Good News Press Fall 2022

Fall 2022

Plan of Salvation: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What Is the Gospel Message?

With his final words before his ascension, Jesus issued to his followers the task of conveying his message to the world. Armed with this directive, the total number of Christians exploded from a mere 120 to over 3,000 within the span of two weeks. By the end of the first century, an estimated one million people had responded to the Christian message by becoming followers of Jesus. Today, nearly two thousand years later, the Christian faith has grown to become the largest faith in the world with over two billion adherents. Still, Christians continue to treat Jesus' mandate seriously and persist in spreading his message far and wide.

What is this message, though, and why is it so important? Why have countless Christians pledged and even given their lives in order to promote it?

The Christian message is often

referred to as the "Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it is the good news about Jesus who he is, what he has done, and what he offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that he came into the world to reconcile humanity to himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to each person who will respond in faith.

Furthermore, the Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Though thousands of books have been written about these events, the core idea is that, through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection he conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal life.

Though the Christian Scriptures

do contain a code of conduct as well as doctrinal and theological statements, the central message is more about placing faith in the person of Jesus than it is about conforming to any code. The primary emphasis of Christianity, then, is to point people toward Jesus and the salvation that is only available from him.

The Christian Church has taken different forms throughout the centuries, but this central message has remained the same. It binds all of Christendom together. Despite the various branches of Christianity in the world today most notably Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy this Gospel message acts as a unifying element. Though adherents to the faith include people from every walk of life, this message binds them all together. Throughout the Christian Church, this message of salvation is considered to be the hope of the world.

Salvation Basics: Romans Road

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Romans6:23a"Forthe

thegiftofGodiseternal

Romans5:8,"ButGod

Romans10:9,10"Thatif

shaltbelieveinthineheart thatGodhathraisedhim fromthedead,thoushalt besaved.Forwiththe heartmanbelievethunto righteousness;andwiththe mouthconfessionismade untosalvation."

Romans10:13"Forwhoso-

nameoftheLordshallbe

PraythisPrayer:ifyou wanttobeSaved: LordJesus,forgivemeforallofmy sins.Ibelievethatyoudied onthecross.Andthat you wereburied,andonthe thirdday,Godthefather raisedyoufromthedead. AndIaskthatyoucome intomyheart andbeme LordandSavior.Thank YouJesusforSavingme. Amen.

Thomas More Society Attorneys Uphold

Cathy Miller's Right to Practice Christian Principles on the Job

California Court Delivers Victory for Cake Artist Targeted for Religious Discrimination

NEWS PROVIDED BY Thomas More Society

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., / Cake designer Cathy Miller has been vindicated in the California courts for practicing her Christian principles on the job. On October 21, 2022, attorneys from the Thomas More Society brought home a First Amendment victory for the cake shop owner of Tastries, a popular Bakersfield, California bakery that was targeted by gay activists. The ruling, handed down by Judge Eric Bradshaw of the Superior Court of California in Kern County, decided for Miller in a lawsuit brought against her by the Department of Fair Housing and Employment.

"We applaud the court for this decision," stated Thomas More Society Special Counsel Charles LiMandri, partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP. "The freedom to practice one's religion is enshrined in the First Amendment, and the United States Supreme Court has long upheld the freedom of artistic expression."

Miller had been the target of multiple lawsuits after a lesbian couple asked her to create a wedding cake and she referred them to another baker. Miller's polite refusal to design a custom cake for a homosexual union was rooted in her sincere religious belief that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman. The legal action against Cathy's Creations, Inc., brought by the Department of Fair Housing and Employment was filed under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which provides protection from discrimination by business establishments on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion.

"There's a certain irony there, observed Paul Jonna, Thomas More Society Special Counsel and partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP "that a law intended to protect individuals from religious discrimination was used to discriminate against Cathy for her religious beliefs."

Jonna also pointed out that Miller does not have fringe beliefs.

"Cathy believes in the Bible," said Jonna, and recalled how Miller was harassed by opposing attorneys for her adherence to its teachings.

A February 24, 2022, deposition in the

case records an attorney for the state needling Miller:

Attorney Gregory Mann (attorney for the state): Do you try to follow everything that the Bible says?

Cathy Miller: I do my best, but I'm a sinner, but I do my best.

Mann: Do you follow some of the eating practices from the Old Testament in terms of not eating pigs, not eating shellfish, et cetera?

"The state was actually questioning the sincerity of Cathy's faith," remarked Jonna, noting the Tastries is bountifully adorned with Christian décor, and even plays Christian music over its audio system.

"The fact that they called Miller's open and sincerely held beliefs into question is almost as disturbing as quibbling over her status as an artist," Jonna commented.

The Institute of Culinary Education clearly labels cake designers as "cake artists" who practice the "Art of Cake Decorating," and observes that cakes have a known history dating back to ancient Egypt and are created with the finest and most expensive ingredients as an "act of celebration."

It was this celebration of a marriage between two people of the same sex, that Miller could not condone in accordance with her Christian beliefs, explained LiMandri, during the July 25, 2022, closing arguments before Judge Bradshaw.

Miller would have been happy to sell the two women a pre made cake, added LiMandri, but declined to grace their celebration with her personal artistry in a custom cake, which would be tantamount to approval, which Miller could not give.

Read the decision issued on October 21, 2022, 2022, issued by Judge J. Eric Bradshaw of the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, in Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Cathy's Creations here Read more about the Thomas More Society defense of artisan cake designer Cathy Miller:

• Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Tastries Bakery

• Tastries Bakery and Bakery Artist Cathy Miller

• When a Wedding Cake Becomes a Weapon in the Culture Wars

About the Thomas More Society

The Thomas More Society is a national not for profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family,

religious liberty, and election integrity. Headquartered in Chicago and with offices across the country, the Thomas More Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way up to the United States Supreme Court. For more information, visit thomasmoresociety.org

SOURCE Thomas More Society

Proposition 1 Guarantees More Than Late-Term Abortion

beyond the issue of late term abortion. The creation of a new right to reproductive freedom for every "individual" includes not only adult women, but also minor boys and girls, and adult men."

Proponents of Prop 1 claim that the amendment simply codifies existing abortion laws, but legal experts have stated that it does, in fact, change and expand the law. Moreover, as this amendment is litigated in the future, courts will be obligated to use the most expansive interpretation possible, meaning that the state will have no ability to implement regulations or limits to protect minors. The constitution will reign supreme, and judges and legislators will not have the power to intervene.

NEWS PROVIDED BY Stop Prop 1

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Proposition 1, an initiative on the November 8th ballot, will enshrine late term abortion in the California constitution. This proposed amendment to the state constitution will not only guarantee "reproductive freedom" for every individual, regardless of age or sex, but it will also negatively and irreversibly impact the public health, safety, and general welfare of all Californians.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the nation's premier legal advocacy group, recently released a memorandum containing in depth analysis on Prop 1. In summary, ADF believes that Prop 1 allows abortions at any stage of pregnancy, including the gruesome partial birth abortion procedure. Prop 1 will endanger both mothers and their children by prohibiting common sense limits on abortion. Additionally, it will undermine the state's ability to protect other fundamental rights such as the conscience rights of doctors and nurses, the right to free speech to advocate for life affirming care, and perhaps most importantly, the fundamental right of parents to raise and educate their children according to their deeply held beliefs.

Echoing ADF's grave concerns about Prop 1, Karen England, Co Chair of the Stop Prop 1 campaign, stated "Every voter must be aware that Prop 1 signals a vast shift in current law, even

Prop 1 creates an unprecedented right for minors to undergo medically unnecessary gender transition surgeries. ADF concluded that Prop 1 will interfere with the right of parents to "raise and educate their children by cutting parents out of any of their children's medical decisions that fall under "reproductive freedom."

While Prop 1 would bring untold harm to millions, England's concern is centered on protecting children. She added, "The authors of this amendment purposely failed to define "reproductive freedom," and they want to create an unprecedented right for minors to undergo medically unnecessary gender transition surgeries such as sterilizing hysterectomies and orchidectomies, procure abortions, and access puberty blockers and hormones that affect their sexual and physical development. If Prop 1 passes, all this chaos will be legal, and it will be allowed without the knowledge or consent of parents."

As the election draws near, Karen England is sending out a clarion call across the country. She warned, "Everyone in the nation should have their eyes on California. As we have learned, what happens in California doesn't stay in California. We are witnessing the progressive blueprint for the rest of the nation."

Stop Prop 1 A committee in opposition to proposition 1. Committee major funding from East Valley Republican Women and Patriot Store

SOURCE Stop Prop 1

Parental RightsAmendment Introduced in Congress

NEWS PROVIDED BY Parental Rights Foundation

WASHINGTON,

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R AZ) today introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives an amendment to the United States Constitution. The Amendment would enshrine the traditional liberty of parents to direct a child's upbringing, education, and care as a fundamental right.

Lesko, who heads the Protect Kids Caucus in the House, believes protecting this traditional role of parents is key to keeping children healthy and safe. "Parental rights are under attack across our nation," Lesko says. "I am pleased to have the support of ParentalRights.org in introducing this crucial amendment to the US Constitution to enshrine parents' fundamental right to have a say in their children's education, and I will continue to advocate for protecting children and empowering parents in Congress."

Will Estrada, the president of ParentalRights.org and the Parental Rights Foundation, declared, "The Supreme Court has recognized parental rights for a century, but parental rights are just too important to be left to Supreme Court precedent alone. This Amendment will enshrine these traditional rights in the black and white of the Constitution, preserving that parental role for generations to come. We are honored to work with Rep. Lesko to protect children by making this Amendment a reality."

"The Supreme Court in 1923 said 'the child is not the mere creature of the State,' but many of today's bureaucrats have lost sight of that," says Jim Mason, chairman of the board for the Parental Rights Foundation and ParentalRights.org. "This Amendment will permanently codify that precedent and restore a proper respect for the vital parent child bond in America."

The House joint resolution to introduce the Amendment will receive a bill number in the next couple of days. It marks the eighth straight Congress in which the Amendment has been introduced.

SOURCE Parental Rights Foundation

CDC Committee Unanimously Votes to Add COVID Shots to Childhood Vaccination Schedule

WASHINGTON, A Center for Disease Control Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 15 0 today to add the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID shots to the child and adolescent immunization schedules for children who attend public schools. This means that public schools will now be able to mandate the shots in order for children to attend public school. The Committee voted in favor of this despite receiving thousands of negative public comments.

The immunization schedule does not dictate what vaccinations are required for school entry, as only states can decide that. However, it is likely to prompt some to add the COVID vaccine to their list. Currently, more than a dozen states including Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, New Jersey and Vermont, follow the CDC vaccination guidelines to set requirements for children to be educated. There is information about vaccine laws and exemptions in every state.

In response to today's vote, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "As long as I am governor, there will be no COVID shot mandate for children in our schools."

By adding the COVID shots to the

childhood schedule, this transfers liability for vaccine injuries to the federal government's National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This delivers permanent legal protection to Pfizer and Moderna by allowing them to bring an FDA approved shot to the market without facing lawsuits and bring in billions of dollars in revenues for the drug companies.

Pharmaceutical companies are not liable for injuries or deaths associated with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) injections but can be held liable for injuries caused by a fully licensed "vaccine," unless that shot is added to the CDC's childhood schedule. This means liability protection also includes the adult COVID shots as well. This will allow the pharmaceutical companies to escape product liability which means the "emergency" can end, but the liability protection continues.

Yesterday, the Committee voted unanimously 15 0 for the CDC to recommend that children get the COVID 19 shots and be added to the Vaccines for Children program, a federal entitlement program that pays for vaccines for children who do not have other insurance. This was not necessary since the CDC cannot buy EUA vaccines. The COVID shots

and other drugs such as monoclonal antibodies and PCR and rapid tests are unlicensed experimental products and taxpayer dollars pay for them. In fact, the CDC spends about five billion dollars annually to buy vaccines on the childhood schedule for kids on Medicaid or without insurance.

Ironically, the CDC presented data at its ACIP meeting on September 1, 2022, that confirms the COVID shots are not safe for children. The data presented were summaries of reports from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), Vaccine Safety Data Link (VSD), a private insurance based system that monitors hospital records, and V safe, a voluntary smart phone based monitoring program that relies on text messages and web surveys.

The data presented at the ACIP meeting revealed that within seven days after vaccination, 40 50 percent of children 5 11 years of age reported a "systemic reaction," 10 15 percent had a "health impact," and 2 4 percent needed "medical care." Within seven days of vaccination, 60 75 percent of children 12 17 years had "any systemic reaction," 10 to 25 percent were "unable to perform daily activities,"

and 5 to 20 percent were "unable to work or attend school." Therefore, more than 30 percent of children in this age group had a health impact after the second shot and booster dose and approximately 2 percent needed medical care. The CDC data clearly shows that these injections are not safe for children and teens and should be discontinued immediately. Other countries, like the United Kingdom, stopped the COVID shots for children under 12 years, except for children in high risk categories. Sweden has also decided against recommending COVID shots for children aged 5 11.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Every state must reject this CDC mandate for children immediately. Even the CDC's own data reveals that these COVID shots are harming children. Pharmaceutical companies merely see children as a budget item to increase their bottom line and they continue to ignore the serious adverse events and deaths caused by these experimental shots."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi Def Skype and LTN at no cost.

SOURCE Liberty Counsel

We Don’t Go Alone

ByRev.JohnB.Sorensen

One of the main reasons why Christians don’t share their faith with others is fear. We fear rejection, that we won’t say the right thing, that we won’t be able to respond to tough questions or that someone could become angry. While these might be valid concerns, they don’t have to stop us from sharing what God has done in our lives.

Let me tell you a secret: Even the people who share their faith every day experience fear. But we do it anyway, because God commanded us all to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.

So how can we move beyond fear? We must realize that we do not go alone. The Holy Spirit goes with us every time we share the Gospel, and He will help us overcome that fear if we simply ask. In fact, we should never attempt to share our faith without the Holy Spirit. He goes ahead of us and prepares the hearts of those who will hear the Gospel, and He is the only one Who can convict people of their sin and save them.

We have a role too. Our job is to share the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to “alwaysbe preparedtogiveananswerto everyonewhoasksyoutogivea reasonforthehopethatyou have”(NIV). But the Scripture also reminds us to do this with “gentlenessandrespect.”

When we approach people in genuine love, gentleness and respect follow. Actively listen to what they have to say. Don’t worry about what to say next. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Show interest by making eye contact and respond compassionately. Empathize with their feelings. If we show that we genuinely care about them as a person, they are more likely to listen when we share the Gospel.

But, always ask permission before you begin sharing your own God story or asking them personal questions about their own spiritual faith. This opens the door for you to take the conversation to a deeper level. If someone says “no,” respect that. They might not be ready today, or even tomorrow, but in the future, they may be willing to continue that conversation with you or someone else. Leave the door open for the Holy Spirit to continue to work in their hearts.

Remember, you are not alone. Be in continual prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and give you the right words to speak. Ask Him to speak directly to the heart of the person you are speaking with. If further contact does not appear likely, pray that other believers will cross their path to continue the conversation.

God loves the people we encounter as much as He loved us – enough to send Jesus to die for them on a cross. And He uses us to share that love with them. When we seek Him as we share that love, He will lead and guide us through the whole process, even when we experience fear.

Rev. John B. Sorensen, D.D. is the President/CEO of Evangelism Explosion International, headquartered in Arden, N.C. EE has been a leader in equipping Christians to share their faith for nearly 60 years. For more free tips and resources, visit evangelismexplosion.org or follow John on Twitter @JBSorensen.

From Olive Branch Ministries

By Mark and Tinsley Baker

Does Healing Belong To Us?

the completed work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Does God play favorites? Does He heal based on His whim? Or is He truly no respecter of Persons as His Word says He is?

I do not change. Aren’t you glad He doesn’t?

Get all the Soul Foods online @: http://www.olivebranch ministries.us

Does Healing Belong To Us?

Is He truly the same yesterday today and forever?

Lets take a look at the Word of God for the answers to these questions!

Psalms 103:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

The question that many Christians have today is, does healing belong to us as it did to the early church?

There are 3 basic beliefs on the subject of healing in the modern Christian church.

1. Many believe healing has been done away with, that it was only for the early church and not for us today. This is probably the most wide spread belief.

2. Many believe God does heal as He sees fit, or by some special divine act, or some special faith.

3. The last basic group believes healing belongs to us as part of the atonement of Christ in the redemptive plan of God, along with the remission of sins.

These are the 3 main attitudes toward healing in the body of Christ today. The question becomes if the 3rd is right, how could the 2nd be right as well? Many Christians have received divine healing or know someone who did, if this is true, why is not healing a part of

2. Bless the Lord, O my soul,And forget not all His benefits:

3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

4. Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6. The Lord executes righteousnessAnd justice for all who are oppressed.

Even in the Old Testament we see that His benefits include both forgiveness and healing.

My question is has God changed in His attitude toward healing the sick?

Malachi 3:6. "For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

The Lord God Himself says

I think it is fair to say if the Bible teaches divine healing, it would be safe to teach even if we didn’t know of one single case of healing. But at some point in time we have to come to the realization that God’s Word is true. We have to believe in the divine truth of God’s Word.

Exodus 15:26. and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.''

Exodus 23:25. "So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

If the attitude God had towards healing was for the children of Israel to be whole in the Old Testament, how much more now? Good question. If this was true then, and it was true according to His Word, how much more now! I believe we need to get some light on this subject. The Word teaches the entrance of his Word gives light, and understanding to the simple. (Ps. 119:130.)

If I can get understanding of His will, and that will cause me to be able to receive the truth and reality of His Word then I want it, don’t you? Because knowing the truth is

what sets you free and makes you whole. I’m not talking about a mental ascent to the Word, I’m talking about true revelation knowledge that comes from the entrance of His Word. I believe healing for the body is the legal right for every child of God, but just because we have the legal right to something doesn’t mean we are partakers of it, does it? I want to be a partaker of everything the Word of God tells me is legally mine, don’t you? Let’s look at how we can not only know the truth but walk in the reality of it.

Our faith can only be based on what the Word of God says. It is sufficient for our faith. We can not have true faith outside of the Word of God. Faith starts where we know and understand the Word of God.

There are reasons God's people don’t walk in His promises.

1. They can be out of God’s perfect will for their life.

2. Not judging ourselves as the Word makes it clear we should.

3. Weak in faith.

4. Ignorance of what the His Word says. If you don’t know the truth, you can’t be made free, can you? God said through the Prophet Hosea; Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:

God's people are destroyed, not because God doesn't care, (If he didn’t care Jesus would never have come) but because we don’t under-

Continued Does Healing Belong To Us from Page

stand. That is a very sobering thought. Maybe we need to get more knowledge!

Sickness and disease originally came from spiritual death, spiritual death came as a result of sin. God told Adam in the day that you eat there of you shall surely die. We knowAdam did not die physically that day.

Disease would never have come on mans body if Adam had not sinned. God’s attitude towards sickness is the same as it is toward sin. His attitude is the same today as it was in the Old Testament. He never changes does He? Christ came to reveal God’s attitude toward man. If we want to see God’s attitude toward man in action, all we have to do is look at Jesus! Jesus was God’s will in the flesh. Jesus came to reveal the Fathers will toward man.

John 14:9. Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, `Show us the Father'?

Jesus plainly taught that oppression is of the devil. When people were delivered from the oppression of Satan, their bodies were made whole; in other words their bodies were healed. Some would say Jesus delivered them not

healed them, but the Word of God says Jesus healed those who were oppressed.

Acts 10:38. "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

This verse of Scripture says that oppression is of the devil, not God. Jesus came and healedALL that were oppressed of the devil.

Luke 13:16. "So ought not this woman, being a daughter ofAbraham, whom Satan has bound think of it for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?''

Being a daughter ofAbraham is another way of saying she is a daughter of God’s Covenant.

Jesus said Satan has bound this daughter of Abraham. God didn’t bind her, Satan bound her 18 years. Jesus came to loose her, didn’t He? Jesus was revealing God’s will toward mankind and His will toward sickness and Satan. You will not find a single instance in the New Testament where God was glorified by one of His people being sick, No Not One!

He was glorified when His people were healed and set free from satanic oppressions.

1 John 3:8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil

has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose

the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

As we have seen oppression is of the devil, and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil didn’t He? Jesus came to destroy sin and Jesus came to destroy oppression which is a result of sin.

John 10:10. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

If you are full of sin or sickness, you're not walking in the more abundant life of God are you?

You can be set free from both. I am not saying or implying that if you have sickness in your body that it is because you walking in sin, or don't love God, or are not sincere in your belief, not at all.

I know what it is like to be sick and need healing. I believe we have a part to play in this.

We have to receive it and truly acknowledge it. In my own experience it took nearly 1 1/2 years before I could fully receive the Word on this subject. When I did I was healed. Just as we have to receive and acknowledge that Jesus shed His blood for us so that we can have eternal

life, we must receive and acknowledge that Jesus body was broken so that we can have healing for our bodies. Faith comes from knowing and understanding the Word of God. If you have never been taught along these lines, you can not truly have faith in this area of your life. Faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God. Whether it is for salvation or for healing.

Agood place to start is the Passover. There were no sick among the children of Israel, not one sick person. They All partook of the Passover meal. They were all delivered out of the bondage of Egypt.

And they were all healed. This was a type of the coming Christ and our redemption.

He told His disciples how to partake of the Passover meal.

Mt. 26:26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.''

27. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.

28. "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

He told them to take and eat His body, and to drink His blood. They had to partake didn’t

they, He offered it to them, but they had to partake of it. He told them to partake. It is God's will that we partake. That is something He will not do for us.

They didn't understand this at that time. Later Peter looking back at Calvary said in; 1 Peter 2:24. who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.

Peter was quoting Isaiah the 53rd chapter. If you will get a concordance and look at the Hebrew you will see this was talking about physical healing.

It is not my purpose to place condemnation on anyone who is sick, God forbid. My purpose is to encourage people to reach out and receive for themselves. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that through Him we might have life and have it more abundantly. I want people to look these things up for themselves, and see what the Word of God has to say on this subject. I have seen God's healing power work in me and that of my family and others as well. I could share many marvelous testimonies of healing. Testimonies can encourage, but our faith has to be based on what God's Word says, not on someone's testimony. Let's look on

Romans 6:14. For sin shall not have dominion over

you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Thank God for His grace. According to God’s Word, we are saved by grace, and by grace we can defeat the devil. As a matter of fact we are told to resist the devil.

James 4:6. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.''

7. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

When we are submitted to God He gives us the grace to resist the devil. But we have to do the resisting, God will not do that for us, and when we resist the devil he will flee. God’s Word is on the line and he can not lie. He will watch over His Word to perform it. It shall accomplish that which it was sent to do. It will not return void!

It is not the will of God the Father that any one of His children to have sickness or disease None!

Remember the 103rd Psalm. Vs.3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. You can not separate them, Jesus paid the penalty for both, so why not enjoy them both? They are freely given, and given at an incredible cost.

James 5:14. Is anyone among you sick? 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.

15.And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

We see that healing and the forgiveness go hand in hand. I'm not here to start an argument, but to start an encouragement. I know that's not proper grammar, but I hope you take my point.

Remember Jesus said to the paralytic man who came for healing, be of good cheer your sins are forgiven you. Then He went on to say Matthew 9:2And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.''

6. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins'' then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.''

7. And he arose and de-

parted to his house.

8. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God who had given such power to men.

Jesus forgave the mans sins, and then to prove it, He Healed him. You will notice the result was that people glorified God.

If you have already made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life then thank God, I would like to encourage you to also accept Him as your Healer. He is both you know? Find out for yourself that He is both. Acknowledge Him as your savior and the forgiver of all your sins and also acknowledge Him as the healer of your body; Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.