September 4, 2013
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The Abundant Life Christ (including healing and miracles)
Receiving through Faith in God’s Word and our covenant with Him the abundant life that He has for us personally as well as believing that we can minister healing and deliverance to others
Our Lord is the Source of blessings.
Ps 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
The devil is the source of misery.
John 10: 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Webster defines “abundant” as: great plenty, amply supplied; The antonyms include bare, minimal, scant
To receive from the Lord, we must believe that He truly does want us to experience an abundant life. We cannot pray in faith (e.g., for healing, for rescue from danger, for jobs, for homes, etc.) if we don’t believe God is concerned about what we need.
The enemy desires that we be miserable. He loves to see us sick , tired, discouraged, jobless, hungry, in pain, rejected, i.e, any time we are defeated, he is thrilled. The devil’s goal idea is for us to renounce our faith in and our walk with Him. Then the devil will have us to torment forever.
God wants us to have an abundant life full of righteousness, peace , and joy. When we can keep our eyes on Him and stay in peace, God is pleased. When we express our adoration and love to Him, God enjoys His place as Father . He has adopted us and wants to bless us!
In Deuteronomy 28 we see a list of what things can be considered God’s concept of what is an “abundant life” regarding blessings on earth in our lifetime here.
As we are walking in Him we can be sure that all these things are His will for us to have. When we lack any one of them , He can provide them – sometimes in miracles ways!!
When we pray for these things we can be assured that we are praying “in His name” – His character (name) is such that He desires His children to enjoy the things He lists here in this passage.
Deut 28: 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth
What does it mean to be “above all” the nations of the earth? How do we judge a nation to be “superior”? Proverbs 14: 34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store (Strong’s says this wor, “ store” is referring to a kneading trough used to knead bread.)
.6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee
.9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee,
if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath
; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other
As we can see in the above passage, the blessings are contingent on obedience. It is the same in our new covenant with God. If we are obedient, God is willing to grant us all that we need for an abundant life.
Our new covenant is even better than the old one because we are given the indwelling presence of the Spirit . We are given the power to live in His name all the time which includes doing the work He did while He was on earth.
Look for the following facts in this passage from John 14:
n All the things Jesus did on earth to bless people, we will do even more because He sent His Spirit to be in us, to abide with us, to make Himself plain to us – He will never , ever leave us.
n If there is anything we need and we ask it in agreement with His nature – His will which is taught in the Bible concerning the blessed life He wants for us (e.g., the passage from Deutoronomy 28), He will do it for us.
n Jesus is in the Father ; we are in Christ; the Spirit of Jesus Christ is in us. We are in intimate communion continuously with the Father and the Son .
n The covenant of His indwelling and enabling is based upon our obedience – He discerns our love for Him through our obedience to His commands.
n When we love Him, both the Father and Jesus love us too.
n The Holy Spirit will be our Teacher
n We will live in peace given to us by the Lord.
John 14:
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus Christ Himself was the author of our eternal salvation. That salvation includes all we need /
Hebrews 5”8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him
Salvation: The Greek here is soteria (so-tay-ree-ah). The word includes the ideas of deliverance, safety (physically or morally) , and health. (Strong’s concordance being quoted here.)
Our total wellbeing is included in our salvation through the new covenant.
To settle for sickness, poverty, depression, hunger, loneliness or any other bad thing that came in with the fall of man is unnecessary because the Lord had paid the full price to destroy all the works of the enemy. We must learn what the Word says is ours in the new covenant and to do spiritual warfare to receive it.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Know where the problems are coming from – the devil! Use your God given weapons. The enemy is in a wrestling match with us and he is tossing “fiery darts”. The Lord has equips us to overcome the enemy. Hate the enemy! Don’t get on his ground; stay in the Heavenly places with the Lord! Resist him and he will flee! James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
God wants us to tell Him about our cares because He cares for us. Sometimes we find it difficult to believe that we have a Father who is Ruler of the universe yet He cares about us personally! To pray in faith about our needs is energized by our realization that our Father really does want to give us a life that is filled with blessings.
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Ps 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Isa 53: 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised {crumbled , beaten to pieces} for our iniquities: the chastisement {discipline, instruction} of our peace {shalom which means a lot like the New Testament soteria, salvation} was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
God hears our prayers and see our tears:
II Ki 20: 1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Jesus was anointed to care for others:
Luke 4: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor { same word used many times to speak of those who have nothing, i.e., are financially broke}; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted {crushed completely, broken into pieces }, to preach deliverance to the captives { a prisoner of war}, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty {deliverance, forgiveness, freedom} them that are bruised {crushed},
The idea of His caring about the “crushed” comes in a couple of times. Here are some definitions of “crushed” from Websters: To squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure; to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding; to suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weight; to oppress or burden grievously, to subdue completely
To bruise (again from Websters) is to disable; batter, break down by pounding, wound , injure
Let’s look at some examples of the Lord’s loving care and Divine power in action during His time here on earth
Jesus heals a blind man – first He heals; later He shares who He is with that man. Notice too how much confusion and strife arose because of what Jesus did for this man. Remember that we can walk in His same works , but we will also walk in the same persecution. That is why it is important to be aware of and engage in spiritual warfare!
John 9: 1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
It was Jesus decision to perform miracles even if it meant that He would be persecuted. He cared that much! We should too.
Matthew 12: 10And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all
The woman with the issue of blood and the dad whose daughter died
Luke 8: 40And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Jesus had compassion on a boy with more than one demon in him:
Mark 9: 20 And they brought the boy to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he {began} rolling about and foaming {at the mouth.}21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.22 “And it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”23 And Jesus said to him,”‘ If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.“24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and {began} saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”26 And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and {the boy} became so much like a corpse that most {of them} said, “He is dead!”27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up.
The Lord He give us the power to help others in His name:
Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
We should make it a point to read all the miracles of the Lord and His disciples as well as the miracles in the Old Covenant writings so that we can know exactly what we have been given to do and know that with God all things are possible when we have the faith to believe!
Mark 9:17And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?29And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Our prayers can be effective in helping people!
James 5: 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
God desires for us to have a wonderful life! He provided Jesus to destroy the works of the enemy and then He also equipped us to have authority over the enemy too. Through faith, knowing and walking in the Word, being in close communion with the Lord, and prayer we can the abundant life the Lord wants to give to us.
There surely will be seasons of testing, tribulation, and persecution; however, will get the victory! John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Because the One in us has overcome, so can we.
1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Onward Christian Soldier: Lay hold upon what the Lord wants to bless us with and defeat the enemy trying to interfere with our blessings coming to us!
