Sabbath: Prayer, Healing, and Restoration
Read for This Week’s Study: James 5:13-20; 1 John 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:54; Heb. 12:12-13; John 8:43-45; Prov. 10:12.
Memory Text: Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much
(James 5:16, NASB).
People are fascinated by the miraculous and the magical. They often are drawn to such things as spectacles or matters of curiosity and nothing more. So, when Jesus was asked to perform a miracle merely for entertainment (Luke 23:8-9) or as a sign of His Messiahship (Matt. 12:38-41) or even to satisfy a legitimate need of His own (Matt. 4:2-4), He refused. The Spirit, by which Jesus taught authoritatively and effected miraculous healings, is not simply a power to be used; we are to be instruments in His hands. God would gladly heal everyone who is sick, but He is interested in a more substantial, lasting healing.
Thus, in this context, we will look at some crucial questions: how do we understand the words in James about the healing of the sick? Is there a relationship between healing and forgiveness in answer to prayer? Elijah is presented as an important model of prayer in a time of widespread apostasy. What can we learn from his life of prayer and his work of calling Israel back to God and true worship?
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 20.
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My name is Preacher Dube from Africa,Zimbabwe, what you are doing is really blessing me, may the good LORD grant you good health to continue sharing with us the amazing truths. God bless you.
The lesson says, "Elijah is presented as an important model of prayer in a time of widespread apostasy." The time he prayed for rain was one of his great victories of faith but Elijah also had times when he wasn't so victorious and suffered defeat which we need to learn from as well. Defeat came to him as it comes to us when we lose faith in God and take out eyes off God and focus on everything else just like Peter did in trying to walk on water (Matt 14:28-31). So we need to incorporate the first part of the text in James that says, "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours" (Jas. 5:17 NKJV) into our thinking also. That part of the text only means that he had the same troubles that we have but had victories because God was in the picture. At times he tried to do important things without first praying about it and ended up paying the price for that lack of faith one way or another.
"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26 NKJV).
In Uganda where I stay, some worship places are full simply because congregations gather expecting miracles to happen. It is even amazing to note that some 'pastors' hire and pay people to pretend and act as though a miracle happened in their lives. However, we are to serve the Living Lord in truth and spirit; not for the sake of pleasing crowds.
Abraham , I was fascinated by your story. Most people do not want to sacrifice what they love for the truth. Accepting Jesus wholeheartedly means giving up what you love and living a life marked with simplicity. We need to understand that Jesus is not interested in earthly fan fare. He is more concerned about the quiet workings of the Holy Spirit on the heart.
During Elijah's time God was not in the whirlwind ,the fire or earthquake. Instead, He was in the still small voice. Many are deceived into thinking that miracles are signs of God's working . Some of them are but God wants us to see Him in the miracle of a sanctified heart. This also answers the question about healing and forgiveness. Nothing causes a person to suffer physical ailments than a spiritually sick mind.
Jesus forgave a man's sins before he healed him physically. Some of these so called healings only have temporary effects because they are not true healing. True healing takes place when the mind is at peace with God.When that happens everything will fall into place through the working of the Holy Spirit.
EGW says that there is a "Divine Science" in the "Prayer Of Faith." Education P. 257.
She also says that 9 out of 10 diseases have their foundation in the mind and mentions anger, remorse, anxiety, guilt, etc. as being the culprits.
When I was 28 years old I had been a SDA for about 7 years. I was still a single man. I was a confirmed bachelor with four relationships that never got off the ground from just the dating stage. (One at a time of course.) I had 3 headaches a week and one of them always made me vomit. I was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed about 120 lbs. and had a very poor appetite. I did not know how to have the Peace and the Joy and the freedom from anxiety and guilt that The Lord promises in His Word to ALL BELIEVERS on a day by day basis. I suffered daily with those emotions that EGW mentions as being the culprits and the basis for disease.
I then attended a free seven week, seven lesson, seminar that taught this Divine Science of this Prayer. After that Seminar and what I learned there about the DIVINE SCIENCE OF THE PRAYER OF FAITH, I began to experience God's PEACE and JOY and those headaches became less and less and within a few years from that time, The Lord led me back to one of those four relationships. I eventually married the woman God led me back to and we have a 35 year old healthy born again church going fully committed SDA and Christian son.
It has been over 40 years since the time I attended that Seminar. I continued attending those seminars and eventually became a coordinator of them. I am now 70 years of age, weigh in at about 170 lbs., have a great appetite, have a good physical built, have a good bill of health. I still work in my construction trade. And those headaches are for all practical purposes none existent.
Yes, THE PRAYER OF FAITH, does save the SICK.
Pete, could you please share a little detail about this seminar - title, availability, resources, etc? I am certain it would be a blessing to many.
Michelle Cammack;
The original name of this Seminar was, "Positive Living Clinic," then the name was changed to, "The Positive Way." We are in the process of changing the name again and this time to: "The Promise Way."
The way this Seminar works is: 1. A person goes through it as a student and receives a binder with the first lesson on the first session and as each person continues in the Seminar another lesson is given until each person has finished the entire 7 week and 7 lessons. 2. At this point the student qualifies to then teach in another Seminar. 3. After the second Seminar the teacher qualifies to then be a Moderator for the seminars. 4. After the third Seminar the Moderator qualifies to be a coordinator for the Seminars.
I am on Facebook.
If you will share some of the tips that helped you, you can be a blessing to many who are struggling with emotions like you.
I learned that both the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:4 and Paul in 2 Cor. 7:1 indicated that it is by way of God's Promises that we become partakers of God's Divine Nature and overcome sin in our lives.
I learned that "Every Command of God is a Promise." This spiritual fact is supported by 1 John 5:14,15 and also Philippians 4:13 Therefore and since one of my huge problems was that I lacked both joy and peace in my life I simply and via prayer, took the command of God in Phil. 4:4 and 6 to "Rejoice in the Lord always," and also what it says to do in those verses from 4 through 6 and just simply asked God to give me His Joy and His Peace and I began to experience His very Joy and Peace.
This experiencing of God's Joy and Peace on a daily basis did not happen overnight but gradually and awesomely in ways that had not happened before and they still happen even now by way of the "Divine Science of the Prayer of Faith."
I am on FACEBOOK. I can tell you and all via FB more about this.
I should also mention that you can find quite a few free resources at our own Health Resources page, if you will scroll towards the bottom of the page.
Today, even medical science acknowledges that mental factors, such as stress are major causes of disease. And we have a choice about what happens in our minds.
Depression, also a mental state, is becoming more and more common. And standard medical drug treatment is not very effective. Much more effective is Neil Nedley's Depression Recovery program. You can search with Google to see if there's a program put on near you in the near future. It covers far more than Depression. The lifestyle recommendations contribute to spiritual, mental and physical health. If you can't find a program near you, you can find the information in the book, Depression: The Way Out.
Maintaining optimal health comes down to keeping the laws of health - proper diet and exercise, lots of sunshine and pure water, moderation in all things and avoidance of harmful substances, fresh air, adequate rest and trust in God.
Yolande, your words give me such comfort. I have sacrificed the greatest thing I love for the truth. At times I have doubted my decision and almost crawled back to the pit habitual sin but your comment reminds me once more that what ever it is that I gave up, I gave it up for a greater cause: the truth. God is wonderful!
May the Lord strengthen u brother
In like manner have I been some years ago but upon serious reading of SOPs and fervent prayers I have been winner.
Indeed prayers offered by a contrite heart availleth much.
When I was growing up as a child, I remember my father's defensive and protective arms always ready to shield and guide my way. Not until I became a father, that I realised what its like to always be alert around your children. My firstborn was only about 8 months old that I watched him as he attempted to take his very first step. I remember the overwhelming joy of kneeling about a couple of feet away with my hands wide opened and my heart leaped with pride to see my son eager to endeavour his first leap of faith. With every encouraging words of assurance and expressions of support, I watched with greatest care as my little boy was ready to let go of his tiny grips; and with every most beautiful smile in his face leaning forward to rush into my hands. I remember every emotions and thoughts possessed my whole being as I watched so eagerly with every utmost care and anticipation, my son ready to experience his first step; it was the most unforgettable moment ever. He looked at me with every trust and assurance that no matter what, he will be safe when he let go. His eyes fixed on my wide open arms and his heart warmed by my encouraging assuring voice. In like manner, I observed every motions of his whole body and almost read every line of thoughts in his little mind, what he was ready to do. What an experience!! But this is how I see my Father, my All powerful God ready to do all the time. As His children, God's eyes "are upon the righteous, His ears are attentive to their prayers." (1Peter 3: 12). With everlasting encouragement and eternal assurance, He is always ready to catch us in case our feeble legs may be unable to carry our weight of troubles and despair. But we need to have every trust and every faith that if we let go of all our fears, His big wide opened arms are ever ready to receive us. We must have every confidence in Him, as He has every confidence in us. There is nothing that separates us from Him, and nothing will ever hide us from Him; "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my right hand of righteousness." (Isaiah 41: 10). Our God is ever more careful, more willing and more wanting us to call upon His Holy Name with confidence as we are His children and He is our Father...