By Pastor Matthew
I am involved in a conference in Los Angeles this week. While here I had a woman come up to me and tell me how she was upset that I proclaim that Jesus Christ desires to heal people of diseases. She then began to question my health and my healing of HIV/AIDS. She stated that she has not been totally healed of her disease, therefore it must not be God’s will to heal all who have disease.
As I ate lunch today, I kept hearing this womans voice making this statment that God does not desire to heal everyone. I want to let all of you know that according to Exodus, God is a God who heals. When we study the life of Jesus, Jesus healed everone that he came into contact with.
I am not clueless that some believers do not receive a healing in ways that they would like, or in the ways, that I would like. However, this does not change the fact that Jesus died on a cross so that we can all obtain salvation, healing, and deliverance.
What are your thoughts on this topic, please share an experience with us explaining your thoughts.
By Pastor Matthew
Los Angeles Times headline Tuesday March 3, 2009
Jim Puzzanghera reporting from Washington D. C. and Martin Zimmerman reporting from Los Angeles report in the Los Angeles Times Tuesday and stated, “An analyst sees ‘disgust’ with D.C. and its latest $30-billion loan. But the giant’s failure could drag the world along. The Government gave ailing insurer American International Group Inc. $30 billion more in loans Monday, renewing doubts about the effectiveness of federal bailouts and triggering another avalanche on Wall Street that pushed the Dow index below 7,000 for the first time in a dozen years. ”We’ve reached the point of disgust with Washington,” said Peter Boockvar, equity strategist at New York brokerage house Miller Tabak & Co. “Every day there’s a new plan, and every day there’s a new bailout. I think bailout fatigue is gripping the market.”
The Dow Jones index of 30 blue-chip stocks dropped nearly 300 points Monday to 6,763.29, the first time the widely watched gauge has fallen below 7,000 in nearly 12 years. In January and February, the Dow fell almost 20% — the worst first two months of the year in its 113-year history. The financial crisis has made it increasingly dangerous to let AIG fail because its tentacles continue to extend throughout the global financial system. Therefore, its implosion could set off a chain reaction of failures at banks and other institutions worldwide.
I want to take this opportunity to discuss a topic regarding Possessing Kingdom Promises in the midst of uncertain times, and would love to hear your thoughts as well. I will be making some bullet points regarding the story found in Jeremiah Chapter 32.
Overview of Chapter 32
- Jeremiah was called to put his money where his mouth was.
- To make financial investment in the vision of the reconstruction of Jerusalem.
- When Spiritual reality reaches our wallet, we know for sure that it has reached our heart and has become more than lip service.
The atmosphere in which God spoke.
- King Zedekiah and Jeremiah were in a revealing confrontation.
- Jeremiah was shut up in prison in the King’s house.
- The King could not understand what made Jeremiah tick.
The King’s Questions.
- Why do you prophesy that the city will fall to Babylon?
- Why do you say that I will be captured by Nebuchadnezzar, that we will meet each other face to face and eye to eye?
- Why do you say that no matter how hard we fight we’re going to loose?
Truth verse Pleasantry
- King Zedekiah did not care about the truth that Jeremiah was trying to convey.
- He cared about what was pleasant.
- Our world today does not understand the Jeremiah’s, who are committed to obedience, truth, and moral absolutes regardless of how uncomfortable they might make us.
Keeping an Eye on the Prophet
- People living resolute lives are dangerous to those who are only seeking pleasure.
- Zedekiah kept Jeremiah imprisoned, where he could keep an eye on him.
- This never will stop the real business of the Kingdom from continuing.
Out of Jeremiah’s Imprisonment God Called Him to make a Financial Investment
- Straight past Zedekiah and all his guards came the word of the Lord. (verse 7)
- “Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.”
- If past obedience placed him in prison what would happen for his future obedience?
God will always bring confirmation
- The day that Jeremiah’s cousin Hanamel walked into the prison and spoke the very words God said he would, something major happened to Jeremiah.
- “Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord” (verse 8 )
Instant Obedience will move the hand of God
- Jeremiah describes the details of the transaction, the weighing out of the money, the amount of it, the signing of the deed, the sealing of it, and the presence of witnesses.
- It was all done according to the law and custom. (verse 11)
“Houses, Fields and Vineyards shall be possessed again in this land”
- Jeremiah knowing the word of the Lord, had Baruch take the deeds and place them in earthen vessels so that they may last a lengthily amount of days.
- Jeremiah knew he may never see the day, but the deed would be there to prove that God said it would happen.
- He bought into the promise of God and invested in the future.
Do we make Kingdom Investments? Are we sure of God’s Promises?
- Jeremiah offered seven Praises and one statement of Puzzlement.
- “You have said to me, O’ Lord God, ‘ buy the field for money, and take witnesses’!-yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” (verse 25)
- This embodies the reality of faith life. It is not carefree or blind to circumstances.
- Faith looks at circumstances, admits fear, and keeps on going.
A Ruined City can be rebuilt by God!
- “Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.” (verse 42)
Summary of Chapter 32
The whole process of owning real estate, its laws, and customs, would again be restored to Israel. God has sealed His word with the ordinances of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Now He sealed it by purchasing real estate through his prophet. May His children never accuse God of not confirming His promises. What more could He say or do, this God of everlasting love?
Final Thoughts
Regarding this statement, “AIG bailout causes faith to plummet!” This should not cause believers in Jesus Christ to lose faith. Yes we need to act responsibly, but our future and hope is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone who belongs to the Body of Christ to get on their knees and pray. Pray for our leaders, pray for our economy, and above all pray that God would move in this crisis that our Nation is facing and reveal Himself to those that are in need of a Savior.
