Healing, Medicine, or both

[Fragrant Grace]

A few points have been raised recently to me that have challenged my heart to really look into these matters:

It would be wonderful to have some Bible based answers here

I will just outline the questions very simply:

Should Christians use the medical profession and pharmaceuticals for their illnesses and ailments?

Or does this indicate a lack of faith in the Lord's healing power?

Or can Christians utilize both prayer for healing and the use of the medical profession?

What has happened when prayers for healing appear to fail?

Thank you in advance for any replies

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 3:11

 

[amadeus2]

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat" Gen 1:29

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Gen 1:31

"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." I Chron 29:14 [no doubt medicine and surgical skills included among the things God has given]

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations [heathen]." Rev 22:2

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
"...a time to heal" Ecc 3:1,3

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Jerem 8:22

"Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." Jerem 51:8

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov 17:22

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations [heathen]." Rev 22:2

"And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians." II Chron 16:12

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Matt 9:12

"And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country." Luke 4:23

 

[amadeus2]

What has happened when prayers for healing appear to fail?

"...ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:2-3

Also some things are appointed of the Lord.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die..." Ecc 4:1-2

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die..." Heb 9:27

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thank you @amadeus2 for those verses.

Would be very interested in hearing from others too

Thank you

 

[rag4aCrown]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in God's creation; as in Genesis, God created all things. Amen.
Now, we believe God created Adam out of the dirt of the earth. (clay).
Then took a rib from Adam and created Eve. God entwined man and woman from the beginning. Amen
Since we believe God's Word is true and that flesh was made from dirt; why can we not believe that God is able to heal our bodies needs, sicknesses, ailments?

God is still the same; He has not changed. Well, that must mean we are the one that has changed.
Being conformed to the world; doing as everyone else does and not what the Word, the we believe in, tells us to do. Amen.
Is the potter not still in control of the clay? Amen.
He, who will save his life, shall lose it; and he who will lose his life, for His name sake, shall be saved. Amen.

I can only speak for myself in this matter.
God knows I hate this world and I hate my life (physical) life in this world. I had rather be in paradise with Him. Amen.
God is my physician; He, alone, knows what is going on within me.
He has healed me when I asked and He has healed me when I did not ask. So, He must have a purpose for me still being here.
To live is Christ; to die is gain. Amen.
As we live, move, and breath; we do so unto God. Amen.
Are we living, moving and breathing to God or the world?

Christ suffered for us; and we are told in the Word of truth to arm ourselves like wise.
Have we ever suffered anything for Him?
Have we ever separated our self from the world to come into the presence of God?
No, the majority has not. We want the best of both worlds. Jesus said; those who have lived delicately, and in kings robes (fine attire), have their reward.
Joseph, went into the desert, rather to die IN God, then spend one day in the luxuries of sin in a worldly mansion. Amen.

It is our choice. How much of Him we want? and how bad do we want to live in paradise with God?
The disciples forsook all and followed Him.
Some said, I will follow you but first let me go tell them, or bury them.......... Jesus said, those having put his hand to the plough and looking back are not worthy to be my disciples.
Jesus is the only one that should be on our mind and in our heart. Amen.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So in reading the Word and the Holy Ghost teaching me the truth in the Word; there is not a preacher in the house made of hands that is a true disciple of God. Amen
A true disciple owns nothing. They have the clothes on their back, they care no purse (money), no scripture, not an extra change of clothes; they go forth "into all the world" depending and trusting in the Lord God Almighty; who is able to provide all their needs. Amen.
Our ways is not God's ways. Amen. Do you trust Him?
To walk in the supernatural blessings of God and enter into the Holy of holies; we must absorb our being, now, IN HIM and HE will absorb into our being. Amen
It can be done. I have done it; and I am grieved in spirit right now, because I am not doing it.
When one truly taste of the goodness of God; worldly money, treasures, land, homes, kids, or dying mothers means nothing. Christ regarded no man; whether he be rich or poor, his mother or a woman, brother of genealogy or strange on the street...Jesus said; my mother and my brother are those that hear the Word of God and do it. Christ had no respector of persons. Amen. With God there is no respector of persons; and God has no respector of persons; we must be obedient to His call and His will. Amen. What we see or hear of Him, that we do.

Lord have mercy; I will be banned from another "believers" site.
Have you ever heard the angels sing? Wow, amazing harmony, complete unity, ONE ACCORD. So very beautiful. I was blessed to hear them "once". Amen.
There is no unity, being in one accord, in the house made of hands, or God's believers, because we are not in unity (ONE ACCORD) with God; we want, what we want. and when we want it.
I know it can be done; for God has shown me the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
We must be willing to sacrifice our lives as we know them "in this world", being separated and converted as little children "trusting in ONE bigger than us, and allowing Him to transform us into His image, His ways, and His will. Amen.
I sought God, with ALL my being, I sold it, gave it away, walked away from the rest; God had set me on my feet and I was well on my way, For Him; and along came the devil, using my mother to halt me, then using her to rip me apart. God is restoring me now. When I am weak, He is strong. Amen. I will get back on track with God, and I believe it will be soon. I made an oath with God. It is mine to do the oath I made. Amen. It was mine to do before I was even born. Amen.

I say to ALL; REPENT, turn wholly to God; deny the flesh and the lust of the flesh found in this world; they are put here for vanity and vexation of spirit; pick up our cross and follow Him. TRUST IN HIM, HE IS ABLE to secure you and provide everlasting life. Amen. It is our choice. Amen. We can have the best or settle for less. Amen.
ALL praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen. (wow, this turned out to be very long; just as the Spirit led, I wrote. Amen.)

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thank you for your detailed reply @rag4aCrown

It is good to hear of your strong faith in the Lord to provide all your needs.

Can you provide some scriptures that will back up what you are saying....bearing in mind the questions that have been raised to me are quoted below.

Should Christians use the medical profession and pharmaceuticals for their illnesses and ailments?

Or does this indicate a lack of faith in the Lord's healing power?

Or can Christians utilize both prayer for healing and the use of the medical profession?

What has happened when prayers for healing appear to fail?

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in God's creation; as in Genesis, God created all things. Amen.
Now, we believe God created Adam out of the dirt of the earth. (clay).
Then took a rib from Adam and created Eve. God entwined man and woman from the beginning. Amen
Since we believe God's Word is true and that flesh was made from dirt; why can we not believe that God is able to heal our bodies needs, sicknesses, ailments?

God is still the same; He has not changed. Well, that must mean we are the one that has changed.
Being conformed to the world; doing as everyone else does and not what the Word, the we believe in, tells us to do. Amen.
Is the potter not still in control of the clay? Amen.
He, who will save his life, shall lose it; and he who will lose his life, for His name sake, shall be saved. Amen.

I can only speak for myself in this matter.
God knows I hate this world and I hate my life (physical) life in this world. I had rather be in paradise with Him. Amen.
God is my physician; He, alone, knows what is going on within me.
He has healed me when I asked and He has healed me when I did not ask. So, He must have a purpose for me still being here.
To live is Christ; to die is gain. Amen.
As we live, move, and breath; we do so unto God. Amen.
Are we living, moving and breathing to God or the world?

Christ suffered for us; and we are told in the Word of truth to arm ourselves like wise.
Have we ever suffered anything for Him?
Have we ever separated our self from the world to come into the presence of God?
No, the majority has not. We want the best of both worlds. Jesus said; those who have lived delicately, and in kings robes (fine attire), have their reward.
Joseph, went into the desert, rather to die IN God, then spend one day in the luxuries of sin in a worldly mansion. Amen.

It is our choice. How much of Him we want? and how bad do we want to live in paradise with God?
The disciples forsook all and followed Him.
Some said, I will follow you but first let me go tell them, or bury them.......... Jesus said, those having put his hand to the plough and looking back are not worthy to be my disciples.
Jesus is the only one that should be on our mind and in our heart. Amen.+


A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So in reading the Word and the Holy Ghost teaching me the truth in the Word; there is not a preacher in the house made of hands that is a true disciple of God. Amen
A true disciple owns nothing. They have the clothes on their back, they care no purse (money), no scripture, not an extra change of clothes; they go forth "into all the world" depending and trusting in the Lord God Almighty; who is able to provide all their needs. Amen.
Our ways is not God's ways. Amen. Do you trust Him?
To walk in the supernatural blessings of God and enter into the Holy of holies; we must absorb our being, now, IN HIM and HE will absorb into our being. Amen
It can be done. I have done it; and I am grieved in spirit right now, because I am not doing it.
When one truly taste of the goodness of God; worldly money, treasures, land, homes, kids, or dying mothers means nothing. Christ regarded no man; whether he be rich or poor, his mother or a woman, brother of genealogy or strange on the street...Jesus said; my mother and my brother are those that hear the Word of God and do it. Christ had no respector of persons. Amen. With God there is no respector of persons; and God has no respector of persons; we must be obedient to His call and His will. Amen. What we see or hear of Him, that we do.

Lord have mercy; I will be banned from another "believers" site.
Have you ever heard the angels sing? Wow, amazing harmony, complete unity, ONE ACCORD. So very beautiful. I was blessed to hear them "once". Amen.
There is no unity, being in one accord, in the house made of hands, or God's believers, because we are not in unity (ONE ACCORD) with God; we want, what we want. and when we want it.
I know it can be done; for God has shown me the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
We must be willing to sacrifice our lives as we know them "in this world", being separated and converted as little children "trusting in ONE bigger than us, and allowing Him to transform us into His image, His ways, and His will. Amen.
I sought God, with ALL my being, I sold it, gave it away, walked away from the rest; God had set me on my feet and I was well on my way, For Him; and along came the devil, using my mother to halt me, then using her to rip me apart. God is restoring me now. When I am weak, He is strong. Amen. I will get back on track with God, and I believe it will be soon. I made an oath with God. It is mine to do the oath I made. Amen. It was mine to do before I was even born. Amen.

I say to ALL; REPENT, turn wholly to God; deny the flesh and the lust of the flesh found in this world; they are put here for vanity and vexation of spirit; pick up our cross and follow Him. TRUST IN HIM, HE IS ABLE to secure you and provide everlasting life. Amen. It is our choice. Amen. We can have the best or settle for less. Amen.
ALL praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen. (wow, this turned out to be very long; just as the Spirit led, I wrote. Amen.)

There once was a man whose house was caught in a flood. He found himself on the roof as the water level rose praying to God to be rescued. Presently, a man in a boat came and called to him to get into the boat. He said "No thank you, God's going to rescue me." Later, with the water still rising, a helicopter rescue came along and began to lower a rope to him, but again he said "No thank you. God's going to rescue me."

The water eventually swamped the house and the man drowned. When he reached the pearly gates, he confronted God with "Why didn't you rescue me?!" God said "What do you mean? I sent you a boat and a helicopter!"

SLE

 

[DHC]

Thank you for your detailed reply @rag4aCrown

It is good to hear of your strong faith in the Lord to provide all your needs.

Can you provide some scriptures that will back up what you are saying....bearing in mind the questions that have been raised to me are quoted below.

Hello Fragrant Grace.

Here are a few verses that support the idea that healing is part of the ministry of the church.

James 5:14
Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,
then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Should the Lord not grant a specific healing for whatever the reason, then I would consult
a general practitioner for advice. I have witnessed first hand individuals that have received
divine healing within the church environment. As far as I am concerned divine healing is
simply part of the Christian ministry, no ifs or buts.

If you believe that some Christians are teachers, administrators, and some Christians are very
good at helping other Christians. Then logic dictates that you are entitled to the full array of spiritual
ministries also.

 

[rag4aCrown]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus
Amen, love your post.

I was taken in a night vision. I appeared in a building with my young son.
The building caught on fire below me; as we all know, fire goes up.
Everyone hit the stairs and started climbing.
We reached the roof; there was pure chaos on top.
People crying and screaming; "oh, my God! oh, my God!" Then jumped to their death, committing suicide, off the side of the building.
I stood in the middle of the building, with my son on my hip, watching as fear consumed those who did not KNOW Him.
I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me, "What are you going to do?"
I said, "Lord, I am going to stand right here. This fire will consume me or you will rescue me off this burning building."
I looked and another jumped to their death.
All of a sudden, a rope latter appeared, coming through all the darkness.
I reached up and stepped on; I was lifted off that burning building, just as the fire engulfed everything.

Amen. God will make a way out of no way.
When God blesses you; He freely hands it to you.
A blessing may come straight from God or God using someone else to bless you.
It does not mean I went and did it or seek it out for myself; God sent it to me.
Did Job run to the doctor? or did Job believe in God?
Did Paul run to a doctor, with his snake bite? or did Paul believe in God?
God's power supercedes any and all things that are put around us or brought upon us. Amen.
God is the Creator of ALL things; ALL GOOD THINGS come from God.
Do we believe in the power of God or what we are facing in a physical sense?
For every physical attribute, there is a spiritual underlay. Amen.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Amen.
Is my heart consumed with the conformed ways of this world? or the converted, transformation of GOD? Amen.
All that has ever come before Him is robbers and thieves. Amen
Now, we can rob ourselves from God's supernatural blessings; but we can not rob God. Amen.
When one is blessed supernaturally by God; faith grows; but we, believers, have to be willing to go through sufferings, afflictions, and persecutions. Amen.
Keeping our heart and our mind focused on God; there is nothing He is not able to do for us; the only limitations God has is the ones we will not allow Him to do, so we do it our self. Amen
God is good. God is true. God is faithful.

He, who will save his life shall lose it;
And, he who will lose his life for his names sake, shall save it. Amen.
We can not justify ourselves. Jesus does that.
We can only be held accountable for what we know. He has made me aware of much.
We have to act on faith; steeping out in it; believing without receiving (yet); believing we will receive, because HE said so.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.
We must believe in GOD; not what our flesh tells us, not what someone else tells us; but what GOD has already told us. We either believe in HIM or not.
Our own flesh (and others) will talk us right out of a blessing, if we listen to it.
We have to be willing to go through things; standing steadfast in God's promises and not turning our face from Him. God will deliver. He always has, and He always will. Amen.

I must stop. God has filled me with Him and I could go on and on and on. Amen.
All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.

 

[rag4aCrown]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus.

If one can believe in flesh to heal them, possibly even an unbeliever; then why would one refuse to believe IN HIM who created ALL flesh.
We say we believe God created flesh out of the dirt of the earth. Why? Because Genesis says so; and we believe it. God's Word is true. Amen.
So, should one not believe in the healing power of God alone; it is His works; He asked us to have faith.
Asking, believing ye receive, (nothing wavering), and it shall be given you.
The more we do for ourselves, the more God will allow us to do for ourselves. It is our choice.
Our worldly choices and fleshly lust robs US of our blessings God has for us. Amen.

All praise, glory and honor be to God. Amen.

 

[Brighthouse]

First as to the vision you had sis. ( Daniel 3:16-18!!) verse 18!! But even if he does not! Many years ago at age 48 I had a heart attack,I prayed for healing of course,but the pain grew,so feeling very bad I went to the hospital,I was mad at myself of course,here I preach to others Jesus heals,and look at me! Look where I am going!! OH!! I was so mad sis!! LOL Repenting the whole time,I arrived, and when they saw me i went straight to the operating table!! Did not even pass go sis!! LOL.

8 doctors and two nurse were waiting for me when I arrived! I am a Vietnam Veteran,but when I arrived into there hospital, you would have thought I was the President of the United States!! LOL They told me the first 4 stents in my heart I would not have to be under for,so I was wide awake! Painful?? LOL ah yes,but watched everything they were doing while preaching how much Jesus loves them!! LOL They listened to me because they had no choice! LOL Looked at themselves a lot while Holy Spirit was using me to speak unto them,the other 4 stents yes 8 total are in my heart, I had to be put under for.

They said after the operation I would be a month in the hospital. Jesus called my name MARK awake. i woke up to see who was calling my name,but there was no one there!! LOL I thanked the Lord so much even with some tears,as I failed him in my faith. After 2 days I told the doctors and nurse who checked up on me that I would be ready to leave in two weeks not a month as the Holy Spirit reveled unto me. Ah right they said!! LOL Laughting among themselves. In 2 weeks as I was leaving two doctors and a nurse asked to speak with me in a private room,they received Jesus as there Savior, because even though we do not always understand the purpose of our lives, God will always confirm his purpose if we but endure!( heb 10:36)

The secret things belong to the Lord( deut 29:29) WE just press ever forward in him!!( philp 3:12-14!!) So I hope this helps you with some of your question sis! We truly are what we are by the very grace of our loving Jesus sis!!( 1 cor 15:10) His grace never proves vain! And we stay thankful ever for Jesus for it!( 1 thess 5:18!) amen!

 

[Fragrant Grace]

James 5:14
Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

Thank you for your reply @DHC

I've just quoted one verse from your response...this verse has been on my mind for sometime

It is such a clear biblical direction.

Yet I have never seen this done....(maybe due to the 'unbiblical ways' of many of today's churches, which is another subject in itself)

Have you or anyone else reading this post....experienced the elders being called on in this way and what were the results?

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;
James 5:13-15

 

[DHC]

Thank you for your reply @DHC

I've just quoted one verse from your response...this verse has been on my mind for sometime

It is such a clear biblical direction.

Yet I have never seen this done....(maybe due to the 'unbiblical ways' of many of today's churches, which is another subject in itself)

Have you or anyone else reading this post....experienced the elders being called on in this way and what were the results?

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;
James 5:13-15

Hello Fragrant Grace.

You said,

It is such a clear biblical direction.

Yes Fragrant Grace, there is no doubt that God has powerfully equipped the church with specific
attributes and the gift of healing is definitely one of those attributes.

Yet I have never seen this done....(maybe due to the 'unbiblical ways' of many of today's churches,
which is another subject in itself)

It saddens me Fragrant Grace, that you have not witnessed the presence and the power of the
Holy Spirit within the church. I can assure you Fragrant Grace that if you had ever witnessed the
power of the Holy Spirit you would never again have any reservations on this matter.

The apostles Paul's ministry was built primarily on the testimony of Jesus Christ and the power
of the Holy Spirit. Paul did not deliver an intellectual Gospel, Fragrant Grace, Paul moved wholly
under the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's supernatural endowment upon all believers is clearly evident through both the Old Testament
and the New Testament. The testimony of the Scripture itself is the authority and we are subject to this
astounding revelation. From page one of the Bible to the very last page are miracles and the activity
of the Spirit upon the believers. Fragrant Grace, the Bible is not a boring history book, it is the power
of God displayed to humanity so that you will believe in Jesus.

If you do not have the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit within your church then something is
definitely wrong. You need to immediately take steps to address this deficiency as the scripture does
not allow for a form of Godliness without the Power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:5
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;

I have witnessed the visible power of the Holy Spirit in regards to healing on many folk over the
years, that I do not entertain any doubts whatsoever. Our church constantly received visitors
seeking healing from other more conservative churches. Sometimes healing is not a visible event
so you must rely on a personal testimony. On other occasions the healing is visible and this tends
to enrich one's faith I must say.

The first time I witnessed a visible healing event upon a young man, I was speechless. I had been a
Christian for a few months and was unaware that a healing ministry even existed in the church.
My background was not religious before becoming a Christian so my ignorance of Christianity
was profound.

I met this young guy at the front gate of the church and had a conversation with him for a few
minutes. He showed me this appalling rash on his arms and said that his church did not administer
healing in the Spirit. Then he asked if a certain person was in the church today and I said yes he is.
He arrived at the church to be healed from this rash which was on both his arms.

So off he went into the building and I stayed outside, as the worship component of the service was
far too intense for me. I ventured in just before the sermon started, so avoiding the fanatical worship
before the sermon commenced. Later after the sermon finished and I was already outside drinking coffee,
when this young man came up to me to say good bye. He was laughing and extremely happy and showed
me his arms, and there was no rash at all?

Well that blew my mind, it is one thing to read the scriptures about Jesus healing people. But it
another thing altogether to witness a healing event taking place in front of your eyes. I knew
before I saw this healing event, that I was way out of my depth in Christianity. This event only
further confirmed to me that I really knew nothing about life, people or God.

What troubled me the most was that the person who conducted the healing process did not
talk about it. These Christian folk were virtually oblivious to the fact that a miracle had occurred and one
which I had witnessed. What is going on in this place, this guy was cured, but it was as if nothing
happened, just an average Sunday!

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

You may have two of the above attributes but like so many believers you lack the power of
the Holy Spirit! You need to act on this shortfall Fragrant Grace and it is not your fault.
Just take the necessary action of moving to a church that is alive in the Spirit and you
will know when you attend one of these churches. Then you can join me in blubbering
about Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, you will never be the same ever again.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thank you for your your further reply @DHC and for sharing your experiences of witnessing healing

I think perhaps my post sounded a little glum and unbelieving and that would be a wrong picture to portray

Praise the Lord....yes I have seen divine healing and have been amazed, blessed and so very powerfully encouraged.
I have also recieved healing myself through prayer and yet at times also use the medical system

But what I have not seen is the instruction in that specific verse carried out.....to call on the elders for prayer and anointing with oil.
And the apathy among believers to trust that a mightily powerful Lord can and wants to heal is very sad

We live in a fairly limited area in terms of churches to choose from....and it seems the church that we currently occasionally attend is pretty 'sick' (physically)
The notices for people to pray for who are sick and hospitalized ever increases
But to ask the elders for prayers and annoiting brings a shocked look of horror as if its a foreign language
And when my husband recently said he would not be receiving hospital treatment but would be waiting on the Lord's hand.....he was almost treated as being irresponsible

This is where my original post stems from.....looking at what the Bible says about healing as opposed to the medical system. Is there a place for both?
Thank you also brother @Brighthouse and sister @rag4aCrown for your recent posts which have been very helpful.....I haven't had time to reply to all as yet

I believe the Lord is able to use many ways to accomplish His divine will and know that He wants the best for us

 

[B-A-C]

I believe God heals, I believe in divine healing. My wife had cancer once, now she doesn't.
I believe God does miracles all around us almost everyday if we know how to see them. Sometimes knowing how to see it is the hardest part.

I am reminded of a joke about a man in a flood. Water is two stories deep all around his house and he is sitting on his roof.
Some people in a raft come by and ask him if he needs help, he says no... I'll just wait for God to save me.
Then some rescue workers come by in a bigger boat ask him to get on their boat, he replies... No, I'll just wait for God to save me.
Finally a helicopter lowers a rescue basket for him, and he yells back up at the helicopter... I'm waiting for God to save me.
So he drowns and goes to heaven, and he asks God why he didn't save him. The reply is I sent you two boats and a helicopter.

So it is with healing. Some people can't afford insurance or doctors or medicine. I think God meets them in their need.
Other people have insurance, a doctor, and can afford medicine. But they're just waiting for God to heal them.

There are a group of people here in the US that took the following verse to heart.
Mark 16:18; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So they bought a bunch of poisonous rattlesnakes and put them in a cage. Then they went into the cage and provoked the snakes into biting them.
Some even put their young children in the cage to be bitten. All of this was to prove that God could heal them. However several of them died, including
many of the children. Could it be that this crossed the line into testing God? Should we put ourselves in harms way just to prove God will heal us?

My take of this is... if you can go to the Doctor and take medicine... you should take it. Who is to say that isn't God's way.
If you're stranded some where and can't get medicine, or afford a doctor, it's been my experience that God will often heal these people.
But in both situations, I believe it's OK to pray to God for healing.

Even Jesus recognized some people need doctors.
Matt 9:12; But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
(Also see Mark 2:17; and Luke 5:31; )
It's interesting, that Luke himself was a doctor.
Col 4:14; Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

Sometimes taking "medicine" is Biblical.
1 Tim 5:23; No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
Prov 17:22; A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

 

[rag4aCrown]

Greetings in the Lord Jesus

When one prays for healing and does not receive healing from God;
It is not God that is lacking; but self.
If thine eye (heart) be single, thy whole body is full of light.
Do we truly trust God?
Do we truly depend on God?
Have we forsaken anything to follow Him?
Do we deny our own flesh to come closer to Him in Spirit?
Are we truly leaning on the Lord's bosom?

In order for Him to increase; I must decrease. Amen.
We want the best of both worlds; we want what we want, when we want it. Amen
We can not serve God and mammon. Amen. We will hold close to one and despise the other.
We can have as much of God as we want; however, we have to be willing to get rid of some baggage, firstly self and all of self's worldly lust and treasures. If one wants the complete unity of being in "one accord" with the Holy Ghost. We have to come to a heart and mind set "I want God more than anything I see, touch, taste, smell or hear, in this physical carnal world". Amen.
Many will not receive this; many will not accept this; even thou it is the Word. Amen. God is Spirit. It is a "self choice", we must make for self. Amen.

It is sad to hear about the "house made of hands" you and your husband attend.
They are lost themselves; the blind is leading the blind in there; like sheep being led to slaughter.
Pray for them; speak the Word boldly amongst them; stand in faith and watch God's works. Amen.
Their true fruits will come to the service.
We can put on the face and sit on the pew, quiet and proper, until someone ALIVE IN HIM shows up, speaking in the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
If you love them, as Christ loved us, you will speak the truth IN Him; yes, it will offend them, but they just might live too.

God bless you and your husband richly, sis, as you journey on in Him. Amen
All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.