Righteousness, or my right standing with God, gives me a proper aspect of humility. It’s not a humility of my works and my efforts, it is a humility of recognition of all that God has done for me, all that God is doing for me, and all that God will do for me.
Many people have a habit of being sick. They surrender to their sickness, get used to it, expect it and even find an explanation for being sick. People suffer from pain, convinced that it has always been and will always be that way. “I have always had headaches and I always will.” People have become accustomed to their headaches and do not even try to resist their pain. But Jesus has already taken all your diseases on Himself!
Banish your habit of being sick! Believe that Jesus has overcome all the pain and all infirmities. BY HIS WOUNDS YOU ARE HEALED! Only believe and accept the health that Jesus is giving you!
The message of the Gospel is spreading all over the world, but it is sad that not all who accept salvation also believe in healing—even though it is the same thing! In the time of Jesus and his disciples it was as natural to pray for healing as it was to pray for salvation. People believed and were healed!
Do you understand that when Jesus died on the cross He took all your sins and all your sicknesses? The Lord Jesus delivered you from the devil’s captivity and gave you freedom—freedom from any kind of bondage, sickness and disease. Jesus Christ died for all our sins, for all our sicknesses, for all our problems and needs!
Our Father said, “Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24). God is good!
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened… If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11).
How should we ask? With confidence. How should we seek? Earnestly. How should we knock? With perseverance and confidence. “Father, I believe in Your Word. I believe that Your Word is true, and I expect to receive an answer from You.”
Imagine your children asking you to buy them some ice cream. What happens when you give your child an ice cream treat? They are so happy and so grateful; they eat it with such great pleasure. They have ice cream on their face and hands and it is dripping on their shirt, but they are so happy because they are loving that ice cream. How do you as a parent feel then? “My babies are so happy and grateful. I will buy them something yummy again!” Isn’t that right?
Our heavenly Father is just as happy to answer our prayers! He tells His children, “Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” John 16:24). He tells us, “Ask that your joy may be full. I want to bless you. I want to help you. All you need to do is ask Me.” God wants us, His children, to rejoice in the same way a child rejoices when he receives something from his parents!
Persistently and weekly a bishop from Krivoy Rog, Ukraine phoned us requesting a visit and the opportunity to work together. Seeing their unwavering vision and determination, we consented to the appeal. The joy, hunger and sacrifice with which they received the Word of God made the effort and resources needed to reach them completely worth it.
Due to the military confilict, I was unable to fly directly as I normally would have but was required to route through Austria, entering Ukraine through a ‘back door.’ Thankfully, the most danger I faced was the white-knuckled trip from the airport dodging cars from all directions as we navigated countless immense potholes from 30 years of neglect.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! Lives were ignited and leaders established during nights of revelation and healing equal to Africa. The Lord has visited the Ukraine again! It continues to be a spiritual breadbasket to the world in the midst of its own great need.
God has not abandoned us, but He has sent Jesus to every family, every home, and every person. God is our help. No matter what your problem is or what it is that you need, God sent His Son Jesus so that you and I could receive life.
Matthew 18:20 promises that where two or three are gathered together in His name He is there in our midst. When the Word is preached, His presence is preached, and His presence fills the atmosphere around us.
In Luke 4 Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, to declare freedom for the prisoners….” Mark 16 says that He sends us to do the same thing!