ANNOUNCEMENT:
November 15th 2021
Dear faithful friends of The Bible Prayer Line. My wife of some 55 years has been taken to the hospital with several health concerns, and this has made it impossible for me to write any blog postings.
Please pray for Barbara (77), that she will completely recover. It is God's will that we love and care for one another!
Someone might say, Pastor, just what strange day are we living in? And the answer is the day of Matthew 25, the soon coming of our precious Lord and Savior, The Lord Jesus.
This is a day of testing to see just how much we care for each other!
Matthew 25:31-46 NLT (The Final Judgment)
31 “But when The Son Of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as A Shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left.
34 “Then The King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home.
36 I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And The King will say, ‘I tell you The Truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’
41 “Then The King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed Me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give Me a drink.
43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite Me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give Me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit Me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you The Truth, when you refused to help the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help Me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Bible Answers:
To be sure the miracles that Jesus performed, were attestations of His divine origin, and power, but they also served another purpose, that of “healing the sick.”
The question before us then, is was this practice something to be passed on, i.e. praying for the miraculous recovery of the sick, for the purpose of their deliverance?
And what is the Biblical Answer?
John 2:11 KJV
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.
John 3:2 KJV (The testimony of Nicodemus)
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.
John 7:31 KJV
And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this Man hath done?
John 10:25,38 KJV
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.
John 20:30 KJV
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:
God's promise to His people
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
The work of Jesus
Matthew 9:35 KJV
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mark 6:55,56 KJV
55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He was.
56 And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
We as Christ's disciples in the 21st century, are we to pray for the sick?
Matthew 10:1-7 KJV
[1] And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 10:1-9 KJV
[1] After these things The Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
[2] Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.
[3] Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
[4] Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
[5] And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
[6] And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
[7] And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
[8] And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
[9] And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Malachi 3:6 KJV
For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
John 8:31 KJV
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
THE GREAT COMMISSION: (Of the Church of Jesus Christ.)
Mark 16:15 KJV
[15] And He (Risen Lord Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents*; and if they drink any deadly thing*, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
*(Not things gone after, but evil things, that can come upon the people of God.)
Acts 28:1-6 KJV
[1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
[5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
On his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul was involved in a mighty ship wreck. His boat was dashed to pieces at the island of Melita.
The people of Melita, kindled a fire for the survivors, because of the wind, rain, and the cold.
Verse three tells us that the Apostle gathered together a bundle of sticks to feed the fire, when placed on the flame, a viper jumped out and bit the Apostle on the hand.
The people of Melita, thought at first that Paul, must be a criminal, murderer, though he had escaped the sea, yet vengeance would not permit him to live.
But, the Apostle, merely shook off the snake, feeling “no harm.”
Then the people of Melita, thought of him as a god.
God, had protected the Apostle Paul, from harm.
Was this anything that Paul had sought-the handling of snakes....absolutely not!”
Christ in his desert temptation by Satan, was so tempted by him, as to do works of foolishness (jump from the pinnacle of the temple) to force God's miraculous protecting hand.
Matthew 4:5-7 KJV (Christ's righteous works, were not for grandstanding, but for displaying the power and love of God.)
[5] Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto Him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:5-7 NLT
5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple,
6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say*,
‘He will order His angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’
Lucifer, knew well the Angelic Codes of heaven, as he was once an angel of very high rank
(Psalm 91:11,12).
How “many,” a nefarious ne'er-do-well, or explicit, exhibitionist, has murdered the wonderful word of God, by preforming snake handling exhibitions, or made some open ridiculous spectacle, of the very dear and precious “Gifts of the Spirit.”
Dear friend, never forget the enemy of our souls, wants you and I, to “miss it.”
Error from the truth, miss the great things of God. Miss all the blessing that He has for us, etc. etc. etc.
It is our responsibility, to recognize things for what they are, of the Spirit, or of the flesh and the devil!
Is Divine Healing for the children of God, Yes!
John 13:15 KJV
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Matthew 10:1 KJV
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mark 3:15,15 KJV
[14] And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,
[15] And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 10:19 KJV (Mark 16:15)
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
God's promise to heal:
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of The LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Moses knew, that God was their keeper!
Deuteronomy 29:5,6 NLT
5 For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but He gave you food so you would know that He is the Lord
I Peter 2:24 KJV
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (Past tense, victory achieved, by the stripes of our Lord, (Isaiah 53:).
Psalm 103:3 KJV
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
John 14:14 KJV
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
James 5:14,15 KJV
[14] Is any sick among you? 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:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and The Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Isaiah 58:6 KJV
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is sickness, evil, from the evil one?
Job 2:7 KJV
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Luke 13:11-16 KJV
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
[12] And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
[13] And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
[16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Matthew 12:22 KJV
Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mark 9:17-27 KJV
17] And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
[18] And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
[19] He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me.
[20] And they brought him unto Him: and when He saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
[21] And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
[22] And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
[23] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
[24] And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
[25] When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
[26] And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
[27] But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
The Early Church, believed, and practiced, prayer for the sick, in the name of the Lord.
Mark 16:20 KJV
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Acts 5:14-16 KJV
[14] And believers were the more added to The Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
I Peter 3:12 KJV
For the eyes of The Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of The Lord is against them that do evil.
I John 5:14,15 KJV
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
[15] And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
Psalm 107:20 KJV
He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Mark 11:24 KJV
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
When we pray, we must have faith!
Romans 10:17 KJV (See Hebrews 11:)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
I Thessalonians 5:24 KJV
Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Psalm 89:34 KJV
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.
John 15:7 KJV
If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
I Kings 8:56 KJV
"...there hath not failed one word of all His good promise..."
II Corinthians 1:20 NLT
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
Prayer:
Matthew 24:35 KJV
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
Ezekiel 12:25 KJV
For I am The LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; ...I say the word, and will perform it, saith The Lord GOD.
Much more could be said, and no doubt in the future, more will be.
Believe in the Power of the Lord, for your self, and for the many needs of others!
I John 4:4 KJV
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if you have a prayer need, we will post it so that people around the world will pray!
Send your prayer requests to;
The Bible Prayer Line
C/O Pastor Joseph J. Reine
P.O. Box 128
Clearwater, Minnesota
55320
Keep praying, keep believing, keep working till Jesus comes!
