Pray for Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-5 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

God’s word commands us to pray for our leaders whether we like them or not. If we do not pray that God will lead and instruct our leaders, who will? If we do not petition God to give His wisdom and knowledge to our leaders, who will? If we do not pray that God will change the hearts of our leaders and make them godly leaders, who will?

If we do not take the initiative and pray for God to reveal His will to our leaders and for His word to be the benchmark for all decisions made concerning our nation by our leaders, on every level of government, then who is to blame if our leaders never make godly decisions?

If there ever was a time when the church of Jesus Christ in America needed to pray for her leaders, now is the time.

In accordance with this command from God I offer this prayer based on the 1969 Billy Graham prayer that Billy Graham prayed for President Nixon, as a model for us to use. Feel free to use it, rearrange it or change it to fit your style of praying.

Our Father and our God, Thou hast said, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." We recognize and do affirm that we are "a nation under God." We thank Thee for this torch of faith handed to us by our forefathers. May we never let it be extinguished. You and only You, O Lord God Almighty, has given our nation the great prosperity, freedom and power that she has enjoyed since her formation. This faith in God is our heritage and our foundation!

Thou hast warned us in the Scriptures, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" As George Washington reminded us in his farewell address, morality and faith are the pillars of our society.

We confess these pillars are being eroded in an increasingly materialistic and permissive society. Too long we have neglected Thy word and ignored Thy laws. Too long we have tried to solve our problems without reference to Thee. Too long we have tried to live by bread alone. We have sown to the wind and are now reaping a whirlwind of crime, division, and rebellion.

And now with the wages of our sins staring us in the face, we remember Thy words, "If my people who are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Help us this day to turn from our sins and to turn by simple faith to the One who said, "Ye must be born again." Instill in the hearts of all our countrymen and women to call upon Thy name O Lord and to repent from all our ungodly living, imaginations and sins which are many. Create in us a desire for a new heart, formed by You O Lord and make us once again your people through your blood shed for us on the cross.

O God, as we enter a new era, we pray, that we as a nation, may experience a moral and spiritual restoration.

Thou hast said, "Promotion comes not from the east nor from the west, but from Thee." We recognize, O Lord, that in Thy sovereignty Thou hast permitted Barack Obama to lead us at this hour of our history.

Help us as a nation to never forget Jesus Christ is the only Messiah and that He and only He can save and deliver us. May we never give that title to a mere human being or false god and bring dishonor to Thy name.

Reveal to Barack Obama’s heart that all glory, credit and admiration is to be given to Thee and Thee alone! May he never try to usurp Thy glory and honor.

We beseech Thee that Barack Obama will have Thy divine guidance and power daily. Help him as Thou didst help Thy servants of old.

Our Father, these are perilous and troublesome times and Obama needs Thee as no man ever needed Thee in leading a people! He will hold in his hands the destiny of more people than any man in history. We pray that Thou wilt so guide Barack Obama in handling the affairs of state that the whole world will marvel and glorify Thee and only thee.

O God, we pray that Barack Obama will have the presence and the power of Thy Holy Spirit, leading and guiding him in all things. May your word be a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path and shine forth Thy truth and admonish him to make all decisions based on Thy word and Thy truth.

Lord, we pray for the Vice President and members of the Cabinet. We pray for all members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives and all other government officials, local, state, regional and national.

May they be given wisdom and courage that is beyond their own understanding. Bless them as a team to lead America to the dawning of a new day with renewed trust in God that will lead to peace, justice, and prosperity.

May their deeds and decisions astound the world and may this bring glory to Thy name and Thy name alone!

We pray this humbly in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who shed His blood on the Cross that men might have eternal life. Amen

Let not your Heart be TROUBLED!

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace and be whole of thy plague.

The message is simple, direct and very powerful; do not be afraid, He is with you. Let not your heart be troubled, the Father is present in this place. By faith reach out and touch Him as He passes you by, touch Him with faith and with love and He will stop and touch you with His mercy and grace.

Let not your heart be troubled, He has not left any of us alone; He has not withdrawn His Spirit from us. He has not denied any of us access to His throne of grace. His ears are not stopped up and His power has not diminished. His hand is still ready to heal, to deliver, to perform mighty miracles and to display His wonders among us to His glory.

Let not your heart be troubled, this is not the end but this is the beginning. The sun is not setting, the sun is rising. So lift your hands and embrace the warmth of the Holy Spirit and let Him fill your hands and arms as if they were wings and let the wind of the Holy Spirit fill your wings. Rise above all circumstances conditions and every sin that might beset you or weigh you down. Let not your heart be troubled, these are exciting times if you will receive God’s word into your heart and life!

We stand at the threshold of something new, something fresh and an opportunity given to us by God. This is not the time to circle the wagons, this is the time to put on the armor of God, stand up and attack! Attack the lack, attack the darkness attack the places where we have become lazy and begin to strengthen and discipline those places and parts of us that are sorely lacking the power, the spirit and the vitality of God!

This is an opportunity which we need to seize for if opportunity passes us by and we do not respond, the opportunity is lost forever! Do we stand shivering in fear on river bank or do we dive into the river? Do we stand and watch the river flow by us or we dive in and become filled and baptized to overflowing? It is a singular and individual challenge as well as a collective and corporate challenge. As members individually and as a church body, we have responsibility as well as opportunity to walk into new fields and new ventures for the kingdom of God. Let not your heart be troubled; dive in; the water is fine!

Look around you and what do you see? Darkness and depression is on every hand and sin abounds in unprecedented measure. There are so many negatives that we can focus on and if we do, we will become depressed and negative as well.

Many feel there is no hope. Do not let circumstances and events rob you of your hope and of your joy!

Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama needs a revival. Our nation needs a revival! And we can be used by God to spark this revival if we want to. It will take much discipline, fasting, praying and dedication. But how many would like to see thousands of people coming to God’s house to repent and be transformed into a new creation by God through the Holy Spirit. How would you like to see this and know that you had a part in it? Well you and I and all of us can if we have the courage the strength and the determination.

It’s time to shake off the slumber and rise up with the sword of the Spirit; be refilled afresh and anew with the Holy Ghost; become fire baptized, put on the armor of God and enter the fray! Who will be a bold soldier of the cross? Who will stand against the powers of darkness? Those powers are powers of destruction, deception and devastation. But our weapons are mighty because our weapons are from the Almighty! We can pull down the strongholds of darkness and it is time we as God’s people stood and began to take back the ground we have lost. Let not your heart be troubled; we are more than conquerors! We have God on our side and He is not just mighty, He is ALL mighty!

John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled; we believe in God don’t we? Then let us believe in Jesus and His words of comfort when He said you believe in God so believe also in Me.

For many the future looks very dark and gloomy and that may well be. America has made a bad choice recently. But look, our weapons of the warfare are powerful and mighty to the pulling down of strongholds!

I call the church to join together and pray against this darkness that has invaded our land. This is an opportunity for the church to unite, spread the Gospel and pull down this wall of darkness and defeat the powers of darkness.

We have the light of Christ within us, let's shine the light so all can see our Father....

Let's do (the church) what WE are supposed to do....it will all be OK...just be the church!

I call every Pastor, Teacher and Leader and Member of the Body of Christ to arms....armed with the armor of Christ.... walk in His love, power and faith.

It will all turn out good.... I promise. (Rev 20-12)

Power in Praise –Part 1

There was no hope!

There was no hope! Judah’s army was tiny compared to the three nations that had joined together for the express purpose of annihilating them. What was Judah to do under these horrible circumstances? Maybe they should fight back! Perhaps surrender with the hope that the enemies would show mercy!

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” (2 Chr 20:21)

What a strange tactic! Instead of fighting or surrendering, the king, after hearing from God, decided to put all the people skilled in praise in front of the battle lines and have them do only one thing: praise God!

What does praising God have to do with warfare? At first glance it seems that praise has nothing to do with it, but a closer examination of the scriptures proves otherwise.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Ps 8:2) Notice that praise shuts the mouth of the enemy. Without the enemy being able to communicate, they will be thrown into utter confusion. That is what happened to the three armies arrayed against Judah.

As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. (2 Chron 20:22-23)

The enemies were befuddled. They couldn’t tell the difference between Judah and themselves. They eventually killed each other. In the end this hopeless situation proved to be a blessing in disguise for Judah.

When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day. (2 Chron 20:24-26)

Without this battle, Judah would not have been given so much wealth. This battle was God’s way to bless Judah. To emphasize the cause of victory, they named the battle site: Beracah, which in Hebrew means praise.

In the Midnight Hour

The Apostle Paul, also, knew the power in praise. While he and Silas were in prison, during the midnight hour, they began to praise God. While many Christians would find themselves truly defeated in prison these men praised God instead of whining. Sure they hurt. They had just been beaten. Their feet and hands were chained. Yet, they knew the clout they had with God. God gives power to the faint (Isa 40:29). Who receives power from God? Those who are about to faint—to give up; the discouraged—are the candidates for God’s power.

And why does God give them His power? But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31, KJV)

To wait on the Lord means to praise God, and what happens when we praise God? Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: (Isa 41:1, KJV) God shuts the mouths of the enemies and gives us time to renew our strength.

Concerning Paul and Silas, what was the result of their praise to God? And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. (Acts 16:26, KJV)

Just when you look like you are “stuck” in trouble—suddenly God breaks through. I love it when suddenly something happens; some breakthrough that only God could orchestrate. It looks like nothing will change. Your circumstance seems permanent. You have prayed and prayed. Others have prayed for you, yet nothing seems to change.

What should you do? Give God praise!

Power in Praise – Part 2

Let’s Get Excited

The common Hebrew word for praise is hallal, hence the word, halleluiah. Forget what preconceive ideas you have of the word halleluiah. It literally means to be extremely excited about, to boast, rave, or to celebrate.

The picture here is of a football game. Your team has just scored the winning touch down. What is your response? You don’t with a solemn, dignified face say, “That is very nice. I’m glad we won.” NO! You yell, you shout, you jump up and down, “Yeahhhhh! We won!” You are beside yourself. You would not act that way in the normal course of the day, but this time you have reason to celebrate. Your team won! No one judges you by your jubilant celebration. In fact everyone else is ecstatic as well. This is the way you should act! No one embarrassed.

Yet, when we come to church, we assume that God wants us dignified. Let us not get too emotional. To some church goers, they dislike and disapprove of emotional outburst. They want their church quiet and reserved. But that is not praise!

How is it that we can jump and yell out loud when our team scores, but when Jesus triumphs over the devil we keep our composure? People get saved in the service; others are healed, and still more are touched. Yet, we don’t shout, or leap for joy. How can this be?

Now before someone jumps all over me and contends I am trying to make everyone like me, no I am not. You may praise God any way you want to praise Him. If you choose to be quiet and reserved that’s up to you and God.

I am just saying it is strange to me that most people can get excited and very demonstrative at football, soccer, baseball, basketball or any other sporting event but when it comes to God we are to be silent. These ball games are temporary and have absolutely nothing to do with eternity. But to think that God sent His only SON to die for me that I might live forever and not burn in hell….excuse if I get a little joyous and loud.

A football did not die on the cross for you!

Ways Praise is Manifested

Praise is something you do. Without action, you are not praising. Some complain about Spirit-filled churches, “Well, those Halleluiahs may go around dancing and shouting, but God knows my heart. He knows how much I appreciate Him.” You see, you are fooled into thinking that praise is inactive. There are other Hebrew words that describe the action of praise.

Yadah. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Ps 63:4)

This word means to publicly express our approval by lifting our hands. If you have ever been to a rock concert, then you have witnessed the adoring fans lifting their hands. You see that also in sports events. God designed us to express our excitement and adoration by lifting our hands.

Lifting your hands is also a universal sign of surrender. When a police officer arrests someone, he often says, “Put your hands up in the air.” Basically he does this to make sure the offender does not do anything to flee arrest.
In the same way, you raise your hands to God to signify that you surrender to His Lordship. You promise not to flee from Him. You have finished fighting. The battle is the Lords.

Barak. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Ps 103:2-3, KJV)

This word connotes to bless or say something good about. When we bless the Lord, then we enjoy all His benefits. Praise brings you forgiveness and health, including every other benefit we have in Christ.

Zamar. Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. (Ps 149:1)

Zamar is the word for singing. Let me admit, I do not have a good voice. However, you do not have to have a nice voice to sing to the Lord. God has a way to make our own voice sound great.

Have you notice how everyone’s singing voice sounds good to them? This is why we like to sing in the shower. I believe God enjoys our singing, even if others do not.

This brings us to a related topic, and it has to do with instruments. Some Christian denominations ban musical instruments, under the disguise that instruments are not in the New Testament. That is false teaching, bad doctrine and just wrong.

First of all, if God commands us anywhere in the Word of God to do something that was not fulfilled or set aside under the New Covenant, then we should obey Him. It is clear; the Word of God encourages—yes, even commands—us to use instruments to praise God.

But let me be clear, you DO NOT HAVE to use instruments!!! You can if you want to. It is your choice but do not try to lead others into bondage with false teachings by saying the New Testament does not allow the use of these in worship.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. (Ps 150:3-5)

How clear do we need God to get? The truth is, the banning or curtailing of musical instruments have more to do with tradition than the unambiguous scriptures. Scriptures are clear and forthright: we are commanded to use our musical talents for the Lord.

Someone might argue, “Where in the New Testament does it mention musical instruments?” People try to argue based on the “silent” theory—so long as it is not mentioned, then we should not do it. You cannot argue against instruments based on apparent silence.

I find it interesting that many religious organizations do not practice the laying on the hands, speaking in tongues, or any of the supernatural manifestations of the Spirit, yet the New Testament affirms and encourages these gifts. So what is their excuse? They can’t say it is not in the New Testament. You see, some Christians will just stick with their traditions, and pretend the Word of God agrees with them.

For those who feel they need a New Testament verse that concerning musical instruments, then consider Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” What is the difference between psalms and hymns? Strong's exhaustive concordance defines a psalm as a set piece of music, a sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp or other instruments. The word is taken from the Greek psao, which means to rub or touch, to twitch or twang. In other words, it was used to describe the work of Jubal who was the inventor of musical instruments (see Gen 4:21). He invented the harp and the flute (KJV says the organ). The harp made a twang sound, thus the term psao, root meaning of psalms.

A hymn on the other hand is a song without instruments. Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God while in prison (Acts 16:25). They could not sing psalms because, obviously, they had no instruments in prison. So as you can tell, the New Testament also encourages psalms which by definition would include musical instruments.

Power in Praise –Part 3

Machowl. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. (2 Sam 6:16)

Dancing especially leaping is an obvious product of jubilation. You cannot stand still while you are celebrating. Back to the analogy of a football game; when a team scores people leap and jump up and down with excitement. It is natural to move your feet while excited.

This is what David did when the ark of the Lord was recovered from the enemy. David was full of excitement. He danced before the Lord with all his strength. But notice his wife, Michal, thought this display of jubilation was vulgar. It seemed crass to her.

When David arrived to his house to bless her, she blurted out, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (2 Sam 6:20)

Many people do not appreciate the value of dancing before the Lord. Don’t be caught looking down at those who love to dance before the Lord. In fact, go a step further and join them.

I know at first you may feel embarrassed, but this shows how carnal and self-centered you have become. David told his wife, “Honey, you haven’t seen anything yet. You think I look like a fool in your eyes. Well, I am going to get so wild for the Lord that I will even embarrass myself.”

If the world can get wild on alcohol and do such embarrassing and truly vulgar things like strip for TV, then how much more jubilant we should become for the Lord. We should let down our hair and be happy to serve the Lord.
Something about dancing I have noticed. No one is a big shot in church when all dance. Lawyers and doctors become equal with teachers and janitors. If you cannot dance before the Lord, then you need a real release in the Spirit. Try dancing alone at first. Get free in the Spirit in your bedroom and when you are ready, let loose in church. David refused to back down from celebrating the Lord’s victory.

Shabach. Shout with joy to God, all the earth! (Ps 66:1)

This means to command and show your approval in a loud voice. Some are uncomfortable with a loud religion. However, I do not know how Christianity can be quiet. It is amazing how religion turned Christianity into a subdued religion, when our faith is in such things that should make us shout with joy—the incarnation, the resurrection, and the coming of the Spirit—should put a “shout” into our spirits.

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, who did he commend? He complemented the one who came back, praising God in a loud voice (Luke 17:15). This man was so grateful for his health that he could not hold back the shouts. He shouted with the voice of victory.

If you can shout when your team scores, then you should doubly shout when Christ gives you victory.

Towdah. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. (Ps 50:23)

The most impressive form of praise is sacrificial. Praise is called a sacrifice. A sacrifice is to give up something in order to obtain something greater.

In baseball, there is a play called a sacrifice. This is when the batter purposely hits the ball high in the outfield or bunts so a runner on base can advance. He gets out, but his team moves forward.

At times, the last thing you want to do emotionally is to praise God. How often have you been depressed and then went to church. Your flesh wanted to sit down in the chair while the music was played. You did not want to praise God. You just wanted to be quiet and alone.

It is at those times when you need to sacrifice your lips to God and praise him with all your heart. Do you know what God does in return? He exchanges your sacrifices with salvation, health and deliverance. When everything else seems to fail—your prayers, your confession of faith, your Bible reading—then try praise. Praise often works when nothing else does.

I hope this little three part Power in Praise series has helped you learn a little more about praise and worship. If I can help you anymore with this subject, let me know!

God bless!

Pastor Ken

His Eye is on the Sparrow

(Randy Bright, one of my dearest and oldest friends told me this story some years ago. He said he was told that the story is true. We are not sure if it is or not…but it is still a good story!)

A young man was asked to speak to a group of Hindi, Muslim and Buddhists. He was so nervous he was about to faint. When he was introduced, he came out to address the gathering and began praying to the Lord how afraid he was. He told the Lord he was very intimidated with the solemn looking people and the knowledge that most of them were atheists. He asked the Lord to help him and tell him what to do.

The Lord spoke to him and told him to sing “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”. The young man sat down at the piano and started to play and sing. He shut his eyes immediately and kept them closed for the whole song. When he finished he gave a SHORT altar call. He asked for those interested in accepting Jesus as their Lord and personal Savior to raise their hands. Nearly everyone in the audience raised their hands!

The young man was totally startled and whispered to the "older" preacher who had introduced him, “what happened?” He asked how he could get such a response by singing a song in front of these people who didn’t believe in God or Jesus. The older preacher whispered back and told him "son, from the very second you started singing and playing a sparrow flew in the window and flew around your head the entire time you sang and played!

I Still Believe in Healing

My Friend Died; But I still believe in Healing

Ps 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

I met Larry in the Cancer Ward of Huntsville Hospital. I met his amazing wife Paulette. I met Larry's three daughters and their husbands and Larry's grandchildren as well. My wife Lynette and I fell in love with this family instantly. They are an amazing family.

Larry was the Pastor of a church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Larry and Paulette had heard me leading worship for another person who was in the hospital in the next room to Larry. I had brought my guitar and we were praising and worshipping God. We prayed and had the Lord's Supper together. Paulette sent word to me that Larry wanted me to come by and pray for him. I did.

It was awesome. We prayed and sang praises to the Lord. I anointed Larry with oil, laid hands on him, and prayed for his healing. God's Spirit was present and Larry remarked he felt really refreshed after our prayer. I was encouraged. I believed God would heal him and raise him back up. Larry believed God would heal him also. Afterwards Larry thanked me for coming by and praying for him. He said it was so good to find a man of God who would touch heaven with him and for him. I was humbled. I told Larry it was all my pleasure and my honor. And I meant it because Larry was an awesome man of God!

After he went home from the hospital, Lynette and I traveled to Muscle Shoals and had prayer, worship and the Lord's Supper with Larry and his family. That was Saturday. It may have been the last time Larry had the Lord's Supper while on earth. He left the following Friday night. It is rather mind blowing to be used by God at the end of another's life. This man had been a pastor for over 32 years and was only 53 years old, a young man. Imagine God had chosen to put Larry and me together at the very end of his time here on earth. What an honor from God to allow me to meet this man and in a small way be used by the Lord for His glory.

When Paulette told me he had passed, I was shocked. I was sure the Lord was going to heal Larry. Paulette said she was shocked too. She thought the Lord would heal her husband. But he died.

Lynette and I went to the viewing and the funeral. We saw Larry's body but Larry wasn't there. Just the house he used to live in. Death is a part of life. Go figure.

I was sure Larry would be healed but he wasn't. Many times in our lives we are certain God will do this or that. Many times we are certain God said this or God said that. It's hard to find out we were wrong isn't it? Sometimes it hurts; sometimes it really throws you for a loop but guess what? He is still God.

Here's where I am in this matter. My God has healed hundreds that I have prayed for. And there are probably thousands that did not get healed. I don't know the numbers and don't care. What I do know is that God is God and still loves each and every one of us. He knows what’s best and He does what's best and He never makes a mistake!

I will keep preaching, teaching and offering times of ministry for people who need healing. Many will be healed; many will not be healed. I don't know why, neither does anyone else. You see, it's a God thing. He heals or He doesn't. Whatever He does, it's right and we better get to a place in our relationship with Him that's it’s OK. If we don't we will become bitter and sin.

Here's the most important healing that anyone needs. We need to be healed of our sins. How do we do this? By asking the Father in Jesus name to forgive us of all our sins. We must repent of our sins, which means to turn away from the way we live and start living the way our Father in heaven wants us to live. Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and make you a new creation in Christ. Then tell everyone you know what the Lord has done for you! Shout it from the rooftops! Then, be water baptized as soon as possible, the very same day if you can! Don't wait, do it because it will be a testimony to your very soul and to those around you when they see you following and obeying the Lord in water baptism. Water baptism won't save you but it will help strengthen you because you openly proclaimed your love and devotion to the Lord God Almighty!

God loves you and if you are sick of your sin He will heal you. Guaranteed! If you are saved and sick in your body He can heal you. Just believe Him, trust Him, call upon Him and have faith that He loves you and will do what is best. You know what? You will probably get healed.

You see, my friend Larry died the other day. But I still believe in healing.