Spiritual Healing Series: Walking In Christ

Walking In Christ is the fifth post in the Spiritual Healing Series. In the first post I pointed out that Jesus was authoritative and strong, and that we have the same spiritual gifts that he had. The second post points out that Jesus did not earn his gifts through legalism or religion, but through a relationship with God. The third post depicts Jesus and God as one. Jesus had spent ample time in direct training through his relationship with God. The word of God grew within Him until it manifested in His physical life. The fourth post explains one of the reasons why the spiritual gifts of Christ are not manifesting in our lives.

Since Spiritual Gifts are what we're after in this series, I will conclude with this post and this bold statement from Ephesians, Chapter 4: This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart... And, this from chapter 5: Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. The word imitators can also be translated as followers.

Notice that we are no longer to walk in the futility of our own minds. How can we do that?

It's clear that following comes before walking. Aren't we getting it backwards? Aren't we trying to walk without following? Thus, we fail. Our gifts remain hidden deep within us and churches are closing their doors. Non believers are choosing to stay that way, because we aren't offering them anything better than what the world has to offer; the futility of our own minds.

The spiritual healing we seek will come from seeking God and following God, allowing the knowledge that ONLY He has to offer replace the futility of our minds and soften our hearts. Then, we can walk as Christ walked; with all the spiritual gifts in Christ.

I am going to conclude this spiritual healing series with this huge statement: Be a God chaser. You can learn more about following in our Easter Story bible study, starting with Healing Words..

Spiritual Healing Series: Where are my spiritual gifts?

This is my fourth post in the Spiritual Healing Series. In my first post I pointed out that Jesus was authoritative and strong, and that we have the same spiritual gifts that he had. The second post very briefly points out that Jesus did not earn his gift of healing through legalism or religion, but through a relationship with God. The third post depicts Jesus and God as one. Jesus had spent ample time in direct training through his relationship with God. The word of God grew within Him until it manifested in His physical life.

Again, the Bible clearly points out that we have all the spiritual gifts in Christ, so why aren't they manifesting in our lives? Even those of us who study God's word, are struggling with this question. Jesus said that his followers would do greater things than He, yet it's not happening. Jesus also said "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish , and it shall be done for you." What? Is that happening in your life?

Even though Jesus was authoritative and strong, He was also humble. He humbled Himself and gave up His own desires allowing God to work through Him. When He preached the gospel, thousands were healed physically and spiritually.

There are many who believe they have already done this. They live in the mission field, giving up most of their physical desires, working daily to spread the Gospel. Yet, something is missing and I believe the answer is found in Hebrews chapter 3 and 4. It's a place called God's rest.

Jesus considered Himself "In God." He also considered God to be "In Him." In order for us to be "In God," we have to take our seat "In Christ." This is the only way we will be allowed to enter God's rest.

The act of including each and every believer "In Christ" is already done. All who believe are already there. Yet, they spend their Sundays trying to earn their way in. It can't be earned. It is only a matter of opening your hands, opening your hearts and receiving the gift of grace.

For most, this isn't as easy as it sounds as there is one more requirement. Forget everything you know (or think you know) about God. Forget the legalism, religion and theology. Start all over with a direct relationship with God and take no man's word over His.

Forget what you see with your eyes, forget what you've felt with your hands. Forget what is right and what is wrong. Forget what you have been taught about yourself! Forget the past and forget the future; no more crystal ball. Live in a second by second "nucleus" so to speak in direct communication with your Father God.

It will definitely require that humble spirit that Christ so obviously had.

Spiritual Healing Series: How did Jesus get it?

This is my third post in Spiritual Healing Series. In my first post I pointed out that Jesus was authoritative and strong, and that we have the same spiritual gifts that he had. The second post very briefly points out that Jesus did not earn this gift through legalism or religion, but through a relationship with God. Since this is the most important factor in this mini series on spiritual healing and/or spiritual gifts of healing, I want to visit that point again.

Luke 5:15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. NIV

Jesus was a God chaser. I believe that when the time was right, after Jesus had spent many years seeking, praying and studying God's word, he became full and complete: perfect - lacking nothing. God was actually living through Him because of this perfection. He had given over his life, so that God could live way before His actual crucifixion. The impact was this: An explosion of love, mercy, grace and healing literally coming through his pores.

You can read more on this topic here.

Spiritual Healing Series: Was Jesus Really Perfect?

This is my second post in this spiritual healing series, or mini series as you could call it, addressing what made Jesus so perfect. He was perfect because of one simple fact: John 17:20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you..." It was simply this: "...you are in me and I am in you."

We know from scripture that Jesus did not uphold all of the legalistic rules of the law. He even made the statement that he "ate and drank" meaning he did things the Jews were not allowed to do. Yet, he was made perfect. It doesn't make sense, unless you really look at the definition of the word perfect.

It is whole and complete. There was absolutely nothing missing. Now, Jesus had to develop and grow, just as we all do. When all was said and done, He was so full of God's word that it manifested in His flesh. The results were peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, spiritual gifts of healing...

It is time we stop holding ourselves accountable to the law and become whole and complete. Religion and legalism are out and relationship is in.

Verse 23: I in them and you in me. It is then and only then, that we will obtain the gifts we so desperately need in order to free the oppressed! Therefore, rather than seeking a spiritual gift of healing, life IN Christ is what we must seek!

Spiritual Healing Series

Spiritual Healing Series from the Bible:

In the four Gospels, the authors point out that the people were amazed at Jesus' authority. This tells us that he wasn't the quite, subdued, rather wimpy guy that many artists have portrayed him to be. He was strong, authoritative and probably very quick on his feet. He was a real man with human flesh and all that that implies. Yet, He was our example; the author of our faith. Why not take a closer look at His gifts and how He obtained them.

Spiritual Health Source is doing that for two reasons. One: Ephesians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We know we already have the same gifts, and we aren't using them.

Two: One of the owners is sick. It's time to exercise our authority.

My next post in this spiritual healing series of articles will be about His humanity and His perfection. How exactly did this man become perfect?

Go Nuts for Potassium

If you don't want to go bananas, go nuts.

Most nuts are loaded with potassium and minerals (including calcium). Eaten alone or with legumes, they provide a good source of protein.

Nuts and seeds are also a good source of folate, or folic acid (helps prevent neurological birth defects) and iron.

These little gems provide Vitamin E, and many B vitamins.

Instead of chips and a soda, try going nuts. Kids love them with a simple glass of lemonade! (Oh, and peanuts are actually legumes, but you don't have to tell your kids.)

Tomatoes Bring High Energy

It's no secret that tomatoes are high in antioxidants. They are actually called cancer fighters by many nutritionist. But, tomatoes bring more than that. Pick up a glass of tomato juice or add a few cherry tomatoes to your afternoon snack and see what else it brings. Energy!

One glass of juice can get you through the afternoon siesta blues. It may not taste as good as a chocolate bar, but the energy lasts!

My dad swears by a glass a day and he is 83 and running circles around me! (He grows them, picks them, cooks them, juices them and cans them.)

Other Important Benefits: Helps combat heart disease by thinning blood, defends against some cancers and slows down the damage to human cells caused by aging.

The benefit comes from the skin of red tomatoes and from the jelly like substance inside. I prefer to eat them like an apple, but there are many other ways to get plenty of benefits from tomatoes; tomato paste being one of the best.

When your kids (or husband) turn up their noses, you can honestly tell them tomatoes are not vegetables. "Have some cancer fighting, heart disease preventing, anti aging berries."