Category: Today’s Word

Despite the impressive advancements in modern medicine, the world seems to be getting sicker. Millions suffer from incurable physical ailments and severe mental illnesses. To understand why, we must look at the spiritual blueprint of humanity. Scripture teaches that God created mankind as spiritual beings, where the mind and body are intrinsically connected to the spirit. Consequently, the mind and body cannot remain stable if the spirit is broken.

The Bible explains that every person is born spiritually dead because of original sin, completely cut off from the glory of God, who is the source of all life (Ephesians 2:1). In this state, humanity is driven by the “ruler of the kingdom of the air”—the devil (Ephesians 2:2). This separation creates a permanent vacuum filled by fear and insecurity, which eventually manifests as mental and physical illnesses (Ephesians 2:3).

This downward spiral began when the first man and woman fell into the devil’s trap and broke their covenant with God (Genesis 3:1-6; Hosea 6:7). It was at this moment that suffering and disease entered human history. God described the consequences clearly: severe pain in childbearing, painful toil in working the ground, and the ultimate return to the dust of the earth (Genesis 3:16-19). Since the time of Adam, every person has been born into this spiritual “family” of the devil, often living lives that unconsciously please him (John 8:44).

We see the extreme end of this spiritual oppression in the account of the Gerasene man, who was overpowered by a “Legion” of evil spirits (Mark 5:1-20). No human strength or social restraint could set him free. While God may allow certain “thorns in the flesh” to keep us humble—as He did with Paul’s “messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7)—the root of all suffering is found in the work of the enemy. Without the engagement of the devil, spiritual and mental illnesses would not be able to take root so deeply.

Scripture reveals that this spiritual disease follows a developmental path. It is rooted at birth, deepens during toddlerhood, and often begins to surface during the primary years. By adolescence, these hidden problems cause visible affliction, and by young adulthood, the mind can be completely overtaken by these long-standing spiritual roots. Scars from the past, if left unhealed by the gospel, become instruments the devil uses to destroy a life. The enemy continues to prowl, seeking to devour people (1 Peter 5:7-8) by causing anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7), building footholds in the mind (Ephesians 4:20-27), blinding spiritual sight (2 Corinthians 4:4-5), and bringing powerful delusions (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).

Because the root is spiritual, human effort alone cannot achieve true healing. Restoration is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. One must first recognize that the devil’s singular mission is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Then, one must realize why God sent the Christ. Jesus is the True Priest who carried our burdens of sin and disease on the cross. He is the True King who destroyed the enemy’s power. He is the True Prophet who paved a new and living way back to God.

Therefore, an encounter with Jesus changes everything. Just as He overpowered the spirits controlling the man in the tombs (Mark 5:6-13), and just as the evil spirit departed the slave girl at the name of Jesus Christ invoked by Paul (Acts 16:16-18), that same name brings freedom today. If you are struggling with illness, try to see it through the lens of the gospel. These challenges can be God-ordained opportunities to display His work. When you discover your mission within your suffering, God can use your life to save others facing similar battles.

Stay prepared by putting on the full armor of God: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the shoes of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:10-17). Engage in spiritual battle through prayer on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18). As you turn your problems into reasons for thanksgiving—a powerful weapon against the enemy—rest in the promise that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).

Tragically, many believers today fall into the trap of praying like those who do not know God (Matthew 6:31-32). Their petitions are often limited to personal wants and physical needs, while very few prioritize the movement of life through evangelism and missions.

In Today’s Word, we are reminded of the spiritual impact that occurs when we shift our focus to saving people from death and covering a multitude of sins (James 5:20). We must devote ourselves to asking God to open doors for the gospel message, recognizing that it is He who sovereignly opens these doors when His workers are spiritually prepared. When a church raises up individuals who truly understand the authentic message of the gospel and God’s methods of evangelism, God opens the way for world missions, just as He did for the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3).

Our primary mission is to pray for the mystery of Christ to be proclaimed where He is not yet known. This mystery, which was hidden for ages but has now been revealed, is the foundational truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

This is the only message we must proclaim. Why? The fundamental problems of humanity began with our separation from God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6), a crisis Jesus resolved by fulfilling three essential offices.

As the True Prophet, He became the only way back to the Father, declaring, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). As the True King, He came to break the power of the ancient serpent and destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8). As the True Priest, He gave His life as a ransom to set us free from the law of sin and death (Mark 10:45).

When anyone receives and believes in Jesus as the Christ, God grants them the legal right to become a child of God, and the Spirit of God begins to live in that person’s heart (John 1:12). It breaks the Father’s heart to see people dying without knowing this mystery, for He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

God’s greatest desire for your life is that you proclaim this revealed mystery. Jesus observed that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, and He commands us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His field (Matthew 9:37-38). As you look at a world of people who are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, let your heart respond to this urgent call for evangelism prayer.

Fear and anxiety are universal human experiences, and the prophet Elijah was no exception. He served during one of the most treacherous periods in Israel’s history, under the infamous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Together, they abandoned God’s covenant, led the nation into the worship of Baal and Asherah, and systematically slaughtered the prophets of the Lord.

Even after his dramatic victory over 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel, Elijah found himself paralyzed by fear when Jezebel vowed to take his life. Exhausted and discouraged, he ran into the wilderness and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:1–4).

Yet, Elijah overcame this crisis through the power of earnest prayer. James 5:17–18 tells us he was a human being just like us, but he “prayed earnestly.” His posture was one of total humility and urgency; he climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground, and put his face between his knees (1 Kings 18:42).

An earnest prayer that overcomes life’s greatest challenges must be anchored in the assurance of who our Father is—the One who made the earth, formed it, and established it (Jeremiah 33:2). When we pray, we must realize that God speaks His Word with a specific purpose and fulfills it in His perfect timing (Isaiah 55:10–11). For Elijah, the primary reason for his prayer was not merely to change the weather but to display God’s power so that the hearts of the people would turn away from idolatry and back to the true God.

When we pray with a God-centered reason, Heaven responds. God sent an angel to nourish and strengthen Elijah, giving him the endurance to walk for forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. It was there that he received a fresh Word and a new mission (1 Kings 19:5–8).

The remainder of Elijah’s life became a testament to God’s enduring plan. He anointed the next generation of leaders—Hazael, Jehu, and his successor Elisha—and devoted himself to finding the 7,000 disciples God had reserved who had never bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:15–18).

In the same way, God is using your present circumstances to bring about profound change. These trials are proof that God values your faith more than your work. He is calling you to start praying not merely with words, but with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. As you do, your life will be characterized by work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3–5).

While a legalistic person is quick to find fault and judge others, a person of the gospel embraces the shortcomings and weaknesses of those around them, patiently waiting for them to experience the power of repentance. But what does true repentance look like?

Repentance is far more than just feeling remorseful, guilty, or shameful. It is a radical turn from our current state toward our True King, who destroyed the power of the evil one. It is a decisive declaration of our freedom from the hands of Satan. This is exactly why a prayer of repentance is so powerful.

True repentance centers entirely on Jesus in His three offices: As our True Priest, He removed every curse and disaster that entered the world through sin. Repentance is a time to declare victory over sin and death and to receive healing for our spirits, hearts, minds, and bodies.

As our True Prophet, He opened a new and living way to God so that we may enjoy eternal peace with the Father. It is not just admitting a mistake; it is returning to the presence of God. As our True King, He provides the authority to crush the works of the enemy in our daily lives.

True spiritual power comes from sanctification—the process of being set apart for God’s purposes. Jesus prayed specifically for this: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:15-17).

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we gain the strength to rise above the temptations of sin and live a life that genuinely pleases God. We are called to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil, and seeking to be filled with the Spirit rather than the distractions of the world (Ephesians 5:15-18).

Repentance fills our hearts with “godly sorrow,” which is distinct from the heavy, crushing weight of worldly guilt. As 2 Corinthians 7:10 explains, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” As we embrace what our Father desires—His kingdom and His righteousness—our attraction to the temporary things of this world naturally begins to fade (Matthew 6:33).

Furthermore, whenever you approach your Father in sincere repentance, the devil loses his foothold. His accusations against you are rendered powerless because “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).

This freedom also extends to how we treat others. If someone has offended you, let go of the hatred and grudges that only serve to bind you. Real freedom comes when you forgive as God has forgiven you. Your prayer of forgiveness is powerful and effective, capable of covering a multitude of sins and saving others from spiritual death (James 5:20). This is why we pray as Jesus taught us: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

In Today’s Word, we are given a profound promise: if your prayer is offered in faith, it will bring healing to the sick. God Himself will heal them. This is not merely a strong conviction or a hopeful sentiment; it is a spiritual reality. We live in the constant presence of the Triune God: God the Father speaks and fulfills His Word; God the Son breaks the power of sin, Satan, and hell; and God the Spirit works powerfully in us and through us. Because our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), our faith stands on an unshakeable foundation—Jesus Christ, our Lord.

History shows that people of prayer never failed. They were individuals of such spiritual depth that the world was not worthy of them (Hebrews 11:38). To follow in their footsteps, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross and its shame for the joy set before Him, eventually sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God. By considering Him and His endurance, we find the strength to ensure we do not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3).

God has never worked through unbelief. We see a sobering warning in the forty years following the Exodus, where an entire generation of unbelievers disappeared into history without ever entering the Promised Land. Conversely, nothing could consume those who walked in faith. God always led those who trusted Him into total victory. We also see this in David’s confession that he lacked nothing because the Lord was his shepherd (Psalms 23:1), and in Isaiah’s promise that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

What was it about the Roman officer’s faith that so impressed Jesus (Matthew 8:5-13)? Jesus remarked that He had not seen such faith in all of Israel. This officer had a complete, unwavering trust in the Word. He didn’t need a sign or a physical touch; he believed that if Jesus simply “said the word,” his servant would be healed. He acknowledged Jesus as the Creator of life who governs the universe by His command. To him, the Word of God was enough. Your situation may seem as hopeless as that of the dying servant, but when Jesus speaks, restoration begins.

We see this same power in the woman with the bleeding disorder (Mark 5:25-34). After twelve years of misery and hopeless medical treatments, one encounter with Christ was enough. Her prayer was a silent act of faith: “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” The moment she reached out, her suffering ended. Jesus confirmed the source of her restoration, declaring, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Today, the world desperately needs this healing. It needs healing from the condition of being “under the power of the devil” (Acts 10:38), healing from broken hearts and minds (Matthew 11:28), and healing from physical disease (Acts 8:4-8). This restoration comes only from a complete reliance on God’s covenant—His living Word. The Word is sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating to the very marrow of our bones and judging the thoughts and feelings of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

This is why we must commit to a continual “Word movement” in our mission fields, proclaiming only Jesus’ Life, Jesus’ Power, and Jesus’ Healing. Renew your faith in the Word today. Speak that Word to the “dry bones” in your life and community (Ezekiel 37:1-14), and you will see them come to life. Never stop praying, for the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).

In Today’s Word, we are reminded that while God delights in the happiness and praise of His children, He is profoundly concerned with those who find themselves in trouble or battling sickness. In the midst of the storms of life, you are not forgotten; rather, God gives you His special, focused attention.

God wants you to believe the fact that your help does not come from human effort or worldly systems, but from the Creator of heaven and earth. He is your Protector who never slumbers, a God who stands by your side to shade and defend you from every danger, protecting your soul now and forever (Psalm 121:1–8).

In times of trouble, prayer is the decisive act of turning your face away from the world and toward your Father. When you do this, unique events are set in motion in the heavenly realms. The Holy Spirit, who transcends time and space, begins to work powerfully according to the Word. As you pray, the kingdom of God is established exactly where you are standing. God mobilizes His angel armies to fulfill His plans, ensuring that the will of heaven is manifested here on earth.

Because you are approaching the God of all possibilities, your attitude should be like an official summoned by a King. You enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). Like David, you should lay your requests before Him in the morning and then wait with a heart of expectation (Psalm 5:3).

True prayer is never based on your own limited standards, thoughts, or feelings. If you rely on your own perspective, your words carry no weight, but when you anchor your prayer in God’s promises in His Word, your prayer becomes powerful.

If you find yourself in a crisis and need to discover God’s specific will, submerge yourself in prayer for a few days. Do not look for a loud or dramatic sign, but listen for the “gentle whisper” of the Word (1 Kings 19:12), which is the most accurate guidance you can receive. Your faith is the vessel that catches the answer. Once you ask, you must believe you have already received it (Mark 11:24).

Never be discouraged if the answer seems delayed. God rebukes the thought that your way is hidden from Him or that He has disregarded your cause (Isaiah 40:27). He wants you to remember who He truly is: the everlasting God and Creator of the ends of the earth. He never grows weary, and His understanding is beyond human fathom. He gives strength to the exhausted and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:28–29).

While even the strongest youths eventually stumble and fall, those who place their hope in the Lord experience a supernatural exchange of strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:30–31). No matter the depth of your trouble or the height of your mountain, there is nothing too hard for your Father. He hears the prayer of faith and is already at work turning your current weakness into a song of praise.