Hi to my Forum Friends,

In the discussion I began a few weeks ago, "Why Doesn't Jesus Heal Today?" -- my Friend, Miami, asks me, "Bill, could you estimate how many times over the years, decades, and centuries your God has magically healed people?"

Miami, I can only speak for what I have personally experienced. I have personally seen His healing upon friends; I have personally experienced His healing. So, I have no reason to believe that He has not healed many more whom I do not personally know.

Does God heal everyone who gets sick? Obviously not. Do I know why one person will be healed of cancer -- and another, whom we feel to be just as deserving to live, will die?

No, I cannot answer these questions. Yet, from His Written Word, we find:

In Isaiah 55:8-9 God tells us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Miami, I know that you, as a non-believer, will not be able to understand this; for you do not have the Spiritual discernment which is inherent in Christian believers -- but, we Christian believers accept the fact that we cannot expect to fully grasp nor fully understand the depth of God's wisdom -- nor His ultimate reason for putting us where He wants us to be -- here on earth with our families, or in heaven with Him. Nor do we always understand His timing. All we know is that His love is perfect -- and His timing is perfect.

Yet, we know that, as God told Israel, and His message to us today is the same, "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Our hope is in God, Jesus Christ, and we can do no better than to put ourselves totally in His hands.

For my friend, Lolita, who should have died within weeks from cancer -- He gave her seven more productive years to serve in His church. The last six years she served as the director of the choir in our Irvine church.

For my friend, Reg, a healthy 39 year old father who died of cancer within two to three months of finding it; for my friend, Salve, the 36 year old mother of two beautiful young children, who died of cancer within three months -- I cannot speak for God, as to why He wanted to bring them home to heaven sooner.

Yet, by FAITH, I know that what He does comes from His perfect love and that His justice is perfect. I know that His plan for my life is perfect. Because of this, I can grasp the meaning of Hebrews 11:1, which tells me, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

And, when I put all of this on top of all my many personal prayers which He has answered in the affirmative -- I have to say that FAITH in Him is the answer -- to all questions.

Have all my prayers been answered in the affirmative? No; but, that does not lessen the love I know He has for me. He proved that love on the Cross of Calvary. How much more proof should one need?

Yes, Miami, God is still in the Healing Business. You really should try Him; He works much better than any balm, oil, or other worldly remedies the world may offer you. And, our New Age Friends will find that His healing is real -- not a black magic formula or tarot card trick enhanced by dark spirits. His healing, His love -- are real.

And, His free gift of salvation is real. All you have to do is, by the grace of God, through FAITH in Jesus Christ -- invite Him to come into your life and into your heart, and be your personal Lord and Savior. He is waiting by the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20). Why don't you take a chance, open the door -- and dine with Him? It will be a life transforming time and you will never want to return to the world.

So, Miami, to your question, "Bill, could you estimate how many times over the years, decades and centuries your God has magically healed people?" -- I will have to answer, "No. But, my FAITH is not based upon any number. It is based upon Him."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Well said Mr. Bill! I enjoy reading your posts.....Keep them coming!

quote:

Originally posted by averyhappyhopperinalabama: Well said Mr. Bill! I enjoy reading your posts.....Keep them coming!

Hi Avery,

Thank you, my Friend. And, I want to thank you and my other new Forum Friend, Annie, for taking a stand for Jesus Christ. When one Christian believer stands shoulder to shoulder with other Christian believers, we glorify our Lord Jesus Christ -- and we show the world that the Gospel is the only Truth and the only Way.

This is especially true when we are in an environment of open hostility such as presented by the atheists, secularists, and other non-believers on forums like this one.

So, my Friend, keep speaking out for Jesus Christ -- and keep encouraging and supporting other believers who speak out for Jesus Christ. We ARE on the winning team!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by averyhappyhopperinalabama:
Well said Mr. Bill! I enjoy reading your posts.....Keep them coming!

well hello again bill!!! how the heck is your wrinkly old ass today? i dont even see how you can afford your Depends any more with the crap that you spew.

i wish i could make my own money the way you make your own fans. really old man who do you think you are fooling???

Zugly? C'mon, we have a pool going about the next first letter...

quote:

Originally posted by zippadeedoodah:
Zugly? C'mon, we have a pool going about the next first letter...

God doesn't pick and choose who lives and who dies in modern day.
Pre-Jesus Christ, and during the life of Jesus Christ, healings and resurections were part of proving the power of God to the people. Jesus' death, burial, and resurection was the final proof. We now live and believe based on faith and faith alone. God himself does not intercede to heal anyone...just as no one is resurected anymore.
God has turned it over to His creation until he choses the day Jesus returns.

quote:

Originally posted by zippadeedoodah:
Zugly? C'mon, we have a pool going about the next first letter...

Zip, does this post indicate camaraderie on your part with this individual?

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Rielly:
God doesn't pick and choose who lives and who dies in modern day. Pre-Jesus Christ, and during the life of Jesus Christ, healings and resurrections were part of proving the power of God to the people. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection was the final proof. We now live and believe based on faith and faith alone. God himself does not intercede to heal anyone...just as no one is resurrected anymore. God has turned it over to His creation until he chooses the day Jesus returns.

Hi Peter,

I was agreeing with you all along -- until you got to the statement that "God has retired"! Yes, we believe based upon faith; we are saved by grace, based upon our faith. But, if we have faith, we must accept that God is still in the healing business.

We read in Hebrews 1:12 that God does not change. And, in Hebrews 13:8, we read, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

We read in Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: God Is Changeless: Progress and change may characterize some of His works, but God Himself remains unchanged (Hebrews 1:12). He does not change; otherwise, He would not be perfect. Thus, what we know of God can be known with certainty. He is not different from one time to another.

Yes, in the days of the Old Testament and in the beginning days of the New Testament church; divine healing was used to teach His messages; much like prophecies. The Bible did not exist as such in those days; so, God used prophets and divine acts to show His glory and to give His messages.

Today, we have His Written Word to teach and guide us, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. But, just as the Holy Spirit is still with us today; just as we see and understand the prophecies He has given us -- His divine healing is still with us. Possibly it is used for a different purpose since we have the Bible through which we get His messages and teachings -- but, God does not change, nor does His love for each one of us, nor does His plan for your lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

But, you may say, why does He not heal everyone? Can you and I, weak, frail humans -- question God and His divine purpose and plan for us? We must know that God will do what He knows is best for all His children. But, those who deny Him are on their own.

Do I believe in divine healing? Yes, I have seen it and I have experienced it. Do I believe that God is working in those carnival sideshows we often see on television? He could be -- but, not to bless those charlatans and certainly not to help them gain material riches -- which seems to be their main goal. But, God can and does heal where and when He chooses. We just have to, by faith, believe.

Peter, if we have faith -- then we have to believe His Written Word -- and when it tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" -- we must believe it.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Bill... I resect your belief on this issue. It's one shared by my mother, my preacher, and well, every person I ever remember going to church with. And maybe I'm way too analytical about it, but that's just the way I believe.
If he still intercedes to heal, why no ressurections? Does that mean God has changed? No. If God burned down Sodem and Gamora(spelling horrible!! lol) then how is Miami, New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, and 75% of California not dust right now? Does it mean God is tolerant of the sinful acts he once found horrible enough to destroy cities and ever resident there in? No. To make a corrilation of the statement (God is unchanging) to what happens on Earth is as inaccurate as making the corrilation of (The sun is shining) and it's warm outside. The sun shining doesnt guarantee warm weather, nor do cloudy skies guarantee a cool day....Differences in "how the world goes round" today vs Old Testament aren't snapshots of God changing, just the path we as His creation have collectively chosen thanks to His great blessing of free will.

Hi Peter,

You tell me, "Bill... I respect your belief on this issue. It's one shared by my mother, my preacher, and well, every person I ever remember going to church with. And maybe I'm way too analytical about it, but that's just the way I believe."

I can respect your viewpoint; although I will continue to believe what I see to be the Biblical view. If for no other reason than God has proven Himself to me over and over again -- in answered prayers. I am not saying that He gave me a "thumbs up" on all my prayers. But, even in those prayers I thought were a "thumbs down" -- I could later see His wisdom in those answers.

Once, when my mom and step-dad were traveling to Dayton, Ohio, via Indianapolis -- I prayed that God would protect them from any car problems and give them safe travel to Dayton and back home to Sheffield. When they were an hour out of Indianapolis, heading to Dayton, the car stopped and had to be towed back to Indianapolis. The next day, they went on to Dayton and a week later, back to Sheffield. Honestly, I asked God, "Why did you let them have car problems?" And, He put in my heart, "You asked Me to bring them home safely. I did!" How do I know that, if they had continue on the road to Dayton that day, they would not have been involved in an accident? God knew that my main priority was safe travel for them, not convenience.

And, there have been times when I thought that He had just flat said, "No!" -- but, later found that He had really said, "Wait a while, My child." I can't tell you how many times over the years, when I had money coming from a source and really needed it -- it did not come when I prayed for it. Sometimes it did not come for a long time. But, believe it or not -- when it did come, I needed it more then than when I had earlier thought I was in such desperate need. God knows our needs and our wants -- and He knows the difference.

God provided for my earlier needs -- and made the checks come when I REALLY needed them. God is awesome!

Next, you ask, "If he still intercedes to heal, why no resurrections? Does that mean God has changed? No."

You have answered your own question -- and very well. No, God has not changed. Why no resurrections today? I believe a better question would by, "Why did He cause resurrections in the earlier days?"

In the days of the early Christian church, the Bible did not exist. Yes, they had the Old Testament Scriptures and they had books and letters written by Christian leaders under the inspiration of God. But, it had not been assembled into His Bible, His Written Word, at that time. So, miracles such as the resurrection of Lazarus; the feeding of the 5000; the healings of lepers, blind, and lame; the turning of water into wine, etc., were His way of declaring His deity and teaching the lessons He wanted to impart. This was the working of His Living Word, Jesus Christ. Today, we have His Written Word, the Bible.

We have the Written Word of God and this guides us, teaches us, and gives us all the lessons, teachings, etc., that we need to gain salvation. And, that is really His main goal -- salvation for all who will, by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ -- believe and receive His free gift of salvation.

Then, you ask, "If God burned down Sodom and Gomorrah -- then how is Miami, New Orleans, New York, Las Vegas, and 75% of California not dust right now? Does it mean God is tolerant of the sinful acts he once found horrible enough to destroy cities and ever resident therein? No."

Once again, Peter, you have answered your own question. No, God has not become tolerant of acts He has declared to be sinful and wrong. So, why is God waiting; why is He being long-suffering, extremely patient?

We are told in 2 Peter 3:9-10, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."

Because God loves all His creation; He desires that all will repent and turn from the world. In Ezekiel 33:11, we read, "'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.'"

However, this in no way implies universal salvation for all people as some churches and people will teach. God has offered salvation and eternal life with Him for all who will, by grace, though faith, follow Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Those who deny God; those who refuse Jesus Christ -- have condemned themselves to eternal condemnation in hell.

As the Scripture passage, 2 Peter 3:9-10, tells us: the Day of the Lord, His coming again will come when we least expect it, like a thief in the night -- and man will have to stand judgment for his life, for his deeds, in this time on earth.

In the days of Noah, we read, in Genesis 6:3, "Then the LORD said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever. . .'" The flood of Noah's day and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah attest to this truth.

So, Peter, the things happening in the world today only show us that the End Times are approaching; for the world is indeed becoming more secular, more unGodly -- and, at some point, Jesus Christ will return, remove His church, His body of believers, from earth -- and then the Tribulation will begin and those who revel in the world will pay retribution to a just God.

And, this is also explained to us in Romans 2:4-8, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who Will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."

Peter, God's patience will end one day; but, praise God, those of us who have turned from the world and have turned to follow Jesus Christ -- will not suffer His wrath.

Finally, Peter, you tell me, "To make a correlation of the statement -- God is unchanging -- to what happens on Earth is as inaccurate as making the correlation of -- The sun is shining -- and it's warm outside. The sun shining doesn't guarantee warm weather, nor do cloudy skies guarantee a cool day. Differences in "how the world goes round" today vs Old Testament aren't snapshots of God changing, just the path we, as His creation, have collectively chosen thanks to His great blessing of free will."

I am not sure I understand your question. But, if I am right, I believe you are saying that the fact the God does not change -- has nothing to do with the sinful nature of the world. That, I agree with completely. While God has continued to be the immutable, unchanging, God -- man's sinful nature has continue to grow worse, more secular, more unbelieving.

And, at some point, when that last person who will be saved, who will turn from the world and turn to follow Jesus -- has been saved; He will return to Rapture, to snatch out, His church (2 Thessalonians 4:17) -- and then the wrath of God will come upon the world.

Peter, thank you for raising these very insightful questions and comments.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Rielly:
God doesn't pick and choose who lives and who dies in modern day.
Pre-Jesus Christ, and during the life of Jesus Christ, healings and resurections were part of proving the power of God to the people. Jesus' death, burial, and resurection was the final proof. We now live and believe based on faith and faith alone. God himself does not intercede to heal anyone...just as no one is resurected anymore.
God has turned it over to His creation until he choses the day Jesus returns.

God tells me that He has never interceded to heal anyone, to resurrect them, or to cause bad things to happen. We are responsible for what we do here on earth.