While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.  So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

Paul and Barnabus were run out of Iconium for preaching the Gospel of Christ.  They moved on and started preaching the Good News again in Listra.  In Listra, a man who had been crippled all of his life started to listen to Paul preach and faith began to rise up in him for healing. Paul saw this man had the faith to be healed, told him to stand up, and the man jumped!  The Gospel that Paul preached caused faith for healing to rise up in this man.  The Gospel of Christ that Paul preached must have included healing!  Praise God, Healing is included in the Gospel of Christ!

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ….”Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

I’ve heard people say that sometimes sickness is for God’s purpose.  They usually quote the above passage of scripture to back it up.  I want you to notice something from this passage.  According to the NIV translation, it appears that Jesus is saying the man was born blind so the work of God might be displayed.  If you believe this is an accurate translation, you still have to admit that the work of God is healing because that is what happened to the man.  God’s work is not sickness!  It’s Healing!

We also must understand the New Testament was originally written in Greek and was not separated by verses as we have today.  I want you to read the same passage from another translation.

 ”As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus’ disciples asked, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?”

“No, it wasn’t!” Jesus answered. “But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him… Then he said, “Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.” The man went and washed in Siloam, which means “One Who Is Sent.” When he had washed off the mud, he could see.”  John 9:1-3, 7 Contemporary English Version

This translation reads completely different from the NIV and I believe it is truer to the original meaning.  Jesus was not saying the man was born blind so God’s work could be shown.  He was saying because of the man’s blindness, there is an opportunity for the work of God to be displayed. 

Every sickness, trouble or hardship we have is an opportunity for God’s work to be displayed!  Glory!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

~ Tim Dumas

David was not saying he would never die.  He was making a proclamation that his present circumstances would not result in his death.  He held on to the promise of God for a long and satisfying life!  (Psalm 91:16)

David did finally die, but look at how the Bible describes it.

He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. 1 Chronicles 29:28 (New International Version)

If you are facing illness or threat, do what David did.  Start proclaiming you will live!

… Tim Dumas

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  John 6:63 (NIV)

 People came to hear Jesus, and be healed.  Sometimes all we need for physical and emotional healing is to hear the words of Jesus.  Take time to hear His Words. His words are Spirit, they are Life!

… Tim Dumas

God anointed Jesus. What did Jesus do with that anointing? He went about doing good and healing! Jesus was able to heal people because God the Father anointed Jesus to do so. There is no question about it. It’s God’s Will To Heal!

… Tim Dumas

      “I’ll get you out of any trouble.

   I’ll give you the best of care

      if you’ll only get to know and trust me.

   Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;

      I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.

   I’ll give you a long life,

      give you a long drink of salvation!”

Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message)

 When did the man have faith to be healed?  He had faith before he could walk!  My point is this.  It’s possible to have faith and still not have what you are believing for.  It took acting on his faith before the man walked.  What are you believing for today?  Are you acting on what you believe?

…Tim Dumas