“All Things Are Of God”
Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
We have those in the ministry who say and teach that they are superior to others, especially if they are men. But that is not the way things God sees things. All things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. It doesn’t matter if we are male or female, young or old, we can all ministry to one another in the power of the Spirit and with the gifts of the Spirit. And that is the only ways to minister because flesh and blood profits nothing and the Spirit gives life. He who raised Christ from the dead is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. God’s word is unchanging:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 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 sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18
The prayer of faith can be prayed by any true man or woman who God who is full of the Holy Spirit, power and faith just like Stephen was and he only served on table. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:1-8
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8
Yes, Stephen and Phillip, men full of faith and power and the Holy Spirit, did great wonders and signs among the people and not just the Apostles. This idea that only a pastor or a super healing evangelist can pray for the sick is hogwash. Jesus taught that all believers can cast out devil and lay hands on the sick so that they will recover. God’s word is unchanging:
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
It is true that the devil is behind many sickness and problems in our lives and in the world, but so are our unrepented sins and bad habits and lifestyles. We cannot just blame the devil for a sickness if we have rebuked him and have been prayed for but a true man of God with a prayer of faith and are not healed. Then we must see this sickness as a chastening from God for our sins. And we need to repent of the sin that caused the sickness so that we can be healed.
God created and planned the human body, as well as its environment. God has given certain natural laws that are necessary for the welfare of the body. Ignoring these laws will bring discomfort, disease, and eventually death to the body. The laws of nature are GOD’S LAWS for physical health, and cannot be broken without punishment in the form of sickness and infirmity. Divine healing was never intended to take the place of proper care of the body. This care includes rest, exercise, right eating, sanitation, and avoidance of weakening habits. LACK OF REST MAY CAUSE SICKNESS. God commanded His people to rest one day out of each seven.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:9-10.
More people in America are sick as a result of over-eating, or of eating foods that are too heavy and too rich than as a result of malnutrition. Over-eating is the direct cause of some sicknesses, and a contributing factor in many others. The work of all the organs of the body is so increased by over-eating and over-weight that it becomes impossible for these organs to carry on their normal duties, and sicknesses ranging from gout to stomach and heart troubles result. Even the deficiency diseases are frequently prevalent among those who over-eat, because they choose their foods on the basis of taste appeal, rather than the body’s needs. Too many rich, sweet, or starchy foods, fat meats, and the like, make the body fat, overburden the heart and digestive organs, at the same time failing to provide the food elements needed to rebuild the body cells and maintain health. Many who seek prayer for their bodies would not need prayer if they would take a little care and choose the proper foods, limit their eating to the necessary amounts, and give their bodies the proper rest.
Many of these would be benefited very little by an instant miracle of healing, for they would immediately begin again the process of tearing down their own bodies through the same disobedience to the laws of God and of nature that originally caused their sickness. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone,” Matthew. 4:4. The eternal values of the kingdom are far greater than the present enjoyment of pleasant food and drink. “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things” 1 Corinthians 9:25. LACK OF EXERCISE MAY CAUSE SICKNESS:
“For bodily exercise profits a little.. .“ 1 Timothy 4:8.
True enough, the New King James version renders this, “For bodily exercise profits a little:” however, the literal rendering from the original text, is rather, “For a little time.” Godliness profits more. Nevertheless, in any consideration of the Christian’s way of life regarding health, it should be remembered that physical exercise is necessary to maintain muscle tone and to keep the body strong.As Christians, let us not become worshippers of the “body beautiful,” or more concerned with exercise, meats and drinks than with godliness. Yet we can serve God best when we serve Him with a clean soul in a strong body.
WEAKENING HABITS CAUSE SICKNESS. There are many that weaken their bodies through injurious habits. It is a well known fact, substantiated by the best medical authorities, as well as athletes, coaches, and others interested in building strong bodies, that the use of liquor, tobacco and narcotics is injurious to the body. Many diseases of the heart and liver, as well as cancer of the lungs and other diseases, have been attributed to one or more of these habits. God’s word is true:
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
WALTER KAMBULOW
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Gordon
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