Sickness in Winter

When I was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer in 2010 a friend prophesied to my husband “Do whatever it takes to get healed.” I had the help of the medical profession and people who knew how to pray, I was anointed with oil and ate good food and herbs. After four months I was healed completely.

This is a more difficult winter for us in Northern Ireland this year. We have had longer periods of zero temperatures, snow, wind and rain. The conditions are testing on families and the elderly. Many have the flu. It is time to endure and believe this sickness will pass and do whatever is necessary to get better. Sliced onions beside the bed of the sick person is know to absorb viruses and infections.

The promises in Psalm 91 have been a comfort to me down through the years, if I was in trouble whether with difficult conditions or sickness.

Here are truths that God promises for you as you trust him.

““If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says GOD, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:14-16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Psalm 103 has been another promise that I hold onto for healing.

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,”
Psalm‬ ‭103:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we reared our children they enjoyed good health. Brendan and I would pray for them and believed for walking in good health. Our children seldom missed school. God’s word is powerful and is true if you believe it. Have faith for healing and don’t be afraid.

You may not be feeling well yourself or have someone who has the flu or is in some other difficulty. Stand up and fight and believe God for his healing. It is a battle to believe God will heal if some one still has the symptoms of sickness. Don t look at the circumstances. Pray over your loved one until the sickness leaves. It’s time to fight and endure.

When an army goes out to war it needs the proper equipment to defeat the enemy. Our enemy puts sickness on people. I win by declaring that Jesus took all my diseases and sicknesses and I don’t have to be under the power of sickness no matter what it’s form.
The blood of Jesus heals me.

My war equipment is the Word of God and faith in the living God, Jesus. I speak out loud the Word of God over the sickness and command it to go. Jesus gives me power over all the power of the devil. He puts sickness on people. I take authority over sickness and tell it to go in Jesus name. I say for example, “By the stripes of Jesus be healed. Jesus in your Word I read that you took our diseases and lifted off all sicknesses. Lift off this sickness from my friend tonight. Believe and receive.”

When Jesus was on Earth he healed many people and cast out demons. He chose twelve disciples and gave them authority to do the same.

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:13-15, 20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

People were annoyed with Jesus because he did unusual things. Even his own family were annoyed with him.

This may sound new or strange to you, but I know for sure Jesus heals today.

Help the Poor and Needy

Today I read in James 1 v 27

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for the widows in their troubles and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

Many times in God’s word it is written that God is interested in his people looking after the poor and needy in our midst. One can’t say they have faith if he doesn’t show it by his actions. We can’t say God bless you to someone in need without giving them food if they are hungry or clothing if they have no covering.

We Christians can be busy fighting over doctrine and our differences. We can be so busy disagreeing that we become ineffective in living the way God wants us to.

““Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 22 v 16

Jeremiah rebuked Jehoiakim for living in affluence. This son of Josiah would have seen how his father repented and brought revival to the people of Israel by teaching them the ways of God. Josiah looked after the poor and needy. He was not busy acquiring wealth but he was seeking to please God first. But the son disregarded how his father lived. Judgement came on the son.

Looking after the poor and needy can save your life.
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭41:1, 3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We had a friend who was kind to the poor in the town in which we lived. He was in distress when his father was dying of cancer. He could not face life without his father. He took poison to kill himself. Some of his friends prayed for him and he was completely healed with no side effects and was restored to life.

Today think about how you can be kind to someone in need. Don’t avoid the poor you come across.
‭‭

I Began to Fear Growing Old.

I was reading a list of recommendations given by Pat Devilly a popular fitness trainer from Galway, on his post.  A line on the list reads,

“Spend time with people over seventy and under the age of six.”

Having reared fourteen children, I have spent much time with children.  I have to admit I have not spent much time with older people over the years.

After reading this Blog by Pat Devilly, I decided to pay a visit to an elderly friend.  Ten years ago she had two knee replacements.  She was very brave and recovered well.  Every night her sleep is disturbed by night sweats.  She has to change her night dress through the night.  I thought “Poor lady, she has to endure this hardship.”  I was humbled to hear about her difficulties but she continues enduring without complaint.
I began to fear growing old and with it failing health.

I was reading on Facebook recipes for being forever young.  Drink plenty of water, eat vegetables, don’t take sugar or processed foods, go for walks, garden, lose weight.  The list goes on and on.  I realized I would become exhausted trying to be forever young and eating lettuce to avoid pains and aches that many older people suffer.

I began to drink more water and my whole system reacted to the excess fluid.  I wasn’t well for days!  I tried to diet but failed miserably.  I try to go for a walk but other demands come first.  The weeds are flourishing in my garden!  The dreams of cooking wonderful dishes with the herbs from my garden has not materialized.

I decided to stop reading such articles on Facebook, I stopped drinking excess water, I eat when I’m hungry and don’t starve myself.  I will go for a walk when I desire, not because I should.  I will go back to gardening when I have the strength.  I will continue to wear the dress size I need to and not try to fit into a smaller size.  My body and mind were getting stressed with the fear.

I reminded myself of the scripture fromPsalm 91
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭14-16‬ NIV)

God promises me a long life.  If I have any sickness, pain or any other trouble in the future God promises to deliver me from each one.  As for me I will enjoy my life each day and not live in fear.  God has delivered me from death by healing me from cancer.  He will continue to help me.

The Power of the Cross.

The words of the hymn called “The Old Rugged Cross.” are going through my mind this afternoon, Good Friday 2015.  Today we remember Jesus death on the cross.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

I was on that hill far away where one can see the outline of a skull.  The hill was called Golgotha, in Jerusalem.
I remember today, Good Friday, Jesus death, when he was crucified and shed his blood.  He died a horrible death.  His face and body was covered in blood till he was not recognised.
Isaiah describes his death,

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

I know Jesus was rejected for me to take away my rejection.  I know he is acquainted with my sorrow, pain and grief.  I know he took all my sickness on the cross.  I gave it all to Jesus and I am free, healed and restored.  I know Satan is defeated by Jesus and I do not have to listen to Satan’s lies. The power of God was released when Jesus died that day on the cross.

Believe and receive from Jesus today. Give him all your sorrows and pain. He will give you healing instead. He took my cancer and gave me restoration. I love him because of what he has done for me.