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In today’s podcast we will look to the true account of Jesus ministering healing to Peter’s mother-in-law. Remember our goal is to learn from these true accounts to help us both receive for ourselves what God has for us and help others as well.
Listen to the podcast: All Scriptures are from the English Standard Version
Matthew 8:14-17
14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Mark 1:29-32
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.
Luke 4:38-40
38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
All three accounts record this about Peter’s Mother-In-Law, “and she arose, and ministered unto him.” After she was healed, did she use her restored health to serve? Yes. Is it significant that all three accounts record this. Do you think this is important? Yes!
As much as we desire healing to be able to do the things we like to do and to stop the pain, our number one desire must be to use our health to glorify God and to serve him.
Remember the words of James.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Put God first. Put serving him your priority. Make it your desire above all else. When our priorities are right, it’s easier to receive from God.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
Today we are again going to look at the true account of the leper receiving healing. Our goal is to learn from these accounts to help us better receive and minister healing to others.
Listen to the podcast: Healing of The Leper
Matthew 8:1-4 Mark 1:40-45 Luke 5:12-15
Matthew 8:1-4
When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
Luke 5:12-15
12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Points:
Matthew said, “And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him…”
Mark said, “And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling…”
Luke said, “And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him…”
Did this leper get healed. Is he someone we can look to as a person who was successful in receiving Jesus. Can we learn from him.
I mentioned in the last podcast that he came believing but still questioned if Jesus would. Jesus answered his question by saying, “I will. Be clean.”
Jesus is willing. He is always willing to heal. Let’s focus on our part.
The leper believed Jesus could heal. He found out Jesus was willing to heal. What else do we know about the leper? He came to Jesus, not demanding, but in humility and submission, honoring who Jesus is.
He knelt before Jesus. What does kneeling before someone show? Honor for that person. Humility before that person. These things are important if we are going to receive.
Luke said, the leper fell on his face before him. Is this man showing any indication of pride? No. None at all. It’s humility that allows us to draw near to God. Remember the scripture says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (See James 4:6)
As we go to God in prayer, come with a humble heart. Be willing to fall on your face before him with nothing to offer but your love, devotion and faith in him. This is how we approach God. This is how we come to the throne of grace to find help in the time of need.
Hebrews 14:6 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Let me also remind you of Hebrews 11:6 which says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
How are we going to draw near to God? With a humble heart and with a heart of faith. That’s who is able to draw near to God. That’s who is able to draw near his throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. That’s who you are going to healing. Amen.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
Today we are going to look at the true account of Jesus healing a leper. The leper came to Jesus with a belief and a question. He believed Jesus could heal him but questioned if he was willing. That is the same belief and same question many have today. As we look at the Scriptures we will see Jesus was and is today, able and willing to heal.
Listen to the podcast: I want to point out that Luke recorded the man was full of leprosy. Leprosy is a very disfiguring, flesh rotting disease. Now imagine this man talking to Jesus asking for help. Jesus didn’t back away but reached out an touched the man that others did all they could to avoid. So hear the love and compassion of Jesus as I share from the Scripture.
Healing of The Leper
Matthew 8:1-4 Mark 1:40-45 Luke 5:12-15
Matthew 8:1-4
When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
Luke 5:12-15
12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Points:
The leper believed Jesus could heal but continued to be in the same state of having leprosy. Believing God can heal isn’t enough. We must settle the question, Is God willing?
The leper said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” He knew Jesus could but didn’t know if he was willing. Jesus answered the man’s question. He said, “I will. Be clean.”
Now the leper had his answer but he also had a command. Did you notice it? What did Jesus say? “I will. Be clean.”
I remember once when I was young I was at a Church service. The pastor was ministering under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and spoke out a very specific healing the Lord wanted to do. I was standing in the back of the Church and I thought to myself, “That’s me.” It was so specific and I knew I had the very issue the pastor spoke. I just simply, in my own mind and thoughts said, “Lord, that’s me. I receive it.” When I did that the power of God came on me and all I can say was it felt like a heat coming over my whole body. I collapsed and fell into the pew and God did a work in me.
The leper knew Jesus could. Then he found out Jesus was willing. And when Jesus ministered to him, touched him and said, “Be clean.” That was a command the leper had to yield to. He had to in his mind and heart say, “Yes Lord”.
Sometimes we do not even realize when we are cooperating with God and when we are resisting him because we are just in the moment and not thinking, we are just reacting.
We are not trying to get God to do something. We are only to believe and yield to it. Sometimes people mistake great desire to be healed for great faith. Don’t think we have to get God to do it is to doubt his love, his compassion and his desire to heal. He wants to heal us more than we want to receive. It’s true because his love for you is greater than you love yourself.
Jesus is so good. He is so willing for his power to move on us. Focus on his power, his willingness, his compassion, his love until you are so convinced that you know all you have to do is to yield to him.
Amen.
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
God speaks to us in general and He speaks to us specifically. If we need God to speak to us, He will. Set aside time on a daily basis this way you can hear Him in general. Developing the habit of this will get you to the level where you can hear his specifics. In a busy world, learn what to do when you need to hear from God.
Listen to the podcast: Blessings,
Mike Harmon
I know there is opportunity to be discouraged in our Christian walk. If there wasn’t, we would see so much about being of good courage and not growing weary. In today’s podcast I want to share some things you should do, should you find yourself not seeing evidence of God’s will coming to pass in your life.
Listen to the podcast: Let’s start by reading a passage of Scripture that will… set the stage so to speak.
35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. – Hebrews 10:35-39 (ESV)
Whatever you see in God’s Word as God’s will for you, don’t give up on it. Don’t quit believing. If you are willing to stop believing what you clearly see in the Scriptures, then what else will you quit believing. This passage I just shared with you is tilling you not to quit living by faith. Don’t shrink back to a life of walking by sight, just believing what you see. God takes no pleasure in those who does that. Don’t lose your faith. No matter what, hold tightly to your confidence in Him and his Word.
Now let’s cover some things you should do.
Everything we receive from God is by grace through faith. It’s by his grace that he offers what we do not deserve and it’s through faith we access and take hold of what is offered by his grace.
So faith is important and faith is linked to forgiveness.
In Mark 11, Jesus gave a great teaching on faith and how to use it and then he goes right in to talking about forgiveness.
Let’s read it. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Ask yourself, is there anyone you are holding resent towards? Anyone you have ill feelings for? If so, then you need to forgive and walk in love. I’m not saying you have to hang out or be pals, but if you want to experience the fullness of God’s forgiveness then you have to forgive too.
Now let’s talk about Humility.
Remember, what we receive from God is based on his grace accessed or received through faith.
Just as faith is linked to forgiveness. Grace is linked to humility.
James 4:6 says, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Who gets more or God’s grace? Those who are humble before him. We also need to understand this about humility. Part of humility with God is obedience God. We see this clearly in Philippians 2:8 “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Jesus, our example humbled himself by becoming obedient. If you are not obedient to God, obedient to his Word and his leading, then you are not humbling yourself before him. Who gets the grace? The humble. Who are the humble? The obedient. Take inventory. Where are you not submitting to God in your life? What thoughts need to change and submit to his Truth. What actions need to come in line with his Word. Pray and ask God to help you identify them and change them.
Work on these two areas. God will help you. He wants to do a work in you. Remember his promise, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” – Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Isn’t that a comforting truth to know? I share that with almost everyone I work with because so many feel like quitting and giving up but if God will continue working on us, we can be of good courage to keep yielding to him and holding of to faith in him and his Word.
Spend time in prayer and check on these things. Study the scripture on them and increase your understanding in these areas. Most of all don’t quit. Don’t shrink back!
Listen to what the Apostle Paul said as he neared the end.
2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Paul didn’t talk about his adventures, exploits, what he accomplished or anything like that. He said he fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith. We too will focus on these things and not quit.
Keep the faith. Amen!
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
Sometimes I speak with people who have a wide range of emotions including anger, confusion, sadness, despair, discouragement, hopelessness all for the same reason. What they see in Scripture is not what they are experiencing in life. I want to talk about this today in hopes to bring comfort and encouragement.
Listen to the podcast: Just today I was speaking with a man who was frustrated because he was not seeing the healing he was believing for. He believes God and he trust God but you know there comes a time where we just say to God, “Why? Why am I not healed?”
I want to share with you what I shared with him. I told him what I believe as I see it in Scripture.
God is perfect and we are not. God is good. His is faithful but I’m imperfect in beliving him and taking hold of his promises for myself. So my choice is to believe in God’s goodness, that he is who he is revealed to be in the Scriptures, that all the Scriptures say Jesus has done for me, belongs to me as a child of God. I therefore will keep trusting, keep believing and keep growing as I pursue God’s best, his perfect will for me.
There comes a time where we have to choose. Are we going to believe God is who he says he is or are we going to judge God according to what we experience. The problem with judging who God is by what we experience or see is that we are not seeing the whole picture.
There were times as a child that I thought my dad was mean but as I got older and understood more, I saw he hadn’t been mean and that he had always loved me.
We must make the choice to believe God is who the Scripture is or we will have a wrong view of God.
Let me share with you some Scriptures about God.
This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5
You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:68 (NLT)
He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? – Romans 8:32
He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. – 1 John 4:8
Are we going to believe these Scriptures no matter what? Are we going to rejoice in the goodness of God no matter what? Are we going to do what the Scripture says in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” no matter what?
Let’s look at some more Scriptures so we will have a fuller view of life.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. – Romans 8:18
In this world we will face trouble, tribulation and pain. I think as you get older, the more pain you carry. I’m not just talking about physical pain but life pain, the things you’ve seen, experienced and felt. If we do not look to Jesus and let his joy in our life shine brighter that the darkness of the pain, we are going to be in trouble. But, praise God light is greater that darkness. His light drives out the darkness. His love cast out all fear. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our champion and we will trust him. Amen!
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
Rejoicing is a discipline. Living by faith is a discipline. It’s knowing and submitting to the Word of God. It’s being a doer and not a hearer only. Today we will talk about being obedient to the Word by rejoicing! Again I say Rejoice!
Listen to the podcast: Our Text:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. – Philippians 4:4 ESV
Main Points:
Rejoicing is a command. It’s to be obeyed just like any other Scripture. We must develop the daily discipline of rejoicing in the Lord!
Paul wrote this, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” while in prison. He wrote it under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
If you are familiar with Paul, then you know he faced hardship after hardship. He experienced ship wrecks, stonnings, being whipped, left for dead and more yet he ran his race with joy and finished his course. Part of his success was because he knew to rejoice and that is what he taught other believers.
Develop the discipline of daily rejoicing!
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 1118 24 (NKJV)
Rejoicing has an effect on you spiritually, mentally and physically.
Obey God! Rejoice daily!
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
God had promised Abraham that he would have a son. A son that would become the seed of many nations. Even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were way past the age of having children, he did not waiver with doubt. This story is for us. How did Abraham do it? He did not consider any other option but what God had said.
Listen to the podcast: Blessings,
Mike Harmon
In today’s podcast we talk about why you should pray for yourself and why you should not rush to ask others to pray for you. We look to Scripture for what we believe and for instruction for how to receive and walk in the promises of God. God is a good God and he wants good for you!
Listen to the podcast: Should We Pray For Ourselves?
The answer is yes. This seems like a silly question so let me tell you why I put that question forth. Often times people when people are going through trouble or some type of suffering, they tend to be quick to ask others to join them in prayer. It’s not wrong to ask others to pray but it can be a hinderance if you are asking people who are not in faith with you.
Let’s see what the Scripture says.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. KJV
(NLT) Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.
(ESV) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
(Amplified) Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray.
This verse is not talking about if you are very sick. That is spoken of in verse 14 where it says, “Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over…”
This verse is talking about when you are going through a tough time or situation in life. No one can pray and be more effective in praying for you when you are going through a hardship than you can. If you have given your life to Christ, then you belong to God. He is your good Father. Have confidence in His ability to lead you and guide you. Have confidence in his Grace. You can pray and be led by God what to do. Do not be quick to ask someone else to pray for you. If you are not in faith, they can’t over ride your doubt anyway. He is YOUR God! YOU Pray.
Remember, when you come to God by choosing to make Jesus your Lord (Romans 10:9-10), you become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21) and YOUR prayers are powerful (James 5:16)
Asking Others To Pray
If you are going to ask others to join in with you to pray about a specific thing that’s fine and good but you don’t need to ask anyone and everyone who is willing. You only need to find 2 or 3 tol stand with you in faith. That’s all you need, 2 or 3.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Scripture is our guide. Whatever you do, look to scripture for guidance.
Now about unspoken prayer request. If you are own social media you may see sometimes people will share a post saying, “I have an unspoken prayer request. God knows what it is.” They are asking for prayer for something specific but not sharing what it is yet people will reply, “On it!’ “I’m praying!” Praying for what? They don’t even know what the person is wanting from God! It could be something good or it could be something out of God’s will. You don’t know. How can you pray? What Scripture are you standing on? I even see it in Church sometimes. People will say, “I have an unspoken prayer request” and ask people to pray with them about it.
Where in Scripture do we see examples of having an unspoken prayer request?
We want to be effective in our prayers! Let’s look to the Word to see what God says about prayers and the examples giving and follow what the Word says!
When You Don’t Know What To Do
Often times I speak with people who are tired and frustrated because they are doing all they know to do without seeing progress. Usually there are three responses in this situation.
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I was in faith but God didn’t answer my prayer (Wrong! Look at 2 Corinthians 1:20)
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I’ve done all I know to do. There’s nothing else to do. I’m going to give up.(Wrong! Keep Growing!)
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I know this is God’s will. I see it in the Scriptures. I’m going to follow God and trust him to teach me, guide me, do a work in me, help me grow to the point where I am able to talk hold of it. I’m going to be like Paul and forget the past and press on! (Yes! Right Answer!)
I was asked once, “What do you tell people who are in faith and are doing all they know to do but nothing is changing?” I answered, “What do you say to a person whose business is not profitable but they say they are doing all they know to do? You tell them go learn more about how to run a profitable business.”
We may be in faith, but we are only in faith to the degree we know. We all will always have more room to grow. Our whole life, we have the opportunity to grow stronger in faith, to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding about the things of God. Never think you have arrived. Paul didn’t. He had the attitude of always pushing forward for more.
In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul said, “12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Consider this. If a man goes to pick up a 100 pound barbell off the floor but he is not strong enough and can’t pick it up, does he say, “The floor will not let loose of the barbell? No, of course not. The floor is not holding on to it. Just because he couldn’t pick it up today does that mean it’s impossible? No, of course not. What does that man need to do? If picking up that barbell is his goal, then he needs to forget today’s failure and keep pressing on towards his goal by daily strengthening himself. eating right, getting rest and exercising his muscles with smaller weights.
In Mark 9:23 Jesus said, “…all things are possible to him that believeth.” If you see a promise in Scripture and for whatever reason do not take hold of it today, stay with it. It’s possible! It can happen. Keep pressing. Keep growing! Keep learning and follow God’s instruction for what to do to grow.
God not only has provision for you through the redemptive work of Christ, he will also lead you and teach you how to walk in it if you will stay with it and trust him!
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
Have you ever heard the saying, “No one has more power to hold you back than you do?” or at least something similar? Our own view of ourselves can hinder our success in life and even more important, it can hinder what God wants to do in and through us. In today’s podcast we will talk about seeing ourselves and our relationship to God according to his Word.
Listen to the podcast: Summary If we are going to walk with God, enjoy fellowship with him and the benefits of knowing him and being his child, then we must be in agreement with him. Our thoughts and desire must be in harmony with his as revealed in his Word.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
John 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
He offers his promises because he loves. He fulfills his promises because he is faithful.
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.
Jeremiah 1:12 I watch over my word to perform it.
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
Jesus told His disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side while He went and prayed. A big storm came, and their situation grew hopeless. Matthew 14:25-29 (NKJV) Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Listen to the podcast: Blessings,
Mike Harmon [Podcast]
In today’s podcast we are going to see what it means to be made righteous. It’s not something we achieve. It’s something we accept by faith and then stand in it, practise it and live it.
Listen to the podcast: Let’s begin by looking at our main text.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
In him (in Christ) we might become the righteousness of God. When it says we might become, it’s become as in the since of being made. It’s not something we achieve, it’s something we receive. It’s by the work of Christ that we become or are made righteous when we accept Jesus as Lord.
As I said in our last podcast, people often say righteousness is to be right with God, and that’s true but it’s true because we are made the righteousness of God as the Scripture says. Jesus, the sinless one was made to be sin for us so that we, who are sinful, can be forgiven and made righteous, without sin.
In God’s eyes, you, as a believer, are righteous. You are not required to pay the penalty of sin because you have been made righteous in Christ.
Now let’s look at John 10:10. I’m sure you are familiar with it. Here Jesus make it clear that the devil’s desire is to harm you but God’s desire is for you to experience life in Christ.
Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Anything that has to do with stealing, killing or destroying doesn’t come from God. That’s of the devil. Jesus made that clear didn’t he. In contrast, Jesus said he came that they may have life and have it abundantly! Praise God!
Now here is what I want you to see. This word life is translated from the Greek word, “Zoe”. People often say “Zoe” means the God kind of life. That’s true. Let me give you another definition from the Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament. It says Zoe is, “the spiritual life of deliverance from the proper penalty of sin.”
It’s life without the due (what you deserve) penalty of sin! Jesus paid the penalty of sin so that we do not have to! He came that we could have life without the penalty of sin that we deserve!
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin (the due penalty) is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This word life is the same word, “Zoe” that Jesus used in John 10:10.
Jesus came to give make us righteous before God. Though we have sinned, it’s been wiped away, we have a clean slate, it’s like we have never sinned and we do not have to pay the penalty of sin! We now can enjoy the life God has for us.
That includes being free from the curse of the law.
In the Old Testament, they had a law to live by, a covenant with God. If they kept the covenant, they enjoyed the blessings of God. If they didn’t, they experienced the curses of breaking God’s law. No one could live perfectly without sin and that’s why we needed a Savior. Instead of trusting our own efforts to live and be righteous, we accept the righteousness of Christ by faith and therefore we do not have to be under the curse of the law!
In Galatians 3, Paul explains it as being redeemed from the Curse of the Law.
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
As a believer who has accepted Jesus as Lord, you are redeemed from the curse and have access to the blessings of Abraham! Take time to go back to Deuteronony Chapter 28 and read about the blessings in the curse. You will see that sickness is a curse and health is a blessing. Jesus came that you could experience life, the life God has for you, life without the due penalty of sin, life without being subject to the the curse of the law, sickenss and disease.
You have to be grounded in this truth so that when anything that comes in your life that resembles stealing, kiling or destroying, you will know that’s not of God and it has no right to be part of your life and you will stand strong and resist it!
In John 14:30, Jesus speaking to his disciples before he was to be crucified said, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,”
The enemy had not claim on Jesus. Why? Because he was sinlness. He was righteous. In Christ, you have been made righteous and the devil has no claim on you! He has no right to attack you so stand firm against him as you set your faith on God and stand on the truth of His Word.
If I was in a court room for something I knew I did and the judge declares me not guilty, I’m not going to a some guy come and take my arm and try and take me to a jail cell. I’ll say no! Not guilty! I don’t have to pay the penalty! I’m not going to let you take hold of me!
Know what Christ has done for you. He has made you the righteousness of God.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
Understanding the righteousness in Christ which belongs to you is key to your prayer life and your fellowship with God. In today’s podcast we will look to the Scriptures to help us have this much needed understanding.
Listen to the podcast: Let’s begin by looking at what righteousness is. Basically it means to be in character and in attributes, right, lawful, just, having integrity. To have no imperfection of character or action.
Now let’s look at one a powerful scripture.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Most often when people speak of righteousness they say it means to be right with God, which it does but I want you to really notice what the Scripture says.
2 Corinthians 5:21...we might become the righteousness of God.
It doesn’t say we become right with God. It says we become the righteousness of God. In Christ, we are right with God because we have been made the righteousness of God.
Does this mean you never fail, never miss God, never sin? No. It means you put your trust in the redemptive work of Christ. Just as Jesus was without sin was made to be sin, we who are with sin are made to be without it, made to be the righteousness of God.
Now let’s go see more on this from the book of Romans in Chapter 10.
In this Chapter, Paul says there are those who tried to live according to the Law of God and have their own righteousness. The problem is, no one can live a perfect life. The answer was for Jesus to come live a perfect life, to take on sin on him and by faith, obtain the righteousness he has for us!
6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
How do we obtain this righteousness? By faith! By hearing the Word of God, the Word of Faith, then believing it in our heart and acting on it by confessing Jesus as Lord. This is how we are justified. This is how we come into the salvation provided for those who would believe and confess Jesus as Lord. This is how we come into the righteousness God has for us. It’s by faith! Trusting in, believing on, and acting by confession and making Jesus our Lord!
If Jesus is your Lord, then in him, you have been made the righteousness of God.
So now I must ask you the question. Are you as righteous as God?
That’s a sobering question isn’t it.
Our natural response is to say no. How could that be possible?
But clearly this is what the Scriptures proclaim!
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
When I work with people to mentor them or work with them as a Christian Life Coach, this is one of the first areas I cover. When ask a client to tell me who they are I want them to respond back by saying, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ!”
As a Christian, this is who we are. This is the truth we accept and act on by faith! Jesus did the work. It’s God’s will. We are to accept it. Agree with it. See ourselves that way and live it out.
You my friends, if you have accepted Jesus as Lord, then by faith you can say you have been made the righteousness of God!
Now why is that important? We will talk about it in our next podcast so be sure to join me then.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
Our verse for today is one we speak of often. It’s a foundational truth for receiving healing. God wants us to see him and know him as Healer. “I am the Lord who heals.” – Exodus 15:26
Listen to the podcast: The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt. God chose Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let the people go. He also told Moses to go speak to the Israelites.
Exodus 6:2-3 (ESV)
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.
I’ve included some other translations to help with clarity.
New International Version
2 God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.
Amplified Bible
2 And God said to Moses, I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My name the Lord [Yahweh—the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles].
God’s people knew him as God Almighty but did not fully know him for who he is or his redemptive names. God was about to reveal himself to them in a way they never knew before.
Now we move ahead in the story. The Israelites had just seen the mighty power of God as he delivered them from the bondage of Israel and from the Egyptian army. Now God starts revealing more of himself to his people.
Exodus 15:25-26 …There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
So now the Israelites know the God they had worshiped as God Almighty is also the Lord who heals. He would go on to reveal more about himself as they went but for now let’s focus on God saying he is the Lord who Heals. How wonderful is that! How great is it to know that God is Healer!
How does that impact us today?
2 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV)
… For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Here he is talking about his relationship with believers today. He is claiming all those who believe as his own and that he will be their God.
We can see that God has already revealed himself as The Lord Who Heals. The God who heals is our God today.
As you worship God, worship Him for who he revealed himself to be.
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
If you were to ask anyone on the street what they would want out of life. They would probably want to know why they were created. What is God’s purpose for my life? Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” You were formed in your mother’s womb and your purpose was created there.
Listen to the podcast: Blessings,
Mike Harmon [Podcast]
It’s our hope that these podcast encourage you and strengthen your faith as we share God’s Word with you. Today I want to share two scriptures that have been a tremendous blessing to me and I hope to you as well.
Listen to the podcast: John 14:13-14
13 Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
When Jesus was fulfilling his earthly ministry, he went about doing good and healing (See Acts 10:38). Why? Because it was the Father’s will. Remember John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”
Jesus showed compassion, loved and healed people all because it was the Father’s will.
Let’s look at another portion of Scripture that shows Jesus and his desire to do the will of the Father.
John 4.
30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him. 31 In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
33 The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.
Doing the Father’s will was Jesus’ desire, his purpose. Accomplishing the Father’s will, bringing it to pass, seeing it happen in people’s lives is what Jesus did.
Even as a little child, Mary and Joseph went looking for him and found him in the Temple, Jesus said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Other translation say, “I must be about my Father’s business.” (See Luke 2:49)
Seeing that Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus is the same today as he was yesterday and he always will be the same do you think Jesus is still all about seeing the Father’s will come to pass in people’s lives? Yes!
Jesus is not here in the flesh any more do bring about and minister the Father’s will so how does he do it now? He told us to speak it and he would do it! Amen!
Jesus is still about his Father’s business. He wants you and I to speak his Word, his will, over situations and believe he will do it and he will do it!
Jesus said, “If you will ask (or command) anything in my name, I will do it.”
In James Chapter 5, the Scriptures says for those who are sick and need help to call upon the elders to come pray the prayer of faith. Now listen to what verse 15 says, “and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”
Who prays the prayer of faith? The people. The believers. Who raises the sick person up? Jesus!
In Acts Chapter 9, we see there was man in Lydda who was paralyzed and been in bed 8 years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.” (Acts 9:34)
Jesus is about doing the Father’s will. He told us to pray, to speak in faith for the Father’s will to happen and Jesus said he will do it!
Jesus came to do the Father’s will and he is still seeing that His will is accomplished. He wants us to speak, pray in faith and he will respond and do it! Amen.
Healing is the Father’s will. 1 Peter 2:24 tells us by the redemptive work of Christ, we already have been healed. “who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.”
Your healing has already been paid for and Jesus wants to accomplish that will in your life! Amen.
What I’ve been teaching this week, the Scriptures are all in the show notes. Get those scriptures. Meditate on them. Get them in your heart until they become real to you and you know they are true then act on them.
Jesus said whatever you ask in his name, he will do. Speak healing over your body. So it in faith in Jesus’ name. He said he would do it. Amen!
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
It’s our hope that these podcast encourage you and strengthen your faith as we share God’s Word with you. Today I want to share two scriptures that have been a tremendous blessing to me and I hope to you as well.
Listen to the podcast: John 14:13-14
13 Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus said, whatever you ask in his name, he will do it. We’ve covered this on previous podcast but I want to quickly mention again This word ask can also be translated as demand. Not that we demand of Jesus but we do demand for his will to be done and Jesus will make sure it is. We see one example of this in Acts 3 where Peter said to the lame man. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” (See Acts 3:6)
It’s with this meaning in mind, demanding God’s will to be done, that I want to focus on the two verses I shared.
Jesus said whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do. Let’s use the word demand. Whatever you demand in my name, that will I do.
Now before we go further, let’s make a crucial point. To understand what someone is saying, you have to understand them. To understand what Jesus is saying here, we have to understand a truth about Jesus. He only does the will of the Father. Remember Jesus said in John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”
To properly apply what Jesus meant, we must acknowledge that Jesus will not do anything outside the will of the Father. So it’s right to view what Jesus said in light of that. So we know for us to stand on the words of Jesus, knowing whatever we ask (or demand) must be God’s will and then he will do it.
Now here is why I get so excited about this verse.
I know healing is God’s will. There are too many Scriptures about God as our healer, how Jesus already paid the price for our healing and so on for healing not to be God’s will.
I know that Jesus said in Mark 11:23, “For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.”
So now I put it all together. Healing is God’s will for me. I can speak to my body, whatever sickness or hurt I have, call it to line up with God’s will and be whole and healed, believing that what I say is coming to pass, and Jesus will do it!
I believe when I speak God’s will over my life, Jesus will do it! He said he would didn’t he? He will do it!
Now what I have to do is not get discouraged just because I’m not seeing what I’m speaking. I need to keep believing and keep speaking because I need to work the truth Jesus said. Whatever we ask, or command in Jesus’ name, he will do.
If I’m not speaking the Father’s will, I’m not giving Jesus anything to work with. He said he will do what I speak, commanding God’s will to be done and in this example I’m talking about healing in my body.
When I speak healing and health over my body, In my mind I see Jesus acknowledging my words and nodding yes, meaning I’m doing it. I’m making it come to pass. I said I would and I will.
The Bible says that Jesus is my good shepherd, my Lord but also says he is my brother. (See Hebrews 2:11)
My brother is looking out for me. Praise God. Your brother is looking out for you too! Jesus was speaking to believers when he said, “Whatever you ask, or command, in my name I will do.”
Get in the Scriptures and find out, with no doubt, that healing is God’s will and begin speaking healing over your body knowing that Jesus will do it. Keep speaking. Keep giving Jesus words to work with. He said what you speak, ask, command, he will do. Amen!
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
In today’s podcast we will talk about an area that people often neglect while standing in faith for healing or any other promise they are believing God for, and that is watering your faith.
Listen to the podcast: In a letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul addresses an issue among the believers. Some were claiming to be of Paul and others were claiming to be of Apollos who had also preached the Word of God to them. This was causing strife and was not of God. Paul addresses and make it clear that God is the important one. But in doing so, he makes statement that we need to heed in order to have strong faith.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Paul makes it clear that God is the one who gives the increase. Just as a farmer plants his seed, then waters the seed and continues to water and care for it until it’s a grown plant and has produced a harvest, we tend to the Word of God in our hearts until the harvest comes but it’s God who brings forth the increase. It’s God who makes the plant grow. Not the farmer. It’s God who makes our faith grow and causes the harvest to come but we have our part to plant the seed, The Word of God, and to water it, Hear the Word of God again and again, until it’s time for harvest.
In Scripture we see the Word of God described as a seed to be planted in our hearts. We see Paul saying he planted and he also says there is a time of watering, which Apollos did when he preached the Word.
When we are standing in faith, we are standing on the Word of God, which we have planted in our hearts and have taken hold of. I know you may believe the whole Bible is the Word of God, which it is, but when you are standing in faith, you are standing on specific verses that reveal God’s Truth, His Will. It’s those specific verses that you have in your heart, which produced faith for you to believe.
Here is where people get in trouble. As they are standing in faith, they stop watering. They keep confessing the Word, say the believe the Word, but they are not taking time to water what has already been planted. If you are not careful, your faith can dry out and leave you thinking you are standing in faith but what you are really doing is standing on head knowledge.
Faith is of the heart. We believe with the heart. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. To keep our faith strong, we must water that faith and we do it the same way, by hearing and hearing the Word of God. You need to continually read, hear and meditate on the same scriptures you started out with in believing God.
I want you to see what Jesus said about his Words.
John 6:63 “It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.”
A person can read the Word of God and it does nothing for them. But when they honor God’s Word as his Word and they receive his Word into their hearts and meditate on them, the Holy Spirit in our hearts make God’s Word alive to us.
If you are going to believe for the harvest (Experience God’s Promises), then you have to plant the Word in your heart and continue to water it, trusting God for the increase until you are able to reap the harvest and lay hold of God’s promises according to his Word.
Blessings,
Tim Dumas
God gave you anger. Of course, a temper can be used in an ungodly way. That temper is for you to use against the enemy and everything bad that he tries to put on people. Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV) “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” This verse is telling you to be angry. There is a God kind of anger that is not sin.
Listen to the podcast: Blessings,
Mike Harmon
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7 (ESV)
Listen to the podcast: Jesus during his earthly ministry invited people to follow him. He also gave a more intimate invitation to those who would believe on him by saying, “abide in me.” Today, Jesus is extending that same invitation to all who are willing to accept it.
John 15 ESV
1.“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jesus offers this wonderful invitation to abide in him and with this invitation is a promise of answered prayer. And, in this we see that answered prayer is connected to abiding in Christ.
Jesus goes on to tell of this wonderful invitation to abide in him by saying abide in my love. To abide in Christ is to abide in his love, to be continually surrounded and covered by the wondrous love of the Father. It’s more than our minds can even comprehend.
How do we abide in Christ? How do we abide in his love?
Jesus tells us, John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
Does this mean that God will not love us if we do not keep his commands? No. His love is relentless but the degree to which we experience his love is left up to us. We are invited to abide, to live in his love which means we must accept the invitation.
In Jude 1:21 we see the words, “keep yourselves in the love of God…”
How do we? The same way Christ did. He kept his Father’s commands and abided in the Father’s love.
Anything God ask us to do, we can take courage by knowing he is willing to give us the grace to do, if we stay humble before him and trust him.
Begin to focus on abiding in Christ. Believe God for his grace to do so.
As an act of faith begin to confess, “By the grace of God, I abide in Christ and his Words abide in me. I live in the Father’s love.”
Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you what it means to abide in Christ.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas