FAITH AND FORGIVENESS

It is no surprise to me when I find myself "in the right place, at the right time." But it never ceases to amaze me when I see how much God really is "in control." I just keep marching; God directs my path -- and I discover many "divine appointments" along the way.

There are so many people in need of God's healing touch. And many of the healings I witness are actually deliverances! I pray for wounded people in hospitals, churches, private homes and public places... Whenever and wherever I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit, I approach people. And the first question I always ask is, "Are you a believer?"

A positive response to this question is all I need to proceed. (For) The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (Luke 17:6)

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet." He jumped up and began to walk about. (Acts 14:8-10)

San Francisco, CA (1990) _ I met a man sitting on a sidewalk. As I passed by, he said something derogatory to me. I stopped and listened. The man was a disabled Viet Nam veteran full of anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness -- and despair. He was crippled, and blind in one eye.

I asked him if I could touch (and pray for) his blind eye. He gave his consent; I touched his blind eye; and, he immediately saw the brightness of the sun! Then Jesus spoke to him (in his mind) and promised to complete the restoration of his sight after he return home and be reconciled with his parents. And as we walked down the street together, he suddenly realized that he was no longer lame! Glory to God.

"Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way. (Mark 10:52)

[Of course, "faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17)." And, "all the dead were judged according to their deeds (Revelation 20:13)."]

Where there is no faith,
there is no healing.

Although your faith will save you, there are blocks to receiving healing from God. I have been laying hands on people and praying for healing for a long time. (Deliverance is part of God's healing ministry.) Whenever I feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit, I am aware that God may want to use my hands to touch someone. Many are delivered and healed -- but not all.

Unforgiveness is the most common block that I encounter "among the faithful." Other common blocks are pride, anger, envy, bitterness and resentment... It is the Devil who wants you to hold on to anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness... He knows these sins are blocks to receiving healing from God.

Forgiveness is not an option: "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37) ... "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15)

If you are unwilling to forgive others (as an act of the will) -- if you choose to hold on to anger, bitterness, resentment... and unforgiveness -- don't expect to receive healing from God!

Where there is no forgiveness,
there is no healing.

You must forgive everyone (alive and dead) -- unconditionally! This is an act of the will -- not a feeling. Your feelings will change -- but you must forgive first. Your forgiveness will set you free, and God will heal the hurt, the pain, the trauma...

Unforgiveness has layers, like an onion -- and each layer must be peeled away. When you are able to recall the damage done (the pain, the trauma...), and it doesn't hurt anymore, you will know your forgiveness is complete.

When I lay hands on someone, I usually ask what is happening... I need to know if the person is receiving the grace! When nothing happens, I know there is a block. Then, I usually ask Jesus to show the person who he/she needs to forgive. And immediately, names and faces come to the forefront of the person's mind. When the names and faces stop coming -- and the person has forgiven everyone -- I lay hands again, and the person usually receives God's grace (God's healing touch).

When you receive Holy Communion, ask Jesus to help you to remove the blocks in your life that prevent you from receiving His grace and blessing... "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

If you want to enjoy God's favor,
live a holy life!

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