Two of the most intriguing healing stories in the Bible are written in three of the Gospel Books: Matthew, Mark and Luke (called the Synoptic Gospels). Jesus had a lot to accomplish during His three-year ministry. This day was a typical day for our Lord. It started by the President of the synagogue coming to Jesus (“Yeshua”) to ask for his child’s healing, and eventually, it was for resurrection of his 12-year old daughter. Jesus tells, Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36b).

“Christian reasoning says: ‘The so-called laws of nature codified by human science are God’s usual way of doing things.’ God, however, for His people, will change His accustomed ways of doing things to meet their needs, and thus, too, show them that He is sovereign and has all power” (Bennett, “The Holy Spirit and You,” 2005).

There is balance needed in manifesting God’s supernatural gifts. The balance is between being “ignorant brethren” about the gifts, and being “dece

These days, the subject of healthcare is often in the news. Yet, God’s own health-care program has been in the Good News of the Bible for over five millennia. Perhaps it is time to take God up on what He has freely offered us. He tells His followers: “These signs shall follow them that believe . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17a –18b).

This July 19 – 24 was the Emotionally Free® Seminars that I’ve had a part in presenting for over 20 years. Very diverse groups of people come from a variety of cultures, denominations, states, and countries. We use Scripture, personal testimonies, and PowerPoint illustrations with inspired words, small group discussion, and most importantly, a large portion of time for individual healing prayers. As you can imagine, this takes quite a bit of preparation.

In August of 2006, a team consisting of: Shirley Wilson, Rupert Walworth, Liz Glover, and I headed to Spokane, Washington to co-lead the Emotionally Free® Media Course held at the “Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.” Since I was in the location where I had lived for several years before my marriage in 1966, some of my old friends organized a 40-year reunion for me. In those early years, I had begun writing and teaching on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We’re looking at the “Sword of the Word” in this our fourth week on gifts of faith. In the whole armor of God, we have a weapon called the “Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

This is our third week on the gifts of faith. We’ve looked at: natural faith, saving faith, and the fruit of faith. Next is the Supernatural gift of faith. Unlike the fruit of faith, it is given instantaneously.

Last week we reviewed those famous individuals in the Torah whom the Book of Hebrews calls Heroes of the Faith. The subject that we are continuing is faith. “Pistis is the Greek word for faith which also means persuasion, credence, conviction, Gospel truth itself, assurance, fidelity” (Strong’s #4102).

The next spiritual gift we’ll study is the Gift of Faith. This is a primary gift. We won’t get any where without it.

This week we are continuing our investigation of supernatural spiritual gifts. I believe it is important to know the real biblical gifts so we can distinguish between the true and the false occult copies. If the church does not teach about the real gifts, the church can get trapped into believing the false ones. Of this the Apostle Paul says, “Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (I Corinthians 12:1; see vss. 2–11).

This week we’ll continue our investigation of spiritual gifts. Last time we weighed–in on a combination of faith and wisdom, and the importance of prayer. One of the leading gifts of God’s Spirit is the Gift of Wisdom. Let’s look at this together.

On Saturday June 5, our sunny day this week, I drove down Admiral Way in Edmonds. Cars lined the street. The ferryboat had landed. As I drove, I looked at our beautiful Puget Sound and felt thankful that it is lovely and clean.

I’ve been telling you about my “wake-up-call” at the death of my best Christian friend I had ever known, Gail Miller. At Gail’s funeral I met Bertha Madden who had a few weeks later phoned me saying that God had a message for me.  That Gift of Knowledge I read rang true to me.

I’ve been telling my personal story of how I, at age 26 – a 99 pound spiritual weakling – Biblically illiterate college graduate, began to get new direction for my life. The impact came through my friend Gail Miller who by providence had reconnected with me for about two years.

Last week my story ended where the best Christian I had ever known, Gail Miller, finally witnessed to me after a year of living the Spirit-filled life before me. That day we ended up at a beautiful Florida beach where she “dropped the other shoe” or should I say, “sandal.”

Last week my divine purpose story ended where I had gone to a Fort Lauderdale, Florida beach retreat center. During a prayer circle, I was overwhelmed by what I now realize was God’s grace-full presence.

This column continues with an interlude where situations in life reveal how one’s present level of faith is not enough.

Last week I attempted to begin a transparent story of my early spiritual life or lack thereof. Writing about this was harder than I thought. Now I’m back again to invite you to help me walk on my continuing journey.

Tonight, April 11, I returned home from “Empowered 21st Century.” It took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma April 7 – 10, 2010. Eight thousand people, half of whom were age 30 and under came together to celebrate their faith. Oral Robert’s University hosted the event, and William Wilson from International Center for Spiritual Renewal was Chairman. All University classes were closed so students could attend the numerous Workshops as well as morning and evening large gatherings.