Contending for Healing

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“What does that mean?” a friend asked. “Contending?”

I said, “It means to fight for, or as the dictionary says, ‘to struggle or exert one’s self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.'”

So how do you fight for your healing? I think first it’s important to understand what the truth is (the scripture) about God’s desire for us.

Isaiah 53:4-5: “Surely He has borne my griefs (Hebrew: pains) and carried (away) my sorrows (Hebrew: sicknesses); … And by His stripes, I am healed.”

Acts 10:38: “…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.”

There are many more verses to support the truth that God’s will is that we not be sick. We live in a fallen, sinful world and sickness is one of the consequences of that. Consequently, we recognize that there is a struggle between good and evil over our health and well-being.

We don’t just sit back and be miserable if illness attacks us. We don’t complain bitterly and agree with the negative report from the doctor. No. We say we don’t agree with this at all because we know God wants us healthy and prospering.

I need to point out here that faith is an integral part of contending. If you don’t believe, then healing can remain elusive. The Word says: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

The Word of God is the key. word as weapon

The best way to build faith is to read and meditate on the scriptures. They are the most powerful words in the universe. They drop into our spirits as we chew on their meanings. We then become strengthened, encouraged and ready to do battle with the enemy for our healing.

Recently I ordered a CD of healing scriptures and a booklet from Sid Roth.com and it has been wonderful to sit and listen to healing scriptures for 30 minutes every morning. I read along in the booklet and let the words drift down into my soul.

Declaration is another tool for contending. Making powerful statements works! Declare healing. Command the illness (name it if you can) to go in Jesus’ name.

James 1:2-4 “I consider it wholly joyful … whenever I am enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. I am assured and understand that the trial and the proving of my faith brings out endurance and steadfastness and patience.”

Being sick is for sure a trial. But we can KNOW that there will be fruitful results if we remain in faith, believing God is at work in us to heal and prosper us.

I need to say here that I am not discounting medicine or doctors. Take the medicine and lightning trust that God will bring about healing in whatever manner He sees fit. Maybe it’s through medical treatments, maybe it’s through nutrition or some other modality. But FAITH is at the center most point in our belief system.

 

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San Diego Book Signing April 25, 2015

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Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Review of “The Echo of Whispers”

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Reviewed By Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers Favorite

The Echo of Whispers is a valiantly chilling account of the power of redemption. Martha Pope Gorris exposes the warfare within heaven to liberate the life of Paulina Baklanova. Standing guard over her life is Milo, Lina’s guardian angel. With the help of Vlad, Lina’s guardian, Milo wages an assault on the demonic attack against Lina. Lina endures a painful journey, while false accusations, death and heartache weigh her down with a tremendous burden. There were moments when she simply couldn’t pray. Rejection, abandonment, and bitterness taunt and whisper their lies. When a life altering diagnosis is given, it is time for Lina to make a stand and face the truth. Her divine destiny awaits. Lina must sever the ties of a generational curse, breaking down the stronghold that holds her captive.

Martha Pope Gorris writes an emotionally charged, riveting tale in The Echo of Whispers. Gorris takes the reader into the realm of the angelic and the demonic, displaying violent and sensory battles. She explicitly illustrates the scripture: the angels will have charge over you. It was a brilliant approach to give distinct odors as descriptions to the demons! Gorris’ inclusion of scripture is impressive; it is obvious she is well versed. The Word of God is a mighty tool utilized in spiritual warfare. The story’s plot builds page upon page. Gorris allows her main character to falter and then grow, developing a dynamic character arc. The protagonist is expressively written; the reader feels her pain, agonizes, and endures her thoughts, and ultimately celebrates her victory. A surprising little twist thrusts the narrative to its climatic turning point. The Echo of Whispers moved me and gave me chills. Most of all, it gave me pause to reflect on my own life and to once again celebrate the joy of my salvation.

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When Healing Miracles Seem Elusive.

Category: Elusive healing

I don’t know about you, but when I’m sick or have a physical problem, I pray. I ask others to pray. It’s the best time-tested way of getting better. Right?

I also believe in miraculous healing. I’ve experienced it. Years ago, I had a fractured tail bone ( I fell hard on my back while ice skating). Talk about pain! Every time I sat down, PAIN. It was awful. But then one amazing night I attended a healing conference full of expectation. When the ministers called for those with tail bone problems, I flew to the stage. In a matter of moments, I was completely healed. No more pain. What an experience! An encounter with Jesus. Since then, I’ve been passionate about healing.

But in this season of my life, I am still learning healing can come in other forms. Doctors, of course. I would never want to discount their medical knowledge and I have benefited from it many times.

Recently, I was reading a book entitled, “Beautiful One.” Each chapter is written by a well-known woman in ministry. I was especially struck by the chapter by Randy Clark’s wife, De Anne. Like me, early on in her walk with God, she experienced miraculous healing. But also like me, later on, when physical problems arose, miracles seemed elusive. What she discovered was that God was speaking to her about her temple, her body. One time she was led to fast. Once she detoxed, she felt much better. Another time she realized her breathing was too shallow and learned to take deeper breaths. Then she was led to a book that taught her how to repair inflammation in her body. Each time God was teaching her how to better care for her body.

De Anne says, “God has a plan mapped out for your life, and it includes a life of health and physical well-being, as well as spiritual. Seek the Lord’s wisdom in all things. Ask Him, ‘What do I do now?'”

Be encouraged. Healing will come if you continue to pursue the Healer.

Jesus' extended handRemember Romans 8:28, that God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

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NEW RELEASE! Enter to win a copy.

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The Echo of Whispers is Book #2 in the War of Whispers Trilogy and will be officially launched on November 2, 2014. Free copies will be given away on www.Goodreads.com. Enter to win!

Echo_of_Whispers_Final_Cover-1 Front only

Feelings of rejection seem to follow preschool teacher Lina Baklanova. No matter what she does, she feels left out, alone and vulnerable. Why is she plagued with these thoughts and feelings? Why are they so familiar? She has suffered from them all her life.

Even though she is oblivious to the spiritual battle raging, two guardian angels, Lieutenants Milo and Vlad battle for her, warding off the dark whispers that seek to entrap her.

Milo and Vlad help her understand the dark thoughts may be an inheritance from past generations which can impact a person’s health. Is she a victim of this?

She discovers that not all inheritances are good; some are evil. Some are whispered down through the generations. She must admit her unconscious agreement with rejection’s lies, repent and learn how to breaks it’s power over her. Will this be enough to bring healing? Will God’s promises of love and acceptance enable her to receive the good inheritances assigned to her?

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Respecting Suffering

Category: Suffering

Suffering is often lonely. Those moments when you are alone, in pain, longing to be set free, longing to be healed, but you’re not. Trying to explain it to others or to yourself. It’s lonely. You haven’t done anything to deserve illness. You’re a good person. You repent when you’ve done wrong. You apologize to your spouse for the harsh word spoken. There are so many other people out there who are more deserving of pain and illness, but they seem to go scott free.

rocker

This morning I picked up my Message Bible and turned to Job to find comfort. You see, I’ve been suffering from inflammation and joint pain for almost a year now. Every day, waking up with cramped fingers, feet and knees. Getting out of bed takes effort. There’s no bouncing out these days. Yes, I’m seeing a doctor and we are trying new things, but so far, I am not getting the relief, the HEALING I would like. So, I turned to Job. In his commentary before the first chapter, author Eugene Peterson makes a statement that stopped me. “In the course of facing, questioning and respecting suffering, Job finds himself in an even larger mystery–the mystery of God.”

Respecting suffering. I thought about it for a long time. Yes. When you suffer day in and day out, there is a respect that develops for this thing, this power over you–suffering. Peterson goes on to say: “Perhaps the greatest mystery in suffering is how it can bring a person into the presence of God in a state of worship, full of wonder, love and praise. Suffering does not inevitably do that, but it does it far more often than we would expect.”

“The fact of the matter is that more often than not, people do not suffer less when they are committed to following God, but more. When these people go through suffering, their lives are often transformed, deepened, marked with beauty and holiness, in remarkable ways that could never have been anticipated before the suffering.”

And so it is with me. I know that I am being transformed, that veils in my life are being torn down. Veils that have hidden pride or hostility or any number of things. Somehow, the suffering has tuned me in, sharpened my hearing. And I’m not liking what I’m hearing and recognizing. Really? I’ve been harboring THAT for 40 years? Oh my. Tears and more tears. And yet, after repenting and wiping away the tears, there is worship and praise to my God who loves me so much that He will continue to transform me into his image, in spite of myself. So while I am suffering, I respect it. And I am thankful for the work it is doing in my soul.

 

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The difference between truth and fact … a healing principal

Truth is a higher reality than fact.

2 Corinthians 4:18 reads “…things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

In the story of Joshua and the 11 other spies sent to check out the promised land, ten said the giants were too big and it would be impossible to capture the land. However 2 of the 12, Joshua being one, saw the possibilities.

The fact? There were giants in the land.

The truth? The Israelites were completely capable of defeating them with God’s help.

Now apply this principal to your health.

The fact? You may be sick. You may be in pain. You may have a diagnosis–a bad diagnosis. It looks bad.

The truth? Your healing was already accomplished on the cross of Jesus. His blood was shed for you. “by His stripes we are healed.” You are healed. You are being healed. Contend for the truth in your life. Battle to have the truth win. Declare healing scriptures over your life, over your body. Use your authority as a child of God to obtain your promised land of health and wholeness. Don’t focus on the giants of fact. Rather, zero in on the possibilities of the truth of God’s pro

 

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Soaking. What’s that?

Category: Intimacy with God

http://youtu.be/_6g1qVs0LJo?list=PLEBFD5E3B18217D90 When we think of soaking a food-encrusted dish, we let it sit in water to soften it so we can then wash it. Soaking in God’s presence is like that. We sit and let the music soften our hearts and prepare our spirits to commune with God. I love Julie True’s music. I hope you will experiment with soaking while listening to this piece.

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5 Star Review for War of Whispers

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5star-flat-web low res READERS FAVReviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite
Review by Mamta Madhavan – 5 stars

War of Whispers (Volume 1) by Martha Pope Gorris is an uplifting story of forgiveness and healing. Kat Kerrigan has been fired from her job as a TV anchor. She faces hard times with no job, a mortgage, husband working overseas, and a chronically ill teenage daughter. It hurts her that a diligent employee like her was asked to leave and she is filled with resentment, hatred, and anger. She moves to Boston and she tries to concentrate more on finding solutions to her daughter’s illness. Amid the problems and the negative emotions that consume her, Kat realizes the importance of forgiveness and healing.

The author handles a very thought provoking theme wonderfully. There are many dimensions to the story which make it very interesting. I liked the manner in which the author has looked into the realities of the real and spiritual worlds. Spiritual truths, guardian angels, and the real world have been woven together with a lot of care and expertise, making the plot effective. The images of the spirit world are surreal and captivating. The spiritual battle that goes inside each of us when we face problems in life and the problems that are on the outside have been portrayed well through Kat’s struggles.

This is a book with a gripping plot that conveys an uplifting message of healing and forgiveness, which is very important for everyone to move forward in life. I am eager to know what the author will come up with in the second volume.

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War of Whisper, novel of healing, free giveaway

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War_of_Whispers_Cover_FinalMy novel, War of Whispers, is a story about a family with a chronically-ill teenage

daughter, a dad who is on assignment overseas and Kat, who just lost her job as a TV

anchor. Through their everyday challenges, the reader takes a journey of

exploration–checking out Kat’s thought life.  She has two guardian angels who try to

direct her thoughts, but they aren’t always successful. Well, that’s enough of the story

for now. But check out www.Goodreads.com and sign up for a free giveaway copy

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