Tuesday
Sep292009
How to use a sword
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:22PM
The Healing of Jabez is a sword,the Bible is The Sword. Hebrews 4:12 from the New Living Translation is paraphrased/translated thus:
"For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are."
Swords need to be weilded correctly and with training. They are dangerous weapons which can bring harm or healing. This post is to instruct on how to use The Healing of Jabez sword that God has given us.
First let us recognize that much of its power comes from the fact that it is an elucidation of scripture and thus contains a greater power if use correctly and in harmony with the Holy Spirit. Secondly let us bear in mind that the scriptural/Godly sword is not used to kill but to reveal truth. A modern day comparison is the scalpel which in the hand of a skilled surgeon can cut out a tumor by separating it from healthy tissue. Third, let us remember that a good doctor listens to the patient, performs appropriate tests and does not cut unless he or she recognises where the cancer/disease is located.
With those thoughts in mind:
1. The Healing of Jabez is for those in pain or those who are learning how to treat pain.
2. Ask permission before prescribing it. For example, "I have a book about a man who experienced a great deal of pain from those closest to him. It explains how he got through that pain and found healing and prosperity in the process. Would you like to read it? Its about 80 pages" Its okay to display the book at this point. Let the Holy Spirit do the convincing. If the hurting person says "No". Put the book back in your purse/pocket and continue to pray for the God to connect you to someone who is ready to receive healing from him.
3. Good candidates?
a. visitors to your church;
b. attenders at a funeral, especially if the deceased was a follower of Jesus. A Christian Funeral Gift.
c. To those who ask. I have already given several copies to folks who asked about it because The Healer or the name Jabezcaught their eye.
d.Personal friends, colleagues, family whom you know to be in pain. I've often heard people tell me: I don't need Jesus, I have cancer/am getting a divorce/need a job! They are in pain and think that solving their immediate problem will end their deep hurt. The Healing of Jabez is for such folks because it is written to connect the reader first to Jabez and empathize with the rejection and pain he grew up with. Then Jabez connects to Jesus.
Reader Comments (1)
John
I was listening to Dallas Willard yesterday who said something appropos to this. He talks about the threefold ministry of Jesus - proclaiming the Kingdom, manifesting the Kingdom, and teaching about the Kingdom. When he first sent his disciples out, in Luke 10, he sent them out to proclaim and to manifest, but not to teach (Luke 10:9; see also Matt. 10:7-8). You don't have to understand to proclaim and to manifest the power of the Kingdom. You do have to have understanding to teach. Understanding comes in its wake and as the Holy Spirit teaches us. It is very sobering to think that great miraculous powers can be manifested through men professing the name of Christ who do not know and love the Lord, to whom He will say "depart from me, you evil doers." (Matt 7:21-23). I think this may be one reason why the Lord withholds his power from us - He knows our character is not yet formed sufficiently to be able to stand it. And those whom he uses to bless others with His power can get carried away by their own secret pride in God's choosing them for this purpose. And their understanding becomes darkened.