Faith and Healing

Have you wondered why sometimes people of faith become sick and ask for healing, praying fervently, yet are not healed, perhaps suffering for years, or dying of some disease or infirmity? Does the Bible offer a guarantee of physical healing in this lifetime, for those who have “enough faith”? Lazarus, in the parable in Luke 16, was diseased and reduced to begging, yet is to be with Abraham in the resurrection. Why wasn’t he healed in this lifetime? What are we to learn from the example of the other Lazarus, who, after he had died and been buried, was restored to life by Jesus Christ?

Over the years, there’s been much misunderstanding regarding faith and healing, and what the Scriptures say about the relationship between the two. In the sermon, “Faith and Healing,” are discussed a number of Scriptural passages and principles relating to faith and healing, that may help you better understand questions related to the subject.

“Faith and Healing,” a sermon by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Why Did God Choose Israel — Part 1?

According to Scripture, God chose the people of Israel, that is, the people descended from the patriarch Israel, as his chosen people. The people of Israel had a special and privileged relationship with God.

“O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones” (Psalms 105:6).

To many in our modern culture, the fact that God would designate a particular people to be “chosen,” separate from other peoples of the earth, would seem grossly unfair, and would make God partial, and a respecter of persons.

Why did God choose Israel? Let’s explore what the Bible has to say about this question.

Continue reading

Was Peter the First Pope?

Audacious claims have been made concerning the authority of the Pope. In this message some of these claims, based in part on the idea that the Pope is the successor to Peter as the first “Pope,” are examined in light of Scripture.

“Was Peter the First Pope?” COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Psalm 119 — A Psalm of Devotion to God

The 119th Psalm contains a range of sentiments, thoughts, emotions, states of mind. It speaks of affliction, of persecution, of trouble, anguish, sorrow and despondency, of pleading for relief and salvation, but also of hope, of rejoicing, of indignation towards evil, of assurance, of faith, of determination to resist evil and obey God, and of thanksgiving.

It seems to touch on almost the entire range of circumstances and emotions that a person of faith might experience over a lifetime. But the emphasis throughout the entire psalm is on a love of God’s word, seeking after it, and being faithful to it.

Discover some important lessons as we review the powerful words of Psalm 119.

“Palm 119 — A Psalm of Devotion to God” COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Why Did God Choose Israel — Part 2

Because of the faith of their forefathers God chose Israel. But not only for the sake of Israel. Through them the world was to have an example, and be blessed as well. Israel failed to be the example God desired, but God will ultimately bring salvation to the peoples of Israel and all nations as Scripture explains.

“Why-Did-God-Choose-Israel-part-2” COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.