Either His BLOOD works or it Doesn't

Here is a very sad story that in some form or fashion has probably been played out in the church for years. Sad but true, today many Christians restrict the power of the Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Many will say, "you are forgiven, but because of your past, we will have to restrict your activities in the church." Well, how does THAT measure up to the truth of the scriptures? Listen Christians, let's get it together! Either the blood of Jesus completely cleanses us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS or NOT AT ALL. You can't have it both ways.

As far as I am concerned if you are washed in the blood, then you are washed and you are clean!

READ carefully!!

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.
But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.

He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:23

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 its 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.