A week ago, the Lord affirmed the truth that he has called us to the “laying of hands.” This is indeed MILK and not Solid Food as referred to in Hebrews 6:1-3. How could this be Milk? I realize that the people of God do not practice or apply this on a regular basis. We have not seen it often enough. We lack trust in God or ourselves that we can administer the blessings of God to heal and restore those we lay hands on. We think it’s only something that the super-christians do – like the pastors. Where do we come up with that kind of thinking? The Bible clearly states otherwise.
When my wife, Hyoshin, got very sick a week ago – we prayed. At first it started with some major symptoms. On day 1, the diarrhea, aches, headaches, tiredness were alarming, we prayed in faith – the kids joined in and laid hands on mommy. The original symptoms slowly were gone! The next day there was tingling in her hands and feet. She also grew anxious about her condition. We laid hands again (John came over too). She felt better. Later the tingling spread to her cheeks and we laid hands on her again! Later or the next day, no more tingling, just a pressure in the back of the neck. We prayed and laid hands, commanding the body to submit the authority in Christ. We prayed and eventually all was well! Granted things didn’t happen instantly like I wanted. It was a struggle in a faith that was growing to a new level. Faith to Faith. She was soon at 100% and we realized the combination of physical distress and demonic oppression in her prior condition. The enemy uses fear and anxiety to trap us. We had an amazing experience.
Three weeks ago, John Kim introduced us to a contract which lists MANY verses that explain our position in Christ. It also shows many of the amazing “benefits” of being a Christian. These benefits are not options, but part of our responsibility and privilege of being in Christ. The Bible is full of them. Either we believe what the Bible teaches or we don’t.
Faith is a key component and grows with our confidence in Christ. The root of the word “confidence” is TRUST. Trust in a person, the person of Jesus Christ. Trust and Faith go hand in hand and often mean the same thing.
In Scripture, verse in Romans 1:17 says “For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'” (ESV) The literal translation in the greek is “from faith to faith.” The NIV departs from the literal translation and says something less profound “a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” *(This is why I suggest having at least 2 different translations of the Bible if you are going to study it.)
“Faith to faith” implies increasing levels of faith. A natural growth. Our relationship with God starts with a “saving faith” – faith in Jesus Christ that he, GOD, died for our sins and if we turn away from our ways and turn to him, the we would be saved and have everlasting life.
As we grow in faith, we realize that God has promised us more. Our time spent on earth is to be filled with his amazing presence. This presence can touch and restore us and others. Let’s confidently lay hands on one another and on those who don’t know Christ.
Let’s move in FAITH, trusting that God will not abandon us in accomplishing what He already promised to do within us.
Move in the leading of the Spirit as he directs you to touch others. To remind other Christians of who we are and show the lost who Jesus is.
Peace, Mark
—coming soon—–
My next post will go through thoughts about the things that hurt our confidence and undermine our faith.
