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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EDITORIAL: Special Announcement - Letter #22.
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: Health, Faith, and the Aging of
Society.
3. PRAYER REQUESTS.
4. CONTACT US.
1. EDITORIAL:
* SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT *
Letter #22, "The Godhead & Oneness. The Trinity and The Name of
God", is now available online.
If you have been following our notes in the last few newsletters, you already
know that this latest addition to the writings of The
Letters has been in the making for several months. Through the study
process required to write a definitive teaching on the Trinity of Elohim (God),
much has been revealed to me about the Names and Titles of our Father, Messiah
and indwelling Qodesh Ruach (Holy Spirit). The truth that is uncovered in
this letter not only enhances our understanding of the Trinity, and provides the
proof that many have been seeking for some time, it also gives us a much greater
opportunity to draw ever-nearer to our loving Messiah and Father.
I wholeheartedly pray that you find this work to be worthy of your reading time,
because I personally believe that it is a must read for every disciple of
Messiah Yahshua.
2. FEATURE
ARTICLE: Health, Faith, and the Aging of Society.
Throughout the past months, Charlie and I have been dealing with illnesses and
death in our family, as her Mother and our Aunts and Uncles age well beyond
Elohim's (God's) prescribed seventy years. Actually, as you all know, the
infirmities of life and age set-in well before we reach that seven - zero
plateau, it's just that the older we get, for whatever reason, the harder it is
for we humans to admit that something might be wrong; or to admit that we need
medical attention.
If my mail is any indicator, we know that we are not alone in our attempts to
convince our loved ones to not only seek medical attention and/or counseling,
but to actually take the medications prescribed by our Doctors... Almost all who
write to us are children of Elohim, saved through the Blood of the Cross of
Yahshua Mashiach (Jesus Christ) and as far as I can tell, the Body of Yahshua
has somehow messed things up in our minds about seeking medical attention,
because the basic consensus appears to be, "If HE wants me healed, He will
heal me Himself".
Mind you, this thinking only applies when the natural aging process is involved,
or if something develops slowly - even though deep down we know that something
is not right, because if we are involved in any sort of injurious accident
(auto, fall from the top of a house, etc.) we have no problem running to
Hospital emergency rooms in order to get patched up!
Sadly, this stubborn and unbiblical approach to the healings of Yahshua is
causing much needless suffering (and the suffering doesn't always belong to the
person who is ill, because their afflictions quite frequently affect their loved
ones too - and frequently with an even greater hardship!) Therefore, in
the fervent hope of setting the record straight, and in the fervent hope of
helping the Body of Yahshua maintain a proper perspective on their health and
His healings as we age, I am offering the following Biblical Truth's for your
consideration. Prayerfully, the Word of Elohim will allow you to find His
healing - whether through His hand or through the hand of an appointed physician
or counselor...
During His walk among us, Yahshua performed many miraculous healings through the
power of His Qodesh Ruach (Holy Spirit). In His words and teachings to us, He
told us that His children would perform greater works than He, because He was
going to the Father, and then - throughout the balance of the New Testament -
his Apostles informed and taught us about the gifts of the Qodesh Ruach.
(See Letters #5, 13, 14, 15 and 16 for in-depth conversations on the gifts and
their proper use).
Surprisingly, and worthy of monumental notice by us all, however, is the fact
that neither Yahshua nor His Apostles and Disciples, healed every sick person
that they encountered. For whatever reason, some people never received a
healing touch during their lifetime, but instead walked daily bearing the cross
that they were given. Please permit me to offer a few examples:
Mark 1:32-34 says, "And when evening had come, after the sun had set, they
began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were
ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons..."
The entire city had gathered before Him, and they brought ALL who were ill and
demon-possessed, but His Word says that, "He healed many"... He did
not heal them all!
Acts 3 tells of how Peter and John
healed a certain man who had been lame from his mother's womb - who customarily
was "Set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called
Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple: (Acts 3:2
NASB). I have discussed this particular healing before, because it tells
us of another instance where our Lord Yahshua did not heal an individual.
We must recognize the fact that Yahshua had to have entered the temple through
this same gate countless times, and in countless opportunities, He passed by
this lame beggar... Why?
So that Peter and John's ministry would be validated through this miracle.
Paul was an Apostle, and he
administered many healings through Qodesh Ruach, and yet Timothy, Paul's favored
student, was not healed from his frequent ailments - 1 Timothy 5:22-23.
Paul had a personal affliction that
was not healed - 1 Corinthians 12:7-9.
Finally, in His own words, Yahshua
said, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal
yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your home
town as well.' And He said, 'Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in
his home town. But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months,
when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of
them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none
of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian' " (Luke 4:23-27 NASB).
Clearly, not every person is going to be healed of every illness in this
lifetime. Eternity in heaven with Him is quite another thing though!
As I was preparing this article, and praying about the presentation I was being
moved to make here, the Lord placed a thought in my heart and mind that I think
is significant. Simply, I was reminded that Paul was a gifted healer, but Luke,
his constant companion, was a certified Physician. Both were needed for an
effective ministry!
Personally, until I turned forty-three, my eyesight exceeded the 20/20
expectations of this world. In what seemed to be an overnight event
though, I awoke one morning unable to read the newspaper or a map. It was
a frightening experience! Today I cannot read a book or anything else in
small print without reading glasses. Admittedly, I don't like this turn of
events one bit, but whether I like it or not, I now use reading glasses in order
to read - AND - write! Without the medically prescribed eyeglasses I now
wear, I would not be able to minister through these writings.
While some would say that my not being able to write is a good thing, I believe
that the Lord has much more work for us to do, and my being able to see -
whether by His hand or through the labor of one of His appointed physicians - is
essential to that work! (In my estimation, that is).
Similarly, just like all 'baby-boomers', Charlie is aging also. She is now a
woman in her early fifties - and without the help of a very dedicated physician,
her (and my) life would be miserable. (And if you don't know what I'm talking
about, you are a single man with little exposure to women in their fifties)...
Brethren, all the prayers and 'laying on of hands' in the world cannot stop the
aging process. Nor will they alter the simple fact that through the
introduction of sin into the creation, illness and death now abide with us.
Therefore, if you are suffering from a malady of any sort, pray about the
symptoms that you are experiencing and seek a healing touch from our Messiah. If
no healing is forthcoming, however, then I suggest that you follow the
instructions found in James 5:13-16, and have the elders pray over you,
anointing you with oil.
If the Lord does not extend His healing hand toward you through either of these
steps of faith though, for whatever reason, then please consult a physician or
counselor. Our Savior may very well extend His healing hand through that
trained individual, and may simply be testing your spirit of obedience in the
process - to see whether you are too proud to serve Him, or to see if you will
submit to the authority of others whom He has placed over you for a short
period.
Scripture is replete with illness and suffering - all brought about because of
our fall from grace, through sin - and we must now abide in this world according
to the consequences of that sin. But, we do not need to make our lives
miserable (or make our loved-one's miserable) in the process. Furthermore,
Scripture is replete with examples of pride, and we all know where that
particular vice leads... Or have you forgotten that, "Pride goes before the
fall"? Finally though, Scripture is also replete with the faithful
obedience and submission of God's children to His will, and I think that this is
the road He desires for us all to travel.
I am reminded of the joke about a blonde woman (sorry ladies, but it's just too
good to not pass along) who prayed without ceasing for the Lord to let her win
the lottery - so that she could use the money faithfully for His glory
(naturally)! After some months without any success whatsoever, the woman
fell on her face before the Lord in an anguished prayer, seeking His blessing in
fulfilling her heart's desire... Suddenly, the sky opened above her, a bright
light shone about her, and a voice from heaven boomed in her ears saying,
"Child, you have to work with Me a little on this - will you please at
least go and purchase a lottery ticket?"
If you are seeking a healing from our gracious heavenly Father, and that healing
has not come your way for some time, He may very well be saying, "Child,
you have to work with Me a little on this. I have already provided the relief
you seek - through the medical community - will you please at least go see a
Doctor or counselor?"
In His love and mercy, I pray that healing comes to all of His children; whether
that healing comes through His miraculous hand, or through the hand of one of
His servant physicians or counselors. If things are just not right in your life
though, whether mental or physical - pray about it. If He does not reply
as you desire, then go see a physician. Yahshua may just answer your
prayers through that physician/counselor, and may also provide an appointment
for you to witness and testify to that physician / counselor about the salvation
that is theirs through Yahshua our Messiah.
3. PRAYER
REQUESTS:
A young lady named Laurie Abernathy is suffering in the hospital today from a
blood disorder that is causing her to hemorrhage - without the capacity in her
blood to clot. We have learned of this because the Lord has placed Laurie
on the heart of one of our sisters, and it was through this sister that Laurie's
plight has come to our attention. I am also asking that we pray for
Laurie's salvation through this ordeal.
Another sister has sent along a prayer request for Lauren Renee Pingel (and her
family). Lauren is a three-year-old who has sustained massive head
injuries in an auto accident.
Sandee is praying for Bridget (Drug abuse and rehab) Holly (suffering with ADD)
and her stepmother (possible gall bladder or heart problems).
Please pray for Yahshua's continued blessings on our ministry efforts. We
can do nothing without Him, and seek only for His praise, honor and glory.
4. CONTACT:
larry vosen
If you have any questions about the Bible, Elohim (God), Yahshua Mashiach (Jesus
Christ), Qodesh Ruach (the Holy Spirit), the Gospel, Faith or any pressing
spiritual matter, please feel free to contact me. While I may not possess
the answers personally, I know Who Does! Every effort will be made to
answer your questions in a timely and Scripturally supported manner.
Do you have a prayer request? Please share your needs with us... We will post
your needs in our "Prayer Request" sections, so that we can approach
the Throne of God in a united front on your behalf.
We can be reached through our email address at: Contact
larry
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts, requests or support to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854
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