“And throughout Lycaonia they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked” (Acts 14:7-10).
Paul and Barnabas were preaching the Gospel, the Good News, in the cities of Lycaonia. Good news to a sinner is that he can be saved, good news to a poor man is that his needs can be met and good news to a sick man is that he can be healed. Therefore, healing must have been part of the Gospel Paul and Barnabas were preaching.
As they preached in Lystra, a crippled man who had never walked sat in the crowd. Suddenly, something radically changed his condition. What was it that changed the course of his life? “The same heard Paul speak.” The man heard the Gospel. Then Paul “steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on thy feet.’ And he leaped and walked.”
A miracle happened that day. Yes, the man leaped and walked and praised God for his healing. But the first step he took that set a new course in his life was to hear. He tapped into the connection between hearing and healing.
Hearing God’s Word produces faith in me. Therefore, as I continually hear the Word, I walk in divine health, peace and abundance.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.