MARK ANDERSON MINISTRIES

Roadblocks To Healing

By Mark R. Anderson

CHAPTER 1

This is a teaching on roadblocks or hindrances to God’s divine healing power.  The title comes from a dream I recently had. I was driving a truck to a certain destination. I suddenly came to a roadblock and it looked like I would not be able to make it to my destination. As I approached the roadblock I slowed down and saw a way around the roadblock. Then the dream ended. It was 3:30 a.m. and I thought nothing about this dream. I tried to fall back asleep but could not and ended up getting up and praying for someone I knew who that was struggling with cancer. Then the Lord showed me that this dream was meant to shed light on how to get around the roadblocks when it comes to healing. I want to encourage you there are ways around the roadblocks to healing. You are to move forward and press in for what rightfully belongs to you as a believer in Jesus. Thus this writing.

If believers will seek out the truth about healing like looking for treasure, healing and miracles will become a regular occurrence. If miracles and healings are to happen on a regular basis believers will need to pursue and seek after the truths in God’s Word in order to lay a foundation that cannot be shaken.  They need to seek after these truths like seeking after hidden treasure.  Christ’s miracle working power is there. Do you want it?

Jesus said Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. This is a principle Jesus laid down. Whatever you are hungry and thirsty for you will be filled with. One roadblock that I often see when it comes to divine healing is a lack of hunger and thirsting. Many Christians do not like to venture outside the religious box they have put God in or have been raised to believe God is in when it comes to divine healing and miracles. There is no pressing in for it but an attitude of whatever will be will be. That mindset does not produce results.

In over 32 years of being in a healing ministry I have watched people, who were hungry and thirsty to know more about the healing Jesus provided at Calvary, get filled with it. Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24). They sought it out and found it and now have an unshakable foundation in God’s Word for healings and miracles. They are living it and experiencing it!  With healing it is not a matter of trying to get healed by God. His Word says WE WERE ALREADY HEALED 2,000 YEARS AGO (see Isaiah 53:3-5, Matthew 8:16-17 & 1 Peter 2:24).  All we need to learn to do is tap into what was already provided by Jesus 2,000 years ago. Because of what Jesus did at Calvary WE ARE THE HEALED.

Many believe that if healing does not occur immediately then it must not be God’s will to heal.  In reality it is God’s will to heal, but there may be roadblocks or hindrances that stand in the way of a person’s complete healing.  On the other hand, the absence of the physical manifestation of healing does not necessarily imply there are hindrances.

Let me explain.  1 Corinthians 12:9-10 talks about the gifts of healings (Greek- means of healing or remedy) and also the workings of miracles (Greek word dunamis- miraculous ability, power for performing miracles).   Miracles can be instant healings or a supernatural change of event.  God heals instantaneously (miracles) and supernaturally over a period of time (healings). Mark 16:18 says they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. which implies some will be healed and recover over a period of time and some will be immediately healed.

Many have received prayer for physical healing yet continue to suffer with an infirmity or disease that never seems to be healed.  In this book I will be unable to cover all hindrances. The purpose in this series is to search out and get rid of anything that may exist in your life that might hinder the miracle working power of Christ.

To successfully minister to the sick, it is advisable that all parties involved deal with attitudes in their lives that may hinder healing, and thereby creating an environment that will be conducive to Christ’s healing virtue! Too often, one does not have the time to deal with the hindrances before ministering healing. God in His infinite mercy and compassion has healed and will continue to heal people despite hindrances or roadblocks in their lives that would ordinarily impede healing. We have witnessed this personally time and again.

Often people attend our campaigns who still worship idols, or who attend to mock the campaign and have been instantly healed by Jesus. Their miracle caused many to turn to Christ. I am certain that these individuals had character traits that could be deemed as hindrances in receiving healing, yet were healed by the mercy of God. We have also seen Christians who have had hindrances or roadblocks to healing in their life but God has healed them.  That goes to show us one very important thing to understand is that healing and miracles take place by GOD’S GRACE.  You can not work up a healing or a miracle. Knowing this should make it easier to press in beyond any roadblock for your healing or miracle knowing it is God’s will to heal. Plain and simple Jesus paid the price for our healing when He went to Calvary. You do not have to work up that miracle or healing.

However God expects more out of mature Christians and we should not be living our lives by the exceptions.  James 4:17 says “Therefore to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”. As Christians we should know and understand God’s Word which is His will.  If healing does not come forth we need to examine our lives for any negative strongholds that could hinder healing.  We need to deal with them, or if there is no open door for the enemy just simply learn to stand for what rightfully belongs to us (ref. Eph. 6:10). We will share more on how to stand in the last chapter.

Jesus showed us the true example of faith by dealing the root in Mark 11:20.  As Christians if we are to walk in divine health as God desires we do, then we need to deal with the root problems in our life not just the surfaces issues to see lasting change.  III John vs 2 says “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” The word soul in the Greek means mind, heart, feelings, desires and affections. As this area of our life lines up with the knowledge of God’s word and will then we can walk in divine health and prosperity.

NEGLECTING THE PHYSICAL BODY

There are some very basic hindrances to healing like smoking, drinking, drug use, gluttony, laziness, etc. It is written in Proverbs 23:21, “for the drunkard, and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will cloth a man with rags.” Often Christians are of the opinion that they do not need to take care of their flesh. Consuming junk food, lack of exercise, irregular sleeping habits etc. will cause the body to deteriorate and be more vulnerable to sickness and disease. 1Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits (Greek- benefits) a little (Greek- is short lived), but godliness is profitable for all things…” In my opinion even if it profits a little it should be practiced. God does expect us to take care of our natural or physical bodies, which will only last for this life time.  1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1Corinthians 3:16 reiterates the same thought that our bodies house the Holy Spirit and hence we have the responsibility of taking care of the house by all necessary means.

Over the years I have seen and heard of ministers who have ignored the care of their physical bodies to their extreme detriment. Evangelist Jack Coe stands out as one such example. He had a tremendous healing ministry in the 1940s and 50s. At that time he owned the largest Gospel tent that was always packed to capacity when used. He was extremely passionate for the Lord and there were numerous occasions when he would preach for weeks at a time, three times a day. He slept very little and ate his meals usually at 3 a.m. Unfortunately he was also very overweight. He also was a man driven by pride to prove he was better than other ministers. Sadly, he passed away in the prime of his life at the age of 38.

Another minister, a missionary to Mexico, who greatly inspired me passed away at the age of 58. He had the largest Evangelical church in Mexico at one time. He burned with a passion for the lost. A close friend of mine worked with him in Mexico. He advised him to watch his diet, eat more healthy foods and to take care of his body. Unfortunately his words fell on deaf ears. This missionary was overweight.  One day while preaching he dropped dead.

I believe that both these men are prime examples of individuals who had a deep passion for the Lord and the lost, but while they were spiritually strong, neglected the physical and passed away pre-maturely. Both of them had so much more to offer and accomplish, but physical neglect took its toll on them.

NO SEED PLANTED

The first thing we need to know is, it is God’s will to heal our body.  Jesus said, “ I came not down to do my will, but the will of the Father which sent me” (John 6:38).  Acts 10:38 says, “ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and Power who went about doing good, healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him.” Never once did Jesus turn anyone down that came to Him for healing.  Only once was it recorded that He did not heal people and could do no mighty works because of their unbelief (ref. Matthew 13:58).

Christians ask me why their community or church is not experiencing Christ’s miracles and healings.  One reason many churches do not experience healings and miracles is because there little or no teaching or emphasis put on it.  Maybe they do not see the need for it.  God will only give you what you are hungry for.  This is a spiritual principal.   Jesus said “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they will be filled.” You will be filled with whatever you are hungry for.  Jesus burned with a passion for healing. He was moved with compassion on suffering multitudes and that is one reason He performed so many miracles.  If we burn with passion for His power, so we can help suffering people, it will cause us to press in and be filled with His power to set the sick and demonized free.

1 Peter 1:23 says “Having been born again, not of corruptible SEED but incorruptible, through the WORD OF GOD which lives and abides forever.” When it comes to receiving healing, we cannot expect to receive a harvest on something we never planted.  From my experience in over 30 years of healing ministry I have noticed a lot of Christians never receive healing because they never plant the SEED for it, which is the WORD OF GOD, according to 1 Peter 1:23 and Mark 4:1-20.  Heb. 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please God…” “Faith (for healing or whatever you need) comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  Teaching and training is essential if you are see miracles and healings on a consistent basis.  Faith simply believes in what God says in His word (Ref. Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 21:21-22, Romans 4:17-21).  Our faith for healing cannot be built if we are constantly around people who claim that they are sick for God’s glory and teach beliefs that God does not want to heal some people.   It is important for us to know what the Word says on healing, as often when we believe for a healing, persecution will arise for the Word sake (Ref Mark 4:14-20).  Satan will attack us with doubts, trying to convince us that healing is not for us.

NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW TO PRAY PROPERLY

If we pray for the sick with the phrase ‘if it be thy will’, at the end, we are praying in unbelief.  What has been promised to us in the word is His will for us and we do not have to pray ‘if it be thy will’.  We pray ‘if it be thy will’ if it is a prayer of consecration.  When we pray for the sick we are instructed to pray the prayer of faith.  James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed any sin they will be forgiven.” It is not the prayer of consecration or the prayer of uncertainty that will raise him up.  It is the prayer of faith!

What is faith? Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Faith is believing you have it or believing you shall receive it.  Who are we believing or trusting in. God, our Heavenly Father!

Also notice James 5:15 “any sin they will be forgiven.” What does that mean? In some cases the very thing or root problem hindering someone’s healing can be sin.  Repenting and receiving forgiveness can close the door on the enemy. That is how to deal with the root of the problem causing the illness or infirmity, so lasting health can be their portion.

1 John 5:14-15 says “… whatever we ask according to His will (His Word) He hears us and we know that if He hears us we shall have the petitions desired of Him”. In the Lord’s Prayer it says, “thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).  Is anyone sick in heaven? No! Than why should we, as born again believers, tolerate sickness or infirmities when Satan attacks us with it?  John 10:10 says, “the thief (Satan) does not come but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that you may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

People who believe or preach that healing is not always God’s will, rarely see a miracle, because they are not willing to take that step of faith by believing God’s Word. If I preach that it is not always God’s will to save a sinner, would people get saved?  No!  How can people be healed if we tell them it might not be God’s will to heal?  We need to believe and pray in faith believing that God will heal.  That is what His Word instructs us to do.

UNBELIEF

“And when He came to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, Lord have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me.’ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘why could we not cast it out?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:14-21).

Matthew 17:14-15 describes the incident of a father approaching Jesus, as his son, who was an epileptic and a deaf mute (Mark 9:17) needed a miracle.  The disciples were unable to help the boy (vs16). It is interesting to note that the boy was not healed instantly. Today many would throw in the towel saying, “I guess healing the boy is not God’s will.” Jesus however puts the blame: not on God’s unwillingness to heal, but on the disciples’ faithlessness (vs17), unbelief (vs20). Since this was a problem in Jesus’ day, could this possibly be a reason many are not healed today?  This father, who wanted to see his son well humbles himself and admits that he had unbelief, but asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief (see Mark 9: 24). Jesus took this man where he was at with his faith and helped him get his miracle for his son. Sometimes we need to press for our loved ones the same way.

When my son Jesse laid in the hospital in a coma with Leukemia in his body I had to press for him. I had to stand against the enemy trying to take him out.  A short time later Jesus gave him a powerful undeniable miracle. Today he is walking in divine health, no Leukemia, happily married, operating a successful business and working on the mission field with me at times. I am also thankful despite all that was against him that others as well pressed in with me for his miracle. Sometimes when loved ones are to weak to press in we need to press in for them like this father did for his son.

One thing we glean from this incident is that faithlessness and unbelief restrained this boy’s miracle. Jesus’ frustration over His disciple’s unbelief is apparent. Notice Jesus’ frustration with the disciple’s unbelief!  Do you think unbelief would make Him feel frustrated today with Christians?  He wants us to be people of faith. Jesus said in Luke 18:8 “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

DEMONIC HINDRANCE TO HEALING

Notice how in order for this boy to be healed Jesus had to cast out demon.  Many believers battle with physical and mental afflictions. Is Jesus big enough to deliver you and bring health to you? One of the main hindrances to healing is demon spirits! In Mark 16:17-18 Jesus mentions two ways to minister healing to individuals needing healing. One way in verse 17 “These signs shall follow those who believe: in my name they shall cast out demons… then another way in verse 18 They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” It has been a privilege to watch Jesus heal many thousands of people in our evangelistic outreaches or just one on one.   I have to say that at least seventy five percent of those healed were healed as a result of casting demons out of them.

Demon spirits cause many physical and mental health problems especially when we yield to them. Not all infirmities or sickness is caused by demons but much sickness, disease, and infirmities are.  Many try to ignore the demonic realm hoping their problem will go away. Paul said, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his (demonic) devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Healing does not take place by ignoring the problem.  Acts 10:38 says “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and HEALING ALL who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Notice Jesus healed ALL (nobody was left out) but we need to address the issue of who was causing the physical or mental pain and deal with it properly knowing who we are in Christ and how BIG, POWERFUL AND WILLING TO HEAL He really is.

SHOULD WE GIVE BEELZEBUB MUCH ATTENTION?

In Matthew 12:24 Satan is referred to as Beelzebub. Beelzebub means lord of the flies and dung. If you seriously meditate on this you will see how defeated he really is. Flies to me are nothing more than mere irritants. Same with demons! Jesus talks about casting out demons with the finger of God. Does it take much effort? No! Beelzebub also means lord of the dung. There is not much to say about waste (dung)! It’s not something I like to give much attention to. This is what Satan and his demons are equivalent to. Beelzebub has no power other than what we give or allow him and his demons. Satan and his demons were defeated 2,000 years ago. Colossians 2:15, talking about Jesus, says Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 1 John 3:8 says He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. That is why our focus for the most part needs to be Christ.

Unfortunately, often Christians talk about all their problems and how the devil is beating them up. Many times the devil, and their problems get more glory and attention than Jesus Christ. On the other hand some ignore the demonic realm because of fear.  Ignoring demons will not cause a problem to leave.  We understand who we are in Christ and how defeated demons are.  Isaiah 14:16 tells us how surprised many will be when they finally see Lucifer or Satan. It says, “those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you saying is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?” Some day we will see with our eyes just how weak and defeated he really is.

When your focus is more on the problems and demons then they will get the better of you. If the focus is Jesus then they do not stand a chance.  More of Jesus and less of us also means less problems and less of the devil and demons. More of Jesus also means more heaven on earth and less hell on earth. This is one way to live victorious over sin. Are we allowing Jesus to increase in our life or is the focus demons or ‘me and my problems?’

UNBELIEF, OFFENSE AND THE CRITICAL SPIRIT WORK TOGETHER

Especially for those ministering to the sick notice the importance of prayer and fasting in helping bring about a miracle intervention.  Isaiah 58:6-9 says, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry and He will say, ‘Here I am’ IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE YOKE FROM YOUR MIDST, THE POINTING OF THE FINGER AND SPEAKING OF WICKEDNESS.”

Verse 6 refers to the freedom that those around us and ourselves can experience when we set the spiritual atmosphere through prayer and fasting. God also ordains fasting, so we can live a physically healthy life. Verse 8 says that our health will spring forth speedily when we fast.

Years ago I wish I had known what Isaiah 58 was all about. I would have cleansed myself and repented of character flaws that kept the miracles from flowing freely. Isaiah 58:6 says that prayer and fasting can “ BREAK EVERY YOKE”. What exactly is the yoke that God is talking about? Notice verse 9, “ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say, Here I am IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE YOKE FROM YOUR MIDST, THE POINTING OF THE FINGER AND SPEAKING OF WICKEDNESS.

If we are critical and judgmental towards people and say negative things about any person, then we are pointing the finger and speaking wickedness. What is so bad about that? IT CAN KEEP GOD FROM SHOWING UP IN OUR MIDST AND KEEP US FROM HEARING HIS VOICE.

I have been in churches where people were critical of the preacher and had the attitude “okay, let’s see what he can do.” As a result of that attitude God did not move, and only a few sick people were healed. A judging or critical spirit can bring with it offense and unbelief.  It can be to the extent that we terminate the life flow of God coming forth from people who God brought into our midst. These could be people God ordained to take us to another level spiritually, or had a miracle for us from heaven.  Jesus had the same problem in His day. I have witnessed this destructive power in people’s lives.

In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus had come to bring God’s miracle working power in their midst. However, instead of receiving their miracle from Jesus they were offended by Him. Verse 5 points out the results: Jesus the anointed one could ONLY HEAL A FEW SICK PEOPLE. Verse 6 says “And He marveled because of their UNBELIEF.”

In Luke 5:17-26, Jesus was able to heal one paralytic, yet the power of God was present to heal ALL (see Luke 5:17). Their attitude kept the others and themselves from receiving from Jesus. Notice, unbelief (lack of faith) did not just come because they had no faith in Jesus, but it came because of offense, because of reasoning (see Luke 5:21) and a critical spirit in their midst as well.

One time when I was ministering in Gwalior, India God moved powerfully the very first night. Two people, Anil and Sanobai both had been blind and came forward to testify and demonstrate they could see now. It looked like the meetings were off to a great start. Another young lady Rekha was crippled all her life because of polio and was unable to walk.  After prayer she raised her crutches above her head and walked right up to the stage.  The power of God was present to heal many.

As the meetings continued it seemed like the anointing for miracles dissipated.  I could not understand why. Most of the times when our meetings started off powerfully like that, they has just picked up in intensity.  Later the Lord showed me what had happened.  The first night I had set my Bible down on the stage, as there was not much room. In the process my foot accidentally brushed up against the Bible. I did not even know I had done this.  Later I heard that a couple of pastors became very critical and offended that I would do such a thing. The same pastors became very upset that I invited my wife to sit on the platform with me.

Later on in the ministers conference my wife laid hands on her sister, who was visiting, for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. The same pastors became very upset that she laid hands on her sister. At the same conference I was sharing that we as ministers should follow Jesus’ example and serve others.  After the teaching these pastors took me off to the side and asked me how I could share such a teaching. They said “people should be serving us not us serving them.” Even though I had worked with these pastors many times before they became so offended over these issues that they no longer wanted to work with us again.   Since that time the Lord has shown me how offense can literally short-circuit the power of God from flowing to those who desperately need a miracle as it was in this case.

ROAD BLOCKS TO HEALING CHAPTER  2

NOT DEPENDENT ON CHRIST THE HEALER

2 Chronicles 16:12-13, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.”

On the other hand King Hezekiah was informed by the prophet to set his house in order as he was surely going to die. Hezekiah immediately sought the Lord, who had mercy on him, took away the death sentence and added fifteen more years to his life. (Isaiah 38:1-5)   On the other hand King Asa, a godly king, sought the physicians rather than God, dying a short while after being afflicted by the foot disease.

Unfortunately today many Christians will first put their dependence on doctors to obtain health and healing, not even looking to God. I am not against doctors or consulting doctors, but I feel it is wrong when as believers in Jesus our first response to sickness or infirmities is the doctor or the medicine cabinet, without even considering God and His Word. We know Doctors for the most part work with God to help bring about health and healing.  Doctors are not our source for divine health.  Jesus is!  Many have made doctors the source for their health rather than God and His Word.

I find it ironic that many Christians will say healing is not for today or are not sure that God wants them healed.  Yet they will run to the Doctors and do their best to get healed by Doctors or medicine but not even look to God or pray for healing when He shows us clearly in His word he longs to see us healed or heathly.

When the woman with the issue of blood had done everything with doctors to bring about her healing and health the doctors gave her the bad news there was no hope for her.  She had spent all her money on the doctors and was nothing better but rather grew worst.  Most doctors are limited to this natural realm.  Many are in need of something beyond what the natural realm can offer.  When this same woman heard of Jesus healing power and pressed to get her healing she was completely healed (see Mark 5:25-34). And He (Jesus) said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:34). Jesus desires that we press and learn to walk in faith, just like this woman did.

Our family has made it a priority to trust God first and foremost, praying for healing. As a result we have rarely needed medical intervention. We thank God for MEDICAL ASSURANCE found in His Word. We have watched God heal instantly or supernaturally over a process of time over and over again whenever we have prayed for healing. Proverbs 4:20-22, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ears to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (Hebrew- Medicine) to all their flesh.”

I have witnessed many Christians with complete dependence on God for healing, despite all the odds against them. I have watched God come through and heal their bodies instantly or supernaturally over a period of time as they continued to stand for their healing.

I also know Christians who gave up believing because some Christian leaders told them that maybe it was not God’s will to heal them. Unfortunately they threw in the towel and stopped trusting God. They did everything in the natural realm to get better, but only got worse and some died prematurely.

THE WESTERN MINDSET

THE WESTERN MINDSET has its origin in Greek philosophy. We see its influence often in North America. Often people mention to Sharmila and I that all the miracles we witness overseas are great, but why do we never see the same in North America.  First I tell them I do not agree. What these people are actually saying is that God cares more for the sick overseas than for the sick in North America. Look at Acts 10:34, “…..in truth I’ve perceived that God shows NO PARTIALITY.”  Romans 2:11 says, “For there is no partiality with God.”  God is no respecter of persons. If He heals people in India and Africa then He is willing and able to heal people in North America as well.

When praying for the sick in Montana and Wyoming we have seen many wonderful miracles such as the crippled getting out of wheelchairs. On occasion we have had such powerful meetings in the USA, that a larger percentage of people have been healed than in some of our most powerful campaigns overseas. It has a lot to do with the heart attitude and mindset towards healings and miracles.

Why do many struggle with divine healings and miracles in North America?  Part of the reason is much of Christianity in the West has been influenced by Greek philosophy and gnosticism in one form or another. One example was Augustine (a great man of God) who was very influenced by Greek philosophy before coming to Christ. When he came to Christ much of his Greek philosophy was mingled with his view of Christianity.

An excellent book we have available to those interested is entitled ‘Christianity Unshackled’ (published by Destiny Image) by Harold R. Eberle (one of my former pastors). See His article ‘Christianity Unshackled’ in this Magazine page _____. In this book Harold takes you from the days of the early church right to present day Christianity and shows how the West has been deeply influenced by Greek philosophy, some of which is good and some of which I believe becomes a major roadblock to divine healing and miracles.

Now let me explain how much of Christianity was influenced by Greek philosophy, asceticism, and gnosticism. Some of it has been passed right down to present day Christianity and our western way of thinking. Much of that mindset has become men’s traditions making the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13).  It affects our Christian belief system and much of it goes completely against the way the Jews perceived things in Jesus’ day and today. This mindset or way of thinking has much deeper roots than many could ever imagine and it has affected the Body of Christ and nations in such a detrimental way. Many do not even realize that some of this mindset hinders the move of God.

The Greek philosopher Plato taught there was a distinct separation between the spirit world and the physical world. The Jews during biblical times and today do not believe that way. In fact there is no separation between the spiritual and physical realm. In cultures not influenced by Plato’s philosophy they have a much easier time receiving miracles and healings from Jesus because to them there is no separating the spiritual and physical world like we do in the West. They do not reason away that God could do a miracle. After all He is God the Creator. Nothing is impossible for Him. Most of the powerful undeniable miracles we see in our ministry are among Asians and Africans. Most of these people are from a Hindu or Muslim background. They do not know a whole lot about God or Plato and Greek philosophy yet it is easy for them to receive healings and miracles from God because they are more in tune to both the spiritual and natural realm. They do not separate the physical and spiritual realm.

To bring balance to this, the Bereans were people that believed the scriptures. One good thing we have learned from Greek philosophy is to study, ask questions and reason things. But do not let your natural mind reason out what God can do.  That is where we need to draw the line. He is supernatural and moves beyond natural laws. He longs for us to depend on Him and believe that He will move supernaturally on our behalf.

Acts 17:10-12 says  Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Once they saw something in the Word they believed and acted on it. Smith Wigglesworth had one of the most powerful healing ministries of the 20th century. He had a saying “If God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” If it is in God’s Word believe it and act on it. Quit trying to reason it out. That is where you need to draw the line!

During the dark ages some church leaders took oaths of poverty and chastity because they believed and still believe today they had to separate the spiritual from the physical world. They believed in asceticism (physical suffering) or a form of gnosticism that said if it felt good it could not be of God. That is the reason for oaths of poverty and chastity (permanent abstinence from sex). Other gnostics or agnostics focused on the physical world and because they felt God was so far away and that man could never get close to Him they said just go ahead eat, drink and be merry. If it feels good do it!  Neither thinking is biblical. In creation God made it all good – spirit, soul and body. For the early church Jews there was no separation of the spirit and physical. Work, worship, and even sexual relations between a husband and wife were both spiritual and physical, and were good.  The Jews were not like the Greeks who believed that only the spiritual was good. Notice that influence in our Western Christianity! Many times as Christians who want to please God we draw a line and think only the spiritual is good. If we are not focused on the spiritual we get easily condemned. That is not true with God!

While we are on this subject, another misconception because of Greek philosophy getting into Western Christianity is the thought of just focusing on the spirit and neglecting the physical body.  1 Timothy 4:8 says “For bodily exercise profits (Greek- benefits or blessings) a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Exercise does profit us a little (meaning temporarily for this lifetime). Does that mean we avoid it? A spiritual gnostic or someone who is “super-spiritual” might take that verse and say that we do not need to exercise or focus on the body. We only need the spiritual! Studies have shown that among Christians, obesity is more of a problem than among the non-religious. Obesity of course leads to many health problems.  I believe this is because many Christians ignore the mental and physical realm and only concentrate on the spiritual. I have been there and done that, focusing only on the spiritual to the point I became so spiritually spaced out I was not much earthly good. It made me very imbalanced and ineffective in areas of my life.

Not only does our family believe God for divine health but we do our part to walk in health by eating right, fasting, taking vitamins, exercising, etc. We believe that is what God desires for us to do and it has paid off in keeping us healthy, energetic and active. Rarely has there been ‘any sickness’ in our family. We believe in being well balanced in spirit, mind and body.

We need to humble ourselves and repent if we are not taking care of the temple of the Holy Ghost that we are entrusted with (see 1 Cor. 3:16-17). You will live much longer and accomplish much more for the Kingdom of God if you take care of yourself physically. Proverbs 23:20-21 says “Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.”

Sometimes Christians only focus on the spiritual to the point they become physically lazy and are no earthly good. This also leads to health problems. We need to be balanced in spirit, soul and body. We are not called to run around just being spiritual and have no time or energy to serve the least of these. If you are healthy you will live longer and be able to accomplish much more for the Kingdom of God.

Some Christians do not receive healing because they are only focused on what comes naturally. Their mindset is such that they make it hard for God to do anything supernatural in their lives. They limit God to what can be done naturally, not relying on the supernatural ability of the Holy Spirit that is within us. Many churches operate from this perspective. 2 Timothy 3:5 talks about these churches or Christians in the last days. It says ‘having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Those Christians who focus on what can be done naturally also separate the natural and spiritual realm by their mindset. We need to be in tune to both realms and not separate the natural and spiritual realm.  With most Christians in the West because of the way the Greeks thought, there is a priority for either the spiritual or physical. With God there is no prioritizing of either.  Healing and miracles flow much easier in an environment where there is no separation of the spiritual and natural.

What it ultimately comes down to is our beliefs. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Whenever the Gospel (Good News) of Christ is preached and received it is the “POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION”. The Greek word for salvation includes forgiveness, healing, deliverance, prosperity, protection and much more.

The only time in Gospel accounts the power of God was ineffective is found in Mark 6:1-6, where offense, the critical spirit, and mistrust stood in the way. Individuals have received healing breakthroughs when they have learned not to divide the natural and spiritual realm and dealt with things like offense, the critical spirit, judging, and mistrust.

In the USA there are a number of churches that we minister in that we know God will move powerfully because the pastor and congregation prepare for a move of the Spirit. They know that God is not a respecter of persons. They simply believe and put a draw on the Holy Spirit that resides in us. They believe God can invade the physical realm. There is no judging, mistrust or offense standing in the way. The atmosphere is conducive for miracles. As a result miracles and healings break out all over those churches.

NOT ALLOWING JESUS TO BE THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus has not changed. He is still the same today.  John 6:2 says Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. Is Jesus still doing signs, wonders and miracles in your midst like He did in the Gospel accounts? If not, He has not changed but we could have changed in a way that is not allowing Him to be the same today. With humility we need to recognize the problem is ours, not His.

A false humility has crept into the church that says “I do not want to bother Christ for his miracles or healings. I just want to seek His face not His hand.”  That statement may sound good. Is that really allowing Him to be the same yesterday, today and forever?  I know for a fact that after Jesus was whipped and beaten beyond recognition for us so we could be healed (Hebrew word is rapha meaning physical healing see Isaiah 53:3-5, Matthew 8:16-17 & 1 Peter 2:24) that He is not at all bothered by us asking or believing Him for miracles. He is not bothered by us asking for healing or provision especially when it is for others we may be ministering to.  He is a BIG GOD who wants to pour out His love on the poor, hurting, unloved and YOU!

DWELLING ON THE NEGATIVE

In John 5:1-16 Jesus healed a man who had been crippled for 38 years. He was the only one healed by the pool of Bethesda among all the sick and crippled who were laid there. Also in Luke 5:17, “and the power of the Lord was present to heal THEM.“  ‘THEM’ always implies more than one. Yet only one crippled man was healed in Luke 5:17-26. As we read on, one can see that the religious leaders reasoned and were offended with Jesus (vs. 21). Could that have hindered Christ’s miracle power?

When similar miracles occur today you can be sure that the media and many Christians as well will zero in on those who were not healed as opposed to rejoicing over the ones who were healed. Why do believers act this way? Because of a distorted focus! There were those in the gospel accounts who were not healed. But the gospel accounts zero in on those who received their healings more than ones who did not. Why? Because when we get GOOD AT THE GOSPEL (which means GOOD NEWS), sharing the good news or testimonies of our GREAT BIG GOD it becomes the seed that reproduces miracles time and time again.

Many Christians permit the media or negative circumstances to be the lens through which they perceive God. Later when they require a healing or miracle from God they wonder why they don’t receive their healing or miracle.  They have lost track of what God has done and focus on what He has not done. Some get offended with God or healing ministries because healing is not taking place the way they would like it to.

Proverbs 23:7 says as a man thinks in his heart so is he. You become what you dwell on and what you focus on. Soon you begin speaking it out.  Jesus said For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Do you want to know your future? Just listen to what comes out your mouth.  That is your future. If you do like what you are hearing, seeing and experiencing then it is time to change your focus and what you are pumping into your mind and heart.  Whatever is in your heart that is what will come out and that is how you will live your life. Change your outlook by dwelling on God’s Word and all the great things He is doing. Began meditating on and confessing what His Word says about your circumstances.

Jesus is doing so many miracles, healings and working signs and wonders these days. All of this is increasing and picking up with more intensity. We need to focus on that! While ministering in Peru August 2009 we shared about a lady in our Barielly, India campaign June 2009 that was healed of the last stage of breast cancer.  Her breasts were literally rotting and oozing. The Doctors said she needed to have them removed or she would be dead soon. When we shared about this testimony in Lima, Peru it ended giving faith to a number of other women who where healed of breast cancer or other forms of cancer on that trip.

Here is one report we received after we returned to the USA, from our translator, of how the Lord works through the power of the testimony and dwelling on positive things God is doing.

Here’s some reports from Peru:

Isreal’s mom( Rosa Munibe). She was going through some health issues. First she “was born” with a lack of some sort of vitamin K, or something like that. We also get it from the sun. Anyway, she also was getting some cysts in her lower belly, and we all heard from medical reports that her liver wasn’t doing good – this is the report from last year – and that it was some sort of dead cells increasing in her body. But we all decided to pray for her and the total restoration of her health.

We’ve been teaching since last year a lot about healing in the church. The doctors told her that she wasn’t going to make it past January. Praise God she’s still alive and well. Praise God His Word works!!! Now, let me tell you this. She also came to the front when we all were praying for people in our past crusade with you in Lima, and we just prayed in order for her to be assured that she’s got her healing and health back and may the medical reports say or back up all this. So a couple of week ago she finally brought that report. The report says:

THERE IS NO DEAD CELLS ANY MORE.  HER LIVER IS BEING RESTORED MORE AND MORE.  THERE ARE NO CYSTS IN HER BODY, etc.

Praise the Lord, she said in front of the church. She was just waiting for this report to come out and she was confessing her healing and health all this time, even when doctors would tell her: you don’t know what you are talking about, you are somehow crazy, etc. And she would be standing firm and saying: I am healthy and healed. Now; after battling for a brief period of months. The medical report says: SHE IS TOTALLY HEALED!

Now, the 84 year old lady who was dying with cancer in our church and you prayed for. After that night she was taken to the hospital and there she was going again with all the process for cancer treatment.  She said to herself: I am tired of being sick, I am not sick, I was prayed for, I don’t accept the fact that I am sick, I am not going to die, I don’t want to die. And after saying or confessing so. Maybe in a vision or for real, we all don’t know; she saw an old man dressed in white with a nice white hat on his head, but she wasn’t able to see his face, she only remembers seeing him coming and laying his hand on her and then declaring her healing and then was gone. After that she asked to the doctors where is the man, because she felt that something came out of her and that she was healed.

The Doctors thought, she is was having some sort of imagination typical of dying people, along with insanity. Then they decided to make some exams on her, and after 2 times they found out that THERE IS NOT EVEN A DEAD CELL IN HER BODY AND THAT CANCER IS TOTALLY GONE!! They were in shock. Due to the fact that she is old, she had to have surgery for something else and now she needs her strength to be restored and the cut to be sealed back to its normal condition. Praise God for her. Healed by Jesus’ stripes.

…Well, before I finish this email, of course all these people are following their regular checking by the doctors as it’s normal, but all the reports are saying that what is impossible for men is totally possible with God. Praise God for all these reports about healing. Our God is great. Anyway, I thought you may want to hear and read about these reports.

Love & Blessings in Jesus.

Gonzalo Del Aguila

All over the world we are hearing reports about ‘an old man dressed in white’ appearing to people just like this older lady testified of. In the recent earthquake in Haiti people were pulled out the rubble weeks after the earthquake. When asked how they survived they said ‘an old man dressed in white’ was tending to them, keeping them alive and they had no fear. We are also hearing reports time and time again of Jesus or angels appearing to people and instantly healing them. Many Muslims all over the world are reporting seeing a man dressed in white with nail prints in His hand making it easy to preach the Gospel to them.

In an excellent book The Destiny of Islam in the Endtimes written by a former Pakistani Muslim Faisal Malick (published by Destiny Image) the author (now a preacher) shares about a testimony that came on Egyptian news. A missionary had shared it with him.  A man ended killing his wife and burying alive his two daughters one eight years old and the other a nursing infant. Fifteen days later an uncle died and was buried in the same location. When they came to bury the uncle they found the two girls alive.  The TV anchor woman wearing a burka asked how they were still alive.  The eight year girl responded every morning a man clothed in white came. He had holes in his hand and would wake the mother to feed the baby sister.  This man also brought food to the older girl.  The interviewer said this sounds like that man named Jesus we have been hearing about…  Shortly after that the feed to the cameras was cut.  Those are the kind of testimonies we should be dwelling on because God is moving like never before with miracles, healings, signs and wonders on this earth.  …With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Many years ago the Lord showed me that if I was offended or critical with a ministry or a certain emphasis in the Body of Christ then I would not be able to receive from them or the anointing on them unless I repented. I have seen the media and believers get easily offended with people like Benny Hinn for example. They zero in on a small

flaw in his life or someone not healed under his ministry, ignoring the many who were.

The enemy knows that if we focus on what God is not doing and keep our mouths shut about what God has done then there will be no reproduction of those miracles. Isaiah 62:6 says You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent. The enemy loves to silence believers and keep them from sharing the testimonies of our great God. He wants us to focus on what he and his demons do more than what God does so he has an environment to keep working his destructive power. Sad to say most believers fall prey to these tactics.

When our focus is on what God has done Romans 10:17 says, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD (Greek word Rhema- means spoken Word) of God. Faith and the power to act come into our hearts when we hear what God has done or is doing.  It activates faith! It is sad that in many Christian circles there is no mention of the miracles Christ is doing, or pressing in for these miracles He longs to do in our midst.  It breeds unbelief and reliance on natural abilities instead of faith in God which can activate His miracle working power.

If we act according to the Bible and focus on what God has done and is continuing to do it will get the momentum going for what He desires to do in the future. It’s like getting on a long moving train moving. It is slow at first but once it starts moving one does not want to stop it or get in its way. Just keep that momentum going or building!

If we focus on the good things God is doing then that becomes the lens through which we see; or one could say it becomes our belief system. It becomes the way we perceive God and what He can and will do continually.

When the Gospel is watered down and miracles and healings are not happening, or they are frowned upon you will see people walk away from God just like Israel and Judah did in the Old Testament. Sin many times will run rampant in an environment like this. Where Jesus is manifesting His presence in signs, wonders and miracles you will see a people passionately pursuing God.

Joshua 24:31 is a profound statement that holds true today.  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel. When we become self sufficient and only do what we can work up in the natural we put God in a box and began limiting His power. The overall effects are even worse. Multitudes are not reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believers backslide. Yet many Christians are content because at least they are going to heaven. When Israel forgot the WORKS OF THE LORD THEY ALSO FORGOT ABOUT INVOLVING GOD IN THE AFFAIRS OR THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES! Soon they went into idolatry, turned to other gods and immorality. Is it any different today? Many young people who have grown up in churches have turned from Christ because of cold dead religion that is powerless.

Speaking of Israel Psalms 78:40-42 “How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy.” Let’s not be guilty and do the same as Israel did.  They began to forget the works of the Lord and soon became dependent only on what they could work up in the natural.  It did not take long after that for the nation as a whole to stray from God.  Do not be content with cold dead religion, self reliance, and forgetting that with Jesus nothing is impossible. He is God who created the universe.

PREPARING FOR FAILURE

One of the reasons people do not see miracles and healings on a regular basis is because of the way they believe, and their resultant actions. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”  If we really believe this, then once we have made our petitions known to God, we would begin to thank Him for the answer, confessing His faithfulness to answer our prayers and we would PREPARE TO SUCCEED.

Sharmila and I have met some missionary leaders whose motto was “Believe for the best, but prepare for the worst.” What a contradiction! The testimony of this couple was plagued with all that went wrong, failures and the difficulties they had on the mission field. Their beliefs definitely paved the way for their negative experiences. Their conclusion on the matter was that God does not promise us anything! I do not know what version of the Bible they read to conclude such heresy.

True belief in God means we prepare to succeed at whatever God has called us to do; we believe to receive from God. God will come through! Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

LACK OF PRAYER AND FASTING

In Matthew 17 Jesus makes a statement about His disciple’s inability to cast out a deaf, mute, and epileptic demon from a boy. First their unbelief stood in the way (vs. 20) and then in verse 21 Jesus says, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”  Fasting and prayer is not an option for mature believers and ministry leaders.   There are many ways to fast.   Daniel abstained from pleasant foods, meat and wine for 21 days (see Daniel 10:3).  Many believe he just ate fruits and vegetables.  We may fast by skipping meals or abstaining from television, but Biblical fasting always implies abstaining from food in some way. The main focus in this passage of scripture is to couple fasting with prayer.

When it came to prayer and fasting Jesus did not tell people He had to go pray and fast to see a miracle. Fasting and prayer is not just for when a hard case comes our way but it should be a lifestyle.  By having a lifestyle of prayer and fasting it prepares us for whatever may come our way.

Jesus states in Matthew 6:16 “When you fast”, not if you fast.  Isaiah 58:6 says “Is this not the fast I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”  Fasting and prayer helps set the spiritual atmosphere for miracles and for freedom in people’s lives. Isaiah 58:8 says when you fast “Your healing shall spring forth speedily.”  When we fast and if we do it right we can flush poisons and toxins out of our bodies. Fasting works to spiritually and physically cleanse us and to produce spiritual, physical health and bring spiritual breakthrough.

FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY

Religious tradition tells us God made Job sick. That is not what the Bible tells us. Job 2:7 says So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. It is really sad when religious people buy into the lie that God makes us suffer with sickness when all along it it Satan and his demons that are the culprits. What a slap in God’s face to accuse Him of causing natural disasters afflicting people.  Fear was the open door for Satan and demons to attack Job. God did not do that to Job.  Job 3:25 says “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.”  The Hebrew literally says “I feared a fear and it came upon me.”  Fear can activate Satan’s destructive power the same way faith activates God’s miracle working power.

In Luke 21:26 Jesus talks about the last days “Men’s hearts failing them from fear and expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.”  Men’s hearts would fail them because they choose to focus on the negative things happening.  Philippians 4:6 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”   Anxiety, worry, stress and fear can cause ulcers, heart problems and other maladies.  Jesus told us many times concerning the last days to “Fear not.” Jesus exhorts us in Matthew 6:25-34 not to worry because worry will not change our circumstances one iota for the better. Instead of worry and anxiety about tomorrow He encourages us in verse 33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” That can include healing, provision or whatever you may need.

BLAMING GOD FOR YOUR PROBLEMS

Too often when problems come our way, somehow people make God responsible for these problems. Many blame God for every catastrophe in their lives. It is either ourselves or God’s enemy Satan and his demons bringing these calamities upon us. God is not the author of sickness, infirmities or calamities in our lives. He is the one who turns it around for the better. Insurance companies call natural disasters “acts of God”. That is so far from the truth.  James 1:17 says, “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”  God’s nature is such that He is only capable of bringing good into our lives.

When we hold God responsible for our problems we close the door to freedom from those problems. It is Satan’s intense desire to make us point the finger at God, get offended with Him thus staying bound by our problems. Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him”. This scripture makes it so apparent that God anointed Jesus to do good. We ourselves, or the devil and his demons, bring bad situations into our lives. Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief (Satan & demons) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

DEPRESSION

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Joy, the opposite of depression, is part of the fruit of the spirit. If the devil can steal your joy then he can also steal your goods. But if you can be joyful irrespective of the circumstances then you can hold on to your health, finances, and have victory in every area of your life (See Hebrews 10:32-36).

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good like a medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”  Depression can bring bone or joint problems like arthritis. Joy is akin to medicine. It is also a good barometer that tells us if we are trusting God or not. Joy helps us see with eyes of faith to the end of the trial. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Jesus endured the cross because He could see the end result of His trial. When we allow depression to creep into our lives we are permitting the devil to walk all over us. Isaiah 61:3 say, “to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”   When we are ungrateful many times depression and unhappiness follow. Notice Deuteronomy 28:47, “Because you did not serve the Lord with your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything….”   This was part of the curse, when every calamity that could come upon a person would come because of lack of thankfulness and joy.

A PERSON’S FREE WILL

Just like the centurion gave Jesus permission or authority to pray for his sick servant in Luke 7:1-10, similarly we need permission (authority) to pray for or share with the sick. If a person does not give us authority to pray or share with them, then it can be a detriment to healing.

It is also extremely hard for a person to be healed by Christ when all the person desires is to leave this earth, as was the case with my father-in-law, Major David Frank, who went to be with Jesus May 2, 2006. We were earnestly praying for him to be healed, when all he wanted was to go home. He never once prayed to live, but instead called upon the Lord constantly to take him home. He had been healed supernaturally and protected many times while in war but once he caught a glimpse of Jesus and heaven, he had leaving on his mind. The doctors do not know why he died. They simply said his heart stopped beating.

INSENSITIVITY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:7-15).

First off notice how many times Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person in the above verse. Yet in many Christian circles the Holy Spirit (God) is given little or no attention. The Holy Spirit helps carry out the present day ministry of Jesus.  Look at Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. The same Holy Spirit is available to every believer today to carry out the healing ministry of Jesus.  Many believers have become insensitive to his moving or leading. Jesus was dependent on the Holy Spirit and taught us to be dependent on the Holy Spirit to carry out the works He did. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. What happened when Jesus went to the Father? He poured out the Holy Spirit upon all who want to walk in fellowship and intimacy with Him.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as a dove. Doves are very skittish birds.  If you had a dove resting on your shoulder you would be very careful how you walked so the dove would stay with you. We should treat the Holy Spirit the same way if you want to learn to flow with Him in the miracles and healings of Jesus.

My mother was dying of Cancer in 1974.  Around that time she had heard things about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit but as a good Lutheran decided that was not for her. One night she was taken up to heaven and heard the most beautiful worship she had ever heard. She heard people and angels in heaven singing praises to God in tongues. After that experience she open her heart and was baptized in the Holy Spirit, received her heavenly prayer language and also learned what the Word of God said concerning divine healing.  While her and my Dad were standing on God’s Word for her healing the doctors came into her room one day and said “there is a mystery that has taken place in your blood cells and you do not have cancer anymore.”  She never had another problem with cancer again.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as a Helper (Greek-Standby). He is a an ever present help in the time of danger, calamity and sickness to help pull us out of that mess.

Much sickness takes place when our immune system is run down.  In recent years Dr. Carl Peterson, a brain specialist at Oral Roberts University conducted research on the relationship between the brain and praying in the Holy Spirit (praying in tongues-see Mark 16:17).  He discovered that as we engage in praying in the Spirit the brain releases two chemical secretions that are directed into our immune systems giving a huge boost to our immune system.  It produces healing within our bodies.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues just like early church received in the Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-48, 19:1-6 is available to all believers in Jesus.  Jesus said right before ascending into heaven and pouring out the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:38-39 says Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit is what turned my life around and thrust me into a world-wide healing ministry where we have seen 100′s of thousands turn to Christ as they have witnessed the miracle working power of Jesus. I also believe that is why my family remain very healthy. The Holy Spirit is our source of health and wholeness.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience available to all as mentioned in the above verses, that takes place after salvation. All you have do is hunger and then ask for it and Jesus will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. It was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. That experience radically changed my life and direction and it can for you also.

ROAD BLOCKS TO HEALING CHAPTER 3

“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps he would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, Let no one eat fruit from you ever again. And His disciples heard it…Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter remembering, said to Him, Rabbi look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away. So Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him,that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespass” (Mark 11:12- 14, 20-26). We can learn a lot about road blocks to healing from these passages.

Notice that Jesus cursed the fig tree from the roots (vs. 14:20), but nothing happened immediately, at least not in the natural realm. Those who heard and saw Jesus curse the fig tree may have wondered what He was doing.  Many try to deal with the surface issues or symptoms of the problem, rather than getting to the root of the problem.  Doing this will never produce lasting freedom.  All they will be able to do is learn to cope with their problems. Jesus dealt with the root in teaching us the principles of real faith and walking in victory.

In verse 21 Peter was astonished that the tree had withered away from the roots. Jesus cursed the fig tree to show His disciples how faith works. One of the primary hindrances to healing #1 is not dealing with the root issues of a problem. We will cover some in this teaching.

NOT HAVING FAITH

In verse 22 Jesus says, “have faith in God.”   The original Greek version is “have the faith of God.”  You can have the faith of God to help you when you are going through problems with your health. It goes much further than our own faith.

You can also gather from the ensuing four verses that faith does not operate by the five physical senses. Faith affects the spiritual realm, which has preeminence over the physical realm. It is for this reason that Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

One will never grasp and tap into the enormity of faith and miracles if one is governed by their five physical senses, rather than faith in God’s promises.  Thus #2 Being ruled by the five senses can be a hindrance or road block to healing.

In Verse 23 Jesus tells us to speak to the mountain (problems) before us and it will be removed. He does not tell us to ignore the problem. It is essential that we acknowledge it and confront it with faith in Him.

It is interesting that in this verse Jesus repeatedly says you will have what you say. If you desire to walk in faith then you need to understand the power of your words or tongue. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”  #3 negative confessions speaking contrary to God’s will is another hindrance to healing. James 3:6 says your “tongue sets on fire the course of nature.”   Our words have power. When we speak and confess God’s word with a heart full of faith we can change our negative circumstances.  Jesus said  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (Mark 11:23). Here’s the problem, we have many believers saying negative things and ending up with the negative things they speak.  We should speak and quote God’s word.

According to verse 24 when should we believe we receive what we pray for? The minute we pray! It is immaterial whether we see it or feel it immediately!  Faith says it is as good as answered because God said it. One way to determine if we are walking by faith is to examine how we apply this verse to our lives.  Do we really believe we have received? In that case we should cease begging God and continually petitioning God to answer our prayer. We should begin confessing His Word regarding our circumstances, praising Him for hearing and answering our prayers.

If I have a problem before me, like a sickness or financial need, and I pray, if my prayer is answered instantly, do I need faith for those needs to be met? Of course not! When is faith needed? When we do not see the answer in the natural realm! Faith in God and His promises releases His miracle working power, affecting the spiritual realm, then the natural realm. #4 Many give up if healing does not happen immediately, not understanding how faith operates.

Many stop at verse 24, not realizing that verse 25 and 26 are key to walking and living by faith as well. If we walk in unforgiveness, offense or have a critical attitude, we can literally short-circuit our faith and our miracle. If we are easily offended and have a critical attitude or unforgiveness our faith may never get out of the chute. These negatives will hinder the blessings of God in our lives.

Our fifth and very crucial hindrance to healing is found in verse 25-26. Bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, offense and judging can literally be an open door to the destructive power of the Satan and his demons.  A person full of these attitudes will have a hard time being joyous and thankful not realizing the power of thankfulness and joy. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry (also thankful) heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit DRIES THE BONES.”

Hebrews 12:14 – 15 says, “PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL PEOPLE, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the GRACE OF GOD, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.

When we hold on to bitterness, it can literally poison us physically, mentally and spiritually. Many medical studies show that anger, unforgiveness and bitterness can actually release toxins and compromise our immune system making one more susceptible to things like cancer or arthritis.  It will spring up like a weed and destroy the fruit of the Spirit in our life. It all starts with offense. Once given place to it destroys our judgment and discernment. Offense rapidly turns to bitterness, which in turn can spread to the rest of our body and the body of Christ defiling many to the point of making us ineffective for Christ.

Bitterness, the critical spirit and offense is a “fungus among us”. If unchecked it grows like a fungus, consuming the entire person.  We need to lay the axe to the root of the problems, not just the surface issues (that often invite our problems back at a later time in life). An excellent book on the subject is “The Bait of Satan”, by John Bevere.

UNCONFESSED SIN

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD WILL NOT HEAR ME.”  (Psalm 66:18). Unconfessed sin can prevent the flow of God’s healing anointing. If we really love Christ and claim to be mature Christians it is unacceptable for us to hang on to unconfessed sins. Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sin will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”   Did you know that true prosperity is not just financial, but the ability of God within us to meet any need, spiritual, mental, physical or financial? When we cover our sins and refuse to deal with them, then we can literally give demons an open door into our lives, preventing the free flow of God’s provision into our lives. All we need to do is repent and fall out of agreement with that sin (See James 5:14-15 & 1 John 1:9).

We learn from Old Testament examples that when Israel or Judah sinned and refused to repent they came under a severe curse. Once they repented and came back to God blessings would begin to rain down on them. (See Deuteronomy 28).

So many Christians go overboard in this area. They believe that when healing does not manifest immediately it is because of lack of faith or sin. This is however not always the case and an easy cop out. Look at John 9:1, “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was born blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Not really a smart question if you think about it!!! It would be pretty hard to sin before you are born. This was the ungodly religious attitude in Jesus’ day.   Notice Jesus’ response to the incorrect thinking. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him”  (John 9:2). Then Jesus proceeded to open his eyes.

ARROGANCE

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and, depart from evil. It will be health (Hebrew – medicine) to your flesh and strength (Hebrew-marrow, refreshment) to your bones”  (Proverbs 3:7-8).  Fleeing from pride, arrogance and walking in humility can be medicine to our flesh, strength and refreshment to our bones.

James 4:6, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: GOD RESISTS (Greek: ranges in battle against) the proud but gives grace to humble.”  The humble are recipients of God’s grace. Jesus commented only on two occasions that someone had “great faith”. The centurion whose servant needed healing in Luke 7:1-10 and the Canaanite woman who’s daughter was demonized in Matthew 15:21-28! Both received their miracle and both understood the importance of humility in relation to receiving healing from Christ.

The story of Namaan, commander of the Syrian army, a very prideful man, is another lesson in humility. We can read this story in 2 Kings 5:1-19. Pride angered him, preventing him from obeying the advice of Elijah. He nearly missed out on his miracle because of his arrogance.  However once he humbled himself (at his servant’s suggestion) and immersed himself in the river Jordan seven times, he was instantly healed of his leprosy.

In 32 years of ministry there have been occasions when I have witnessed arrogance and pride stop healings in our meetings. In some instances churches I have ministered in have had a critical attitude towards me, almost looking down on me. The pride, criticalness and offense stemmed the flow of God’s power in these churches (see Mark 6:1-6).  After all who is Mark Anderson? I am just a simple man, an available vessel; a person who has messed up many times, yet God chooses to use me. I know who I am in Christ. That goes for all of us if Christ lives in us.

There have also been occasions when I have been prideful and God has resisted me and I would see no or very few miracles in my meetings. I did not even realize the cause for it. How many Christians have missed out on their miracles because of pride? I tend to think multitudes!

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (deal with root issues in their lives, not just surface issues), then I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND I WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND.  This talks of a permanent healing.  The first thing we need to address for God to bring healing to our land and us personally is to HUMBLE OURSELVES!

If you would like to know more about humility and it’s relationship to healing, signs and wonders you can order my book HUMILITY THE HIDDEN KEY TO WALKING IN SIGNS AND WONDERS (published by Destiny Image), to be released June 2010.

There are other hindrances to healing that we need to avoid mentioned in the Bible. These pitfalls in our lives can prevent healing from flowing freely. A belief in physical suffering can also stop healing. That is what we will cover in the next chapter.

ROAD BLOCKS TO HEALING CHAPTER 4

WHAT WAS PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH?

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 says, “and lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproach, in needs in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

There has been a lot of controversy in Christian circles over these scriptures, concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh.  Many feel that we have to remain sick to glorify God, in our physical weakness.  Much of that belief comes from the Greek influence and asceticism (a belief in suffering physically to get closer to God) mixed with Christianity in the early days of Christianity.  Many have gone to premature graves because of this incorrect belief.  In this chapter, we want to share THROUGH GODS WORD, exactly what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was.

Many Christians have experiences and then try to make a doctrine out of those experiences.  If our experiences do not line up with the Word of God, we cannot make a doctrine of it.  God’s Word should be first place.  When we can get to the point of trusting God’s Word first and foremost then our experiences will end up lining up with the Word, not contradicting it.

WHAT RELIGIOUS TRADITION BELIEVES PAUL’S THORN WAS

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul received a thorn in the flesh as a result of the revelation he saw. Many feel they have received a Thorn in the flesh as well. Have they received a revelation so great and been caught up to Heaven as Paul was? This is what brought on the thorn in the flesh (ref. 2 Cor. 12:1-6).

A number of people believe that Paul’s thorn was a sickness.  Some believe that Paul’s thorn was an eye disease that the Lord refused to heal.  If that was the case, then Paul was the first person in the Bible who the Lord refused to heal.  Acts 10:38 says, “GOD ANOINTED JESUS of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, who went about doing good and healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  Only once in the Bible Jesus was unable to heal the sick: Matt. 13:58, “He did not many mighty works because of their unbelief.”

People quote Gal. 4:13-15, to prove that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was an eye disease.  It reads: “You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at first.  And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God even as Christ Jesus.  What then was the blessing you enjoyed?  For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.”

First of all, the word infirmity in the original Greek means bodily infirmity, such as mentioned in 2 Cor. 11:23-30.  Paul had been physically beaten many times for preaching the gospel and suffered with physical infirmities because of it.  However, I am sure God healed him every time, as He does today.  The Lord even raised Paul from the dead in Acts 14:19-21.  Galations 4:15, in no way shows that Paul had an eye disease.  The Galatians were friendly with Paul at that time, and would have given Paul anything he needed.  Hence Paul writes that you would have given me your eyes if I had needed them.  IT DOES NOT SAY THAT HE HAD AN EYE DISEASE.  Paul was merely using that as an example, saying that the Galatians were really committed to him and cared deeply for him and his needs to be met.  There is no mention of any eye disease.

For the sake of argument, lets assume that Paul did have an eye disease, and that was the reason why the power of God rested on him, then we should all pray and ask God to make us sick so we could be greatly anointed.  Therefore, we should not go to a doctor, but suffer in our sickness to glorify God as well! That is absurd! But that is the way many Christians believe because of the Greek influence, gnosticism and asceticism that was mingled with early Christianity.

After reading what the Word of God says on healing, how healing was provided in the atonement at Calvary, (Ref. Is 53:4-5, Matt. 8:16-17, 1 Pet. 2:24), I do not see how anyone could believe that remaining sick glorifies God.  John 6:2 says, “Then a great multitude followed Him (Jesus), Because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.”  Acts 3-5 tells us that many thousands turned to Jesus because of the MIRACULOUS HEALINGS that took place when the disciples preached about the risen Jesus and prayed for the sick and infirm.  No one turned to Jesus because of some disciple remaining sick to show patience and fortitude!  Many turned to Jesus because of the HEALINGS and MIRACLES He performed on those that were suffering.

MESSENGER OF SATAN

2 Cor. 12:7 clearly shows us what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was.  It says it was the MESSENGER OF SATAN.  The word messenger appears seven times in the Bible; and

the word angel appears 181 times.  Both words come from the Greek word angelos, which means messenger or angel.  They can be used interchangeably.  Hence we see that the thorn in the flesh was a personality, a demonic angel rather than an eye disease.

Numbers 33:55 sheds more light on the subject.  It says that the inhabitants of the land (or other nations) would be pricks in Israel’s eyes, and thorns in their sides, and would vex them in the land wherein they dwelt if they would not drive them out.  They would not physically be pricks in their eyes or physical thorns in their sides; but just like a thorn in the side is an annoyance, the other nations would be an annoyance to the Israelites.  Joshua 23:11-13 and 2 Samuel 23:6 both talk about thorns, but both refer to a personality rather than a sickness or disease.

WEAKNESSES AND INFIRMITIES

2 Cor. 12:9 tells us that this messenger of Satan (Paul’s thorn) caused weaknesses or infirmities to come upon Paul.  The words weaknesses and infirmities can also be used interchangeably.  The Greek word is astheneia, which means weakness and to bear trials and troubles (according to Thayers Greek-English Lexicon).  Once again, it has no reference to sickness or disease.  2 Cor. 12:9 reads, “and He said to me, ‘My (Christ’s) grace (which is for the inner man or spirit) is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in (astheneia) weakness.’  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  The weakness mentioned here does not refer to physical weakness, as in sickness, but one’s own spiritual weakness.  When we realize that IN AND OF OURSELVES WE ARE WEAK, BUT GOD IS STRONG, then we will see the power of God resting on us.  Paul realized that apart from Jesus he could do nothing.  (Ref. John 15:5).

Paul also said that he would glory in these trials and troubles.  Why?  The reason being, that when everything is nice and comfortable, many tend to sit back and take it easy, depending more on self than the Lord.  I can testify of this in my own life – when trials come, I have to exercise faith, to get through those trials, or I will not make it.  Trials often cause me to press on more.  As long as every thing is smooth sailing and there are no struggles, I do not have to exercise faith and my faith does not grow because I do not have to stand on God’s Word to see me through.  The true test comes under pressure.

THE ONLY SUFFERING WE ARE CALLED TO ENDURE

2 Tim. 2:12 says, “if we suffer with Him (Jesus) we will reign with Him.”  This is not

talking about sickness.  It is talking about persecution for standing up for the name of

Jesus.  2 Tim. 3:12 says, “all who live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”  (Ref also Matt. 5:10-12, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 6:26, John 15:20, Acts 5:41-42 concerning suffering and persecution when standing up for Jesus and witnessing to the lost.)

WHAT DID PAUL’S THORN CAUSE?

We have shared with you what Paul’s thorn is not, and have explained the thorn in the flesh.  We now want to share with you what Paul’s thorn in the flesh caused to happen to him.

2 Cor. 11:23-30, the verses just before talking about Paul’s thorn, clearly reveals that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a messenger or angel (demon) of Satan that caused Paul to go through beatings, prison, shipwrecks, death, weariness, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, painfulness and many other perils.  No where does it say that Paul’s thorn was an eye disease or sickness.  We need to stick to God’s word.  If it is not in the Word then do not buy into that belief.  That is how false doctrine comes about.

In 2 Cor. 11:29-30, Paul sums it up by saying, “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?  If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.”  Paul did not glory in sickness.  He gloried in that he had to bear trials and troubles while he was taking a stand for Jesus.

Acts 5 talks about the miracles that God did through the apostles as they preached Jesus Christ and the persecution they suffered.  Acts 5:41-42 records, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

If you believe you are to suffer for God’s glory consider what it is to suffer for Him

while out preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ not with sickness.  Suffering with sickness is not what glorifies God.  The glory goes to God when we believe God for a miracle and we receive it (ref. John 9,  Mark 2:1-12,  Matt. 9:1-8, Matt 15:29-31, Luke 7:11-17, Luke 17:11-19, Luke 18:35-43 and many other references).

Isaiah 53:4-5,  Matt. 8:16-17 and 1 Peter 2:24 all talk about Christ bearing our sins, griefs, sorrows, sickness, disease and infirmities.  If  that is true why are so many Christians thinking they have to bear  sickness, infirmities and disease?  Was not Christ’s suffering and sacrifice enough?   It was more than enough!  I am going to stand for what Jesus purchased!  Jesus Christ paid for it all!  It belongs to you.  You do not have to suffer with these things to glorify God.

Jesus bore our sin, sickness, torment, poverty, and humiliation—not with us, but for us! He is not asking us to bear or carry these things. He did it for us. The word borne in Isaiah 53:4 is the Hebrew word nasa, which means “suffered for, bear up, carry off, take away.” He did all the suffering so we do not have to. He took the raw deal, and we received the good deal. He paid the price in full for spirit, soul and body.

CONCLUSION

In Romans 8:26, it says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses (asthenia).  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  We just like Paul, have someone to depend on, when we go through trials and troubles:  the Holy Spirit!  This is why Paul said in 1 Cor. 14:18, “I thank my God, I speak in tongues more than you all.”  Paul prayed in tongues because he knew the Holy Spirit would intercede through him according to God’s perfect will (ref. Romans 8:27-28) when he went through those trials.  He also knew that many are the afflictions (Hebrew word: Ra- adversities and troubles) of the righteous:  but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19).

ROAD BLOCKS TO HEALING CHAPTER 5

HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND; KEEP STANDING

Ephesians 6:10-14 says, “Finally my brethren, BE STRONG IN THE LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, that you may be able to (1) STAND AGAINST the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, that you may be (2) ABLE TO WITHSTAND in the evil day, and (3) HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND. (4) STAND THEREFORE, having girded your waist with TRUTH…”

During our campaign in Yamuna Nagar, India in March 2002, in the midst of immense opposition, we saw the Holy Spirit come forth in a powerful way. Many demoniacs were set free and many miracles took place.  It was during this time that the Lord laid this message on my heart.

The above verses refer to four ways in which one can stand. Many do not realize that what God has promised us through his awesome grace can many times materialize only by walking or standing in Faith and trust in Him and His word. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Faith activates the miracle working power and grace of God. We cannot work up His promises. (Ref. Romans 3:27). We have to believe for miracles and act upon His word.

Many people believe for miracles in their bodies without grasping the concept that faith is a stand, and sometimes a fight is involved to get what rightfully belongs to us. 1 Timothy 6:12 says to “Fight the good fight of Faith….” I have spoken to many Christians who were healed miraculously, only to lose it later. I have talked to others, who were not healed miraculously and gave up because it did not occur instantly. For a successful Christian walk it is of fundamental importance to understand how to stand for what rightfully belongs to us.

# 1 STANDING AGAINST

Ephesians 6:11 first refers to STANDING AGAINST the wiles (Greek: lies, strategies) of the devil and his demons. How and what are we to stand against? We are standing against demons, their lies and schemes. How do we stand against demonic lies? By applying the truth of God’s word! Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away.” Jesus said He is the TRUTH (see John 14:6) and that His word is TRUTH (see John 17:17). We need an unwavering trust in the word of God.  Luke 1:37 in the Amplified Bible reads “No word from God is without power or impossible of fulfillment.”

The only way Satan and his demons can cause us to stumble and miss out on what God has promised us is by lying to us, and we in turn believe those lies and act on what Satan speaks to us.

We should adhere to what Evangelist Smith Wigglesworth said, “If God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” This gentleman had a phenomenal healing ministry. In fact it also stands as one of the most powerful healing ministries of the 20th century. He raised scores of people from the dead. He simply believed what God’s word said and acted upon it.

It is very clear in scripture that it is God’s irrevocable will to heal and deliver. Keep in mind what James 1:17 says, “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variations or shadow of turning.” God is not the author of sickness, infirmities, poverty, torment etc. Acts 10:38 records “How God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

TRUTH SETS CAPTIVES FREE! The enemy’s lies bind and blind us when we believe them and build our lives upon them. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in MY WORD (TRUTH) you are My disciples indeed. And you shall KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”

When a disease or infirmity comes upon us, the truth or the fact is that we a suffering with a negative condition. BUT, GOD’S WORD OR TRUTH is higher than that negative circumstance or fact. As we abide in and continue in His word then that TRUTH WILL SET US FREE of that problem!  In order to do this the word will need to go from our head, to being imbedded in our hearts, and spoken out of our mouths.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed (Greek: fashioned, patterned) to this world, but be TRANSFORMED (Greek: metamorphosis, change from one form to another) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” His perfect will is in His word. So first we learn to stand against the enemy by walking in the truth of God’s word. Isaiah 55:11 says that God’s word “Shall not return to me (God) void (Hebrew: empty, useless), but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” We cannot go wrong waging war on the enemy by standing on the truth of God’s word.

#2 WITHSTAND

Ephesians 6:13 exhorts us to WITHSTAND in the EVIL DAY (Greek: evil things, hardship, perils, annoyances, causing pain, trouble and physically bad conditions). To withstand in Greek means to resist, set oneself against and to oppose. When the enemy comes knocking on our door with trouble, physical ailments etc. we should resist and oppose him rather than giving in by accepting the hardship as a part of life.

1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil walks about LIKE A ROARING LION, seeking whom he may devour, RESIST (Greek- to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose and set against) HIM, STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Notice the word resist here. How are we to resist the enemy’s attacks?  By Faith!  Ephesians 6:16 says that the shield of faith will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Notice the masquerade of the enemy here! He walks about LIKE A ROARING LION! All he can offer is a cheap imitation or a perversion of the real truth. The devil is not a roaring lion. He is an imposter! Jesus is the real LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” The only way Satan can get us is when we doubt God’s word and truth. REMEMBER HIS LIES BIND AND BLIND US WHEN WE ACT ON THEM.

If the devil says, “you are going to die of this sickness”, how do we combat him? By resisting him and standing on God’s Word! UNDERSTAND, WHEN HE ATTACKS AND LIES TO US, SAYING WE WILL NOT MAKE IT, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OUR ANSWER IS ON THE WAY.

Theresa Stoner understood what it was to resist the enemy when she was afflicted with lymphatic cancer.  In April of 2002 I was asked to conduct a healing service in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Theresa came to the healing service that night.  In Theresa’s words “That night Mark called for those who needed healing in specific areas to come up and I was one of the first.  He had said the Holy Spirit had told him someone with my problem: lymphatic cancer was there.  He and Sharmila laid hands on me, and the Holy Spirit moved mightily to heal me.  The pressure left my neck and throat. I felt energy I had not had in a long time.  For the rest of the service I felt as though I had gravel draining down my throat and that pressure was being lifted from all over my head, neck, and shoulders.  I was filled with joy and freedom.  I wanted to dance.

After being healed supernaturally by God the enemy tried to attack her with the cancer again.  Theresa in her own words “The devil, several times starting the next day, put symptoms of pressure on my throat, stabs of pain, etc, but I was quick to rebuke him and the symptoms left.  I never expected Mark and Sharmila to be in my church that Sunday. He moved miraculously through their anointed ministry to preserve my life for His glory, my family’s needs and my joy.

Theresa understood that sometimes faith is a fight and fought the fight of faith for her life and healing. She came out victoriously in Jesus’ name.  God will do the same for you if you do not passively give into the attacks of the enemy, but withstand or resist him.  James 4:7 says “Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

While building our home/ ministry office in 2001 I injured my shoulder from continual heavy lifting of logs and walls.  I received prayer for the problem but there seem to be little change.  Finally at a Peter Youngren meeting in Denver, Colorado I was completely healed. I returned home and lifted heavy things over my head with no problem. I threw the football to my son with no problem. I played basketball and could shoot the ball with no discomfort.

A short time after my healing I was playing basketball and my shoulder felt great.  My game was far from great though.  While I was playing the symptoms returned and I could feel the pain again. I quickly rebuked the enemy and said you are not taking my healing away. I confessed God’s word and immediately I was healed again. Since that day I have had no problem whatsoever with my shoulder.

Many give up on healing if the problems return because they have not learned to stand when the enemy tries a counter-attack.  Speak God’s Word and stand for what rightfully belongs to you through Christ and watch God’s Word work.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Psalm 118:17 says, I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” 1 Peter 2:24 says,“ …By whose stripes YOU WERE HEALED.” If the Bible says we were healed then we are healed. It is done, finished! WE ARE THE HEALED JUST AS WE ARE THE REDEEMED! Jesus paid the price for salvation, spirit, soul and body 2,000 years ago (ref. Isaiah 53:3-5, Romans 10:9-10).

#3 HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND

Ephesians 6:13 goes on to say, “HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND…” this is where many lose the battle, especially in the realm of healing. It refers to preparing oneself to stand during negative times. Many are ignorant of God’s will concerning healing and health. Thus when difficult times come they cannot appropriate God’s word for their situation and remain sick and continue to struggle. Many Christians do not esteem God’s word concerning healing highly, thus then when sickness attacks they run for answers and try to stand strong. However without any prior preparation they ultimately are unable to endure and give up. For example if a farmer does not plant seed, he will not reap a harvest. The word of God is referred to as seed (see Mark 4 and 1 Peter 1:23). If we do not plant the seed of health and healing, how can we expect to reap a harvest of health and healing? This is why I tell Christians not to wait till they are sick and doctors give up hope to find out about divine healing. We need to study and plant the seed now, so we can enjoy a continuous harvest of health and healing in our lives.

The Word of God has life (see Hebrews 4:12) in it, just as a seed has a plant in it.  The promises in God’s word are like seeds. They may seem powerless when they are in the beginning or seed stage, but once you get them inside and keep God’s word before you, God’s word will rise up and eventually produce powerful results.

Let me pose a simple question here. When do we need faith? Lets say I have a physical need in my body. I pray and am healed instantly. Now do I need faith for healing? Absolutely not, as I have already received it. However if my healing is not manifested immediately, then I need faith to stand for my healing.

It amazes me as I travel all over the world, hearing and seeing people give up on their faith, as they do not get what they were praying for instantly.

Faith in God works when we have not yet received the answer in the physical realm.  Faith affects the spiritual realm, bringing to pass our healing. Jesus said in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” According to this scripture, when do we believe, we receive the thing for which we have prayed? The instant we pray for it! Since we are dealing with healing in this book, I will keep my examples to healing. Therefore we should believe to be healed the instant we pray or are prayed for; whether it is manifested or not. Once again the foundation of faith plays a vital role in standing for healing when it is not immediately manifested.

A good faith test, one the Lord gave me, is to pay attention to how much time we spend thanking and praising Him for His provision especially during trials. Prayer, thanksgiving and confession of God’s word literally stills the attack of the enemy. Jesus said in Matthew 21:6 “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise.” He was quoting King David in Psalm 8:2, which says, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained STRENGTH, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and avenger.” Jesus refers to Praise as strength against the enemy.

It is also essential to confess His word after receiving prayer. Your tongue sets on fire the course of nature (see James 3:6). Hebrews 11:1 reads, “Now faith is the substance (Greek- realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (Greek – confidence) of things not seen.” Praise to God and confession of His word is an expression of Faith in God. Faith is the title deed to our prayers being answered.  Start praising God for the answer to your prayer.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary in while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” In other words we should not lose heart, our breakthrough is on the way. Jesus broke through for us.  He is Lord of the Breakthroughs (see 2 Samuel 5:20). Keep standing and trusting God’s word! Psalm 30:5 says, “…weeping may endure for a night, But joy COMES IN THE MORNING.” Paul and Silas in the midnight hour expressed their faith and trust in God by praying and praising God, and thereafter experienced a tremendous breakthrough. (Ref. Acts 16:16-34). You might currently be in a midnight hour. Through it all, praise and thank the Lord for victory. Praise is a weapon that stills the enemy and drives out depression (see Matthew 21:16, Psalm 8:2, Isaiah 61:3). It also reveals faith in our God and that we believe we will receive what we have prayed for and requested.

Satan and his demons do not want to see God’s word succeed. In Mark 4:17 Jesus explains the parable where the sower sows the seed – the word of God. One type of soil, or heart condition, where the Word did not produce fruit was when tribulations and persecution arose for the Word’s sake, and immediately they stumbled or became offended. Why? They had no grounding in the Word, no prior preparation, thus when hard times came, they were overcome by their circumstances.

#4 STAND THEREFORE

Ephesians 6:14 says that after we have learned and prepared to stand to keep standing. STAND THEREFORE! Do not give in! Ephesians 6:14-18 tells us the best way to stand is to put on the whole Armor of God. Notice, the sword is the only offensive weapon. The Sword, God’s Word is an offensive and defensive weapon. Interestingly, there is no weapon that provides protection to the back. Why is it so?  Because, we are never meant to retreat, regress or give-up! Those who pray in the spirit (tongues- ref. Romans 8:25-28) build their faith. (Ref. Jude vs. 20, 1 Corinthians 14:4 & 18). Once we put on the armor we battle in prayer. When we put on the shield of faith (understand and walk by faith) we will quench all the fiery darts the enemy aims our way.

There have been occasions when I have injured myself, or needed a root canal etc.  In spite of receiving prayer in faith, the symptoms persisted. I understand God’s word regarding healing. I believed I had received, kept confessing it, thanking Jesus for my healing and in due time God’s word worked as the healing manifested itself.

On one such occasion I was playing on a city-league football team in Kalispell, Montana where I lived at that time. While running to catch the ball carrier a player came running full speed and hit me on my side, damaging my rotator cuff (shoulder). My arm hung limp and I was unable to move it up without great pain.

I was a single parent doing carpentry work at that time.  My two boys, Jesse and Reed, who were quite young at this time, prayed for me. Nothing seem to happen right away. I believed I received. I went to work the next day and could hardly lift my hammer to frame walls.  I kept speaking God’s word over my body and thanked the Lord for my healing even though it was quite painful trying to work. Within two days I was completely healed of the problem, back lifting heavy walls and hammering.

God will work similarly for anyone who is willing to take the limits off His word and trust Him implicitly. No circumstance or demon can keep God’s word from coming to fruition.

Over the years I have met many individuals who had severe physical ailments and were not healed instantly. When there appeared to be no hope, they refused to give up and give place to fear, but walked in faith trusting Jesus. They built up their most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. As a result, today, many years later they are walking in divine health.

My mother was one of those who walked in victory over sickness.  She was diagnosed with cancer in 1974. She stood in faith for her miracle. Eventually the doctors said they could not understand the mystery that occurred in her blood cells, where there was no trace of cancer. My father and mother used the word like a pill. She said that everyday she would take her “Gospill”. Proverbs 4:22 says, “For they (the word) are life to those that find them, and health (Hebrew – medicine) to ALL THEIR FLESH.”

John 14:26, 15:26 and 16:7 refer to the Holy Spirit as our Helper or Comforter (Greek- also meaning Standby). The Holy Spirit keeps us standing strong. All we have to do is acknowledge Him as being our ever-present help in time of trouble. He will always bring us through victoriously. He is in us and standing with us.

(c) Mark Anderson Ministries