The Holy Spirit still moves today, and He intends to move through us by His manifestation Gifts. In order to make His presence known here on earth! But - have we neglected these gifts?
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us flatly, “I do not want you to be ignorant” about spiritual gifts. In other words: don’t miss this. These aren’t optional extras for a few “special” Christians. They are real manifestation gifts—the Holy Spirit making God’s presence visible and tangible in this world through ordinary people.
We’ve already looked at the first three gifts outlined here in this chapter - Word of Wisdom, the Word Of Knowledge, and FAITH. All of these, and the rest of the gifts, run on the same “train track”: God’s divine FAITH - not ours. Our faith may falter (“I believe help me in my unbelief”-Mark 9:24); His Word - is absolute.
When we agree with His word and align with His will, we can pray and speak with a supernatural confidence that He hears and acts upon. This week we focused on the “gifts of healings.” Note the double plural. God’s healings are multifaceted—physical, emotional, spiritual—and they can come in many different ways and at many different speeds. Sometimes healing is instant and dramatic; sometimes it unfolds slowly, almost imperceptibly. But when God heals, it’s done—even if it takes time to fully manifest.
Two important truths:
1. We do not heal anyone. We are only vessels or channels. We pray, we lay hands, we anoint with oil (as a sign of His presence) as Scripture instructs, but it is the Holy Spirit who heals.
2. We must be careful NOT to put God in a box. Just because He moved one way before doesn’t mean He must or will move that way again. Our job is only to obey; all the outcomes are His and always according to His divine will.
I’ve experienced this personally in my life. In the middle of chemo and radiation treatments, exhausted, in pain, unsure of the outcome and ready to give up, I cried out, “Lord, am I going to die anyway?” What’s the use of going through the motions – for suffering’s sake? – please take me! What I heard in my spirit stunned: “That’s up to you.” I argued for a moment – and objected that He had that power and knowledge – I didn’t of course – none of this was up to me – but He – He was sovereign. He alone decides whether we live or die! Then quietly I listened … and heard the Lord’s still small voice say - Psalm 118:17 – just settled in my heart. Quietly - Psalm 118:17 again – so – I turned to it – and read – It said: “I will not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” – I repeated it – stunned that God had really heard me and was really speaking to me in that moment. I didn’t know that verse – and I couldn’t have known to turn to it!
The Lord had spoken and suddenly I knew His will – His plan and purpose for my life - actually every life – that no matter where you are at ... or how much time you have left here on earth – one hour – one second, a week a month or decades to – “Live” – LIVE!
He spoke to my heart again and said - Live out the Life YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN – if you’re alive – you’re meant to live! - Live in the moment (not the past or the future) but right now – tomorrow is promised to no-one – you could step off the porch this afternoon – fall and break your neck ... what then? Live the life I’ve given you and if you’re here – God says - I need you here! there's still a job I have for you to accomplish.
“This is the day that the Lord hath made – I will rejoice and be glad in it!” – (Psalm 118:24 – just a few sentences down).
This Word became a Word of Faith for me. I’ve prayed it daily ever since. “I will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord” – it has become my mission statement - for this new chapter of my life! It has given me renewed Purpose! In time, after many long nights a year of treatments - physical therapy - more tests - pain – losing 40 pounds - my doctors all agreed: complete remission. My strength is slowly starting to return, afternoon fatigue drifting - still I have my good days and bad - but– I don't wonder what God is doing - He is for us!
God hears our prayers. Your prayers matter. Your prayers count. Your prayers are effective. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do… I believe my healing – is due to the prayers of this church – faithfully praying and faithfully believing that above all things God is able!
Jesus said – “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12–13). That His presence may be manifest among us!
Do you believe for your healing? Do you want to be made well? Will you step out in faith and pray boldly? Stir up the gifts. Don’t be uninformed. Don’t be passive. As the world grows darker, we desperately need Spirit-filled believers walking in the gifts of healings, faith, and miracles—so that Jesus is glorified, and the world sees that He is still alive today and wants most of all to save us – for all time and eternity. This world is passing away and our days are numbered – don’t throw them away …for - “One day in Your courts (Oh God) is better than a thousand elsewhere" - Psalm 84:10 …. God hasn’t changed – He is always for us!
Blessings,
Pastor Bob
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us flatly, “I do not want you to be ignorant” about spiritual gifts. In other words: don’t miss this. These aren’t optional extras for a few “special” Christians. They are real manifestation gifts—the Holy Spirit making God’s presence visible and tangible in this world through ordinary people.
We’ve already looked at the first three gifts outlined here in this chapter - Word of Wisdom, the Word Of Knowledge, and FAITH. All of these, and the rest of the gifts, run on the same “train track”: God’s divine FAITH - not ours. Our faith may falter (“I believe help me in my unbelief”-Mark 9:24); His Word - is absolute.
When we agree with His word and align with His will, we can pray and speak with a supernatural confidence that He hears and acts upon. This week we focused on the “gifts of healings.” Note the double plural. God’s healings are multifaceted—physical, emotional, spiritual—and they can come in many different ways and at many different speeds. Sometimes healing is instant and dramatic; sometimes it unfolds slowly, almost imperceptibly. But when God heals, it’s done—even if it takes time to fully manifest.
Two important truths:
1. We do not heal anyone. We are only vessels or channels. We pray, we lay hands, we anoint with oil (as a sign of His presence) as Scripture instructs, but it is the Holy Spirit who heals.
2. We must be careful NOT to put God in a box. Just because He moved one way before doesn’t mean He must or will move that way again. Our job is only to obey; all the outcomes are His and always according to His divine will.
I’ve experienced this personally in my life. In the middle of chemo and radiation treatments, exhausted, in pain, unsure of the outcome and ready to give up, I cried out, “Lord, am I going to die anyway?” What’s the use of going through the motions – for suffering’s sake? – please take me! What I heard in my spirit stunned: “That’s up to you.” I argued for a moment – and objected that He had that power and knowledge – I didn’t of course – none of this was up to me – but He – He was sovereign. He alone decides whether we live or die! Then quietly I listened … and heard the Lord’s still small voice say - Psalm 118:17 – just settled in my heart. Quietly - Psalm 118:17 again – so – I turned to it – and read – It said: “I will not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” – I repeated it – stunned that God had really heard me and was really speaking to me in that moment. I didn’t know that verse – and I couldn’t have known to turn to it!
The Lord had spoken and suddenly I knew His will – His plan and purpose for my life - actually every life – that no matter where you are at ... or how much time you have left here on earth – one hour – one second, a week a month or decades to – “Live” – LIVE!
He spoke to my heart again and said - Live out the Life YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN – if you’re alive – you’re meant to live! - Live in the moment (not the past or the future) but right now – tomorrow is promised to no-one – you could step off the porch this afternoon – fall and break your neck ... what then? Live the life I’ve given you and if you’re here – God says - I need you here! there's still a job I have for you to accomplish.
“This is the day that the Lord hath made – I will rejoice and be glad in it!” – (Psalm 118:24 – just a few sentences down).
This Word became a Word of Faith for me. I’ve prayed it daily ever since. “I will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord” – it has become my mission statement - for this new chapter of my life! It has given me renewed Purpose! In time, after many long nights a year of treatments - physical therapy - more tests - pain – losing 40 pounds - my doctors all agreed: complete remission. My strength is slowly starting to return, afternoon fatigue drifting - still I have my good days and bad - but– I don't wonder what God is doing - He is for us!
God hears our prayers. Your prayers matter. Your prayers count. Your prayers are effective. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do… I believe my healing – is due to the prayers of this church – faithfully praying and faithfully believing that above all things God is able!
Jesus said – “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12–13). That His presence may be manifest among us!
Do you believe for your healing? Do you want to be made well? Will you step out in faith and pray boldly? Stir up the gifts. Don’t be uninformed. Don’t be passive. As the world grows darker, we desperately need Spirit-filled believers walking in the gifts of healings, faith, and miracles—so that Jesus is glorified, and the world sees that He is still alive today and wants most of all to save us – for all time and eternity. This world is passing away and our days are numbered – don’t throw them away …for - “One day in Your courts (Oh God) is better than a thousand elsewhere" - Psalm 84:10 …. God hasn’t changed – He is always for us!
Blessings,
Pastor Bob
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
February
March
May
June
July
August
October
2024
June
No Comments