to learn the books of the bible, and so much more.  We are blessed because Sister Margaret has taken her  love and poured it out on our Church family.  This morning I want to say thank you from our Church.  We love you in return.

 

The next gift that Sister Margaret has given to our Church is represented by this Cross on a gold Chain.

  

The Color Gold:

 

 Gold symbolizes wealth used wisely,success in all you go to accomplish  and is also the symbol of good health.  People who favor the color gold are very optimistic people.  They rarely are negative but choose to look at life as though the glass is half full not half empty.  Gold represents a person who has great personal powers of persuasion, great courage, confidence and will power.

  

The Cross:

It is the key and the symbol of the Christian faith; therefore, symbolically, understanding it, opens the door to eternal life. The cross of Jesus is the cross of self-sacrifice, devotion to truth without denying it even unto the last breath, and a foundation of strength, endurance, and suffering for what is right.

Sister Margaret brings all of these traits to us as well as  her spiritual gifts.  The gift of the Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge.  Sister Whichard ministers God’s Word to us in many different ways.  As a result this Church congregation is blessed.  She tries to lead us to Jesus in all that she does.  She does it with her personal power, with great confidence and with courage.  Thank you Sister Margaret for all theses gifts.

The next gift that Sister Margaret brings to us is represented by this silver chain and silver crown.

The silver represents riches and a shiney metalic finish.  It is often used as an accent color as a little goes a long way.    It represents a witty eloquent speaker and denotes gracefulness.

The Crown represents that Sister Margaret is the first lady of our Pastor and the first lady of our Church.  Here are just a few of the meanings in the bible for crown.

The Crown of holiness denoting devine good and devine truth.  Sister Margaret lives a holy life before us and tries to be a witness to all of us.

The Crown of Adornment  denotes wisdom from God.  Not only does she lead a holy life but she does it in a wise and graceful manner. 

The last gift that I have chosen to represent all the gifts that Sister Margaret brings to our Church is this multicolored necklace.  There are pink, yellow, white and green stones on here.

Each of these stones represents various talents that Sister Whichard has given to us.  Sister Margaret has so many talents and uses them to bless us.

The talent of music in singing – playing instruments – teaching music and leading music.

The talent of teaching -

The gift of preaching

The pink stones represent love and beauty.  She loves things to be beautiful including our Church.  She brings this beauty to us by decorating and keeping the Church looking great.  Just as she keeps her personality.

Yellow – joy – happiness – Sister Whichard has a beautiful sense of humor.  I believe that she is blessed and she really does find happiness in serving God and serving us.

green – life – nature and well being.  Sister Whichard has an earthiness about her personality.  She is real and transparent. 

 

And finally there are little lady bugs on this multi-colored necklace -

The lady bug represents good fortune.  It is our good fortune that Sister Margaret has come to our Church congregation and has freely given of her gifts, her talents, her personality and her love for God has been poured out upon us.

Thank you Sister Margaret.  And Logan has a poem that he wishes to read to you.

Our Pastor’s Wife

When we thank God for our pastor we must give Him thanks for two,

for when your husband came to us, God also sent us you.

A pastor’s wife must be many things, you have many hats to wear,

and we say thanks for all you do and lift you up in prayer.

You adjust your life to meet the needs of your husband’s congregation,

and it seems that you can always cope with most any situation.

Your presence blesses all of us who know you from day to day.

Thank you Logan for helping.  And thank you Sister Margaret for all you do for us.  You are a great blessing to us.

(I delivered this speech on February 14, 2010, Valentines Day.  Certainly Sister Whichard is a beautiful Valentine for all of us.)

 

 

 

Healing Scriptures and my Comments

2010 has brought a renewal in me to be permeated (possessed) by God’s Word.  Only by immersing myself in God’s Word will healing come.  To that end I have looked up healing scriptures from many sources.  What follows is some of them and my comments.  

Join with me and be  permeated in God’s Word for 2010.   

 
I don’t know about you but I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired that I am desperate for more of God and His Word in my life.  LOL  I HAVE DECIDED THAT IN 2010 I AM GOING TO STAND ON GOD’S WORD AND BELIEVE GOD FOR MY HEALING.  JOIN ME AND KNOW CHRIST IN THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION AND SEEK GOD WITH MY WHOLE HEART IN EVERY WAY THAT I CAN.  ANYONE WHO SAYS ANYTHING THAT CALLS GOD’S WORD AND HIS PROMISES INTO QUESTION, I WILL REBUKE IN THE NAME OF JESUS.  GOD WANTS ME AND YOU WELL.  IT IS NOT HIS DESIRE FOR ME AND FOR YOU TO BE SICK.  HERE ARE NUMEROUS SCRIPTURES TO PROVE THIS.  GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF SICKNESS IN ME OR YOU.  WE ARE CALLED AS BELIEVER’S TO GLORIFY GOD AND HOW DOES SICKNESS BRING GLORY TO GOD.  I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT GOD GET’S ANY GLORY FROM THIS.  (ME)
 
Proverbs 4:20-22 says, My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV)
 
God’s Word is so important if we want healing.  (ME)  

  

The Hebrew word for “health” in verse 22 is “medicine.” God’s Word is medicine to all our flesh. Isaac Leeser’s translation of Exodus 15:26 reads, I the Lord am thy physician. The medicine He prescribes is His Word.
Many make the mistake of substituting belief in healing for the actual taking of God’s medicine – His Word. They say, “I believe in healing” without actually taking the medicine. What good would it do for you to believe in food if you didn’t eat it? You would starve. What good would it do for you to believe in water if you didn’t actually drink any? You would die of thirst.
God’s Word is His medicine. There are several parallels between God’s medicine and natural medicine. 
First: God’s Word is a healing agent, just as natural medicine is a healing agent or catalyst. In other words, the medicine itself contains the capacity to produce healing. Inherent within God’s Word is the capacity, the energy, the ability, and the nature to effect healing in your body.
Psalm 107:20 – He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (KJV)
20 … He sent out His word, and it healed, and from their corruptions it freed! (Fenton)
Proverbs 4:22 – For they (His Words) are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV)
Isaiah 55:11 – The Word of God will accomplish what it was sent out to do.
The Word itself contains the power to produce what it says. Just as when God said, “Let there be light” and there was light, healing Scriptures contain within them the capacity to produce healing.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit … (KJV)
12 God’s Message is full of life and power. (Weymouth)
12 God’s Word is alive with energy. (Jordan)
12 God’s word to us is something alive, full of energy. (Knox)
The key to partaking of the life and healing energy in the Word is feeding on it until it penetrates your spirit where it deposits that life and energy.
Second: We might say that medicine is no respector of persons. It will work for anyone who takes it. It is not a matter of if God is willing or not willing to heal any individual, but whether or not the individual will receive healing by taking the medicine that produces it.
Third, and most important: Medicine must be taken according to directions to be effective. Some medicine labels read, “Take internally”; others say, “Take externally.” To rub it on your body externally when the directions say to take it internally will not work. To take it after meals when the directions say take it before meals will reduce its effectiveness. To take it once in a while when the directions say three times a day will mean limited results, if any. No matter how good the medicine is, it must be taken according to the directions or it won’t work. So it is with God’s medicine. It must be taken according to directions for it to work.
The directions for taking God’s medicine are found in:
Proverbs 4:20-21 – Attend to them, incline your ear to them, don’t let them depart from before your eyes, and keep them in the midst of your heart.
We might say that attending to them, inclining your ear to them, and keeping them before your eyes causes the Word to get into the midst of your heart. Notice this: It is only as God’s Words get in the midst of your heart and stay there that they produce healing in your body. Head knowledge won’t do. They are going to have to penetrate to your spirit through meditation – attending, hearing, looking, muttering, musing, pondering – to produce healing in your body. But once they do penetrate, they will surely bring health to all your flesh. … let them penetrate deep within your heart. (Living Bible)
You can see again that God’s way of healing is spiritual. Power is ministered first to your spirit, then distributed to your body. God’s medicine must be taken internally. Listen, instead of wondering whether you have enough faith to be healed, just take the medicine. This handout contains Healing Scriptures. Feed on them several times a day, repeating them over and over again to yourself. The medicine itself will work if you will get it inside of you.
Fourth: Remember that it takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine a lot of time, patience, and money to work. They take the prescription back for refills and more refills. They are diligent about it. They don’t just take one dose and expect a miracle. Keep taking God’s medicine. Give it time to work.
Take your medicine. Say these Scriptures to yourself. Think on what you’re saying in your heart. Use them in praise to the Father. His Word is medicine to all your flesh.
Exodus 15:25-26 – And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, and said,
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (KJV)
26 … I the Lord am your healer. (New English Bible)
26 … for I the Lord am thy physician. (Leeser)
26 … I am the Lord your life-giver. (Basic English)
26 … I am Yahweh thy physician. (Rotherham)
26 … I, Jehovah, am healing thee. (Young)
26 … for I, the Lord, make you immune to them (diseases). (Smith-Goodspeed)
26 … I, the Lord, will bring thee only health. (Knox) 
CONFESSION: God is speaking to me now, saying, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” He is watching over this Word to perform it. He is the Lord that healeth me. He is healing me now. This Word contains the ability to produce what it says. He is the Lord that healeth me. He is healing me now. His Word is full of healing power. I receive this Word now. I receive the healing that is in His Word now. Healing is inherent in God’s nature. God is in me. My body is the temple of God. My body is the temple of the Lord that healeth me. God is bigger than sickness and Satan. God is dwelling inside of me now, healing me now. The Lord that healeth me is my Shepherd; I do not lack healing. My body is in contact with the Lord that healeth me. My body has to respond to God’s healing life and nature at work in me now. Healing is in God, and God is in me. I thank You, Father, because You are my Healer; and You are healing me now. 
(ME)  I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT THESE HEALING SCRIPTURES ARE FOR  ME AND FOR YOU TODAY AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT HIS WORD IS STILL TRUE TODAY.  GOD IS NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS.   IF HE WILL DO THIS FOR ONE HE WILL DO IT FOR ME AND FOR YOU.  
(ME)  The world we live in gives us plenty of examples of people who have not been healed.  We can look around and see lots of reasons not to believe God’s Word.  Satan in the garden of Eden tempted Eve by questioning God’s Word.  There may have been naïvety on Eve’s part but what is our excuse.  We are on the upper side of what happened in the Garden.  I CHOOSE THIS DAY TO STAND ON GOD’S WORD.  HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME. 

Exodus 23:25 – And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. (KJV)
25 … And give worship to the Lord your God, who will send a blessing on your bread and on your water; and I will take all disease away from among you. (Basic English)
25 … I will free you from disease. (Moffatt, Smith-Goodspeed)
25 … I have turned aside sickness from thy heart. (Young)
25 … and keep sickness away from thy company. (Knox) 
CONFESSION: “I will” is the strongest assertion that can be made in the English language. God is speaking to me now saying, “I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” God is watching over this Word, performing it in me now. He is taking sickness away from the midst of me. Good-bye, sickness! The Lord is taking you away from the midst of me. Thank You, Father, for taking sickness away from me. I thank You for doing what You said. 
Deuteronomy 7:15 – And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: The Lord is taking away from me all sickness. His Word contains the ability to do what it says. His Word will not return void but will accomplish what it was sent to do. The Lord is taking away from me all sickness, every trace of weakness and deficiency. Sickness is going out of me now. Thank You, Father, for taking away from me all sickness like You said. 

(ME)  CRY OUT TO GOD.
Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. (KJV)
Mark 11:24 – Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: I believe I have received my healing. Thou hast healed me. I don’t consider what I feel. I believe I am healed. Thou hast healed me. 

(ME)  Rest in  knowing God’s Word.  Permeate ourselves in God’s Word.  
Psalm 42:11 – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: I refuse to be cast down or discouraged. I am the conqueror. I will yet praise Him Who is the health of my countenance and my God. Father, I praise You because You are the health of my countenance. 
Psalm 91:1-6, 9-10 – 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (KJV)
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (Amplified)
1 He who sitteth under the secret protection of the Most High, shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty. (Leeser)
1 One who lives under the Most High’s screen, lodges under Shaddai’s canopy. (Byington)
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (RSV)
1 He who is dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, in the shade of the mighty lodgeth habitually, He is saying of Jehovah … (Young)
1 Happy is he whose resting-place is in the secret place of the Lord, and under the shade of the wings of the Most High (Basic English)
2 Who says of the Lord, He is my safe place and my tower of strength he is my God … (Basic English)
1 He who dwells … Says of the Lord … (Smith-Goodspeed)
1 He who lives under the protection of the Most High, under his heavenly care content to abide, (Knox)
2 can say to the Lord, Thou art my support and my stronghold, my God, in whom I trust. (Knox)
3 He will take you out of the bird-net, and keep you safe from wasting disease. (Basic English)
3 He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly disease. (Good News)
3 … and from the deadly plague. (Beck)
3 It is he that rescues me from every treacherous snare, from every whisper of harm. (Knox)
4 Sheltered under his arms, under his wings nestling, thou art safe; his faithfulness will throw a shield about thee. (Knox)
4 … His faithful promises are your armor. (Living Bible)
5 Nothing shalt thou fear from nightly terrors … (Knox)
6 … from the assault of man or fiend under the noon. (Knox)
5 You will have no fear of the evil things of the night … (Basic English)
6 Or of the disease which takes men in the dark … (Basic English)
6 … the plague ravaging at noon. (Beck)
6 … nor the devastating plague at noon. (New American Bible)
6 … or the plague raging at noonday. (New English Bible)
6 … nor the plague that destroys at midday. (NIV)
6 … nor of the deadly disease that wasteth at noonday. (Leeser)
9 Because you [said]: “Jehovah is my refuge,” you have made the Most High Himself your dwelling. (New World)
9 Because you have said, I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place. (Basic English)
10 No disaster will befall you, no calamity will come upon your home. (New English Bible)
10 There is no harm that can befall thee … (Knox)
10 No disaster will befall you, Nor calamity come near your tent. (Smith-Goodspeed)
10 … and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home. (Good News)
10 So sickness will not approach you, Contagion not enter your rest. (Fenton) 
CONFESSION: I am abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth me, is my refuge and fortress against disease. His Word is my shield and buckler against sickness. I’m trusting under His wings because Malachi 4:2 says there is healing in His wings. I’m not afraid of disease. I’m not afraid of sickness. I’m abiding under the shadow of Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth me. No plague shall come nigh my dwelling or my body. I resist sickness and disease. I refuse to accept it! It’s not mine! I refuse to be sick in Jesus’ Name. Sickness cannot trespass in my body. Sickness, (name it), you can’t come nigh my dwelling. I refuse you! I resist you! 
Psalm 103:2-3 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. (KJV)
3 He pardons all my guilt and heals all my suffering. (New English Bible)
3 … he takes away all your diseases. (Basic English)
3 … Who is healing all thy disease. (Young) 
CONFESSION: Bless the Lord, Jehovah-Rapha, O my soul. Blessed be God the Father. Lord, I praise You. Lord, I thank You and praise You for Your benefits. (A benefit is a condition of a contract, not a bonus thrown in extra at the discretion of the employer.) You forgive all my sins, all my faults, all my failures and disobedience. You heal all my diseases, and I thank You for it. Healing belongs to me as part of the New Covenant. Healing is my redemptive right. Thank You, Father, for healing all my diseases!
Psalm 107:20 – He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (KJV)
20 … he sent his word to heal them and preserve their life. (Moffatt)
20 … and delivereth them from their graves. (Leeser)
20 He sent out His word, and it healed, and from their corruptions it freed! (Fenton) 
CONFESSION: He sent His Word and healed me. His Word heals me and delivers me from my destructions. His Word frees me from my corruptions. God’s Word says in Isaiah 55:10-11 that it contains God’s ability to perform what it says. His Word is healing me now.
His Word contains His healing power. His Word is working in me now. He has sent His Word and healed me.
Proverbs 4:20-22 – 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV)
21 … let them penetrate deep within your heart. (Living Bible)
22 Let a man master them, they will bring life and healing to his whole being. (Knox)
22 … and to all his body a healing. (Leeser)
22 … to every part of one’s flesh they bring healing. (Rotherham) 
CONFESSION: God’s Word is health to all my flesh. His Word is medicine to my flesh. I am the Lord that healeth thee is medicine to all my flesh. I will take sickness away from the midst of thee is medicine to my flesh. The Word of God is full of the life of God. That life is saturating my spirit. God’s life and healing power is in His Word, and His Word is at work in me now. The Word of God is depositing the life of God and the healing of God into my spirit. That life and health is spreading out of my spirit into every tissue and pore of my body, creating health and soundness. My body has no choice but to respond to the healing in the Word that is being absorbed into me now. 
Proverbs 12:18 – There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (KJV)
18 A reckless tongue wounds like a sword, but there is healing power in thoughtful words. (Moffatt)
18 Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. (Good News)
18 There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again. (Basic English) 
(ME)  This is the hardest thing for me.  I have spoken sickness and disease.  When you hear, Dr’s telling you the “bad news”, then it is hard to speak healing and believe God’s Word.  Determine and commit with me that you will join me in harnessing the tongue this year of 2010.  Let’s weed out all these wrong confessions and replace them with the seed, God’s Word.  Then healing will come. 

CONFESSION: My tongue makes me well. I have what I say. I say, The Lord is my Healer. I say, He takes sickness away from me. I say, No plague can come nigh my dwelling. I say, He healeth all my diseases. What I confess, I possess. My words make me well. There is healing power in my words, for they are God’s Words. I speak health to every muscle, tissue, fiber, and cell in my body. I release God’s healing power with my words into my whole body. Healing is mine!  

(ME)  Being joyful in the face of pain and disease and everything life throws at you is hard to find.  I want to laugh and be joyful, truly joyful again.  Where the day will go by in peace and love without pain.  We take our lives for granted.  We take our health for granted.  Only God’s amazing love can give us true joy in the midst of health crisis.  It is easy to take the low road and be bitter, unkind and ungrateful.  But God has given us a higher calling.  It begins with find the joy in our lives.  I want to be thankful  in the midst of this storm.  There are so many wonderful people in my life and I have so  much love from them all. Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (KJV)
22 Being cheerful keeps you healthy. (Good News)
22 A happy heart is a healing medicine … (Smith-Goodspeed)
22 A glad heart makes a healthy body … (Basic English)
22 A glad heart helps and heals … (Moffatt)
22 A glad heart is excellent medicine, a spirit depressed wastes the bones away. (Jerusalem)
22 A cheerful heart makes a quick recovery; it is crushed spirits that waste a man’s frame. (Knox)
22 The best medicine is a cheerful heart … (Fenton)
22 A joyful heart worketh an excellent cure … (Rotherham)
22 … a broken spirit makes one sick. (Living Bible)
(ME)  It is so hard to have a merry heart when you are in pain.  I commit to find joy in my life for this is the will of God.
  

CONFESSION: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I have a merry heart. Sickness can’t dominate me. Satan can’t dominate me. What do you think you’re trying to do, devil? You can’t put sickness on me. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I have a merry heart. I’m full of joy. A merry heart works like a medicine. God’s medicine is working in me! 
Isaiah 53:3-5 – 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (KJV)
3 … a man of pains, and acquainted with disease … (Leeser)
3 … he was a man of sorrows, marked by disease … (Basic English, Masoretic O.T.)
3 … Man of pains and familiar with sickness. (Rotherham, Byington)
4 But only our diseases did he bear himself, and our pains he carried. (Leeser)
4 But it was our pain he took, and our diseases were put on him: while to us he seemed as one diseased, on whom God’s punishment had come. (Basic English)
4 Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried … (Masoretic O.T.)
4 Yet surely our sicknesses he carried, And as for our pains he bare the burden of them. (Rotherham)
4 But in fact it was our sicknesses he was carrying, our pains he was loaded with. (Byington)
4 Yet it was our sicknesses that he bore, our pains that he carried. (Smith-Goodspeed)
5 … through his bruises was healing granted to us. (Leeser)
5 … by his stripes there is healing for us. (Rotherham)
5 … the chastisement to give us soundness came on him, and by his stripes we got healing. (Byington)
5 … the blows that fell to him have brought us healing. (Moffatt)
5 … we are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. (Good News)
5 … by his bruise there is healing for us. (Young)
5 … the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole. (Amplified) 
CONFESSION: Surely He hath borne my sickness and diseases and carried my pains. He took my sicknesses on Himself and carried my pains. He bore them and carried them away to a distance. I don’t have to bear what He bore for me. I refuse to bear what He bore for me. Satan cannot put on me what Jesus bore for me. By His stripes, I am healed. By His stripes, I got healing. By His bruise, there is healing for me. His punishment has brought me healing. Healing has been granted to me. With the stripes that wounded Him, I am healed and made whole. I am made whole by the blows He received.
My diseases went to the Cross with Jesus and died with Him there. Satan, you’re visiting the wrong one. Jesus took my sicknesses; and by His stripes, I am healed!
 
Malachi 4:2 – But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (KJV)
CONFESSION: The Son of righteousness has arisen, having conquered sickness and Satan. There is healing in His wings. That healing is flowing into me now by His Word. I am trusting beneath His healing wings.
Matthew 8:2-3 – And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (KJV)
2 A leper came up and bowed low in front of him. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘if you want to you can cure me.’ (Jerusalem)
3 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And his leprosy was cured at once. (Jerusalem)
2 ‘… if you have the will, you have the power, to cleanse me.’ (Wade)
3 ‘…I have the will; be cleansed.’ (Wade)
2 ‘… Sir, if you really wanted to, you could heal me.’ (Jordan)
3 ‘… I do want to. Be healed.’ (Jordan)
2 ‘… if you want to, you can make me clean.’ (Phillips)
3 ‘… Of course I want to. Be clean!’ (Phillips)
2 … Lord, if it is your pleasure, you have the power to make me clean. (Basic English)
3 And he put his hand on him, saying, It is my pleasure; be clean. (Basic English)
3 ‘… I will it. Be cleansed.’ (Riew)
3 … It is my will … (Knox)
3 ‘… I am willing …’ (Fenton, Weymouth, 20th Century)
3 … I am desiring it from all my heart. Be cleansed at once. (Wuest)
3 … I do will it … (Authentic) 
CONFESSION: God wants me well. Healing is the will of God. According to Philippians 2:13, God is at work in me right now to will and to do His good pleasure. Healing is at work in me. 

(ME)  THIS IS THE BIGGEST POINT OF ALL.  IF WE CANNOT GRASP THIS, IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS WANTS US SICK THEN WE NEED TO STOP TRYING TO GET BETTER AND GO AHEAD AND GIVE IN TO THE SICKNESS.  I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART AND WITH EVERYTHING THAT I AM THAT MY GOD WANTS ME WELL.  HE WANTS YOU WELL TOO. 
Matthew 8:16-17 – When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (KJV)
17 … He took our infirmities upon Himself, and took away our diseases. (Norlie)
17 … He Himself took (in order to carry away) our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases. (Amplified)
17 He took away our illnesses and lifted our diseases from us. (New English Bible)
17 … He took away our illnesses and carried away our diseases. (Translator’s NT)
17 He took our sicknesses away and carried our diseases for us. (Jerusalem)
17 … He took away our sicknesses and our diseases he removed. (Moffatt)
17 … He took on Himself our sicknesses and carried away our diseases. (New Life)
17 … carried off our diseases. (Wuest, Berkely) 
CONFESSION: He Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses. He carried away my sicknesses. He took them away and removed them. Disease is not mine – Healing is mine. I refuse to bear what Jesus bore for me. I refuse to take what He took for me. Satan, you cannot put disease on me, for Jesus took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses. I refuse to accept sickness. I will not tolerate sickness. Sickness and diseases are totally unacceptable. I refuse to accept them. Jesus bore them, so I refuse to have them!
Mark 5:25-34 – 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. (KJV)
28 … for she kept saying, ‘If I can only touch his clothes, I shall get well.’ (Williams)
28 … for she kept saying, If I touch even his garments, I shall be made whole. (Wuest)
28 … she kept saying … (Phillips)
30 Jesus also was immediately aware that power had been drawn from him … (Authenic)
30 … Jesus, becoming conscious that the healing Power within Him had been in active operation … (Wade)
30 Jesus instantly perceived that healing power had passed from him … (Smith-Goodspeed)
30 Jesus instantly became conscious that there had been a demand upon his powers …
34 ‘… your own faith has made you well …’ (20th Century)
34 … Go and enjoy your new health, free from the trouble that was your scourge. (Barclay)
34 … be entirely free from thy disease. (Diaglott) 
CONFESSION: Her faith made her whole, and my faith makes me whole. I have faith, for I am a believer. I believe I receive my healing, and my faith makes me whole. I receive God’s power as mentioned in Ephesians 1:19. The power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in me. My faith puts that power into active operation in my body. Disease has no choice. There is no chance for its survival in my body.
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me. That power is irresistable. It is greater than sickness and disease. That power is flowing in me and makes me whole. I am free. I am entirely free from sickness and disease. I am whole. I believe I have received my healing, and my faith has made me whole! 
Luke 13:11-13, 16 – 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. 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? (KJV)
11 … an infirmity caused by a spirit [a demon of sickness]. (Amplified)
11 … had a disease caused by an evil spirit; she was bent double and altogether unable to hold herself up. (Plain English)
11 … a sickness caused by a spirit.
(Smith-Goodspeed, Confraternity, NASNT)
11 … A woman had a spirit that caused an infirmity eighteen years and was completely bent together by a curvature of the spine, and was not able to raise herself up at all. (Wuest)
12 … thou art delivered … (Douay)
12 … you are freed from your sickness. (NASNT)
12 … thou hast been loosed … (Marshall)
12 … you are made free from your disease. (Basic English)
12 … you are set free from your infirmity. (NIV)
12 … you are rid of your infirmity. (Norlie)
12 … you are freed from your disease. (Plain English)
12 …‘Lady, you have been freed from your weakness.’ (Jordan)
12 …‘Woman, you have been loosed from your infirmity.’ (Worrell)
12 …‘Your bondage is at an end.’ (Condon)
13 … at once she straightened herself up and burst into praising God. (Williams)
16 … was there not a need … that she be loosed … (Rotherham)
16 … And ought not this woman, a descendant of Abraham as she is, whose power movement Satan has fettered actually for eighteen years, to have been released from such fetters on the day of the Sabbath? (Wade)
16 … For eighteen years Satan has fettered her. Is it not right that she should be liberated from her fetters? (Barclay)
16 And is it not right for this daughter of Abraham, who has been in the power of Satan for eighteen years, to be made free on the Sabbath? (Basic English)
16 But this woman, a daughter of Abraham, who has been in the bondage of Satan – think of it! – for eighteeen years, should not have the right to be released from her bonds because it is the Sabbath? (Norlie) 
CONFESSION: Satan can’t bind me with sickness. I believe that, according to Colossians 1:13, I have been delivered from Satan’s dominion and translated into the kingdom of the Son of God. Sickness is ungodly. Sickness is of the devil. Satan, you can’t put sickness on me! Who do you think you are? In Colossians 2:15 and Hebrews 2:14 it says you are a defeated foe. Jesus stripped you of your authority over me. You can’t do this to me. I resist you in Jesus’ Name. I am delivered. I am free. I have been loosed. I am no longer fettered. I am now rid of my infirmity. My bondage is at an end! It is right for me to be completely free, for I am a child of Abraham. According to Galatians 3:14, 29, Abraham’s blessings are mine. Healing is part of the covenant. I am under the covenant. Healing is mine. Healing belongs to me. It is my rightful possession. I have a right to be released. Satan, I demand my rights now! Take your filthy hands off my body! 

(ME)  I don’t believe that Satan is any big problem.  We elevate him and his imps with way too much status.  Their lies and deceit are what rob us of the Word of God working in our lives.  They DO NOT have any authority in our lives.  Stand on God’s Word, stand on the defeat that Jesus gave us when he went to the cross.  You don’t have to worry about them, they are already defeated.  ALL we have to do is believe God.  Believe His Word.  Don’t listen to these sniveling creatures.  Instead, choose whom you will believe today.  God or these defeated demons.  I have already made my decision.
  

Acts 10:38 – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (KJV)
38 … all who were harassed by the devil … (Moffatt)
38 … healing all who were under the power of the devil … (NIV, Plain English)
38 … healing everyone in the devil’s clutches … (Rieu)
38 … curing all those who were under the tyranny of the devil … (Barclay)
38 … healing all that were overpowered by the devil … (New Berkeley)
38 … curing all who were crushed by the power of the devil … (Weymouth)
38 … God equipped him with Holy Spirit and power, who passed through our midst acting nobly and healing all those who were lorded over by the devil … (Jordan)
38 … healing all who suffered from the devil’s power … (Phillips)
38 … Who passed through as a benefactor and healer of all those who are tyrannized over by the Adversary … (Concordant)
38 … harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil … (Amplified)
CONFESSION: Sickness is oppression of the devil. Satan can’t oppress me with sickness, for I have been delivered from his authority through God’s Word in Colossians 1:13. Satan can’t oppress me. I have authority to tread on Satan and demons and all the power the enemy possesses. I tread on sickness. Satan, you can’t lord it over me with foul disease. You can’t do this to me. Sickness, you can’t do this to me. You are visiting the wrong one. Healing is mine. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me. It is healing power because He is the Lord that healeth. Healing power is at work in me, and I am free!
Luke 10:19 – Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (KJV)
19 I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and all the might of the satanic foe, and nothing will harm you in any way. (Norlie)
19 … I have given you the right to … (Knox)
19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy [possesses], and nothing shall in any way harm you. (Amplified)
19 Yes, I have given you power to trample every evil underfoot, to counter all the might of the enemy; nothing whatever shall harm you. (Condon)
19 I have indeed invested you with power to stomp on snakes and scorpions … (Authentic) 

(ME)  There you have it.   Now confess the truth. 
CONFESSION: Sickness is a sign of the power of the devil. I trample on all the power of the devil. I trample on disease. I stomp on disease. I tread every evil underfoot. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave me authority over all the power of the enemy. I have authority over sickness. Sickness, I trample on you! I tread on you! I stomp on you! Get out, get out, get out! You have no right to dominate me. Get out of my body in Jesus’ Name. Sickness and disease are under my feet because it says in Ephesians 2:6 that I am seated with Christ above all the power of the enemy. 
Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
2 The spiritual principle of life has set me free, in Jesus Christ, from the principle of sin and death. (Knox)
2 For the principle of spiritual life in Christ Jesus has liberated me from the principle of sin and death. (Translator’s NT)
2 … [the law of our new being]… (Amplified)
Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (KJV)
11 If the Spirit of God, of Him who raised Jesus from the dead, has its home in you, then He who raised the Messiah Jesus from the dead will thrill with a new life your very bodies – those mortal bodies of yours – by the agency of His own Spirit, which now has its home in you. (Way)
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead has taken possession of you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give your mortal bodies life through his Spirit that has now taken possession of you. (Goodspeed)
11 … will also create life in your mortal bodies … (Godbey) 
CONFESSION: The Spirit of God is residing in me. The Spirit of God is making His home in my spirit. The Spirit of the Lord that healeth is creating life, supplying life in my body, making it whole. The life of Jehovah-Rapha is being applied to my body by His Spirit who dwells in me.
The life of God drives out every trace of sickness and disease. The life of God is destroying disease and germs in my body now. 
I Corinthians 6:13, 15, 19, 20 – 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: My body wasn’t made for sin, but for the Lord. My body wasn’t made for sickness, but for the Lord. My body is a member of Christ. My body belongs to Christ. Satan cannot make Christ’s body sick. Satan, how dare you trespass on God’s property. Take your hands off God’s property in Jesus’ Name! My body is the temple of Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth. He is in me healing me now, for He is the Lord that healeth me. I have been bought with a price. Jesus’ blood cleansed me from all sin; and by His stripes, my body is healed. I glorify God in my body. I refuse to allow disease in my body in Jesus’ Name. You foul disease, take your hands off my body in Jesus’ Name!
Galatians 3:13 – Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree … (KJV)
13 Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by taking that curse upon himself for our sakes … (Translator’s NT)
13 Now, Christ bought us off the curse of the law at the cost of being accursed for our sakes … (Wand)
13 Christ ransomed us from the curse pronounced in the law … (20th Century)
13 Christ has purchased our freedom … (Weymouth)
Deuteronomy 28:
Verse 21 – The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. (KJV)
“Pestilence”:
- disease after disease … (Good News, Basic English)
Verse 22 – The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. (KJV)
“Consumption”:
- tuberculosis (New World, Living Bible)
- infectious diseases (Good News)
- wasting disease (Basic English)
“Inflammation”:
- cold (Septuagint)
- ague (or malarial fever) (Byington, Moffatt, Knox)
- infections (Living Bible)
“Extreme burning”:
- influenza (Byington)
- sunstroke (Smith-Goodspeed)
- erysipelas (infectious disease of the hands) (Moffatt)
“Sword”:
- drought (Jerusalem, Byington, Berkeley, Beck, Smith-Goodspeed)
“Blasting”:
- blight (Living Bible, others)
“Mildew”:
- jaundice (Fenton)
- paleness (Septuagint)
Verse 27 – The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. (KJV)
“Botch of Egypt”:
- inflammatory disease (Leeser)
- ulcer (Fenton, Douay, Young)
- sores (Rotherham, Smith-Goodspeed)
- boils (Jerusalem, Good News, New American Bible, Living Bible, Beck, Berkeley, NASV, RSV, Amplified, Confraternity, NIV)
“Emerods”:
- hemorrhoids; (Fenton, New American Bible, Living Bible, Moffatt, NIV, Amplified, Berkeley, NASV)
- tumors (Rotherham, Leeser)
- ulcers (RSV, Smith-Goodspeed)
- swellings in the groin (Knox, Jerusalem)
- sores (Good News)
- piles (New World)
“Scab”:
- scurvy (Fenton, Young, Jerusalem, Smith-Goodspeed, Living Bible, Amplified, Moffatt, RSV)
- eczema (New World, New American Bible)
- incurable itch (NASV, Berkeley)
- malignant scab (Septuagint)
- festering sores (NIV)
“Itch”:
- other sorts of skin diseases (Basic English)
- skin eruptions (New World)
Verse 28 – The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart … (KJV)
“Madness”:
- insanity (Septuagint, Byington)
- lose your mind (Good News)
- distracted (Knox)
- your minds diseased (Basic)
“Astonishment of heart”:
- distraction of mind (Jerusalem)
- confusion (Berkeley, Good News)
- confusion of mind (NIV)
“Astonishment of heart” (continued):
- imbecility (Byington)
- dismay (Smith-Goodspeed)
- dismay of [mind and] heart (Amplified)
- crazed in thy wits; (Knox)
- confusion of heart (Leeser)
- fear and panic (Living Bible)
- panic (New American Bible)
Verse 35 – The Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. (KJV)
“Sore botch”:
- ulcer (Fenton, Young, Douay)
- boil (Rotherham, New World, Amplified)
- boils (Jerusalem, Good News, Beck, NASV, New American Bible, NIV, Living Bible, RSV)
- sores (Berkeley, Smith-Goodspeed)
- skin disease (Basic English)
- a sore inflammation (Leeser)
Verse 59 – Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. (KJV)
“Plagues”:
- … thy strokes and the strokes of thy seed … (Young)
- … malignant and obstinate diseases … (Byington)
- … incurable diseases and horrible epidemics … (Good News)
- … severe and lasting plagues and chronic sicknesses (NASV)
- … malignant and lasting maladies (New American Bible)
- … cruel diseases stretching on through long years (Basic English)
- … malignant and long-lasting sicknesses (New World)
- … extraordinary strokes and blows (Amplified)
Verse 60 – Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. (KJV)
Verse 61 – Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. (KJV)
61 … every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law … (NIV)
61 any kind of sickness or calamity not mentioned in this Book of the Law … (New American Bible, Confraternity)
Verse 65 – And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind … (KJV)
“Trembling heart, failing of eyes, sorrow of mind”:
- … an anxious mind, a despairing heart (NIV)
- a quaking heart, weary eyes (Jerusalem)
- a shaking heart (Basic English) 
CONFESSION: Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law. (The curse of the Law is found in Deuteronomy 28. It is the curse for breaking God’s Law. It includes sickness, as the Scriptures above show.) Christ bought me back, brought me back, and set me free from the curse of the Law. Sickness and disease is part of the curse of the Law; therefore, Christ has redeemed me from sickness.
I am liberated! I am ransomed! I am free from disease! I am redeemed from every disease written in the curse of the Law. I am redeemed from (name specific disease)! I am also redeemed from every disease that is not written in the Book of the Law. Christ has redeemed me – bought me back, brought me back, and set me free from all sickness and disease.
Ephesians 4:27 – Neither give place to the devil. (KJV)
27 Stop giving the devil a chance. (Williams)
27 Give the devil no place or opportunity in your life. (Barclay)
27 … and do not give the devil a chance. (Translator’s NT)
27 … don’t give in one inch to the devil. (Jordan)
CONFESSION: I refuse to give place to the devil. Sickness and disease are of the devil. I refuse to give place to sickness and disease. Satan, you can’t put them on my body. You can’t! You can’t! You can’t! I say no, and I mean no. No sickness or plague comes nigh my dwelling. You have the wrong address. I will not give in one inch. Satan, you have no place in my body. You can’t do this to me. I won’t have it. It is unacceptable. It is not mine, and you cannot give it to me. You have no place in me or my body. I belong to God. Sickness, you have no choice but to go because I’m not giving you a chance. Get out now!
Colossians 1:
Verse 12 – Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light … (KJV)
12 … thank the Father who has entitled you to share the lot of God’s people in the realm of light. (Smith-Goodspeed)
12 … who has qualified you for your share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (New Berkeley)
12 … the Father that hath made you sufficient for your share … (Rotherham)
12 … who has made us worthy … (Godbey)
12 … he enabled us to share the inheritance of the saints who live in the light. (Noli)
12 … to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the kingdom of light. (Living Bible) 
CONFESSION: I am qualified, entitled, worthy, and able to partake of my inheritance in Christ. God’s Word says in Psalm 103:3 that healing belongs to me. I refuse to be beaten out of my inheritance!
Verse 13 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (KJV)
13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the realm of his dear Son. (Smith-Goodspeed)
13 He has freed us from the power of darkness and carried us away into the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Plain English)
13 For He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. (Conybeare)
13 For God has rescued us from the dominance exercised by the Powers of Spiritual Darkness, and transferred us to the Dominion of His Son – the Object of His love. (Wade)
13 For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Living Bible)
CONFESSION: I have been delivered from the authority of darkness. I have been delivered from Satan’s authority and dominion through the Word in Acts 26:18. I am free from Satan’s dominion. Sickness is of the devil. Satan can’t dominate me with sickness and disease. Satan, I’ve been delivered from your authority. You can’t put sickness on me. I have passed out of your jurisdiction over into the kingdom of the Son of God. I am a citizen in the kingdom of Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth me. I have been transplanted into the kingdom of His Son.
Verse 14 – In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins … (KJV)
14 … by whom we have been ransomed from captivity … (Smith-Goodspeed)
14 … in whom we have our redemption … (Conybeare)
14 In whom we have our ransoming, the remission of our sins. (Way) 
CONFESSION: In Christ Jesus I have redemption. I have been ransomed from captivity. I am delivered from Satan and his works. I am free from sickness and disease!
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)
7 So then, accept the authority of God. Take a stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. (Barclay)
7 Stand up to the devil, and he will turn and run. (New English Bible)
7 Stand immovable against the onset of the devil, and he will flee from you. (Wuest)
7 … be ruled by God; but make war on the Evil One and he will be put to flight before you. (Basic English) 
CONFESSION: I submit to God. I submit to the will of God. I accept the authority of God and His Word. I submit to God’s Word. I resist you, devil. I resist disease. You can’t do this to my body. Get out! Remove yourself. You must flee from my body now!
James 5:15-16 – 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. 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. (KJV)
15 And by the prayer of faith the man who is ill will be made well. (Basic English)
15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the sufferer to health, and the Lord will raise him from his sick-bed. (Wade) 
CONFESSION: The prayer of faith has made me whole. The Lord is raising me up. I cannot stay down. I believe I received when I prayed, and my faith makes me whole. I believe I have received my healing!
I Peter 2:24 – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (KJV)
24 … his bruising was your healing. (20th Century) 
CONFESSION: By His stripes I was healed. Healing belongs to me. I was healed 2000 years ago by the stripes Jesus bore. By His stripes I was healed. I’m not trying to get healing; I’ve already got my healing, because by His stripes I was healed!
I Peter 5:8-9 – 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV)
9 You must resist him with a rock-like faith … (Barclay)
9 Stand immovable against his onset, solid as a rock in your faith … (Wuest)
9 … be firm in faith (against his onset) – rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined … (Amplified) 

CONFESSION: I stand immovable against sickness in Jesus’ Name. I refuse to accept it!
I John 3:8 – He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (KJV)
8 … The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy), loosen and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. (Amplified)
8 … that he might break up the works of the devil. (Young)
8 … and the Son of God was seen on earth so that he might put an end to the works of the Evil One. (Basic English)
8 … that he might neutralize what the Devil has done. (Wand)
8 … that he might bring to naught the works of the devil. (Wuest)
8 … that he might break up the Devil’s doings. (Jordan)
8 To lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil, since the devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the devil has done that the Son of God appeared. (Jerusalem)
8 Now the Son of God came to the earth with the express purpose of liquidating the devil’s activities. (Phillips)
8 … that He should be annulling the acts of the Adversary. (Concordant) 
CONFESSION: Sickness is a work of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Sickness has been dissolved, broken up, annulled, undone, liquidated as far as I am concerned.
Jesus put an end to sickness for me. The activities of the devil have been liquidated.
III John 2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: I am prospering and I am in health even as my soul prospers because it is God’s will for me. God is at work in me to do His will and pleasure. Jehovah-Rapha is at work in me – healing me!
Philippians 2:13 – For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: God is at work in me. Jehovah-Rapha is at work in me – healing me. He is the Lord that healeth me. God is greater than the devil. Healing is greater than sickness. God is at work in me – healing me!
Mark 16:17-18 – And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (KJV)
17 … By using my name they will drive out demons … (Williams)
17 These are the visible demonstrations of the action of God which will accompany the life of those who believe. By using my name they will eject demons … (Barclay)
17 … for those who believe, these miracles will follow … (Moffatt)
17 … with my name they will drive out demons. (Smith-Goodspeed)
17 … making use of my authority, they shall expel demons. (Weymouth)
17 Wherever men believe, these signs will be found … (Translator’s NT)
17 By the use of my name they will expel demons; they will speak rapturously in strange languages … (Wade)
18 They will place their hands upon invalids, and they will be restored to health. (Wade) 
CONFESSION: The Name of Jesus is greater than sickness. Jesus conquered sickness and disease. In the Name of Him who conquered sin, sickness, and Satan, I command disease to leave my body. Satan, take your hands off my body! I cast you out in Jesus’ Name. You can’t do this to me. In the Name of Jesus, I am free!
John 14:12-14 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: There is power in the Name of Jesus! Jesus is the resurrected healing Lord. In the Name of Jesus, I command disease to leave my body. My body is healed in Jesus’ Name. I believe Acts 3:16; that through faith in His Name, my body is perfectly sound. I am healed in Jesus’ Name!
Acts 3:16 – And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (KJV) 
CONFESSION: His Name, through faith in His Name, makes me whole, gives me perfect soundness, and makes me strong. The Name of Jesus is greater than sickness. All that He is is in His Name. All that He did is in His Name. He is greater than sickness. He conquered sickness. I speak His Name, Jesus, to my body now. Every disease and germ dies now in Jesus’ Name. My body is made whole in Jesus’ Name! 
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
20 … Christ took me to the cross with him, and I died there with him. (Laubach)
20 I have been crucified with Christ … (ASV, NASV, RSV, NEB, NIV) 

CONFESSION: I was crucified with Christ. I died with Him to sickness and disease. Christ the Healer lives in me. Healing is in me. Christ in me heals me. 
John 15:4-5 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV)
4 Get your life from Me and I will live in you. No branch can give fruit by itself. It has to get life from the vine. You are able to give fruit only when you have life from Me (New Life)
5 … I am the Vine and you are the branches. Get your life from Me. (New Life)
4 You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. I am the vine itself; you are the branches. (Phillips)
5 It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. (Phillips) 
CONFESSION: I am in union with Christ. My spirit is in union with Christ the Healer. I draw out His healing power, and it is manifested in my body. I am one with the healing Vine. I am in union with the healing Christ. I have His life and health in me! 

(ME)  Frankly, I don’t want to listen to theology that undermines my faith in believing God’s Word (the seed for healing in my life.)  If you do then ignore all these scriptures and all these confessions and go on believing what you will.  God’s Word is my theology and it says I AM HEALED.  JESUS MADE IT SO.  What do you have to lose by taking a chance and believing GOD???  Sickness and Disease.  Then let’s lose it together in 2010.

May God Bless you in all that you put your hand to.  Join with me in saying:
FATHER, I PRAISE YOU!
THANK YOU FOR HEALING ME! 

 

 

 

Liz Claiborne bag

Hi,

My sister (EH) wanted me to write a review on her Liz Claiborne bag she bought in the mountains.  It is a beautiful black polyester bag that she bought at a Liz Claiborne outlet on one of her little trips.  She has used the bag for about 2 weeks altogether.  She uses it for a day or two then doesn’t use it again.  It is very large and holds a lot of her stuff.  Unfortunately, she tried to use it and while out the strap that holds the handle on broke and of course the bag is ruined.  Even though it is designed to carry a lot of stuff she did not have it loaded with heavy items.  There should have been no reason for the strap to break.  The bag retailed for approximately $154.00.  I believe she got a discount since she bought it in an outlet store.

We tried to reach Liz Claiborne customer service via email and by using the online telephone number provided at their web site but could not reach anyone.    We will continue to try to reach customer service for Liz Claiborne.  I noticed online that there were other complaints about hassles with the company and poor quality of merchandise.

Also, some time back she had a similar situation with a Liz Claiborne wallet she bought.  The wallet just came apart after about three months use.  It came unsown and had to be thrown away.  I do not recommend the quality of merchandise for Liz Claiborne products based on her experience with these bags. 

My sister says she may or may not purchase Liz Claiborne products in the future.  She has bought Liz Claiborne products in the past and has not had this kind of product.  However, she says she will be much more careful about buying their products in the future.

More later…

Gluten Free Resolution

My sister (EH), has been reading about the blood type diet and is convinced that as type O+, we should be eating differently.   After looking at the diet the biggest obstacle for us is eating gluten-free.  We have been trying for about a month of make changes and I have to say that it isn’t easy.  I have learned to make a few things that are gluten-free.  I am trying to concentrate on making the things we like to eat gluten-free.  To my surprise I have found numerous items that have gluten in them that you wouldn’t think would have wheat but do.

As part of the O+ diet, dairy is limited to a few eggs and restricted cheese to mozzarella and feta and goat cheese.  We are not allowed to have corn products and since corn starch is used in many products that are substituted for gluten it makes it difficult for us.  We are not allowed to have white potatoes.  We do eat sweet potatoes.  Basically meat and vege’s. 

More later.

Juicing my Way back to health and other solutions

Good morning,

I had my first problem with my Jack LaLanne’s Juicer this morning.  I was juicing my morning regime of lemons to make my Master Cleanse Drink and the motor stalled .   I turned it off immediately and took it apart.  The motor was actually smoking.  I checked the blade to make sure it was tightened down and it was.  After putting it back together and the motor continuted to  hum so I waited a few more minutes and this time it finished juicing the lemons.  One thing that has concerned me  is the  lemon peel is not ground up as it is on my old Juiceman.  Of course, I had to cut the lemon up into quarters to get it to go through in the old one.  I reread the directions and  LaLanne’s Juicer states that you can put in the whole lemon.  You can’t juice oranges and other similar types of fruit but lemons should be okay.  I plan on contacting customer service  and ask their advice.  It doesn’t take very much to burn out a motor.  I will let you know what they say. 

I finished juicing my vege drink for breakfast.  Carrot and celery juice.  I remember that when I was juicing before that I needed to keep things simple and not worry about making too many different kinds of juices but find a few that I like and that seem helpful to me and stick with them.  This is in keeping with one of my New Year’s resolutions – KEEP IT SIMPLE – Simplicty is the key word.  I have to check my blood sugars to make sure the carrot juice is not impacting my sugar levels.  If it does, I will have to find another morning drink.

Also, we are sticking to the type O blood  diet as closely as possible.  There are a few exceptions – we haven’t totally broken the potato habit yet.  And getting rid of corn products is also an issue.  Since we are gluten free corn starch, etc. are in a number of the products we are using as substituions to gluten.  We are making every effort to limit this as much as possible.  Otherwise, we are doing great.

We found a breakfast that is working well for us.  Rice Chex with organic rice milk, fruit for EH, and vege drink for me.  Hot tea or coffee (per blood type O diet should not be drinking coffee).  To be truthful, I can tell no difference in the way I feel but my sister (EH) tells me she can tell a big difference.

Yesterday, we went out to Applebees and had lunch.  Their small 7 oz. sirloin, chicken wings, smashed potatoes (No potatoes on Type O Blood Diet) and steamed broccoli.  When the wings came, we realized they were the boneless kind that had been rolled in flour first.  Definitely not gluten-free.  We both succumbed and ate some.  They were delicious but not anything we can order in the future.  Must remember to ask waiter about gluten items before we order.

My brother-in-law (Ben) from another sister, (Dor) told us he couldn’t see any point in doing without gluten if you were not gluten intolerant.  He said there were no health benefits that he could find.  EH feels she is allergic to wheat.  We are going to a lot of trouble for nothing if he is right.  If this Blood type O diet doesn’t work we should know in a few weeks.

More later…

New Year’s Resolution

Looking into the new year, I am hoping for a better report physically.  Unfortunately, this last year has not been the best physically and/or spiritually.  I have found when the body is in a great deal of pain and unhealthy it affects the whole self, body, soul and spirit.  Blogging is difficult, in fact, everything is difficult.  But today starts a new year and a new determination to do something about the situation.  I cannot believe that I am condemned to live the later part of my life in an unhealthy state.  Therefore, I determine afresh and anew to do what I can to improve the situation.  We are all dying but some are dying quicker than others.  Here’s is looking at a new start.

First, my sister, EH, gave me a new juicer for Christmas.  I have a Juiceman which I acquired about 8 to 10 years ago.  There are many things about the juicer which I have been happy with.  One, it separates the pulp from the juice.  If you want the pulp for the fiber you can always add it back in with some of the juice or add it as fiber to casseroles, breadings, stews, etc.  There are any number of ways to use it.  Truthfully, I rarely used the pulp, I just enjoyed drinking the juice.  I had seen the TV advertisements on the Jack LaLanne’s power juicer and had stated a couple of times that I would like to try it.  And wouldn’t you know it found its way under the tree this Christmas. 

 I have already used it to make lemonade and found that I really like that you don’t have to spend so much time cutting up the fruit.  It has a very large shoot opening, approximately 3 inches on the inside.  This will accomodate a rather large piece of fruit.  I didn’t even do anything to the lemons other than washing them and cutting off the ends.  The first time I didn’t cut of the ends but I didn’t like the way the motor sounded so the next time I cut the ends off.  It made wonderful lemonade that I use on my Master cleanse.  I held back one lemon and cut it up to make it look like real lemonade.  I have already made two batches of lemon cleanse. 

 I also like that the pulp coming out the back  does seem to be drier and doesn’t leave as much liquid in the pulp.  The motor was much quieter than my Juiceman.  As soon as I put the fruit in the machine  it  became  noisier though.  The motor seemed to have enough power.  I looked at the box and the paperwork and couldn’t find the power in watts.  I had looked at a similar juicer before Christmas at Wal-Mart’s which was much less expensive.  It too had a large mouth for the fruit and the wattage was 800.  I have to say that my Juiceman is 8 to 10 years old and that it has lasted and is still very usable.  Only time and use will tell if Jack LaLanne’s will be as durable. 

Although simple to use, Jack LaLanne’s Juicer is somewhat more complicated than the Juiceman.  You have to use a special tool (provided with the unit) to remove the blade.  At our house this is something that can get lost and never to be found again.  As a temporary solution, I took a long tie and actually tied it to the machine.  My Mom (suffering with dimentia) loves to put things away where we can’t find them. 

The Juiceman was somewhat cumbersome and hard to get in and out of the cabinet so I found myself using it less and less.   Since I want to use my new juicer as part of a health regimen, I chose to find a nice place on the counter  where it could remain and not have to drag it in and out of the cabinets.  The juicer weigh’s about 15 lbs. and is just as cumbersome getting in and out of the cabinets as the Juiceman. 

As far as cleaning the juicer, it is just about the same as cleaning the Juiceman.  I put a plastic bag in the receptacle for the pulp so that all I had to do was lift out the bag.  I still had to take the juicer apart and clean it in soap and water.  I didn’t bother to put it all in the dishwasher. 

I am interested in finding out if it will stain as easily as the Juiceman.  Both juicer’s are white.  When I start juicing carrots and things of that nature I will be able to tell if it will stain.  I will keep you updated on my progress in later posts. 

Have a blessed and very Merry New Year.  Yea 2010

What about fear?

There was an interesting discussion on FaceBook this week regarding fear.  One person said that fear and faith could not coexist in a true believers life while others felt that fear was very much a part of a believer’s life and was actually something that each believer had to deal with and come to terms with as part of their faith walk.    So I will try to answer that question to my satisfaction.  Can one be a “true” believer and coexist with fear?

Webster’s dictionary defines fear as 1) a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence of danger, evil, pain, etc. 2) a respectful dread, awe or reverence 3) a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension; concern 4) a cause for fear   In it’s verb form it means to 1) be afraid of 2) to feel reverence, awe for or expect with misgivings 3) to feel fear, to be afraid 5) to be uneasy, anxious or doubtful. 

Very few of us would not have any trouble giving instances in which we have felt fear.  I recall my feelings on September 11, 2001.  The anniversary has just passed us.  I was working on a route for my sister, and the employees at Food Lion were talking about something just happening.  I found the break room TV and there with other employees saw  the planes hitting the trade center.  I remember calling my sister and she turned the TV on and told me to come home.   I left there and drove through downtown Charlotte.  There were tall buildings on either side of me all the while I listened  to the radio and was  thinking about all the people in those buildings.  I remember my shock and disbelief and yes,  fear.  I was glad to go home.  I remember watching those towers fall over and over and over again.  As Americans, how can we ever forget that day.  How many of us felt fear and disbelief. 

I have felt fear before and after that event.  Most of us have.  There are many types of fear.  I think we could all agree there are good fears and bad fears.  A good fear would be the fear of the Lord.  This does not mean that we live in terror of God but to be in awe of and filled with reverence for Him.  There are many scriptures regarding this fear in the bible.  Here is one.  Deut.4:10  “Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”  Here is another.  Psa. 34:9  “O fear the Lord, ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him.”  and Ps. 145:19  “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry and will save them … for the Lord taketh pleasure in them.”  I think you get the picture.  So we are instructed to fear God.  To live our lives in awe of him and filling ourselves with reverence for Him. 

Because we have this healthy fear or “awe” of God we can expect certain rewards including:

•  Wisdom
• “beginning of knowledge”
• “fountain of life”
• “strong confidence”
• “riches and honor”

There are also bad fears.    Anyone who has watched Monk is familiar with a whole group of fears called phobias.  Phobias from A to Z.  Ablutophobia – fear of washing.  I have known a few people with this phobia or at least I thought they had it.  How about, Bibliophobia, fear of books.  Or, Zoophobia, fear of animals.  Phobias hinder a persons ability to enjoy life to its fullest.  When we are faced with fears of this type we should do as the Psalms instructs in 34:4.  “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. ”    The bible tells us that fear has torment in 1st John 4:18  So we should seek deliverance from fears that are bad for us. 

Fear can overwhelm us and give us an inability to face problems.  Fear can come against us and cause us to run from it.  Fear if not faced and challenged can defeat us.  The greek word “deilia” is used for a cowardly fear.  Do you think Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego felt fear when thrown into the firey furnace?  Did Daniel feel fear when thrown into the Lion’s den?  How about Ester when she had to talk to the King?  Did Jesus know fear and have a fear of going to the Cross?  What I do know is that they faced their  fear and did not run.   Jesus did not turn from the cross even though he knew what was coming.  Ester could have chosen not to go to the King.  Daniel could have shut up his windows and not prayed in his manner to God.  Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego could have worshiped the golden statue set up.  I am reminded of the scripture in Ps 56:11 ” In God have I put my trust:  I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”

Now back to the question at hand.  Can fear and faith coexist in a true believer’s life?   We are all facing different problems and issues in our lives.  Many face dying, cancer, diabetes, losing limbs and pain.  Many face family turmoil, death, divorce, etc.  Many face financial issues, losing jobs, lack of money and resources, homelessness, etc.   Fear can be overwhelming whether we are Christians or unbelievers.  Therefore, I do believe that “true believers” can coexist with faith. 

However, I also believe that our instructions are very clear. 

•  Ps 27:1  “the Lord is my light, and my salvation; who shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life:  of whom shall I be afraid.” 
• Ps 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of deal, I will fear no evil. 
•  Ps 56:11  “In God have I put my trust:  I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”
• Prov. 8:13 ” The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.”

So we are given pretty clear marching orders.  Our job as believers is to do battle with satan and his demon forces.  Fear is one of his tools.  Fear can cause mental and physical torment so it should be resisted.   We are to take up our cross (whatever that is) and follow Christ.  I wish I could avow that I have defeated the enemy of fear in all areas of my life.  I can’t.  But I can tell you that Christ has defeated Him and He holds the keys to my future not Satan.  I choose this day to walk with Christ and to declare his name to all those who will listen and to face my fears.  I hope you will too.

Bless you all for reading this.

Water – It’s benefits

Water is very important to life.  It regulates metabolism.    In fact, every system in our body requires water.  Our bodies are made up of 6o% water.  For that reason alone it is an essential ingredient in my cleanse.  Very few of us take in enough water and as a result are not hydrated.   Dehydration can be very serious and may require medical interaction.  Drinking enough water helps you maintain a healthy body weight, flushes toxins from your systems that you need for continued health and may help to restore your health if you have an illness. 

 Drinks such as coffee, tea, sodas, etc. cannot replace water.  In fact,  these beverages can actually increase your bodies need for more  water.  Most seniors are dehydrated to some degree.  Seniors need around 2 1/2 quarts per day.  My Mom doesn’t drink enough water.   In fact, we cannot get her to drink 2 1/2 quarts of anything.  She doesn’t like water and doesn’t mind telling you.  Sometimes we put a little lemon in it or flavor the water in some way. 

Of course, seniors are not the only group who don’t drink enough water.  Some of us do better than others.  As for myself, I am inconsistent about getting enough water into my system and have to make a daily effort to drink water.  My sister was addicted to Dr. Pepper and that was her drink of choice.  She has recently broken that habit by following my cleanse and now drinks the lemon cocktail that I use in my cleanse but still needs to drink more water.  We all do.  Our thirst does not always tell us if we need water.  One way of knowing whether you are taking in enough water is by watching your urine.  Urine should be clear or very light yellow with no smell.  If you are dehydrated, urine will be a dark yellow.  Another way is by keeping track of how much water you are drinking.  If you are experiencing 3 or 4 of the following symptoms you may be  dehydrated.

  The symptoms of dehydration include: 

• dry sticky mouth
• thirst
• sleepiness
• being tired
• decreased urine output
• muscle weakness
• headaches
• dizziness
• fuzziness of thought (lack of focus)
• dry skin

How much water should we take in:

There is no hard and fast rule, although many of the experts tell us we should take in 8  8 oz glasses daily.  The problem with this is this amount of water will replace what you are losing daily through sweat, urine output, etc.  but may not fully hydrate you.   I follow a formula based on your body weight.    You take your body weight and divide by 2 and this will give you the number of ounces you should drink daily.  For example, 200 lbs divided by 2 is 100 ounces.  In addition, extra water should be taken if you exercise or the weather is hot, you have any type of illness or you are pregnant.   

Once you determine the water requirements for your body then the next question becomes what type of water should you drink.  We have all heard the reports regarding bottled water.  Many times, we are drinking water that is coming from some community spicket.  Tests have been done and found that the water in many products is no safer than any other water.  Some brands of bottled water contain high levels of contaminants and toxins.  The only way to overcome this is to do your research and determine whether your water choice is safe.

There are basically three types of water.  Distilled, spring and chloridated.  I will discuss all of these later in a future blog, but for now let me say that  I prefer to drink distilled or even double distilled if you can find it.  Wikipedia defines distilled water as “water that has virtually all of its impurities removed through distillation.  Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container leaving most, if not all,  contaminants behind.”  Criticisms of distilled water are generally:

1. Naturally occurring minerals taken out of the water.
2. Lacks fluoride
3. Hard to find in bottled water
4. Requires a large amount of energy and resources to distill water.
5. Filtration systems work as well as distillation
6. Distillers are costly and require large amounts of resources.

You can decide these issues for yourself but I have decided that distilled water is the purest water that can be found.  So it is that simple for me. 

I do not have a distiller so I am forced to buy my water.  I usually buy it by the gallon at grocery stores or at Walmart.  My one major concern is that is can only be bought in plastic jugs.  Preferably, they would be glass as plastic containers can 1) leach chemicals in water if left in the sun, heated up or reused several times 2) takes over 17 billion barrels of oil to meet the demand for bottled water 3) is a poor use of water resources as it requires as much as 7 times the amount of water to make bottled water and 4) it takes over 35,000 18 wheelers daily to deliver this bottled water.  We spend over $16 billion dollars a year on bottled water. 

You can buy distillers and some of them are solar powered but these can be very expensive.  So for now, I usually just buy the water and pray that the jugs are kept out of the heat.  Try to find a glass container to transfer the water into.

The important thing is to start getting this life giving fluid into you.  Here are a few fast tips to help you drink your water requirement.

• Keep track of the amount of water you are drinking and record it daily in a notebook.
• Start out the morning by drinking 16 ounces of water  upon rising.
• Drink another 16 ounces before each meal – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drink 16 ounces in the early evening.  Avoid taking right before bed or you may spend the evening going to the bathroom
• Drink water throughout the day. 

I think you will find that by hydrating yourself and flushing out the toxins from your system that you will begin to feel better right away and this is one of the biggest tools you can use for weight loss as well.

Have a great fluid filled life.