God Cares about All your Problems

God cares about everything in your life. He is thinking about you all the time. 

I have seen amazing answers to prayer. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I cried out to God. Years later, my medical specialist said the tumours had not grown and he thought I would probably never need treatment. That is wonderful. Cancer treatment can have very unpleasant side effects.

But what about little things?

I have a weakness in my lower back. I am 76. When I get up in the morning, my back often feels stiff and uncomfortable, even occasionally painful. I often do easy stretching exercises and that helps a lot. 

One night, I was restless all night. My sleep was not peaceful and I woke up with a sore back. When I went to bed the following night, I remembered God’s promises to heal my infirmities. I laid my hand on the sore place and quoted the Bible promise.

“… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:18 NRSV

I slept peacefully and next morning my back was much better. After simple stretching exercises, I felt quite comfortable.

If you belong to Jesus, he is interested in everything in your life. He cares about the big problems and also the little problems.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31–32 NKJV

When you Need a Miracle ...

 A well-known evangelist was once praying. Then a dramatic thought occurred to him. God told him to tell his listeners: ‘Expect a miracle every day!’

Some will object that this is sensationalism or showmanship.  
But we don't need a miracle until we need a miracle.

We keep hearing about dramatic miracles in the Third World.

C Peter Wagner was a lecturer in a conservative Bible school. He heard these dramatic testimonies in South America. Instead of dismissing these reports as exaggerated fairy tales, he visited the revivals in Brazil and Argentina himself.

He saw many poor people suffering from terrible toothache because they had no money for a dentist. They attended meetings where they expected miraculous healings, and they were not disappointed. They came with rotten teeth and went home with gold fillings.

You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle.

In Europe and North America, many people think that we don't need such miracles anymore because we have modern medical care.

I am very grateful for good dentists and eye specialists. Modern medicine can help cancer patients and very often prolong their lives. But in the Bible, Jesus healed everyone who sought healing from him, everyone.

No modern doctor can do that. So many suffer with chronic pain and disabilities.

Many Christians claim that the miracles in the Bible only applied to that time. They quote a few proof texts and try to explain away the many promises of God.

But if you need a miracle, you need a miracle. Jesus healed because he was moved by deep compassion. Has God's heart grown cold?

But all Bible-believing Christians agree that God hears our prayers. When God answers your prayer, He supernaturally intervenes in the natural order of the world. That is a miracle.

We once visited a woman in a clinic in Germany. As we left the clinic, it started to rain. It was cold and the streets were empty. We needed a taxi, but our friend who was familiar with that part of town told us we would be waiting a long time for a taxi. My wife prayed and a taxi appeared almost immediately.

A friend told us his wife was dying. His heart was broken. The doctors were no longer trying to save her life and was just waiting for her to die. My wife and I prayed and the woman recovered and returned home.

This woman was over 70 years old and had all sorts of serious health problems. She had to be hospitalised again and again. Two years later, she was dying again. The doctors could no longer help. We prayed again and, against all expectations, she returned home.

When the time of miracles is past, God no longer answers prayers, because every answer to prayer is a miracle.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Jn 15:7 NIV 

This statement is not a theological theory, but a promise from Jesus himself.

Many want to water down or question such promises, but please don't let this mislead you

You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle.

You can rely on Jesus. He loves you.

Struggling with Faith

 You firmly believe that Jesus is the Son of God. You have often had wonderful experiences with God. You have received healings from God. God has answered your prayers in beautiful ways.
Nevertheless, you sometimes find it difficult to feel God's closeness.

You want to give your testimony, but you have a knot in your stomach, as if the loving Holy Spirit is no longer there.

Jesus promised love, joy and peace, didn't he? Sure, but does that mean we will always enjoy nothing but glorious peace every minute?

Take a look at the Bible. You'll see how John the Baptist, Jesus and then Paul had to overcome incredibly difficult problems.

John the Baptist was almost overcome by doubt. Paul told us quite openly how he had to fight against his own character flaws.

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Rom 7:18 NIV

The same Paul also wrote about peace with God.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Rom 5:1 NLT

We have access to God's peace and grace, but we do not always experience this blessing. We have a human nature and we have an enemy in the spiritual realm.

We don't have to be driven back and forth by our human feelings.

If our peace in the Spirit were dependent on our own holiness, we would all be lost. But our peace comes from Jesus himself, through his sacrifice on the cross.

So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Rom 5:1 The Living Bible, Paraphrased

This peace comes through Jesus on the basis of God's grace. On the basis of this grace, we can continue to live in this peace. Through his infinite grace, God forgives us again and again and enables us to continue to walk in God's love despite our offences.

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Rom 5:2 NLT

Paul often wrote about grace and peace, but also about struggle. Struggle and peace?

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:12 NIV

We have a mortal human nature. We are subject to fatigue, stress, trauma and illness. We have to make a decision again and again to hold on to God's grace and peace.

Healing and Forgiveness Together

 If we emphasise healing, are we thereby reducing the importance of the forgiveness of sins?
Not at all. In the Bible, they belong together.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Ps 103:3 NLT

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.

Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Jas 5:14–15 NLT

If we diminish the healing power of God, we are left with a reduced gospel focused only on sin and forgiveness.

Jesus died on the cross to remove our guilt because he took the punishment for our sin upon himself.

Without this forgiveness, everything is in vain. Our faith would then be a hollow self-deception. 

Without God's forgiveness, we are miserable beggars in filthy rags who can only wait for God's eternal punishment.

For centuries, the Christian religion has propagated the view that we should walk around with false humility as begging sinners, forgiven but still unworthy beggars.

When we are sick, we are allowed to ask for healing, but only as beggars who cannot be sure of receiving God's favour.

But I don't find this way of thinking in the New Testament.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:16 NIV

We must never forget that forgiveness of sins and healing are gifts of grace that we have never earned. We must not arrogantly demand, but we should also not doubt that God wants to help and save us.

When God gives us a promise, he means well with us. He is not a dishones salesman or politician who promises something he does not want to give.

God says what he means and he means what he says.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Nu 23:19 NASB95

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Ps 103:3 NLT

Why can we ask for God's forgiveness with confidence?

Because Jesus died for our sins.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Co 5:21 NASB95

Jesus himself said:

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Mt 26:28 NIV

But Jesus did not only suffer to abolish our sins, but also to free us from the consequences of sin.

Before the fall into sin, there was no sickness in the world.

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.

This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Mt 8:16–17 NIV

Here we read in plain language in Matthew that Jesus not only bore our sins and our guilt on the cross, but also our sicknesses.

Forgiveness of sins and healing of sickness belong together.

If we only celebrate signs and wonders but do not take sin seriously, our message is distorted.

But the reverse is also true. If we only focus on sin and forgiveness and not on healing, we are not following in Jesus' footsteps.

Hope for Dark Times

 You are weak, but you refuse to stop believing.. God will reward you.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mt 5:3 NIV

You are broken, misunderstood, mistreated, but you refuse to blame God. God wants to comfort you.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Mt 5:4 NIV

You are in a dark place. You see no way out, but the light of God's love shines in the darkness.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jn 1:5 NIV

You are in trouble, but Jesus is on your side. Don't give up!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33 NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Ro 8:31 NIV

When you are mistreated, never give in to hate and bitterness. God still loves you. Never give in.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Ro 12:21 NIV

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Jas 1:12 NIV

God keeps His Promises

When I woke up this morning, I heard an old song in my mind. It came from the Holy Spirit.

Every promise in the book is mine
Every chapter, every verse and every line
All are blessings of His love divine
Every promise in the book is mine

When I turned on my computer, I opened a document where I had collected promises from God.

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NKJV

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:5 NIV84

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:2–3 NIV84

When I was diagnosed with cancer in October 2018, I was devastated. I prayed and asked God if I should have radiotherapy as the specialist advised.

As I went for a walk with God, the presence of God came tangibly over me like an invisible cloud. I felt an overwhelming peace. I knew God wanted to heal me Himself.

I didn't want to be a pious fanatic. I was careful and had regular blood tests. Fourteen months later I was allowed to have a second biopsy. The most dangerous tumour was no longer to be found.

In September 2020, I had a second MRI scan. The tumour had completely disappeared.

If we only trust in spiritual experiences and feelings, we can be wrong, but when God's Spirit speaks clearly to you and confirms the promises of God, you can trust God for a miracle.

But it can also be dangerous if you try to believe all by yourself.

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. James 5:14–15 NIV84

One Sunday I was in church. The pastor was preaching about Divine healing. He called all the sick to come forward and anointed us with oil. God confirmed his promise.

Don’t stay alone in your sickness. Seek first the loving presence of God. Hold fast to his promises. Seek out Christians who believe with you.

There are many Christians who think only humanly.

God promises in the Bible, but they say like the serpent in the garden, "Did God say that?"

If your church leaders think like this, you should seek help elsewhere.