The Prayer Of Faith: The sick amongst us.

 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion." (Mark 2:10-12 KJV).

Hello To All:

Today is a very special day! Five years ago, on this day, our Lord Jesus Christ saved me from death, and over a course of weeks, restored me to the fullness of good health (please see letter titled: "I am back: I am crucified!" dated June 14, 2017).  Like the man "sick of the palsy," from our opening text, my ability to walk was also restored to me in the miraculous way that only Jesus Christ can do. Thank you Jesus!

This letter is number eleven in a series of letter/essays on faith, that began July 30, 2019. Every letter that the Spirit of God compels me to write is part of a larger journey and purpose, that is known only to the Lord our God.  But, from time to time, I am privileged to see the larger picture regarding, His purposes, with what He is doing, through these letters; which brings us to His purpose, for this letter, which is, to focus our attention on the "sick amongst us."

As previous letters have challenged the ordained elders amongst us, to find that place, in our personal journey with Jesus of Nazareth, where we can be empowered by Him, and equipped by Him, to effectively pray the "prayer of faith;" so does this letter, now seek to challenge the "sick amongst us," to reach out and call for the "elders of the church" (James 5:14), to come and pray, that the sick might be healed.

This whole process is initiated by the "sick amongst us." It is not initiated by the ordained elders. It is good to remind ourselves that when Jesus healed, He was, in almost all instances approached by the sick, seeking and asking to be healed; and Jesus of Nazareth always healed! 

This is God's, on going provision, for His church, as outlined in the James text.  Jesus is the Healer; and He has chosen too manifest His healing presence through the office of the ordained elders. This is not the only way that He will heal the sick amongst us; but, clearly He has stated His willingness to heal, in this very specific way, as outlined in James 5:14-15.

The challenge for all of us, my beloved brethren, is to believe. Previous letters, should help us to understand that we have been given a gift of faith, that is sufficient for victory, in every challenge that we might face, in our life journey with Jesus of Nazareth.

If we are counted amongst the sick, then we must put that gift of faith to use, by believing; and that first step of believing, is to call for the elders of the church. God has chosen you who are sick, to be the initiators of this process, that will glorify Him and create an opportunity for you to be healed.

There is an additional challenge for you, my beloved who are the "sick amongst us;" and that challenge is this: If you call for the elders, and they come, and they pray; and then you are not healed - what will you do? How will you respond to the reality that you are still sick and not healed?

Let me be so bold as to tell you what you must do: you must continue to love that elder, who prayed for you, as a brother in Christ Jesus; and you must be willing to forgive him for his failure to effectively pray the prayer of faith. But your work is not done. Your must then pray for ordained elders to be guided to a place, by our Lord Jesus Christ, where they will discover how they can effectively pray the prayer of faith, so that the "sick amongst us," can be healed. 

And still, your work is not done. You must continue to be willing to call for the elders of the church to pray for you. You must continue doing this; believing that, at some point in your journey, Jesus Christ will raise up an ordained elder who will come and effectively pray the prayer of faith, so that you can be healed. Can we say: Thank you Jesus?

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus

The Prayer Of Faith: The Ordained Elders

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:" (Titus 1:5 KJV). 

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 KJV).

Hello To All:

The office of ordained elder has a unique place in God's on-going plan for His church: The Body Of Christ! It is through this office that Jesus of Nazareth seeks to manifest His glory, His honor, His authority and His power in very special ways! One of those special ways is through the "prayer of faith," as referenced in James 5:15 (please see previous four letter/essays regarding the "prayer of faith").

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:15 KJV).

The challenge, for those of us who are ordained elders, is to find that place in our life journey, where we can have the confidence of believing that Jesus of Nazareth has empowered us and equipped us to effectively pray the "prayer of faith," in accordance with His written word. And, to make certain that there is no confusion: It needs to be stated (once again), that when this elder references Jesus of Nazareth, I am speaking of the same Jesus: who is the Christ - The Son of The Living God! Amen and Amen and Amen!

Much has been written (in previous letters) about the issue of authority and who has it and what its origins are. If we, as ordained elders, are to find that place, in our journey, where we can effectively pray the "prayer of faith," then it must be understood, that the only place where that is possible, is that place in our life journey, with Jesus of Nazareth, where the only authority that we depend upon, is the authority that comes from Jesus! His authority is the only authority that can empower us and equip us to effectively pray the "prayer of faith."

The Corinthian text, referenced in the beginning of this letter, should help us to find that place of victory, where, as ordained elders, we can effectively pray the "prayer of faith." In his letters, Paul often reminds us that the power manifested through him, is not of him; but rather, the power is always of Jesus Christ. The Corinthian text affirms this understanding, regarding the source of Paul's on-going empowerment to fully serve Jesus of Nazareth.

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 KJV).

"But our sufficiency is of God!" How many of us truly believe this? How many of us have become dependent upon, the perceived sufficiency of our education? How many of us have become dependent upon, the perceived authority and sufficiency of our institutional system? How many of us have become dependent upon, the perceived correctness of the institutional system that we are committed too? How many of us have allowed the course of our service to Jesus Christ and His church, to be controlled by the institutional system, that we have embraced? 

These are hard questions; and I am compelled to believe that the Spirit of God intends for them to be hard!  For the most part, the sick amongst us continue to be sick. Let me be bold to say, empowered by Jesus of Nazareth, that the principal reason that the sick amongst us, continue to be sick, is directly related to our failure, as ordained elders, to be in a position where we can effectively pray the "prayer of faith."

Our life journey is often filled with hard things. This forum seeks to help all of us to be "Victorious Disciples In Jesus Christ." The how of this process can often be the hard thing. As ordained elders, we are most often dependent upon an institutional system for our credentials, that allow us to function as an ordained elder. Our challenge is to find that place, where we can still serve the institution; while, at the same time, exercising the authority that comes exclusively from Jesus Christ. This will not be an easy thing: but, let us be reminded that, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Our opening text should remind us that in the early church, all ordained elders would have been warmly welcomed in every city! The office of elder, was not limited in function by any institutional restrictions. If you were an ordained elder, then it was rightly understood that you served Jesus Christ and Him alone. It was also understood, that because of this empowerment, the ordained elder could rightly serve all of God's people. Can we say thank you Jesus?

To my brothers, who are also ordained elders, let me close this letter with one of Paul's many statements about his dependency upon God. It is written at 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 KJV:

9. "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

10. "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

Join with me, my brothers, and let us together, embrace the truth that: "Our sufficiency is of God."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus

The Prayer Of Faith: This Elder's Testimony

" I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

"Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1:29 KJV).

Hello To All:

Towards the end of 2018, my wife and I were asked to join a group of people who were going to pray for healing for a young lady who was suffering from chronic and debilitating leg pain. The invitation was extended to us, by the girls mother. We were going to meet, on a Sunday morning, in a local church building where this family attended services.

As I was preparing myself for this prayer meeting, The Spirit of God, impressed upon me, in a way that only He can, that I was to pray for this young lady, in the context of James 5:14-15.  My immediate response was to ask how this would be possible, in the midst of a prayer meeting, where all have gathered to pray? 

The young lady had not reached out to the elders of her church to pray for her. It is the sick person who initiates the process leading to the: "Prayer of faith." In this instance, the girls mother had initiated a process for a group prayer for the purpose of seeking healing for her daughter. The King's Book does make provision for healing to take place in the context of a prayer meeting with believers laying hands on one another; and praying for one another, for the purposes of being healed. (Mark 16:18 "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.")

But, God's provision for healing the sick, as presented in James 5:14-15, is an event that takes place with the sick person and the ordained elders present. This is not a group gathering. This is a very personal transaction that takes place between the sick person, family members, the elders of the church and our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14-15 KJV).

 A number of years prior to this request, the Spirit of God also impressed upon me, His desire for me,  to pray for a young mother who had cancer. I was directed to pray for her,  in the context of James 5:14-15.  At that point, in my journey with Jesus Christ, I was focused on the number of elders, as referenced in the text from James. I was joined in weekly prayer meetings with two other men, who were also burdened by this young mothers plight. We were not able to get past the idea that more than one elder must be involved.

Since that time, as I have been taken by our Lord Jesus Christ, into a deeper understanding of His love and His mercy,  He has convinced me that if only one elder is available to answer the request of the sick person; He will still be willing to respond to the "prayer of faith," and heal the sick person. Thank you Jesus!

This brings us back to this mother's request for prayers for the healing of her daughter. We live in a part of the country where winter storms are, often, quick to appear. The Sunday morning of the scheduled prayer meeting found us in the midst of one such storm. The church services and the prayer meeting were canceled. The mother reached out to my wife and myself; and asked if she and her daughter could come to our home. They came and we talked.  We spent some time in James and talked about God's desire for prayer to take place in the context of James 5:14-15.

The mother and her daughter returned to their home to pray with and speak with the young lady's father. Specifically, they were to take a deep look at the James text, to seek an understanding regarding God's will for them; as they continued to seek healing for their daughter. A  period of time passed, and the young lady reached out to me and asked me to come and pray for her. In response to God's expressed will for healing, as stated in the James text, I said yes; and my wife and I traveled to their home.

My beloved brethren, this essay that you are now reading is the ninth essay in a series about faith that began in July of 2019. As these essays are written with the intent of helping the Body of Christ draw closer to Christ and to go deeper in an understanding of the revealed truth of His Word; they are also used by the Spirit of God to take this elder to a deeper understanding of the revealed truth of His Word.

Thus, when my wife and I traveled to this young ladies home, in December of 2018, my understanding of the James 5:14-15 text, was much less than it is now. This should be a reminder to all that Christ's willingness to work through us, is not dependent on the depth of our understanding; but, rather is fully dependent on our willingness to trust Him and Him alone; and to obey Him and Him alone! Thank you Jesus!

Let us be reminded of the truths revealed in our opening texts: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:" - "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

If we are to be victorious in our journey with Jesus of Nazareth, then we must realize that we are His vessels through which He does His work! The victory belongs to Jesus. Thus if we will trust in Him rather than in our own understanding, He will manifest His victory in our lives; and in the lives of those to whom He sends us. Can we say thank you Jesus?

This is the reality of where this elder was in my understanding of the James 5:14-15 text; when I traveled with my wife and our Lord Jesus Christ, to the home of this young lady, in need of healing.  We were warmly welcomed to the home of this young lady: by her parents, herself and a brother. We gathered in a sitting room and spent some time talking and teaching with regards to the James text.

It was very clear that this sick person was eager to proceed.  We talked about the sick person's response to God and His provision for healing.  We also talked about the importance of her submission to being anointed with oil.  After anointing her, I was compelled by the Spirit of God, to ask her this question: If I fail to effectively pray the "prayer of faith," and you are not healed - will you still love me, as your brother in Christ Jesus? She was quick to say yes. Thank you Jesus.

Empowered by our Lord Jesus Christ, I effectively prayed the "prayer of faith;" and Jesus Christ, in accordance with His word,  healed her. Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!

There is much more to be said, regarding God's provision for healing the sick amongst us; but, that shall have to take place in future letters. There is enough, in this letter, for us us to pray on and think about!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus

The Prayer Of Faith: Elijah's Testimony

"Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." (1 Kings 18:36).

Hello To All:

We take the time to be edified by Elijah's testimony, because his total commitment to serving God, without any divided loyalties, gives us a foundational understanding of how a sick person can be healed within the context of James 5:14-15.

Elijah is introduced to us, in the historical time line, at 1 Kings 17:1. The first thing that he does is to make this proclamation: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,  there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (1 Kings 17:1).

This event, recorded in the time line of Elijah's servant status, in regards to the One and True and Living God, is also referenced at James 5:17; and in the previous verse (James 5:16), James is compelled by the Spirit of God to remind us to be aware that: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James further tells us that, Elijah: "he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." Certainly, this should be understood as an "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man."

Throughout Elijah's service to God, he never deviated from his absolute devotion to, dependence upon, and his undivided allegiance to his Creator: the One and True and Living God. If we are to be able to claim: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man," that "availeth much," as applying to ourselves, especially those of us who are ordained elders; then we must also have the same absolute devotion to, the same dependence upon, and the same undivided allegiance to our Creator as Elijah had. And, to make certain that there is no confusion: When I speak of our Creator, I am speaking of Jesus of Nazareth. This is the same Jesus who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! Can the church say Amen!

At one point in the recorded events of Elijah's life (please examine the chapters beginning at 1 Kings chapter 17), Elijah is compelled by God to confront the false prophets of the false god Baal. When all of Israel is gathered, Elijah lays a challenge before all of Israel. We find written at 1 Kings 18:21, the following: "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."

Perhaps, one of the most striking realities of this text, is the fact that: "the people answered him not a word." It should be noted that our "old man," our fallen nature, enjoys the comfort of our chosen belief system; and we will fervently resist any efforts to alter our personal beliefs. How often have we answered "not a word," when we are challenged to choose between allegiance to our Creator and allegiance to something else. I am, once again, reminded about a pastor friend, who was reluctant to say anything to his denominational authorities, about a certain issue, because they controlled his future.

Elijah's future was totally in God's hands. Elijah's testimony is righty summarized by our opening text: "I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." (1 Kings 18:36). He was able to pray with great effectiveness, because he prayed for the revealed will of God to be accomplished! This is the essence of the elder's responsibility in the James 5:14-15 text. God's revealed will is clearly stated: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." (James 5:15).

Now, I am once again compelled to speak, directly to those of you who are my brothers in Christ Jesus; and have also been set apart by Him and ordained to the office of elder. In this capacity, we have been equipped by Christ to serve His church, the body of Christ, in it's entirety, as it is scattered throughout the world. But, if we are to effectively pray "the prayer of faith," then we must be able to stand with Elijah, before God and say: "I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." If our loyalties are in any way divided, then we will not by able to effectively pray; and the sick among us will continue to be sick.

My brothers, let us fervently pray for one another, that our loyalties will not be divided; and let us also pray that the only one that we will serve is our Creator, Jesus of Nazareth. Once again, let it be said: This is the same Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!

Until next time my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus

"The Prayer Of Faith": The Seventy Elders

 "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come." (Luke 10:1).

Hello To All:

After the first reading of our opening text, a person might wonder about how this connects to: "The Prayer Of Faith" - (James 5:14-15). It is a legitimate question to ask. But, if we plug this text back into its context, we will begin to understand.

We find written at verse 2: "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest."

Prior to this sending of the seventy, Jesus sent the twelve (Luke 9:1-6). Both groups were sent to do the same thing - so why two groups?

The commission for the twelve is found at Luke 9:2: "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

The commission for the seventy is found at Luke 10:9: "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

Both groups are given the same commission - so, once again, the question must be asked: Why two groups?

The first group - the twelve - were earlier (Luke 6:13-16), named apostles. One of them (Judas Iscariot) would betray Jesus and be replaced by another of the disciples. The apostles would lead the church (The Body Of Christ) in those early formative years. They would heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God!

The question that we should now be asking is this: What provision was Jesus of Nazareth making, for the care and leadership of His Church, after the age of the apostles? If we are willing, we should see that provision, in the sending of the seventy, and their commission to: "Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

If we are truly going to see and comprehend the fullness of Christ's provision for His church; we need to be reminded that: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever," (Hebrews 13:8): is an ongoing, unchanging reality for each and everyone of us who look to Him for salvation and victory!

The choice of seventy in Luke 10, is not the first time the Lord our God has chosen seventy to serve Him. We find the following written at Numbers 11:16-17:

16. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee."

17. "And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone."

The seventy elders were chosen and empowered to serve Moses and "the congregation" ... "of the people." The people were God's chosen people: the congregation of the people of Israel. Jesus also chose and empowered seventy to serve Him and all that they would come in contact with.

 Both groups of seventy were spiritually empowered to do the work that they were chosen for. In both instances, God made the choice of who would serve Him; and God provided the spiritual power that would make it possible for them to do the work that they were set apart for. In both instances "The Lord of the harvest" ... sent "forth laborers into his harvest."

There is a connection between Jesus of Nazareth and Moses that we need to be reminded of in a way that will help us to understand the connection between the two groups of seventy and the ongoing provision for the body of Christ.

Sometime after the appointing of the seventy elders in Israel, Moses makes a statement that should help us make this connection.  We find the following written at Deuteronomy 18:15:

15. "The Lord they God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;"

God confirms the statement of Moses at verse 18:

18. "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

Jesus of Nazareth is the prophet referenced in the above two texts. We find confirmation of this in the inspired words of Peter, as he calls God's people to repent, found at Acts 3:19-26.

We include a portion of the text found in verses 20, 22-23 and 26:

20. "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:"

22. "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatever he shall say unto you."

23. "And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people."

26. "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities."

Moses was given seventy to assist him. Jesus of Nazareth chose seventy to go before Him. In each case the seventy were equipped by God to do the work that they were chosen for. The seventy chosen for Moses were elders. The seventy chosen by Jesus were not named elders, because the church, had yet to be established as the Body of Christ. But, it would be right to understand that the typology of the seventy elders from the time of Moses is pointing us to the choice of the seventy by Jesus Christ; and ultimately to the elders referenced by James as the ones being able to pray "the prayer of faith."

In both instances of the seventy, each group was spiritually equipped by God for the work that they were to do; and both groups were given authority from God to be successful in their assigned work. Their success was directly related to their exclusive submission to God's authority. We find the following written at Luke 10:17: "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." 

The seventy, chosen by Jesus, were victorious because of their absolute submission to the authority that Jesus of Nazareth gave them. They were able to "heal the sick that are therein," and to proclaim that "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto" them (Luke 10:9), because of this authority given and received and rightly exercised. Thank you Jesus!

My brothers, who also are ordained elders, please give careful consideration to this posting and the previous posting. If we are to rightly understand who we are; and if we are to rightly understand how we are rightly empowered by Jesus, to carry on the mission of the seventy; then we must first be willing to see ourselves as amongst the seventy; and then, we must be willing to see ourselves in Adam.

The truth that the seventy should pass on to us, is the same truth that Adam should pass on to us; and that truth is this: The only voice that we listen to and the only voice that we obey is the voice of Jesus of Nazareth, delivered to us through His word and by His Spirit. The only legitimate authority that can rightly empower us to be the ordained elders that God intends us to be, is the authority that comes from Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Thus, if we as ordained elders are to effectively pray "the prayer of faith;" then it must be understood that our allegiance to Jesus Christ cannot be compromised. If we have bowed the knee to some other authority, then it must be understood that our ability to effectively pray "the prayer of faith," will be significantly diminished. Our God is a jealous God; and He will not share His glory with some earthly authority.

I implore you, my ordained brothers, to carefully examine your circumstances and look to Jesus to show you what must be changed. The Body of Christ is in desperate need of elders who are equipped and empowered to carry on the work of the seventy.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus