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What’s that vibe agitating my peace?

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name. (Psalms 23:1-3 NLT)

How the Lord uses our restlessness The uncomfortable places, the troubling questions about faith and scripture, life and humanity, may bring a sense of disturbing anxiety in your spirit. This is precisely where and when we need to assess our experience. Focus there, and pray to the Lord to reveal what he may be saying to you. Pray about what you may perceive is making you restless.

Prayerfully ask the Lord to give you guidance if a specific area of your life disturbs you, and see what He may be doing. He may be leading and reshaping you in the positive sense; or trying to get your attention to save you from danger or a mistake by showing you how to sidestep wrong paths, as his representative child. He may lead you to the answer by scripture, by his still small voice of conscience, by a sermon or a person.

If you feel out of control. If what it is troubling your spirit continues, stick with praying over the promises below asking the Holy Spirit lead you. Check your will, surrendering all to him. You’ll then honestly want to know what he may be trying to tell you about your current life opportunities or a present risk that you may be facing. If you feel overwhelmed, feeling like you are in over your head in some problematic area, or a lifestyle habit, remember that your God, Jesus, walked on water and will help you overcome if you ask Him.

Bible Promises to Encourage Your Faith

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

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Seeing the Love of Jesus

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We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19

First, we must pray for ourselves that God would send us the Spirit to strengthen our inner man according to His glorious might and power. This is especially important because as you actively seek to know God more, you will become targets of Satan! Yes, here on earth we live in spiritual warfare, either allegiant to Christ or the dark side. We may watch the Game of Thrones, or be interested in the history of the Civil War of the USA, or of World War II, yet never realize that righteous leadership conquers in the end, despite admiring the intense struggles of allegiant men and women standing decisively for the right cause, against the evils and deceit of devilish minions – the cause of every conflict of this world.

Thus, it is paramount that you pray for strength to persevere through the attacks that Jesus promised will come our way as we follow Him.

Second, in order to know Him intimately, we must seek the Lord Himself—not just ideas about Him. Even for Christians, it is easy today to reduce our relationship with God to an abstract, an old ritualization, or an intellectual concept. This, however, will not lead to intimacy with God.

Third, we must see His love in the Gospels, for we love because he first loved us. Christ alone bridges the way to God’s favour. You must acknowledge his love when you read the Gospels. There we respond ourselves: We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19

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Melchizedek: Divine Priest of Abraham

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:5-6)

The Mysterious Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24) Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6-10; 6:20–7:28 Melchizedek is a mysterious biblical personality whose name means “king of righteousness.” He was a Canaanite priest and king; there is no record of his family or of the beginning or end of his life. Abraham met Melchizedek after defeating four Mesopotamian kings. The Mesopotamians had raided Sodom and Gomorrah and captured Abraham’s nephew Lot (Gen 14:1-16). 

When Abraham returned from battle, Melchizedek, king of Salem (=Jerusalem; see Ps 76:2), was with the grateful kings of the Dead Sea confederacy. When Melchizedek gave Abraham bread, wine, and his blessing, he was acting as “a priest of God Most High” (Gen 14:18), the true God who created heaven and earth (see Ps 7:17; 47:2; 57:2; 78:56). 

Melchizedek correctly understood that Abraham worshipped the true God (Gen 14:22), and he praised God for giving victory to Abraham. Abraham received Melchizedek’s gifts and gave him his tithe, thus recognizing Melchizedek’s higher spiritual rank as a patriarchal priest (see Heb 7:4-7). 

Abraham is an important figure in the old testament because he was chosen by God, to be the father of the Hebrew race, a chosen peculiar people set apart to eventually bring redemption to mankind (Galatians 3:28, John 4:22). He was a man that was physically visited by God manifesting as men. (Genesis 18:1)

A Divine order of Priesthood Melchizedek is an unusual figure in Genesis — an old testament book which gives genealogies for its other characters. Yet Melchizedek appears without any such record. He shows up as a priest and then quickly disappears. Much later in Israel’s history, King David — who also had prophetic insights — was perhaps reflecting on this when he said that the Messiah is “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110:4; cp. Heb 7:15-25). 

The New Covenant Connection The book of Hebrews explains this statement, saying that Melchizedek is remembered as “resembling the Son of God” (Heb 7:3), but was not himself the Son of God. His priesthood lasts forever as an archetype that prefigures the Messiah’s priesthood. Like Melchizedek (but unlike the kings of Israel), Jesus is a king who also fulfils priestly functions, which began when he ascended into the presence of the Father. This was testified by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost 50 days after his Ascension to heaven. Melchizedek, a royal priest, was superior to Levi, the ancestor of Israel’s priests. In the same way, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is a better priest than the descendants of Aaron. 

Your Assurance of Salvation Jesus provides permanent atonement for sins and direct access to his Father through his name (Heb 7:24-28). He guides his people by the Spirit rather than by law (Heb 8:7-13) and lives forever as priest and king for those who love him, spiritually listen to him, trust in him, and obey his Word bearing the fruits of a Spirit-led life.

 Theological Article: Christ: High Priest of a New Covenant

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The Promises of God encourage Trust in the Lord

“…because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4)

The promises are confidence-building directives relating to living with a good conscience before God obedient to the guidance found in scripture. A promise is uplifting: “a declaration of God’s will, wherein he signifies what particular good things he will freely bestow, and the evils that he will remove.” 1 Promises encourage –they reveal truths that are primarily beneficial to us. 

The promises of God are a storehouse of blessings and a chest of goodwill bequeathed to us by our heavenly Father…It reveals what the Lord our God will do on our behalf; not what He hopes to do or will attempt to perform, but what He has already committed and bound Himself to accomplish for us. 2

God’s promises are uniquely different from God’s threats of disobedience. A promise presents God’s desire for the believers’ good blessings rather than harm. Promises are words delivered to the faithful man or woman who then can earnestly pray over seeking the blessings noted. Over the 42 years since my conversion to Christ, I have used several versions of promise books and compiled my own in several personal documents, categorizing them for devotional life and business guidance. I can attest to you that they are the mainstay of my life. I rise daily before daybreak to see the Lord and pray over the promises, and to determine if he has a message of guidance particular to my circumstances — to my children, grandchildren or a word of encouragement for my Christian friends.

Photo: Glen Jackman’s Promise Book

The promises of God are certified words to be believed. Why? Because God spoke them through his prophets and stands behind them. Any other ideas we have about the blessings of God are presumptuous, man-made ideas. (Heb. 11:11) Promises are valuable words which deliver power to the soul as conduit leverage in our prayer life. The Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are the children of God who turn to their father in heaven for encouragement. (Romans 8:14) We can actually dialogue with the Lord, speaking his own word back as promissory notes he has made to us. David makes this evident when he prays, “For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you” (2 Samuel 7:27)

Through faith in Christ, we uphold the Words of God (Rom. 3:31; 8:1–4) attesting our promise as heirs of these promises (Gal. 3:14, 29).

1 Puritan, William Spurstowe

2 Beeke, Belle, James La. Living by God’s Promises . Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.

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NOAH’S WAY: Finding Favour with God

Trusting God When Others Don’t Because Noah was a righteous man who listened and trusted the Lord, God commanded him to build an ark (Gen. 6:14). This wasn’t a small project because the ark was to be 450 feet long, 50 feet wide, and three stories tall. Nothing like it had ever been built before, so Noah could have made excuses, but he trusted God and did exactly what he was told. 

Sometimes in our obedience to the Lord, we may not understand how it will all work out or even how we are to accomplish it. Our human nature wants a full explanation of all that’s required before we proceed, but the Lord wants us to believe Him and obey. If we’ll trust Him enough to take the first step, we can be sure that God will provide what we need to take the next step. And if we need further direction, we can ask Him earnest questions in prayer being confident that He will reveal what we need to know.

Noah’s Trust in God Although the Lord’s command to build an ark seemed absurd to his neighbours, Noah trusted God and carefully followed His instructions regarding how to build it. Every step of the way, Noah had to rely on the Lord to provide materials and guidance for the construction of the ark. It had no rudder because God was going to steer it. There were no sails since the Lord would power it, and there was no need for a compass because God would direct its course. All the instructions were clear so Noah would know exactly what to do. 

Trust is also essential in our lives as we walk with the Lord. Without it, we’d be like a car without wheels going nowhere in life. If God gives us a command, He assumes the responsibility for providing the means for us to follow it. If we always insist on having all our questions answered before we move forward, we never will. Like Noah, we can count on the Lord to provide whatever we need to accomplish His will. Whether it’s resources, finances, or specific directions about what to do next, all we need to do is ask God and wait for Him to provide in His time.

Noah’s Formula for Living The example Noah gives us could be called the ABCs for life—Listen to the Lord, Trust Him, and then Obey. Listen. Trust. Obey — beautifully easy to remember. This simple formula is God’s solution for living in a sinful world, and it can be applied to every area of our lives. Yet sometimes listening, trusting, and obeying God scares us because we fear that we won’t be understood by others or might lose out in some way. However, anytime we follow the Lord’s instructions we win, simply because we’ve obeyed Him. 

To live a godly life, we must listen to God by reading His Word and trusting what He says. Then we step out in obedience, knowing that He has all knowledge and all power in every circumstance in life. Nothing is beyond Him. Furthermore, blessings follow obedience. Because Noah listened, trusted, and obeyed God, one family was saved from the flood—and a new civilization began.

1 This article was originally published on September 25, 2018, and is adapted from the Sermon Notes for Dr. Stanley’s message, “Walking in the Favor of God—Part 2, which can be found on YouTube

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Promises: Old Testament

The following is probably the most thorough collection of Old Testament promises in the Bible. 1 May you be blessed – as Peter noted: …he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:4 ESV)

How to read the following promises: Simply hover over the text and the scripture will pop up. In some cases, you may need to refresh your page.

Genesis 3:15 6:18 8:22 9:2, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 27 12:2, 3 13:15, 16, 17 16:10, 12 17:2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16, 20, 21 18:10, 14, 18 21:12, 13 22:17, 18 26:2, 3, 24 28:13, 14, 15, 31:3 35:11, 12 46:3, 4 48:19, 21 49:10, 25 50:24

Exodus 3:12, 21 4:12 6:6, 7, 8 8:22 12:13, 23 14:13 15:26 19:5, 6 20:2, 6, 24 23:20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 28:38 29:45, 46 30:6 32:10, 13 33:2, 14, 19 34:6, 7, 24

Leviticus 1:4, 18:5 20:24 25:13, 18, 19, 21 26:4–13, 42, 44, 45

Numbers 6:27 11:17 15:25, 26, 28 18:5 20:8 21:8 23:19, 21, 23 24:7, 9, 17 25:12, 13 32:22 35:34

Deuteronomy 2:25 3:2, 21, 22, 28 4:1, 10, 29, 30, 31, 40 5:10, 29, 33 6:2, 3, 18 7:6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 8:1 9:3, 14, 10:9 11:8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31 12:7, 12, 18, 25, 28 13:11 14:2, 29 15:4, 6, 18 16:15, 20 18:15, 18 19:13 20:1, 4 21:8 22:7 23:14, 20 24:19 25:15 26:18, 19 28:1–14 29:9 30:3–10, 16, 20 31:6, 8, 23 32:9, 30 33:11, 29

Joshua 1:5, 7, 8, 9 6:17 10:8

Judges 6:16 7:7 13:3, 5 20:28 1 Samuel 2:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 30 9:16 10:6 12:14, 22 2 Samuel 7:10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 22:31

1 Kings 2:3, 4 3:14 6:12, 13 8:23 9:3, 5 11:38 17:14 20:13 21:29

2 Kings 4:16 7:1 10:30 17:39 19:30, 31, 34 20:5, 6 21:7, 8 22:20

1 Chronicles 17:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 22:9, 10, 13 28:6, 7, 8, 9, 20

2 Chronicles 1:12 7:14, 15, 16, 18 16:9 19:11 20:17, 20 30:9 34:28

Ezra 8:22, 9:12

Nehemiah 1:5, 9 9:29 Job 5:11, 15–27 8:6, 7 11:15–20 17:9 22:21, 23ff. 33:25, 26, 28 34:1 36:7, 9, 10, 11

Psalms 1:1, 3, 6 2:2, 8, 12 3:8 4:3 5:11, 12 9:8, 9, 18 10:14 11:7 12:5, 6, 7 15:2, 3, 4, 5, 16:11 17:7 18:2, 30 19:7–12 22:26, 27, 30 23:1, 4 24:4, 5 25:3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 27:1, 3, 5, 10, 14 28:8 29:11 30:5 31:19, 20, 23, 24 32:1, 2, 6, 7, 10 33:12, 18, 19 34:7, 8, 9, 10, 12–21 35:10, 27 36:8, 9 37:3–7, 9, 11, 16–20, 22–30, 31, 33, 34, 37, 40 40:3, 4, 16 41:1, 2, 3 45:15 46:1–5, 7, 11 47:3, 4 48:14 50:15, 23 51:17, 52:6 55:22 56:8 58:10 62:2, 6, 7 64:10 65:4 66:4 67:6, 7 68:3, 13 69:32, 33, 35, 36 70:4 72:5–9, 11–15, 17 73:24 75:10 76:9 81:10, 13–16 84:4, 5, 7, 11, 12 85:8, 9, 12, 13 86:5 87:2 89:4, 15, 16, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 33, 34, 37 91:1, 2–7, 10–16 92:12–14 94:12–15 96:13 97:10, 11, 98:9 102:15–18, 20 103:3, 8–13, 17, 18 106:3 107:9, 36, 38 110:2, 3 111:5, 10 112:1–4, 6–9 113:7, 8, 9 115:9–11, 13 116:15 117:2 118:5 119:1, 2, 49, 71, 130, 165 121:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 122:6 125:1, 2, 3 126:5, 6 127:3, 5 128:1–6 130:4, 8 132:11–19 135:4 137:8, 9 138:6, 7 140:12, 13 144:15, 145:8, 9, 13, 18, 19, 20 146:5, 7, 8, 9 147:2, 3, 6, 11, 19 149:4

Proverbs 1:7, 23, 33 2:4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 21 3:2, 4, 10, 12, 13, 16–18, 22–26, 33–35 4:9, 8, 9, 13, 18, 22 6:22, 24 7:5 8:17–19, 21, 34, 35 9:8, 9, 10 10:2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 16, 17, 22, 24, 27–30 11:2–6, 8, 9, 18–22, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 12:3, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 19–22, 24, 27, 28 13:2, 4, 6, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 25 14:11, 22, 26, 34 15:6, 8, 16, 29, 33 16:3, 7, 8, 13, 20 17:2 18:10, 12, 20 19:16, 17, 23 20:7, 28 21:21 22:4, 5, 9, 15, 19, 23:13, 14, 24 24:14, 25 27:18 28:10, 13, 14, 18–20, 23, 25–27 29:17, 18, 23, 25 30:5

Ecclesiastes 8:12 11:1

Isaiah 1:18, 19 2:2, 3, 4 3:10 4:2, 5, 6 6:13 7:14 9:3, 6, 7 10:10, 20 11:1, 2, 4, 6–10, 12, 13 12:3 14:1, 2, 3 17:2, 6, 7, 8 19:17, 22, 24 22:22, 23 24:13, 25:4, 6, 8, 9 26:3, 9, 12 27:3, 5, 6, 8, 9 28:5, 12 29:8, 19, 23, 24 30:18–27, 29 31:7 32:1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 18 33:6, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24 35:1, 2, 4ff. 37:31, 32 38:5, 6 40:1–5, 10, 11, 29, 31 41:10–14, 16–19, 25 42:1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 16 43:1–5, 25 44:3–5, 22 45:17, 24, 25 46:4, 10, 13 48:9, 17, 18, 19 49:6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, 25, 26 50:10 51:3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 52:1, 6, 10, 12, 13 53:5, 11, 12 54:3, 4, 5, 7ff. 55:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 56:2, 5–8 57:2, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 58:8–15 59:19, 20, 21 60:2–9, 13–18, 19, 20, 21, 22 62:2–4, 11 63:9 64:4 65:1, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17ff. 66:2, 5, 11–14, 18–20, 22

Jeremiah 1:8, 19 3:1, 12, 15, 17, 18 4:1, 2, 14 6:3, 16 7:3, 7, 23 11:4, 5 12:14–16 15:9, 11–21 17:7, 8, 24–26 18:8 22:4 23:4, 5, 6, 22 24:6, 7 26:13 27:22, 29:10, 11–14 30:3, 8–11, 16–22 31:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12–14, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34 32:37–43, 44 33:3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14–18, 21 34:5 35:19 38:20, 24 39:18 42:10, 11, 12 45:5 46:27, 28 50:4, 5, 34

Lamentations 3:25, 31, 32, 33 Ezekiel 6:8 9:4 11:16–20 12:16, 28 14:22 16:60–62 17:23 18:9, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30 20:11, 13, 21, 40, 41, 43, 28:25, 26 29:13, 14, 21 33:11, 15, 16, 19 34:11–16, 22, 31 36:24–32, 33, 34 37:21ff. 39:25 44:28

Daniel 11:35 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 Hosea 1:7 2:14, 15, 16, 18ff. 3:5 6:1, 2, 3 10:12 11:8–11 12:9 13:14 14:3ff. Joel 2:13, 14, 18–30, 32 3:2, 7, 16, 20

Amos 3:7, 12 5:4, 6, 14, 15 9:13, 14, 15

Jonah 3:9

Micah 2:7 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12 7:8, 9, 18–20

Nahum 1:7, 12, 13

Habakkuk 2:3, 4, 14 3:17, 18, 19

Zephaniah 2:3, 7, 9 3:9, 12, 13, 16ff.

Haggai 2:4, 7, 9, 19, 23

Zechariah 1:3, 14, 16, 17 2:5, 8, 10, 11 3:8 4:7 6:12, 13, 15 8:3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 21, 22 9:9, 10, 16 10:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 12:8, 10 13:1, 2, 7, 9 14:8, 9, 11, 21

Malachi 1:11 3:1, 3, 4, 7, 10–12, 16–18 4:2, 3, 5, 6

1 I am always very impressed by the beautiful selections that Dr Joel Beeke publishes at the Reformation Heritage Books. Dr Joel Beeke is also president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, USA. These selections were found in the book: Authors: Belle, James La., Joel Beeke, Living by God’s Promises. Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.

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Promises: New Testament

The following is probably the most thorough collection of New Testament promises in the Bible. 1 May you be blessed – as Peter noted: …he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

How to read the following promises: Simply hover over the text and the scripture will pop up. In some cases, you may need to refresh your page.

Matthew 1:21 3:12 5:3–13 6:4, 6, 14, 18, 30, 32, 33 7:7, 8, 11, 21, 24, 8:11 9:13 10:19, 22, 30, 32, 39, 40–42 11:6, 28, 29 12:18–21, 31, 32, 50 13:30, 41, 43, 49 15:24 16:18, 19, 25, 27 17:11, 20 18:4, 5, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20 19:14, 17, 21, 28–30 20:4, 6, 7 21:21, 22, 43 23:12 24:13, 14, 22, 24, 30, 31, 35, 46–47 25:21, 23, 29, 31–34, 40, 46 26:13, 26, 28 28:20

Mark 1:8 2:17 3:28, 35 4:11, 25 8:35 9:1, 23, 31, 37, 41 10:14, 21, 29, 30, 31, 11:23, 24, 25 13:13, 22, 26, 27, 31 16:16, 17, 18

Luke 1:13–17, 23, 34, 35, 50, 53, 74–77, 79 2:10, 11, 26 3:5, 6, 16 4:18 5:32 6:20–23, 35, 37, 38, 47, 48 7:23 8:10, 21, 50 9:24, 27, 48 10:16, 19, 28, 42 11:9, 10, 13, 28, 41 12:7, 8, 10, 12, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 43, 48 13:29, 30 14:11, 14 15:7, 10 16:9 17:33 18:7, 8, 14, 16, 22, 27, 30, 33 19:10, 26 21:15, 18, 27, 28, 33 22:19, 28–30, 32 23:43

John 1:1, 16, 17, 29, 50 2:51 3:3, 15–18, 36 4:14, 23 5:20, 24, 25, 28, 29 6:27, 35, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 47, 51, 54–58 7:17, 38 8:31, 32, 36, 51, 52 9:31 10:9, 10, 14, 16, 27, 28, 29 11:25, 26 12:32, 46, 47 13:1, 17, 20, 32, 35 14:2, 3, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16–21, 23, 26, 27 15:2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 26 16:7, 13–16, 20, 22–25 17:2, 3, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26 20:23, 29, 31

Acts 1:5, 8, 11 2:17, 18, 21, 38, 39 3:19, 22, 25, 26 7:34, 37 9:16, 10:35, 43 11:14, 16 13:26, 34, 38, 39 15:16 16:31 17:31 18:10 20:32

Romans 1:16, 17 2:6, 7, 10 3:24, 25 4:7, 8, 16, 25 5:19, 20 6:14, 23 8:1, 11, 13, 16–18, 26, 28–35, 37–39 9:4, 12, 15, 26, 33 10:4, 5, 9–13 11:23–27, 29, 32 12:20 13:3, 4 14:17, 18 15:4, 12 16:10

1 Corinthians 1:8, 30 2:9 3:8, 14, 22 4:5, 17 6:2, 3 8:3 10:13 11:31, 32 15:12, 58

2 Corinthians 1:4, 5, 7, 10, 20, 22 6:16–18 7:10 8:9, 12 9:6, 7

Galatians 3:8, 16, 26, 29 4:4, 5, 6, 7 5:16 6:4, 8, 16

Ephesians 1:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 22 2:5, 7, 8, 14, 17 4:8, 30, 6:2, 3, 8, 13

Philippians 1:6, 29 2:13 3:21 4:7, 9, 19 Colossians 1:13, 14, 10, 21 2:13, 14, 15 3:4, 20, 24 1

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 5:24

2 Thessalonians 1:7, 10 2:8 3:3

1 Timothy 1:15 2:4, 15 4:8, 16 6:6, 19

2 Timothy 2:11, 12, 19 3:15, 16, 17 4:8 Titus 2:13, 14

Hebrews 1:14 2:14, 15, 17 5:9 6:10, 12, 14, 18, 19 7:25 8:8, 10, 11, 12 9:14, 26, 28 10:16, 17, 30, 37, 38 11:6 12:6, 10, 11 13:5, 16

James 1:2, 5, 12, 17, 21, 25 2:5 3:18 4:6, 7, 8, 10, 5:15, 16, 20

1 Peter 1:3, 4, 5, 25 2:5, 9, 19, 20 3:4, 12, 14 4:13, 14 5:4, 5, 6, 7

2 Peter 1:4, 18, 11 2:9 3:9, 13

1 John 1:4, 7, 9 2:1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28 3:1, 2, 9, 14, 22, 24 4:7, 9, 17 5:4, 12–14, 16, 18

Revelation 1:3, 5 2:1, 7, 10, 11, 17, 23, 26, 27, 28 3:4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 19, 20, 21 4:1 7:16, 17, 8:3, 4 13:8 14:13 15:4 16:15 17:14, 16 18:8, 21 19:9 20:6 21:3, 4, 6, 7, 24, 26 22:4, 5, 7, 14, 17, 20

1 I am always very impressed by the beautiful selections that Dr. Joel Beeke publishes at the Reformation Heritage Books. Dr. Joel Beeke is also president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary  in Grand Rapids, USA. These selections were found in the book: Authors: Belle, James La., Joel Beeke, Living by God’s Promises . Reformation Heritage Books. Kindle Edition.

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All the Old and New Testament Healings

Here is a complete list of the healings of God listed for your ease:

The Old Testament

The Bronze Serpent​ (​Nu 21:8–9​)​
Jeroboam’s Hand Is Withered and Restored​ (1Ki 13:4–6​)​
Naaman Cured of Leprosy​ ​(2 Ki 5:1–19​)​
Hezekiah Is Healed​ (​2 Ki 20:7​)​

The New Testament

Jesus Heals Many​ (​Mt 4:23–24​)​
Jesus Cleanses a Leper​ (​Mt 8:1–4​)​
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant​ (Mt 8:5–13​)​
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law​ (Mt 8:14–15​)​
Jesus Heals Many in Capernaum​ (Mt 8:16–17​)​
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man​ (​Mt 9:1–8
Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman​ (Mt 9:20–22​)​
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men​ (Mt 9:27–31​)​
Jesus Heals Every Disease and Sickness​ (Mt 9:35​)​
Jesus Heals a Man’s Withered Hand​ (Mt 12:9–14​)​
Jesus Heals the Sick and Warns Them to Be Silent​ (Mt 12:15​)​
Darkness Covers the Land​ (Mt 14:14​)​
Jesus Heals the Sick at Gennesaret​ (Mt 14:34–36​)​
Jesus Heals Many People​ (Mt 15:29–31​)​
Jesus Heals People in Judea Beyond the Jordan​ (Mt 19:1–2​)​
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men at Jericho​ (Mt 20:29–34​)​
Jesus Heals the Blind and Lame in the Temple​ (Mt 21:14–16​)​
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law​ (Mk 1:29–31​)​
Jesus Heals Many​ (Mk 1:32–34​)​
Jesus Cleanses a Leper​ (Mk 1:40–45​)​
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man​ (Mk 2:1–12​)​
Jesus Heals a Man’s Withered Hand​  (Mk 3:1–5​)​
Jesus Heals the Sick​ (Mk 3:9–10​)​
Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman​ (Mk 5:25–34​)​
Jesus Heals a Few Sick People​ (Mk 6:5​)​
The Twelve Heal the Sick​ (​Mk 6:13​)​
Jesus Heals the Sick at Gennesaret​ (Mk 6:53–56​)​
Jesus Heals a Deaf Man in the Decapolis​ (Mk 7:32–35​)​
Jesus Heals a Blind Man in Bethsaida​ (Mk 8:22–26​)​
Jesus Heals Bartimaeus at Jericho​ (Mk 10:46–52​)​
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law​ (Lk 4:39​)​
Jesus Heals Many in Capernaum​ (Lk 4:40–41​)​
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy​ (Lk 5:12–16​)​
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man​ (Lk 5:17–26​)​
Jesus Heals a Man’s Hand on the Sabbath​ (Lk 6:6–10​)​
Jesus Heals the Sick and Demon-Possessed​ (Lk 6:17–19​)​
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant​ (Lk 7:1–10​)​
Jesus Heals Many People​ (Lk 7:18–23​)​
Jesus Heals Infirmities​ (Lk 8:2​)​
Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman​ (Lk 8:43–48​)​
Jesus Heals Many Sick People​ (Lk 9:11​)​
Jesus Heals a Disabled Woman​ (Lk 13:10–17​)​
Jesus Heals a Man With Dropsy​ (Lk 14:4​)​
Jesus Cleanses 10 Men With Leprosy​ (Lk 17:11–19​)​
Jesus Heals Bartimaeus​ (Lk 18:42​)​
Jesus Restores a Man’s Ear​ (Lk 22:50–51​)​
Jesus Heals an Official’s Son​ (Jn 4:50​)​
Jesus Heals a Lame Man​ (Jn 5:8​)​
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind​ (Jn 9:7​)​
Peter Heals a Man Lame from Birth​ (Ac 3:2–10​)​
The Apostles Heal Many People​ (Ac 5:15–16​)​
Philip Casts Out Demons in Samaria​ (Ac 8:6–7​)​
Ananias Heals Saul​ (Ac 9:17–19
Peter Heals Aeneas in Lydda​ (Ac 9:33–34​)​
Paul Heals a Man Lame from Birth​ (Ac 14:8–10​)​
Paul Performs Extraordinary Miracles​ (Ac 19:11–12​)​
Paul Survives a Viper’s Bite​ (Ac 28:3–6​)​
Paul Heals the Father of Publius and Others​ (Ac 28:8​)​
Paul Heals Many at Malta​ (Ac 28:9​)​

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Faith in the Ministry of Healing

In our lives today we must face many obstacles to our health – the ubiquitous use of plastics, refined food processing; antibiotics and insecticide use in farming, etc. Also, ageing diminishes the defence system of our immune system against these onslaughts. Many do not understand the dangers of sugar overuse in foods and suffer from obesity and diabetes. However, we must do our best to mitigate health problems via a disciplined healthy lifestyle. And we must rely on faith for direction from our Lord to do our utmost to stay strong in both our bodily health and our faith in a stressful world. Because many are or know someone facing an illness I am sharing information from the Word of God on healing to bolster our faith.

There are numerous indications of healing in both the old and the new testaments: When Jesus was here on earth he performed many miracles of instant healing, and he raised the dead – for examples: The story of the Woman of Nain’s son, and of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44 ) There are many more miracles in the Old and New Testament to increase your faith. 2

The atomic control of the Lord over our health In the story of Moses, he met God at a burning bush with directions to go and set the Israelites free from Pharoah’s harsh slavery. He asked God why would the leaders of Israel or even Pharoah believe that his mission was directed by the Sovereign God of the universe who had called Abraham his forefather years before to begin a nation that would serve him. The Lord gave him proof of his omnipotent ability to free the people, giving him a unique sign:

“Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe [this|…sign. (Exodus 4:6-8)

After Moses succeed in bringing the Jews out of Egypt, he encountered whining, and leadership competition from those who were not directly called in this specific leadership role – as he and his brother Aaron were:

“Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” (Exodus 4:13-17)

Sadly, even Miriam, the sister of Moses, was murmuring among the people, accusing Moses of grandiose leadership and of taking the glory of leading Israel unto himself. You can read how the Lord dealt instantly with her to stop a coup d’etat. He caused an instant change in her biology, to instantly leprous to healed after trial of seclusion for seven days. Moses had pleaded with the Lord for her forgiveness:

Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, as white as snow. When Aaron turned toward her, he saw that she was diseased and said to Moses, “My Lord, please don’t hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. Please don’t let her be like a dead baby whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “God, please heal her! The LORD answered Moses, “If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn’t she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in. (Numbers 12:10-15 HCSB)

The principle here is that the Lord Yahweh, who created the heavens and the earth, is in control of all atomic movement via an Intelligent Sovereignty – He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is the same yesterday as he is today. The elders of the Christian church were given a guideline as to how one should handle seeking the Lord for healing, and I have witnessed immediate healing myself noted in my testimony.

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. (James 5:14 NLT)

It is essential that the elders of the church who will anoint an ill person be entirely men of faith led by the Spirit, fully able to call into effect by faith – by a sanctified request before Lord – that which is not seen while following the directive of James. The reality of faith in God working miracles today is rarely found among the churches. I have noted this in my own eldership. Yet looking at the noted scripture, we see that firstly repentance and confession of the sick person – bringing the Lord’s forgiveness (as with Miriam), is also necessary and at least the prayer of one faithful righteous elder 1 who still strongly believes in miracles as per:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

I recommend listening to Charles Stanley’s Youtube explained the three phases of faith and how to keep our focus on the promises of God. Click here to view and/or listen.

1 It is often suggested that the ill person approach and ask for anointing which may intimidate elders from directly advising one to do so, though there are instances of men of faith taking the initiative on behalf of the sick person, to reach out to gently ask one if they perhaps desire an anointing. This may be necessary simply due to the physiological health of the diseased, who may feel very unworthy or shy. The centurion on behalf of his servant is a strong case of faith in Christ. Peter and John in the portico of Solomon with gusto reached out and said to a lame man: “rise walk in the name of Jesus”. And the miracles of Jesus were often done on his own direct initiative without a request to heal. The entire doctrine of miracles has many differing man-made views to the extent it diminishes or extinguishes faith altogether and attempts to do healing become a legal ritualistic measure, not executed by the principle of faith. Many today simply prefer to follow the directives of their doctors which may or may not be led by faith. I do not demean doctors who can work wonders under the blessing of the Lord. However,  I do recall as an elder, that the entire church of over 100 people began to pray for a member on their knees. The experience of the Holy Spirit-led unity was remarkable. I met Wayne at the ABC bookstore many years later and he was still doing just fine.

2 List of Old and New Testament Healing Scriptures

Uncategorized

Noah found favour with the Lord

 “But Noah found favour with the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. (Genesis 6:8-9 NLT)

In Matt 24:37-39, Jesus referred to a similarity of the first outpouring of God’s worldwide judgment upon sinful people in Noah’s day with the forthcoming final judgement at the Lord’s return. People will be going about their daily business, just as they were in Noah’s time (Genesis 7:17–24). Just as the flood caught them unawares (and after it was too late) and swept them away in judgment, so it will be when the Son of Man comes – a time when our consciences ought to be pure and holy (see also 1 Peter 3:20–21). 1

If the second advent of Christ, is referred to by Jesus as a time when everyone’s thoughts are evil continually, we should consider what allowed one man, Noah to be chosen to be saved in the coming flood. I found the following characterisation of Noah very helpful to understand how Christians all need to prepare for the second coming of Christ. Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord, for one reason: he walked in close fellowship with God.  “But Noah found favour with the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. (Genesis 6:8-9 NLT)

Jesus noted that some would not be ready at his second advent because as far as he is concerned some will not be in a close relationship with him when he returns: “I never knew you” will be a fearful statement to hear – however too late! (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus also taught in the parable of the Vine the importance of abiding in Him via His Spirit, because without Him, obedient to His eternal Word, we cannot overcome the wickedness of the world in which we live. (John 15:1-11) The stark  coverse of not having a true relationship with Christ is referred metaphorically here, antithetical to a living abiding union – as dead, useless vines: “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:6) The similarity echoes a sense of warning of the lake of fire into which the unsaved will end. (Revelation 20:15)

The warning to be found ready to meet the Lord at His second advent on the day of judgement repeats the view of a need of readiness in many places in scripture. (1 Timothy 6:14; Ephesians 5:27; 2 Peter 3:14)

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Sovereign Lord of your life, nor developed an abiding relationship of love to Him, He is ready willing and able to help develop a discipleship relationship with Him. (Revelation 3:18-20)  

1 Barton, B., Comfort, P., Osborne, G., Taylor, L. K., & Veerman, D. (2001). Life Application New Testament Commentary (p. 107). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.