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Post by buggedout62 on Mar 15, 2008 13:09:09 GMT -5
From Biblegateway.com
Verse of the Day:
New International Version
“then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”- Acts 4:10,12
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Post by shubot on Mar 15, 2008 23:35:57 GMT -5
Thanks, bugged out. I trust in the name of Jesus , also. I pray to God in Jesus name, always.
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Post by jesusheals on Mar 17, 2008 17:02:18 GMT -5
That's good! Thanks for that. Another great verse is 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will 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."
Also, after Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda, he said in John 5:14, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
Now it is impossible for us to stop sinning completely according to 1 John 1:8. However, we must make our best attempt because, according to 2 Timothy 2:19, "...Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
Therefore, on many occasions, our illnesses are directly related to either our sins, or the sins of previous generations.
Have you or your ancestors been involved with the occult or organizations such as the Freemasons? Have you involved yourself with pornography or other sexual sins? Do you have unforgiveness in your heart towards people that have wounded you (e.g. parents, siblings, friends, spouse)?
These things can and do cause illnesses and you are doing yourself no favors by overlooking these items as you desperately seek healing from Morgellons.
So what is the solution? --> Confession, Renunciation, Forgiveness, Repentance, and if necessary - deliverance. Naturally, this could be (and many times is) a process. Another avenue of affliction is emotional and/or physical trauma. If any of these things apply to you, please consider my suggestions. Please feel free to respond or PM me if you have any questions or comments.
May the true Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and heal you.
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praying4usall
Full Member
He shall cover you with His Feathers, under His Wings you will find Refuge.
Posts: 244
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Post by praying4usall on Mar 17, 2008 17:04:51 GMT -5
Amen
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Post by buggedout62 on Mar 19, 2008 13:53:07 GMT -5
Hi All! Thank you JesusHeals for your post. I have a question that I can't find the answer scripturally. Is it possible to love and forgive a sibling but cut all ties with them? More importantly, how do you forgive someone who hasn't asked for forgiveness and doesn't believe they have done anything wrong that needs forgiving? Also, when that sibling repeats the same wrongdoing over and over again. Matthew 18:22-23 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[f] Sometimes, personalities and viewpoints can be so different that the relationship becomes so strained that the best thing is to not be around that person and cut all ties. Is there anything scripturally that addresses cutting ties with family members? Any insight scripturally that anyone can provide is greatly appreciated. I pray that we all will be healed in Jesus' name.
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Post by jesusheals on Mar 19, 2008 18:55:18 GMT -5
Hi Buggedout62!
(Please know that I'm just making a generalization)
The verses you mentioned (Mat. 18:22-23) were the initial verses in the parable of the "Unmerciful Servant." If you continue to the end of the parable in verses (18) 32-35 you will see the consequences of not forgiving others. You will be placed in a spiritual prison from which you cannot be delivered until you have paid off your entire debt. If you choose to remain in your prison, you can count on your walls becoming thicker and more escape proof because of the system of branches that will grow from your tree of bitterness/resentment - such as, anger, violence, temper, hatred, and even murder.
Now this example may be somewhat extreme, but there is plenty of precedent for this occurring; just read the news.
I believe that you can forgive a sibling, yet at the same time cut ties with them. For instance, we must remember that Jesus' siblings did not believe in Him (and some may never have believed) until sometime after His resurrection. Did the Lord let this interfere with His ministry? No He did not.
Matthew 12:47-49 says, "Someone told him, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.' He replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers.'"
We must remember that in other cultures/nations, a Christian's enemies are often those in his/her own household. If these people did not cut ties with their family they could be killed.
Finally, we are told to not be unequally yoked, and not to even eat with someone that calls himself a brother yet practices sin (1 Corinth.5:11 summ)
If your sibling is living a sinful, destructive lifestyle and is significantly hampering your walk with Christ then cutting ties seems more than reasonable. However, I would make clear the reasons you are doing so and give your loved-one the opportunity to make things right.
This is my opinion (regarding cutting ties). What is not merely my opinion is the seriousness for which God considers unforgiveness. After having been mocked, beaten, and crucified, God the Son tells God the Father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." God wants us to be merciful (Hosea 6:6). When we are merciful, we receive mercy (Mat.5:7).
I truly and strongly believe that forgiveness is a component of our healing. Give it a chance!
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Post by buggedout62 on Mar 19, 2008 19:30:14 GMT -5
Thank you for your insight JesusHeals! It was very helpful! I myself had read the book of Matthew yesterday. My sibling is a Christian and did missionary work with her church before this morgellons illness. I believe our problem is that my sibling and I are so busy pointing fingers at each other's bad habits and sins that we don't want to admit to our own bad habit's and sins. We both need to admit that we are flawed and there is room for improvement. I believe that I need to focus on the areas where I fall short as a Christian and the hurt that I may have caused her or anyone else maybe that would help repair our strained relationship. Everything that you mentioned, bitterness, resentment, I was beginning to feel in my heart and have felt this way for quite a few months now. I do know that I love my sister and I don't want to feel this way towards her. Thanks so much for your input. I really, really helped me. I'm going to re-read the book of Matthew tonight. God Bless You! God Bless all of you! In Jesus' name
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Post by bygraceofgod on Mar 20, 2008 10:10:46 GMT -5
Thank You!
AMEN
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Post by shubot on Mar 20, 2008 22:58:09 GMT -5
Hi, Buggedout.
I think you can forgive your sister, and cut ties, but with hope and prayer for future reconcilliation.
This is what I know.
We must forgive others as I Father in heaven forgives us.
I personally feel that when we do not forgive others , we are placeing ourselves above God, because He forgives all.
If it were me in your situation, this is what I would do:
Dear sister, I love you deeply, and I value our relationship greatly. I am very thankful that God gave you to me as my sister.
I know we have both said and done things to cause pain to each other, and I regret it. I want you to know that I forgive you of anything you have done to cause me pain, and I pray you will forgive me of anything that I may have done to cause you pain.
When we are together, we fall back into the same sin of hurting each other and breeding bitteness and resentment in our hearts toward each other. I no longer want to do this. However, when we are together, this is what happens. Therefore, I will no longer be in contact with you, untill this is resolved. Please know that I still love you, and always will, and I have hope for a kind and loving relationship with you some day.
I will be praying that God will lead us down this path, and I hope you will pray for this as well.
I hope this help you bugged. shubot
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praying4usall
Full Member
He shall cover you with His Feathers, under His Wings you will find Refuge.
Posts: 244
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Post by praying4usall on Mar 23, 2008 2:27:14 GMT -5
Ps 56:8-13 8 You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? 9 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me. 10 In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word), 11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, 13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (NKJ)
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Post by buggedout62 on Mar 25, 2008 8:40:10 GMT -5
Thank you Shubot, JesusHeals, Praying4usall!
All of your advice was very helpful.
I needed to be reminded that we must forgive others as our Father in heaven forgives us. Thanks Shubot for that reminder.
What would happen to me if my heavenly Father just decided one day to give up on me, not to forgive me for my sins and transgressions, and he just threw his hands up and said "I'm done with you".
Oh, Hallelujah! Thank you for that reminder Shubot.
I have not spoken to my sister yet, but I did manage to shoot her an email that just said I love you. I needed to do that before I got on my bus trip last Friday to receive my healing miracle!
My testimony - I am healed in Jesus' name!
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Post by jesusheals on Mar 25, 2008 22:39:21 GMT -5
This is awesome, excellent news Buggedout!
Is anything too big or too difficult for Jesus Christ? NO! In Mark 9:23 Jesus says, "All things are possible to him who believes."
And again, "All things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27
Praise the Lord!
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Post by shubot on Mar 26, 2008 22:03:43 GMT -5
Hi, Buggedout,
I am so happy it is working out for you. Thanks for letting us know it helped. The feedback we get from others really is very helpful.
God bless you and keep the faith. shubot
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Post by 0happyday on Mar 27, 2008 22:58:24 GMT -5
This is an awesome thread! We need more of Jesus everywhere. I will try to contribute more. Big Hugs 0happyday
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Post by jesusheals on Apr 13, 2008 18:01:15 GMT -5
Sermonette for the day... Acts 4:8-12(8)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, (9)if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, (10)let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. (11)"He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. (12)"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Dear friends, a terrible statistic has been brought to my attention: 10 out of 10 people die. This being the case, where do plan on spending eternity? Our sins have separated us from our holy Creator. We have all fallen very short of God's perfection. However, God dearly loves us, and He has made a way. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and we can have peace with God if we place our faith (believe) in what He has done for us -> willfully paid our sin debt in full on the cross. Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Friends, the miraculous gift of eternal life can be yours right now. If you believe what I have written, pray the following: "Father God, I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ alone is Lord and that He died for my sins. I also believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead and that He sits at Your right hand in Heaven. I willfully choose to turn from the practice of sin and I ask you Father to help me in this area. Thank you Father for the free gift of eternal life! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!" Amen! Feel free to contact me if you've prayed this prayer and would like to share the Good News with me
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Post by bygraceofgod on Apr 15, 2008 9:46:36 GMT -5
Thank you for your message. We need that!
Grace
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Post by buggedout62 on May 16, 2008 19:25:33 GMT -5
Biblegateway.comGenesis 1:2626And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.I started speaking to these things out loud, telling them that according to the Scripture, I have dominion over you and you must leave my body, because they are unclean and my body is a temple for the Lord. I mention each part of my body that they must leave, head, eyes, blood, bones, cells, tissue, muscles, etc. Each location I mention, they begin coming out of that location. I tell them once they exit my body, that they cannot inhabit another living creature and they must disintegrate and die and not to return into my body. I haven't had much success with keeping them from coming back into my body which is frustrating me. Also, when I go into my prayer chamber and begin praising and worshipping the Lord, they begin moving inside my body in a frenzy. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this? I must mention that I received a divine healing by the laying of hands on me on Good Friday. To make a long story short, shortly thereafter (my healing) I resumed smoking cigarettes after the death of my disabled sister March 31st. Felt the anointing leave me and the return of the morg symptoms. Stopped smoking again on April 21st. ;D I am a Christian and am not connected to any Church. At the time of onset of this illness two years ago, I was in the process of deciding between two churches to join and was never able to join either one. So my spiritual growth is through the Internet, TV programming and sharing the Word in Forums. I was hesitant in posting this information because there is so much that I am so unclear on in my spiritual growth in the Lord and am trying to not to have unwavering faith. I try not to let the loneliness get to me but sometimes it's hard not to cry all the time. I was so severely disabled by this illness, isolated from all friends, children, grandkids. I'll go in more detail at later time. I believe that the Holy Spirit's anointing is still in me and that is why I am able to speak to them and they move. If anyone has any insight, input, or information they would like to share on Divine Healing, please do so. Peace and Blessings Jesusheals, we haven't had a sermonette in awhile, When may we expect another one? ;D I sure could use one! Loving all of you in Christ B.O.
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Post by jesusheals on May 16, 2008 20:58:37 GMT -5
Okay... Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." And, Isaiah 32:18 states, " My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." God's word promises that we will dwell in peaceful, undisturbed places, and God's word will stand forever! I know exactly what you mean when you say, "when I go into my prayer chamber and begin praising and worshipping the Lord, they begin moving inside my body in a frenzy." The devil hates your praise and worship of the Lord. The next time you begin praising and worshiping God and this starts happening I would confess the following verses out loud. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Mark 16:17 "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;" Matthew 10:1 "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." After you have said these verses, confess that you belong to Jesus Christ - that He purchased you with His blood - that no one will ever snatch you from His hand - that Christ has called you, justified you, and glorified you. Then command, in the name of Jesus Christ, all spirits of death, spirits of bondage, spirits of infirmity, spirits of lies, spirits of heaviness, familiar spirits, and every other evil spirit affecting you to flee to the abyss and to never return in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! (Listening to this while you make these commands may help -> hates the holy atoning blood of Jesus Christ)
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Post by jesusheals on May 16, 2008 23:15:45 GMT -5
Please feel free to contact me if something starts occurring when making these commands, but you don't feel a release. If this happens, it's possible that you may need to confess something or forgive someone. The following site is good for spiritual warfare and self-deliverance instruction -> www.greatbiblestudy.com/index.php
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Post by morph on May 17, 2008 1:30:38 GMT -5
I confess I confess I stole money out of my mothers purse and I looked at naked woman ALOT, what happens next? I like the Witness program, Jahova that is!! They don't believe in war,they spread the wordof god all day long. As for the bible it was written by man, god left his inprint on our heart and gave us a brain to question right and wrong, he never told us to accept blindly, not the god that is my master, A question for the prayer bunch, what color was Jesus, and if god so loved us all, did he take time to send a profit to the Asians, so they might live in paradise, Budda maybe, or was Budda too fat and Asian to be a profit. What about Mohammed, Allah, the great spirit, I wonder if god only spoke to those that spoke english and were white, hmmmmmmmm just a question for those that say there is only one true religion. The bible is a great historical book and full of good advice, but GOD does not need of books. You do not need incantations to ask god to come into your heart, he is always with you and knows your suffering, I actually think it was he that said what does not kill you will make you stronger.
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Post by buggedout62 on May 17, 2008 10:38:25 GMT -5
Thank you Jesus Heals...
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Post by buggedout62 on May 17, 2008 12:41:08 GMT -5
I confess I confess I stole money out of my mothers purse and I looked at naked woman ALOT, what happens next? I like the Witness program, Jahova that is!! They don't believe in war,they spread the wordof god all day long. As for the bible it was written by man, god left his inprint on our heart and gave us a brain to question right and wrong, he never told us to accept blindly, not the god that is my master, A question for the prayer bunch, what color was Jesus, and if god so loved us all, did he take time to send a profit to the Asians, so they might live in paradise, Budda maybe, or was Budda too fat and Asian to be a profit. What about Mohammed, Allah, the great spirit, I wonder if god only spoke to those that spoke english and were white, hmmmmmmmm just a question for those that say there is only one true religion. The bible is a great historical book and full of good advice, but GOD does not need of books. You do not need incantations to ask god to come into your heart, he is always with you and knows your suffering, I actually think it was he that said what does not kill you will make you stronger. Hi Morph! Thank you for your comments! Feel free to start a new thread to discuss and/or debate the validity of the Holy Bible. However, the sole purpose and intention of this thread is to post healing Scriptures from the Holy Bible, to help Believers combat this illness among other things. In the future, please refrain from posting comments that are not in alignment with the purpose of this thread. Comments/viewpoints that oppose the Bible can go into another thread. I'm sure that new thread will lend for a very lively and engaging discussion. It always does ;D Thank you for respecting this thread. Abundant Blessings to ya!
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Post by morph on May 17, 2008 17:53:20 GMT -5
Just wondering what denomination or religon was being expounded apon also wondering if I was welcomed here if I was Jewish or Buddist, I had to see is the quotes an verses from the Tanaka, Koran or the Pali Cannon are welcomed here, and also checking on the Christians and there faith. I will resist from this sort of question, sorry.
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Post by buggedout62 on May 17, 2008 20:46:08 GMT -5
Just wondering what denomination or religon was being expounded apon also wondering if I was welcomed here if I was Jewish or Buddist, I had to see is the quotes an verses from the Tanaka, Koran or the Pali Cannon are welcomed here, and also checking on the Christians and there faith. I will resist from this sort of question, sorry. Hi Morph! You are correct -- there is no reference to any particular denomination or belief for this thread -- it is labeled only as spiritual, which can encompass different beliefs and denominations. So I would assume that all spiritual beliefs would be welcomed here. I should be the one to start a new thread for my own particular beliefs. For that reason, please accept my apologies if I may have been out of line in my response to you. Have a great evening!
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kammy
New Member
Posts: 41
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Post by kammy on Nov 15, 2008 5:16:30 GMT -5
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kammy
New Member
Posts: 41
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Post by kammy on Nov 19, 2008 12:38:17 GMT -5
“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 Are you ever scared? Do you feel anxious, even panicked? Do you feel as though things are out of your control? We all do, at one point or another. That’s when we need prayer most. It is also important to remind ourselves of God’s promises in His holy word. Here are just a few of those promises: In Psalm 16, verses 8 and 9, David acknowledges God’s constant protection: “I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.” In Mark 5, when Jairus is told that his daughter has died, Jesus says to him: "Don't be afraid; just believe." Jesus afterward raises the child from the dead.
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Post by jesusheals on Nov 22, 2008 12:55:29 GMT -5
Matthew 6:19-24 (King James Version)
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single {singleness of focus & purpose - Greg}, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23But if thine eye be evil {divided - Greg}, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
John 10:10 (NKJV)
"The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Matthew 12:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed (vexed, distressed, bothered by a demon), blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David (Messiah)?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub (Satan), the ruler of the demons.” 25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."
1 John 1:5 (NKJV)
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God (Jesus Christ) is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
Friends, God is light, purity, and love. Imitate Him, follow Him, and receive (confess) Him as your ONLY Master, Savior, and Lord. Examine yourself (Lam. 3:40) and turn away from every impure deed and thought. Be forgiving, patient, humble, and kind. Ask God to cleanse you from unrighteousness. Begin forgiving yourself for experiences that were beyond your control. Release shame, guilt and condemnation and accept the Father's love for you.
God has demonstrated His love for us in a powerful way, in that while we were still sinners, Jesus (His only begotten Son) died for us (Romans 5:8).
God loves you. Put your hope in Him. He has given us His word to live by. There are many things in this world that bring death, but God's word gives life. Pursue life. Be blessed!
In Christ Jesus, Greg
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sara
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by sara on Oct 6, 2009 18:43:18 GMT -5
I believe about spiritual healing and that is why I went to see John of God in order to receive complete healing with this Morguellon disease that I had. I was infected in May this year and I had to leave my studies because I was not able to concentrate, I was totally depressed, with suicidal thoughts, but I never lost my faith in God and in finding a solution. I prayed and meditated about this disease, I went to different people looking for answers from Western Medicine till shamans etc. Only John of God helped me with this. Now, I returned to my studies and I am making plans for the future. If you want to know about him visit this website www.johnofgod-sacredhealing.com. John of God does it for free and it can be distant healing or in person. My guide was Steve Rozengauz who is the best guide and friend. He was so helpful, informative, patient and sensible to my situation. By far I recommend him to anyone who wants to visit John of God and the Casa San Ignacio in Brazil. Distant healings are done with pictures sent to Steve steveroz@hotmail.com. AS I said there is no charge for the actual healing only for some natural herbs that are $30 for 5 bottles in case you need them. I give thanks to God that I am cured and I know that I will come back to Brazil next year this time with my husband.
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Post by sarahconnor on Mar 7, 2011 23:25:09 GMT -5
Mozart " Eine kleine Nachtmusik" Allegro
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Post by sarahconnor on Mar 10, 2011 6:39:54 GMT -5
THE PRAYER OF NAGGINGFr Oliver Treanor looks at the parable of the widow and the unjust judge and draws out its meaning for us in our life of prayer. Jesus recommended nagging as a good way to get what you want out of his Father. If you nag him enough, he suggested, the Father will gladly give you all you ask before long. For God has a low resistance to anyone who harps on and on at him. And Jesus should know for he is his Son. PersistenceIt is a curious way to think of prayer but it is the way Christ presented it to his disciples. In the parable of the poor widow and the unjust judge, for example (Luke 18:1-8). She lived in the same city as he did and would come to his door every day in person to get a legal judgement from him against those who were harassing her. If she had lived today he would probably have phoned him as well, written to his secretary, faxed his office, even intruded on his golf. But because she was not important, he did not give her much attention. He had more lucrative cases on his desk, more prestigious decisions to consider. Had he been a conscientious man, his sense of right and wrong might have persuaded him to help her. But he was not. He didn't believe in God and cared little for what others might think. On the face of it her chances were not good. Who else was there to plead her cause? She didn't know the kind of people who can pull strings. One resourceAnd yet she had one resource, this crafty pensioner, one asset which was greater than any other. Determination. Once she got a notion in her head she would not rest until it was resolved. So she made a nuisance of herself. What had she to lose? She did not mind if he was driven to the brink of exasperation. All she wanted was her legal rights - and she was determined to get them. So she nagged and harped and called and pleaded and begged until he was sick of her. Finally he could ignore her no more. 'Maybe I neither fear God nor regard man,' he said to himself at last, 'yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.' 'Consider what the unjust judge says,' counselled Jesus, 'Will God not vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily'. Never lose heartThe thing about the parables of Jesus is, they are so logical! So utterly credible. What he says in this instance about intercessory prayer makes sense. If God is truly our Father, how could he refuse his children anything? Even imperfect parents will give in to their demanding offspring if only to get peace. Jesus indeed made the point once before in Luke's Gospel to a crowd of men who had gathered to listen to his teaching. 'What father among you,' he said to them, 'if his son asks for a fish will give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?' (Lk 11:11-13). He needn't have said any more. He was speaking a language they could understand. They were convinced by an argument that matched their own experience. But he did say more. 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.' Sometimes the message has to be spelled out for us, even though we know it makes eminent sense. And in the story about the nagging widow, 'he told them this parable to show the need to pray continually and never lose heart' - the voice of St Luke chipping in to make sure we got it the first time. Why do we all need reminding and encouragement in prayer? Because we are easily put off. If our requests are not answered straightaway, we give up; if other people stop praying, so do we; if we don't hear God's voice, we think he doesn't hear ours. Think againThink again, urges Jesus, and the gospel repeats his advice like an echo down through the ages: think again, think again. Has there ever been anyone who petitioned persistently and walked away empty? Do you imagine for one moment then that you are going to be the first? www.catholicireland.net/church-a-bible/bible/the-parables/1104-the-prayer-of-nagging
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