Raising the Dead | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Raising the Dead | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jeff Lowe
01/22/08
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Years ago, I rested after a morning bible reading. Alone in the living room, the verse that stood out to me was Matthew 10:8. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils.” The bible told of eight different people being raised from the dead. There were recent reports. Three of these kinds of prayer warriors shook hands with me. The Word is full of our authority. Besides, death had already been defeated by Jesus.
Hmmm.

I meditated on the second phrase; raise the dead. ‘If Jesus told me to do it’ I thought; ‘then He would give me power to do so. There was nothing that He did, that He said we could not do. Jesus said we would do greater works. God is no respecter of persons. Why not me? There’s a calling to show evidence of a living Savior. Think of the revival it could trigger. Christians would not be so ashamed to share a word with literal life changing power. It could make atheists change sides. Children of God would upgrade. Here I am, send me!’

My faith level went up a notch. A bold confidence came upon me. “I’m going to raise the dead!!” I proclaimed loudly.

A slight arrogance accompanied me. Out of nowhere, a strong commanding presence came upon me. “You say that when you have stolen tapes in your house!” the spirit said, making me feel condemned; “You have no right!” Brought to my remembrance was an item stolen decades ago as a teenager. Sure, it was about faith and not works. It had nothing to do with the spiritual position of authority given to men, but I couldn’t let my heart condemn me. The spirit was correct in my receiving stolen property. It had no right to be in a ‘real’ home.

I’ve had years of experience in ‘the world’. You can pick up trash in a room, but still have a need to vacuum. Even after having a spiritual ‘carpet change’, old habits could lead towards a necessary ‘steam cleaning’ from fasting and prayer. The evidence that my heart held against me had to be removed. It was back to the drawing board. There must be a death to self, so that others could live. Start with full cooperation with God. Continue with more intimacy. Study to show myself approved. Read and hear to get more faith. Pray more to get power. The mystery needed to be revealed to me (Rom 16:25).

Confidence and certainty grew in the little things. Praying for headaches was a good start. There was the laying on of hands. Next, was a move towards bigger things; like cancer and kidney problems. The thing that helped me out was that I had to rely on God for help. These things are much easier now. It wasn’t about me. God loves unconditionally and doesn’t like anyone to suffer. His name is not I was, but I AM. The same God that wants all saved wants all healed (1Tim 2:4, Ps 103:3). When you share that with someone, it prepares them to receive. We must follow the Way. He left us in charge to intercede and pray for one another (Gen 1:26, Matt 18:18, Acts 1:8, Heb 2:8).

The first time God used me to raise someone from the dead, He completely walked me through it. I had very little to do with it. The power of God comes upon you when someone in the body needs it. “When you touch that person, their heart will start beating again” He whispered to me. There was not a word spoken. Wow. The next time I had to speak. This time, there was more expectancy and assurance of His will. Dead people are actually easier to pray for. You don’t have to rely on their faith. A willing heart with the power of God makes things happen.

Many people have to see it to believe it. But there will come a time; when people first believe it, to see it.

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