THE PROMISE OF LONG LIFE
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A Joyful Season of Harvest
Paul's Thorn - A Messenger of Satan
The Power Behind Our Authority
The Power of a Whisper
Death Where is Your Sting
The Promise of Long Life
Overtaken By A Great Wind
I Think Myself Happy
Problem Dwarfed By Magnifying God
Deadman Restored to Health
Woman Sings During Childbirth
Biography / Favorite Links
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SACRED COWS SLAUGHTERED BY THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD
By Denise Shaw
Hosea 4:6
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."
John 8:31-32
"Then said Jesus to those...which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
We've often heard it said that "experience is the best teacher." How many times have we been taught that we should learn from our "mistakes"?
In some ways these sayings are true. However, when it comes to spiritual matters, we must be very wise in not trying to apply natural, human knowledge to gain the victory.
Jesus said the Word of God is the truth. It is from the Bible that we gain true knowledge. God's Word will put us in the "winner's circle" every time.
Because we live in a world with strong influences from the evil one himself, we should be very leery of believing anything that is presented to us through our natural senses - especially if it does not line up with the truths of God's Word.
In our recent series of articles, we have been examining the mercy and goodness of God - specifically regarding physical healing.
It is not possible to focus faith on the goodness of God, if we base our beliefs on religious traditions or someone else's bad experiences (or mistakes).
When faced with a challenge such as terminal illness, we should NOT be looking to what happened to John Doe down the street.
We should be asking, "What does the Bible say?" basing our beliefs solely upon the Word of God.
Deuteronomy 19:15
"...at the mouth of two...or...three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
In order to have a good perspective of what God's Word says on any subject, it is best to have at least two or three scriptures that support a belief.
For example, it is widely believed (even by God-fearing Christians) that every person has an appointed time to die. And when his or her "time to go" comes, there is nothing that can be done to change it.
Some may disagree - for which I will forgive - but the Bible does NOT teach that there is an appointed time to die. There is no scriptural support for such a belief.
Yes, it is true that God knows all things. He knows in advance when we are going to die. But that does not mean that it is His best if we die short of living a long life on the earth.
In Ecclesiastes 3:2, the Bible says there is a time to die. But it does NOT say there is an appointed time.
More simply put, everyone (if Jesus tarries) is going to face death.
Hebrews 9:27
"...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
While this passage does mention the word "appointed" it does not reference "time."
The basic interpretation of Hebrews 9:27 is that men will die ONCE (not counting near-death experiences). We are destined (if Jesus tarries) to experience physical death one time. We die; next comes judgment.
Man is not going to be reincarnated to live again in some other form. Nor do we get to come back as angels. (I'd love to get side-tracked here, but due to time and space, we must move on with the subject.)
If a man or woman had an appointment with death (whether young or old), how do we explain the following scriptures?:
Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
Proverbs 3:1-2
"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."
Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (also see Deuteronomy 5:16)"
God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19) nor is He schizophrenic. He doesn't say one thing, but mean something else.
If God intended that every person had an appointed time to die and there was nothing anyone could do about it, why would He offer such great and wonderful promises of long life to the obedient?
From the passages referenced above, it is easy to see that long life is possible. Not only that, it is a PROMISE to those who love God and obey His commandments.
Doesn't knowing about the promises of long life make it a little easier to believe that God is a good God? He doesn't want us to die prematurely or with sickness and disease.
"Only the good die young."
Is that true? According to Hosea 6:4, those who lack knowledge are among those who perish.
The knowledge of God's Word concerning health and healing is: He wants us to have it! That's one of the precious things Jesus died to provide.
There are people who have been diagnosed with terminal illness that experience difficulty believing God for healing because they think it might be their "time to go." They are afraid of interfering with God's will. "It might be God's will for me to die now."
Can you see how contrary this way of thinking is to the truths of God's Word?
"Well, if it's God will to heal me, then He'll heal me."
God's Word is His will. He has made it very clear (from Genesis to Revelation) that healing is a part of our covenant with Him.
If someone is sick, we don't have to ask God if it's His will to heal. We can pray in faith, knowing He is faithful to watch over His Word to perform it.
"What about those who die in acts of war or accidents?"
For soldiers who have willingly taken oaths to defend their country, they have made a public declaration to lay down their lives if necessary. This is a matter of choice or "will" on their part. God has given each of us a free will.
However, there are many wonderful promises for divine protection in the Bible. They are applicable in praying for the safety of those serving in the armed forces as well as praying for the well-being and protection of our loved ones.
The entire 91st Psalm is an excellent example of God's promises concerning divine protection and long life. We pray and confess it regularly at our house.
2 Corinthians 1:20
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
The answer to any question concerning the will of God and his promises is, "Yes and so be it - for His glory."
God is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn't pick favorites. If He will do it for one, He will do it for all.
Deuteronomy 29:29
"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
If we die prematurely, how can we continue to do "all the words of this law" in the earth?
There will be times we don't understand why things happen the way they do. If God's Word is not specific on a matter or He does not personally reveal something to us, it is a "secret thing" and we should simply leave it is His hands.
However, the things that are revealed belong to us. Healing and the promise of long life have been clearly presented in His Word. Therefore, they belong to us and to our children forever.
1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him."
Hosea 4:6
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."
John 8:31-32
"Then said Jesus to those...which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
We've often heard it said that "experience is the best teacher." How many times have we been taught that we should learn from our "mistakes"?
In some ways these sayings are true. However, when it comes to spiritual matters, we must be very wise in not trying to apply natural, human knowledge to gain the victory.
Jesus said the Word of God is the truth. It is from the Bible that we gain true knowledge. God's Word will put us in the "winner's circle" every time.
Because we live in a world with strong influences from the evil one himself, we should be very leery of believing anything that is presented to us through our natural senses - especially if it does not line up with the truths of God's Word.
In our recent series of articles, we have been examining the mercy and goodness of God - specifically regarding physical healing.
It is not possible to focus faith on the goodness of God, if we base our beliefs on religious traditions or someone else's bad experiences (or mistakes).
When faced with a challenge such as terminal illness, we should NOT be looking to what happened to John Doe down the street.
We should be asking, "What does the Bible say?" basing our beliefs solely upon the Word of God.
Deuteronomy 19:15
"...at the mouth of two...or...three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
In order to have a good perspective of what God's Word says on any subject, it is best to have at least two or three scriptures that support a belief.
For example, it is widely believed (even by God-fearing Christians) that every person has an appointed time to die. And when his or her "time to go" comes, there is nothing that can be done to change it.
Some may disagree - for which I will forgive - but the Bible does NOT teach that there is an appointed time to die. There is no scriptural support for such a belief.
Yes, it is true that God knows all things. He knows in advance when we are going to die. But that does not mean that it is His best if we die short of living a long life on the earth.
In Ecclesiastes 3:2, the Bible says there is a time to die. But it does NOT say there is an appointed time.
More simply put, everyone (if Jesus tarries) is going to face death.
Hebrews 9:27
"...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
While this passage does mention the word "appointed" it does not reference "time."
The basic interpretation of Hebrews 9:27 is that men will die ONCE (not counting near-death experiences). We are destined (if Jesus tarries) to experience physical death one time. We die; next comes judgment.
Man is not going to be reincarnated to live again in some other form. Nor do we get to come back as angels. (I'd love to get side-tracked here, but due to time and space, we must move on with the subject.)
If a man or woman had an appointment with death (whether young or old), how do we explain the following scriptures?:
Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
Proverbs 3:1-2
"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."
Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (also see Deuteronomy 5:16)"
God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19) nor is He schizophrenic. He doesn't say one thing, but mean something else.
If God intended that every person had an appointed time to die and there was nothing anyone could do about it, why would He offer such great and wonderful promises of long life to the obedient?
From the passages referenced above, it is easy to see that long life is possible. Not only that, it is a PROMISE to those who love God and obey His commandments.
Doesn't knowing about the promises of long life make it a little easier to believe that God is a good God? He doesn't want us to die prematurely or with sickness and disease.
"Only the good die young."
Is that true? According to Hosea 6:4, those who lack knowledge are among those who perish.
The knowledge of God's Word concerning health and healing is: He wants us to have it! That's one of the precious things Jesus died to provide.
There are people who have been diagnosed with terminal illness that experience difficulty believing God for healing because they think it might be their "time to go." They are afraid of interfering with God's will. "It might be God's will for me to die now."
Can you see how contrary this way of thinking is to the truths of God's Word?
"Well, if it's God will to heal me, then He'll heal me."
God's Word is His will. He has made it very clear (from Genesis to Revelation) that healing is a part of our covenant with Him.
If someone is sick, we don't have to ask God if it's His will to heal. We can pray in faith, knowing He is faithful to watch over His Word to perform it.
"What about those who die in acts of war or accidents?"
For soldiers who have willingly taken oaths to defend their country, they have made a public declaration to lay down their lives if necessary. This is a matter of choice or "will" on their part. God has given each of us a free will.
However, there are many wonderful promises for divine protection in the Bible. They are applicable in praying for the safety of those serving in the armed forces as well as praying for the well-being and protection of our loved ones.
The entire 91st Psalm is an excellent example of God's promises concerning divine protection and long life. We pray and confess it regularly at our house.
2 Corinthians 1:20
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
The answer to any question concerning the will of God and his promises is, "Yes and so be it - for His glory."
God is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn't pick favorites. If He will do it for one, He will do it for all.
Deuteronomy 29:29
"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
If we die prematurely, how can we continue to do "all the words of this law" in the earth?
There will be times we don't understand why things happen the way they do. If God's Word is not specific on a matter or He does not personally reveal something to us, it is a "secret thing" and we should simply leave it is His hands.
However, the things that are revealed belong to us. Healing and the promise of long life have been clearly presented in His Word. Therefore, they belong to us and to our children forever.
1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him."
September / October 2001