(October 31, 2024) Robert McQuillan shares sincerely…

Since I shared back in June (COMPASSIONATE GOD AND DIVINE HEALING | Connecting with You!) about trusting God for divine healing and acknowledging that He is the healing, miracle-working God, several folk have thanked me, others have asked to learn more. Some have mentioned about illnesses and some about how sicknesses and growing older (that dreaded aging thing!) have restricted their ministry and effectiveness in serving God.

I simply tell people to trust God implicitly, not to be concerned about age (David was a kid whereas Moses is regarded as an old man when commissioned by God. Many ‘old’ Christians have continued to effectively serve the Lord… for example David Hathaway 92-year-old Evangelist to Hold Ukraine Rally).

But I also suggest relaxing and pulling back from some aspects of ministry and other matters if necessary. I’ve personally had to do so, yet the Lord keeps opening doors to witness and pray for people including strangers. Most importantly I tell people, especially Christians, not to neglect the advice of the medical profession.

Burden Stupidity
One thing that was brought to my attention is that there are still some Christians around the world who do not believe in seeking a doctor, nor will they take medication or have operations— that one should trust God alone! I find this amazing… such wrong thinking was particularly predominant back in the 70s, especially in Pentecostal churches and is still around in some denominations, even taught as ‘gospel.’

Yes… if sickness strikes us we must operate in faith and trust God— but we should never neglect seeing a doctor when illness pops up! Pray first believing our healing God will look after you, and confidently leave it in His hands but do see a doctor! Anything else is sheer foolishness, downright stupidity!

Decades ago after Bible college days Maureen and I engaged in our first church plant (few new churches were being started then, and even some experienced ministers thought we were doing something odd!). Some months later out-of-the-blue we were asked to preach interstate. This was all new ground— me the new kid on the block being asked to minister elsewhere, especially interstate and to a large church. Anyway, at the end of my sharing I welcomed people forward for prayer. The result was a long line which I moved along laying hands on individuals and praying most sincerely.

As I started to pray over one person, to my surprise I found myself pausing and looking behind him into the congregation and saying, ‘Excuse this interruption but the Lord is telling me that a lady out there is feeling quite ill and afraid to see a doctor because your friends are accusing you of losing your faith if you do. That’s not right! I advise you not be afraid to see a doctor— you’ll discover that you can be helped, in fact you’ll be all right.’ Then I turned back to pray for the man.

Afterwards a dear little lady came up to me to say that it was she whom I had mentioned. I gave her some clear biblical advice, adding that even Jesus  commented the sick need a doctor (Matthew 9:12) and that one of Paul’s ministry companions was a doctor, a non-Jew in fact— Dr Luke who wrote Luke’s gospel and Acts and was known as the beloved physician (Colossians 4:13NKJV). Then I prayed for her and God’s peace fell on her. Later I leaned that she had dared see a doctor who helped relieve her from a sickness disillusionment.

We can thank God for the advancement in medical knowledge and hospitalisation services— just as we thank Him for other professions! I’ve never heard of anyone saying just have faith and don’t go see a dentist or optometrist — or for that matter a veterinarian re their pet or a mechanic about their vehicle — or other maintenance services!

The important thing is knowing that faith in our compassionate God is tops so when sickness occurs we pray and leave it with our heavenly Father. But… of course we should seek medical help, even pray for the doctor or hospital staff (Personally I have the joy of praying for my doctor as I leave him… and we pray at home for his staff and clinic).

I’ve also been hearing of great doctors who are Christians and actually pray for and with patients— and my main point here is that no one should neglect their health by not seeing a doctor/medical services and obtaining good advice and directions.

Burden Sharing
I’ll share something personal here… recently I needed medical advice and treatment and prayed as above. I believe I got the best professional assistance… but I also contacted what Mareen and I call ‘Our Special Prayer Partners’, a very small group of  friends who care for us and pray about us and our ministry which we’re still engaged in even though we’re in that ‘old seniors’ age bracket.

Let me tell about three… one is a converted Jew who immediately prayed for me in Hebrew. Didn’t understand what he was saying but boy, I could sense the anointing over the phone! The other chap, from Iraq, is a security guard— a tall bouncer at a hotel we dine at on occasions— when he sees us his face lights up with a great big smile and he hugs me, lifting me off my feet and we exchange the tradition middle-eastern manly kiss on both cheeks.

Last week we were late arriving and as the restaurant was quiet Maureen took the opportunity to share about me, requesting prayer. He looked at both of us, then took our hands and prayed— in Arabic! I only understood five words (five, that number linked with grace)… ‘Robert’ then at the end ‘in Jesus’ name, Amen.’ But was that prayer so sincere! I could feel an anointing all over me there in that restaurant!

Another is a dear friend in America who prays every day for Maureen and me. On sharing my medical burden, she immediately prayed and announced she was putting me on her church’s special prayer list! I responded, gulping, ‘But I’m a stranger up there!’ No hassle to her!

Now you might not have a special group of caring friends but surely there are strong prayerers in your church as well as your pastor who can gather around you and exercise sincere intercessory prayer for you if you’re sick.

In any case you can exercise your faith in another way— sicknesses can be anxieties causing us worry. In 1Peter 5:7 the apostle advised against such worrying. His advice? ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares about you.’ Casting (epirrhipto) refers to a fisherman like Peter strongly casting his line way, way out into the sea! Cast your worries way out into Jesus’ strong hands.

Burden Sources
Certain things that can result in people being burdened with sickness, such as—  
1. Sin|
Immorality, grudges, wrong thoughts/attitudes, resentments, wars, temptation, occult involvement.
2. Foolishness
Breaking natural laws… wrong actions, junk food, obesity, smoking, no exercise, drugs, alcoholism, overwork, lack of relaxation… all spell bodily harm! [As can also not seeing a doctor].
3. Worry
Psycho-somatic disorder, lack of sleep/rest, pressures, guilt, fear, low self-esteem, self-condemnation, suspicions, ‘stewing’, anger, bitterness, resentments, criticisms, negativity, self-destructiveness. [See also above].
4. Genes
Natural causes.
5. Satan and demon forces
Gensis 3:1ff; 16-19; Job 1: 8-22; 2:4-8, Acts 10:38. [Satan is our deceitful enemy! See Dr Richard Winter’s articles this month— CAN SATAN READ OUR MINDS? and OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS — THE JESUS WAY].

Just know that you know that you know that our compassionate God is always concerned for you and you can ask Him for divine healing. But… if you think that your faith is a little weak be wary of anyone highlighting ‘faith healing only.’ We must exercise our faith, even if weak, and trust God. Otherwise we disappoint Him.

• ‘Faith healing’ implies that if my faith isn’t strong enough, God won’t heal me.
• Divine healing reveals that I know that healing comes from Him, the divine compassionate God!
• Trusting God means praying about the issue, believing He will guide and provide in His way and time… and also being wise and not neglecting seeking medical advice!

Burden Sympathised
Several scriptures in both Testaments shine with God’s compassion— and His Son’s. Two healing-based scriptures are my favourites: 1Peter 2:24 and Psalm 30:2.

Mark 9:23-4 tells of a burdened man asking Jesus to heal his son. Jesus commented, ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ And the father’s immediate response was: ‘I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!’ And Jesus did! (Having trouble believing at times? Hand this burden over to Jesus too!).

Jesus’ compassion was the same as His Father’s, rising up from deep within. The gospels tell of Jesus expressing deep compassion when healing people. ‘Compassion’ is splagchnizomai—  to feel sympathetic from deep within (James 5:11).

Divine healing indicates we understand that we are to personally reach out in faith to a merciful, miracle-working God. That we’re trusting He will honour His word and respond to our asking. This is what pleases God and also honours Jesus!

Need releasing from an illness burden? Ask God believing and also ask your church and Christian friends to pray for you, with you (even email us). I also encourage you to pray for others yourself and be like Jesus in your church and community for people’s sakes and His glory!

Answers will come in God’s good time, and His way!

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Dr Robert and Pastor Maureen McQuillan’s links are OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook  _________________________________________