MINISTERS MATTER

More Questions Than Answers about Healing

Diagnosis: In January 2011 Joyce and I sat in the Urologist’s office and heard the words, “Mr. Boucher, you have aggressive prostate cancer.”

Questions: For a mature Christian like myself, those were shocking words to hear and my mind went viral. I have what? Cancer? Are you sure? Me? There is no prostate cancer in my family? Am I going to be here for Christmas? Will Joyce be a widow soon? Will my kids be without their father? My seven grandchildren, without their grandpa?

Stewardship: More questions would come to my mind over the next few weeks. Questions about what I must do as a steward of my one and only body and questions about what the scriptures teach concerning healing.

I never expected to be diagnosed with cancer. I was healthy, I didn’t smoke, drink, do drugs or abuse myself. How could this be true? Realistically, it was and I needed to deal with the physical facts of my life at 64.

Family First: My first major concern was for my family. They needed to hear the diagnosis directly from me and I needed their response along with their love and support.

Looking into the eyes of my daughter Kim & her husband Stephane and their children Tristan, Ryan & Grace, as well as my son Jason & his wife Lori and their children, Tref, Parker, Emma & Ally, I had to tell them what I knew and what I didn’t. Bottom line - I want to make each day count and live life fully with the realities of what I am going through.

Mindset: My family, church and community needed to hear me say that I had cancer and I was going to be a good steward of my body. That would mean getting the proper medical advice and treatment.

They also needed to know what my mindset was with this disease. I was not about to see it as a battle to fight but a disease to be treated. Prostate cancer is a challenging disease and the last thing I needed was glib answers to a complex medical problem.

I have always been frustrated hearing about people who died from a disease and we hear people say, “he/she lost their battle”. When we say that we demean them as though they were not strong enough to defeat the sickness in their body. The family goes through guilt that they missed something or could have done more. They are tormented with thoughts that if they had fought harder, exercised more will power, been more determined, they would have survived. How sad!

I am determined to let the combined medical community, who are trained and focused on finding cures for all forms of cancer, do their job and I will do mine. I will co-operate with all the medical protocols asked of me while soliciting prayer from my Christian community and soaking in God’s Word concerning health, healing and wholeness.

Still More Questions: Does my personal will power or determination make the difference between whether or not I live or die?  Can I reach a place of peace in my life where I live with the reality of cancer, being treated, but in my body? If all the treatments go well, does that mean I am strong and a winner? If they fail, does that mean I am weak and a failure? Do I have to have courage to be able to conquer this? If I don’t, does that mean that “cancer” defeated me?

If I join the ranks of the “survivors”, does that make me better than those who “lost the battle? In all this, I have more questions than answers.

33 Healing Scriptures

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 and part of my recovery included 33 treatments of radiation. I decided that on each day of treatment I would commit to memory one scripture verse. I have included all of them for you to read and renew your faith in God as Healer.

SCRIPTURES DURING RADIATION
Barry Boucher

Proverbs 4:20-22, “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings, let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart, for they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”

James 5:16, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

1 Tim. 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.”

Day 1. Heb. 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Ex. 15:26, “For I am the Lord your healer .”

Day 2. Ps. 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases...

Ps. 30:2, “I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”

Day 3. Isa. 40: 31, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
 
Ps. 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Day 4. Isa. 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Pr. 3:7, Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”


Day 5. Matthew 8:17, “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
 
Isa. 53:5, “Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Day 6. Jer. 17:14, “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
 
Jer. 30:17, “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.”

Day 7. Ps. 107:19-20, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
 
Jer. 33:6, “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.”

8. Dt. 7:15, “And the Lord will take away from you all sickness...
 
Mal. 4:2, “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.

9. Mk. 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mt. 4:23, “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”

10. Pr. 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Mt. 8:13, “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.”



11. Mt. 8:2-3, “And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean’. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean’. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Mt. 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”

12. Mk. 5:28, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well. And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”

Mt. 14:14, “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

13. Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Lk. 6:19, “And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.”

14. Lk. 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

Lk 9:6, “And they departed and went through the villages. preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”

15. Rom. 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Lk. 10:9, “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.”



16. Rom. 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Lk. 17:15, “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with  a loud voice. and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet. giving thanks.”

17. James 5:15, “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”

Acts 4:30, “Stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

18. 1 Pt. 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Cor. 12:9, “To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles.”

19. 3 Jn. 2, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

Lk. 8:48, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

20. Mk. 16:18, “They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Lk. 5:17, “And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.”

21. Pr. 12:28, “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

Acts 5:16, “The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”

22. Jn. 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Mt. 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

23. Rom. 12:1, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Mk. 16:18, “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

24. 1 Cor. 6:19, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Ps. 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but he Lord delivers him out of them all.”

24. Jn. 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Mt. 18:19, “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

25. Pr. 16:24, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

1 Peter 2:24, “By his wounds you have been healed.”

26. 2 Cor. 4:13, “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, I believed, and so I spoke, we believe, and so we also speak.”

Ps. 100:5, “The Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting.”

27. Gal. 3:11, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Lk. 1:37, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”

28. Job 22:28, “You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.”

Eph. 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

29. Pr. 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Mal. 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”

30. Pr. 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Ps. 107:20, “He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

31. Ps. 91, “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place - the Most High, who is my refuge - no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.”

Ps. 105:37, “He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among his tribes.”

32. Rom. 4:17, “In the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”

Ps. 30:2, “O Lord my god, I cried out to you, and you have healed me.”

33. Ps. 118:17, “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.”

Phil. 4:19, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Healing is for today because...

THE HEALER IS IN THE HOUSE

Foundation Scriptures: Acts 9:32-35 and 36-43.

Vital Truth: God has revealed Himself in scripture as our healer. Peter is used by God to heal Aeneas and Dorcas.

Our Series: I Have Decided

The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35  And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[d] She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[e] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Last week Pastor Jason had us begin looking into the life and ministry of the apostle Peter.

A simple fisherman who decided to follow Jesus from the moment he was invited.

He settled it in his mind so he wouldn’t have to make decisions every time a decision was needed.

He spent approximately 30,000 hours with Jesus and decided that his life would be about eternal things.

Jesus modelled for Peter what kingdom life was all about.

One day as Jesus taught that He was the bread of heaven, some took exception when He invited them to eat His body and drink His blood...many departed but Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

HEALING IS FOR TODAY BECAUSE GOD’S NAME IS “I  AM” THE EVER PRESENT ONE!

Jesus’ ministry was characterized by healing.

Peter’s ministry was characterized by healing.

Modern day ministries should also be characterized by healing. Why?

Because God never changes (Malachi 3:6) and He has revealed Himself in His Word as our Healer and I cannot find anywhere in scripture where He has declared otherwise.

Exodus 15:26 Jehovah Rapha

"I am the Lord Your Healer.” - this name especially was a Name God prophetically spoke about Himself, not one that someone gave Him.

Peter ministered healing with confidence.

He did what Jesus had called and commissioned him to do. Preach the gospel and heal all manner of sickness and disease.

Jesus and Peter had the same MO...faith in God, put that faith into action, expect results.

“YOU HAVE PROSTATE CANCER”

I wasn’t sick, no symptoms, full of energy serving locally, nationally and internationally.

Joyce and I were shocked with my diagnosis.

Old dog. I had some “dirt thrown on me”.

What would I have to do? Shake it off and step up.

What did God say about Himself in scripture?

I am Jehovah Rapha...your healer.

“If I ever needed You Lord, I need You now.”

Isaiah 38:1-4 is about Hezekiah’s Prayer as he faced sickness and potential death.

What did God do for him?  Added 15 years to his life. What do you think my prayer was?

www.barryboucher.com

My blog has some excellent articles on healing. Log on and click on Healing and they will come up. Enjoy.

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR BODIES

This is my body but it is His life in here.

My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

God owns me. I have been bought with a price.

He dwells in me by His Spirit and He is a good landlord.

This is the only body I will ever have in this life so I need to be a good steward and take good care of it.

“I DON’T DO MIRACLES!”

I served alongside Bill Prankard from 1977 to 1982.

Weekly Thursday Night Miracle Services.

“With God All Things Are Possible.”

Snow bound in Toronto. Phone call came to my home.

“You have to do the Miracle Service tonight, I can’t get a flight back to Ottawa.”

“Bill, I don’t do miracles.”

Usher, yes. Driver, yes. Announcements, yes. Worship, yes. Testimony, yes. Miracles, no.

Yet, I went in faith believing that God was no respecter of persons, I preached the Word, called for the sick to come forward and we prayed for them in faith believing.

God healed the sick and the altars were full with people giving their lives to Jesus Christ. Love the pattern.

My closing word for you today is the same as Peter’s to Aeneas or Dorcas...”Jesus Christ heals you.”

Who's Who in Scripture Series - John

When the New Year begins, we make promises to ourselves to read through the Bible in a year...but we often fail to finish. Why not consider reading about the main characters instead this year? Discover who they were and how they fit into His Story.

It will only take four months to cover Adam in Genesis to John in Revelation.

Let's begin... 

1 John 1-2; Revelation 1

Congratulations on reading through the main characters of the Bible in just four short months. I hope you have enjoyed yourself and I encourage you to try a different reading approach each year and get to know God's Word as a dear and trusted friend.

Pastor Barry