Today I’m going to delve into an area of healing that is not very popular.  Over my years in a healing ministry, I have met many who are afflicted with various sicknesses.  It hurts me to see them suffering, and many have done so for many years.  And for many it’s like it says in Mark 5:26, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse:  Now don’t think I have something against doctors, because I don’t.  They provide a service for those who don’t have a covenant with Christ Jesus, and many people’s lives have been saved who have been involved in accidents.  But today I’m going to focus on the Word of God, not doctors.
   I tell people, if you don’t have faith to believe God’s Word, then you’d better go to the doctor, and if he prescribes you medicine, then take it until you have faith in God, because medicine doesn’t heal anyone, it just manages the symptoms to make life more bearable, and sometimes, it doesn’t even accomplish that.  Why is it so hard for people to be healed by the Word of God?  Really, it isn’t.  It’s a matter of whether you believe, or don’t.  Many say they believe, when in truth, they are only hoping God will heal them.  Is there a difference?  Yes, and it’s HUGE.  If you are hoping for healing, it’s just that: hope.  You can hope till you die and maybe you’ll see it, and maybe you won’t.  There is no biblical evidence of healing based on hope that I can find.  However, there is much evidence for healing based upon faith.  What is the difference?  Through four hundred years of slavery, Israel hoped for a deliverer, suffering under hard labor and oppression, looking for the Messiah to set them free.  But when Messiah (Christ Jesus) came, they didn’t believe Him, in spite of a multitude of prophecies fulfilled, miracles performed, and people healed.  For the most part, hope was not mixed with faith, except in those healed.
Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Is it wrong to hope for something?  Certainly not!  But it says faith is the substance of things hoped for.  It doesn’t say hope is the substance of things hoped for.  Many times I’ve explained Hebrews 11:1 like an equation: Faith=Substance, therefore Faith=Things Not Seen.  How can you believe without evidence?  You can, but most people won’t.
   In July 1993 I was diagnosed with five melanomas and liver cancer and given a month or less to live.  Obviously, eighteen years later, I’m still here.  What happened?  I got saved the weekend of the diagnosis, and the LORD sent me back to my seat, telling me to read Psalm 103:2-3, which is now one of my favorite scriptures.  It says, Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
   Well, I did something different than most people do.  I believed God in spite of what I felt like, and in spite of what things looked like.  He said He forgave all my sins and healed all my diseases.  His Word was, and is, enough for me.  I don’t need to see it to believe it, and that’s why I’m still healed, while many in the same circumstance are in their graves. I never even went back to the doctor.  I mean, what for?  God’s Word said He healed me, is there any need for a second opinion, when the first one is true?   But that’s me.  Some have told me I’m a fanatic, while others have told me I’m downright irresponsible believing like that.  Say what you will, but I’ve now lived for over eighteen years free from every sickness and disease, and as they say, the proof is in the pudding.
   I’m no different from you except for one possible thing: I’m not moved by anything except the Word of God.  I face adversity just like every other person on earth.  Don’t think for a minute I live a charmed life.  What makes me different is that no matter what I face, what God’s Word says about the particular circumstance I’m facing is the way it is, period.  If He says He will deliver me, then it’s done.  I’m not hoping He will keep His Word, I’m settled in it, and rejoicing as though it has already happened.  Do you see the difference?  Most will rejoice after they are delivered.  That doesn’t take faith, that’s just thinking like the rest of the world thinks.
Contrast “circumstances” and “faith” in the following example from Matthew 9:18-31.
Mat 9:18  While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
Mat 9:19  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
Mat 9:20  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
Mat 9:21  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Mat 9:22  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Mat 9:23  And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
Mat 9:24  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Mat 9:25  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
Mat 9:26  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Mat 9:27  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
Mat 9:28  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Mat 9:29  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Mat 9:30  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
Mat 9:31  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
    Let’s face it, the ruler Jairus was facing a crisis; his daughter had just died. He loved that little girl, just like you love your children.  But he had heard of Jesus and His miracles, and there was something in him greater than “hope”, for he said, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.  Did you see that?  He said she shall live!  He didn’t say, Jesus, come lay hands on her and see if you can do anything for her.  He had a vision on the inside of him that she was alive.  He saw beyond the circumstances and was convinced beyond any doubt, and until YOU get that way, you will never get your breakthrough! 
   Now, after Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead, two blind men came to Jesus asking for mercy.  What happened?  Jesus asked them if they believed He was able to do that.  He didn’t ask them if they believed He was willing!  
What happened next?  Jesus told them something they had not heard before: According to your faith be it unto you.  In other words, if you believe, you can have it.  If not, sorry, you can’t have it.  That puts the burden squarely upon US to receive, for HE has already given.
   You see, most people will go as far as believe Jesus is able, but they stumble when it come to the willing part.  They may go so far as to believe He is willing to heal others, but they have doubts if He will do it for them personally.

  Let me dispel all your doubts right now:  He is both able and willing to deliver you from whatever is oppressing you, for that is what He did for all who came to Him.  If you’ll come to Him, believing, you can have whatsoever you need from Him.  Is it that simple?  Yes, and that’s why so many miss it.  They try to complicate what God intends to be so simple a child can do it.
   Is it easy to believe when all the “evidence” is to the contrary?  Sure, why do you think they call it “faith”?  But you can do it, because there is “evidence” in the Word of God that says it is impossible for God to lie!  That means, if He said you can have it, then you can have it.  You can have it, but that doesn’t guarantee you will have it.  Remember I said Faith=Things Not Seen?  You have to see it in your mind’s eye, just as surely as you see things with your natural eyes.  Most people fail by holding onto hope, and never developing it into faith.  How do you develop faith?  Well, Romans 10:17 says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  If you’re not putting the Word of God in your ears, and understanding it, faith will never come.  Some people want me to do all their believing for them, and I’m happy to believe with you, but for you to be able to get and hold onto what you need from God’s Word, you need to develop your faith, and I’m here to help you do just that.  I’ll “spoon-feed” you for a while, but sooner or later, you need to learn to feed yourself.  After that, I hope you will begin feeding others like I’m feeding you.
    I have no trouble using my faith to get what I need, but it didn’t just fall on me, it has been developed in me by diligent and daily search of God’s Word.  But it all started by simply taking God’s Word on one simple, but life-changing scripture, Psalm 103:2-3.  Get settled forever on those two verses, for they will absolutely change your life.  You can live without sin and sickness ruling your life, but unless you are settled, the devil will always be able to make you doubt.  Are you saved and you know it?  Are you settled first and foremost in that?  Then move on to the healing part.  Give the devil no place whatsoever. Then, go on to settle yourself in God’s other promises, one at a time.  It won’t happen overnight, but it will if you’re diligent.  I’m still a work in progress and so are you.  But notice I said “PROGRESS”.  I’m going forward every day, and so can you!  Will you ever stumble?  Maybe, but you don’t have to.  That’s up to you entirely.  The devil can’t trip you up if you don’t let him put doubt in your head. 
    When the Lord Jesus said According to your faith be it unto you, He didn’t put a limit on your faith, nor did He put Himself in a box as to what He could do for you.  The sky is the limit.  The only limit you have is the one you put on yourself.  I’m growing in God’s promises daily, and let me tell you, it hasn’t been without opposition from the devil, but he can’t stop me, and he can’t stop you, either, if you won’t let him!   Remember, your success in this life and the next is all according to your faith.