“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:34 (NLT)  God isn’t the one who decides who gets healed and who doesn’t.   This statement is proven over and over in God’s Word. For example, Mark 5 tells the story of a woman who had an abnormal flow of blood that had lasted 12 years. At the time, this was an “unclean” condition, so the woman was forbidden by religious law to leave her house. Nevertheless, she set out to find Jesus because she believed that if she could just touch His clothes, she would be made well.   When she touched Jesus’s hem, He immediately knew something happened. Verse 30 (NLT) says that He “realized at once …

I tell you the truth, you can say to the mountain, ‘May you be lifted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. Mark 11:22–23 (NLT)  In Mark 11, Jesus approached a fig tree because he was hungry. It didn’t have any fruit on it, so He made a simple statement: “May no one ever eat your fruit again” (v. 14, NLT).   The next day the disciples were amazed to see that the tree had withered from its roots. Jesus responded, “Have faith in God” (v. 22, NLT). He told them to believe when they prayed and showed how you too can develop this kind of faith—it comes from the heart.   Many times, we don’t really believe what we think we believe. …

These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: …In my name… they will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed. Mark 16:17–18 (NLT)  When I worked in emergency rescue, I was exposed to the pain and destruction that disease and trauma brings to people’s lives. I witnessed how illness eats away at a person—first their energy levels, then their ability to enjoy life, and finally their will to live. I realized the heartbreaking aftermath when tragic accidents result in death or crippling injuries. It was during this time in my life when healing became very special to me.   We encounter people who need healing every day. You may be dealing with a health issue right now. If …

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” Isaiah 48:17 (NLT)  Dwelling on life’s hurts and disappointments for too long can cause us to start playing the blame game. After all, what’s easier than blaming someone else for hurt feelings or financial difficulties? But allowing room for negativity to fester will only keep your heart locked up and miserable.   Years ago, I struggled through a horrible time. As I dealt with family and friends dying, death threats against me and our house catching fire, I began to feel sorry for myself. Then, one Sunday, I looked out over the church congregation as I preached, and a realization struck me: …

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. Proverbs 9:12 (NLT)  Wisdom can save you in many ways.   It reminds me of a tale I heard about a man named George. As floodwaters rose around his house, George prayed, “God, I’m believing You will rescue me from this situation.” His neighbour suddenly paddled by in his canoe and offered George a ride, but George refused. “No, it’s okay. I’m waiting on God to rescue me.”   A while later, a river patrol boat pulled up after seeing George stranded on his roof. They, too, offered him a lift, but George declined. “I’ll be fine. God is going to deliver me.” Finally, a helicopter flew over and noticed George clinging for dear …