Week 7: Lessons From Those Who Got Healed
Monday 14 April – Always start at your private altar. What you have is more valuable than what you need.
As we begin this last session, looking at the subject of health and healing, it is important that we consider some of the fundamentals or foundations of our faith. Faith is rooted in us believing something someone says to us about a particular topic. If you don’t hear the message on healing, your faith in that area will be weak. Great faith is borne out of great study under the influence of the Holy Spirit on a topical area.
Romans 10:8-17 King James Version
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Let us look at examples of people who deployed their faith and obtained a good report. Mark 5:22-43 shows two key stories that we need to consider.
- Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue
Even though the story of the woman with the issue of blood was sandwiched within the story of Jarius, we will deal with the story of Jarius first.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
- Woman with the issue of blood.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Prayer Points:
- God, give me a fresh revelation of the place of my private altar. These two people had private encounters. John 6:15, Mark 1:35.
- Lord, I submit my relationships to You, every relationship that will block my miracle and sabotage my destiny, please remove them from me.
- Every mindset that will rationalise the work of God in my life, I cast down now.
- Let us ask God for wisdom for the practical steps to take to deliver the miracle.
Tuesday 15th April – Your friends may be the hindrance or the key
Have friends that have faith and are full of faith and of the spirit. I once heard it said that, “Show me who your friends are and I will tell you how far you will go in life.” This is not a statement to limit someone but rather a statement to inspire us to be intentional about friendship.
If you want to learn about friends, read the book of Job and look at the role his friends played.
Job 2:11 (King James Version)
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
Job 6:13-15 (King James Version)
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? 14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
Job 6:27 (King James Version)
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Job 16:20 (King James Version)
20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
Look at what some friends did for their friends in the New Testament. In Mark 2:1-12, these friends showed a different kind of attitude.
Mark 2:1-12 (King James Version)
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Every time that I read this story, I always think, “What are my friends willing to do for me?”, “Have I been friendly to those who I call my friends?” Or “have I been like Job’s friends?”
Prayer Points:
- Lord, help me to evaluate those I call my friends. For every situation where I may have been like Job’s friend, I ask for forgiveness.
- Grant me grace to build the right relationships around myself. Help me identify those that are full of faith and of the spirit AND let me be the same to them. (Acts 6) Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 18: 24 – A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Wednesday 16th April – If you don’t understand faith, start with mercy
We need to understand the role of mercy as a trigger for the supernatural. There are many things we don’t know. If you don’t understand faith, make sure you understand mercy. When mercy speaks, many wrongs are overlooked.
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
How Jesus responded to a call for mercy.
Matthew 9:27-31 (King James Version)
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Matthew 15:21-28 (King James Version)
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Mark 10:46-52 (King James Version)
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Mercy is something David understood, and you can see the impact on his life despite his challenges with Beersheba and the challenges within his own family. One of the examples we looked at showed us someone who faced obstacles while applying their faith. Don’t let the “lying vanities” cause you to forsake your own mercy.
Jonah 2:7-9 (King James Version)
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. 8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
Prayer Points:
- Lord, Have Mercy on me.
- Grant me the spirit of truth and wisdom so I don’t observe lying vanities.
Thursday 17th April – The kingdom of God has patterns. Trust God for the pattern you need for results.
The kingdom of God follows a pattern. In Mark 4, after Jesus brought us the parable of the Sower, He explained what the parable meant. But when He finished explaining that parable, then He highlighted some critical points about the Kingdom. Let’s look at these.
Mark 4:23-24 (King James Version)
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
It is what you hear that preserves what you have. If you don’t hear the right words, you will not understand how to preserve what you have. This is why some people miss out on great things.
Mark 4:25-34 (King James Version)
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Look at this pattern.
Mark 5:22-23 (King James Version)
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Let’s look at another pattern.
Matthew 8:1-18 (King James Version)
1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. 18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
We cannot be in clear violation of scripture and expect things to go our way. Sooner or later, the evil we do will catch with and overtake us, if we don’t consciously address certain things. Look at this story here.
Mark 7:10-14 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
10 For Moses said, Honor (revere with tenderness of feeling and deference) your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely die. 11 But [as for you] you say, A man is exempt if he tells [his] father or [his] mother, What you would otherwise have gained from me [everything I have that would have been of use to you] is Corban, that is, is a gift [already given as an offering to God], 12 Then you no longer are permitting him to do anything for [his] father or mother [but are letting him off from helping them]. 13 Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing. 14 And He called the people to [Him] again and said to them, Listen to Me, all of you, and understand [what I say].
Prayer Point:
- God, show me my pattern (the example and shadow of heavenly things).
Hebrews 8:4-6 (King James Version)
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Friday 18th April – Sometimes you need to follow the doctrine rather than trying to understand.
1 Corinthians 1:17 (King James Version)
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Sometimes, you may not have the vocabulary for something, but our lack of understanding does not mean that God is not in the matter. We cannot explain the virgin birth of Jesus other than to say, “the power of the most high overshadowed her.” There are certain things in God that we will have no explanation for. It is important not to dismiss information due to a lack of precedence. There are many valid aspects of God that remain unknown to us. Our understanding evolves over time. Historical events may be undocumented because they were not recorded in a reproducible manner. Sometimes we just need to follow the doctrine of the apostles – Acts 2, while ensuring that we avoid things that are rooted in tradition and not in scripture.
Acts 2:41-47 (King James Version)
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
It was the continuing in the doctrine of daily prayers with one accord, breaking of bread, singleness of heart, praising God AND favour with all the people. Now, here is the caution regarding tradition. We need to constantly evaluate and listen to different viewpoints. No one person or group knows everything.
John 5:38-40 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
38 And you have not His word (His thought) living in your hearts, because you do not believe and adhere to and trust in and rely on Him Whom He has sent. [That is why you do not keep His message living in you, because you do not believe in the Messenger Whom He has sent.] 39 You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! 40 And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life.
Prayer Points:
- God, open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your word.
- Enlighten my path so that I will not stumble at the rock in my path.
- God, deliver me from searching for a provision You have already made. (John 5:38)
Saturday 19th April – Let the Daystar dawn in your heart for lasting change
2 Peter 1:18-20 (King James Version)
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
No prayer is complete until the daystar has dawned in your heart. This is the point of no return. This is the point at which the unseen becomes more real to you than what the eyes can see.
Hebrews 11:1-4 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
1 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. 2 For by [faith—trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. 4 [Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.
Usually, the daystar will dawn in your heart before the manifestation.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (King James Version)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
There are certain things we do that are results of childhood trauma and not “that is how God made me.” It takes time to shift some of these ingrained strongholds. Something needs to happen that defies your inner belief system. It is this dawning of the daystar in your heart that breaks that stronghold. Even when there is no physical manifestation, you can see the mind of God at work.
Hebrews 4:10-12 (King James Version)
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Prayer Points:
Whatever the challenge that we are going through, let us ask God for grace to shorten the days. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. And a broken heart, who can bear?
- Lord, shorten the days of this present challenge.
- Lord, let the daystar dawn in my heart speedily.
3 John 1-3 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
1 The elderly elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. 3 In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents].
Akin Akinyemi, April 2025