Healing the Nations

Excerpts from God Still Heals: By His Stripes You Are Healed by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 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. Revelation Chapter 22 verses 1 and 2 KJV.

Just as human beings, animals and plants require healing, so also do nations require healing. At different points in the history of the nation of Israel, God spoke of healing the nation. This is because the nation was suffering from the consequences of turning away from God to idols. This situation is no different today in the lives of the nations

of the world. Greed and idolatry as well as sins of man’s inhumanity to man, shedding of innocent blood, sexual immorality and perversion, assail nations of the world who suffer the consequences in diverse ways – rebellious young people, poor leadership, large scale corruption in about every sphere of life, insecurity, natural disasters, the new wave of terrorism, wars, food insecurity, and diseases that have no identifiable human cure.

In the same way in which individuals receive divine healing in diverse areas of their lives, so also can families receive divine healings in as many areas of their lives as they desire. A feud loving family full of hatred and strife can become a peace loving, promoting family full of the love of Christ and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. Similarly a family obsessed with greed, covetousness and idolatry can become a giving sharing family serving God in Spirit and in truth. Families long entrenched in the demonic practice of divination and witchcraft can become heroes and heroines of faith in Christ Jesus.

Beloved, God heals and has the power to heal at all levels. Communities and nations are pockets of families who exist together as a group or group of ethnic groups who make up nations and the world. All of these groups irrespective of their religious orientation are accountable to God Almighty, the Creator and Owner of the Universe who created people to exist harmoniously and be a blessing to each other. While a number of people actually make the effort and do try to be a blessing to other people, there are a large number of people who do not see the point in being a blessing to other people. Rather, they choose to be thorns in families, communities, nations and the world. Similarly, one way or the other, members of these communities and nations offend and sin against God thereby causing breaches in the relationship between God and these communities and nations. The Biblical Israel, Nineveh, Assyria, Egypt, Moab, Midian, Philistia, Jericho and Ai are some examples of nations who sinned against God. Israel, in spite of being the chosen race of God sinned against God severally and severed relationship with God. However, God in His infinite mercy, kindness and compassion kept reaching out to them through warnings and rebukes from His Prophets.

The healing of the land occurs when the desolate land becomes fruitful, when national and global economies improve and are buoyant, when insecurity of lives and property give way to security of lives and property. Healing of the nations is when the people’s spirits and minds are regenerated from sin to faith in God, from hatred and all forms of wickedness to love and kindness in the land. Healing of the nations therefore precedes the healing of the land just as the healing of an individual or individuals within the nation precedes the healing of the nations.

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Healing Streams

The Man at the Pool in Bethesda

The man at the pool in Bethesda is a case in point. He had and gave excuses as to why he could not be healed rather than ask for healing. That was why in spite of his excuses, Jesus commanded him to rise from the mental inertia and inaction of impossibilities – ‘I have no one to help me to mental action of you can, I can’t to act healed and restored to the community of able bodied men – take up your bed and walk. As soon as his mental faculties (the soul realm) received healing, his physical body also received healing and the man who was physically incapacitated for thirty eight years and could not jump into the pool when the angel came to stir the waters of the pool rose up, picked up his bed and walked home. What a miraculous transformation from mental and physical incapacitation to mental and physical capacitating. God is good and worthy to be praised.

Beloved, words, the right words are then the necessary ingredients for healing in the soul realm. When handling cases of victims of verbal abuse who are depressed or suffer various forms of mental challenges such as inferiority complex, poor self esteem, inability to measure up and deliver on what they are capable of, one of the greatest solutions is to use the word of God to speak to their strengths and the innate possibilities God deposited in them. This is why anyone exercising the healing gifts must be totally dependent on and sensitive to the Holy Spirit in order to apply the right solution. If it is to cast out spirits, if it is to free mental blockades with the word of God that is a two edged sword, if it is to anoint the sick, see a Medical Doctor and use medication, eat the right foods and exercise or if it is to stop sinning as in the following instances of healing by Jesus Christ – the man whose friends brought him through the roof (Matthew Chapter 9 verses 1 to 7, Mark Chapter 1 verses 1 to 10, Luke Chapter  7 verses 37 to 50), the lepers; or exercise of faith as in the woman with the issue of blood, humility as in the cases of the Syro-Phoenician woman who humbled herself before Jesus and her sick daughter was healed (Mark Chapter 5 verses 25 to 34) as well as Naaman who dipped in the Jordan and was cleansed of leprosy.

Jesus Christ employed different healing methodologies. He healed the blind man of Bethsaida using a different methodology. Jesus led the blind man out of town away from what was causing the blindness and spat on his eyes, then placed his hands on the eyes. This is particularly important especially when blindness is not physical. A change of environment is sometimes required to restore vision.  Jesus asked the man if he saw anything. The man replied that he saw men like trees, walking. Now trees do not walk. So if a person’s vision is blurred to the point of seeing men like trees but those same men that look like tress are walking, then there is a huge problem as he would always equate men to trees and since trees do not walk, confusion would set in. Jesus then placed his hands on the man’s eyes a second time and made him look up to the source of sight, vision and direction in life. The Bible records in Mark Chapter 8 verses 25 that the man’s vision was restored and he could see everyone clearly.

Fear, worry, anxiety and low self esteem are disease inducing. They may limit a victim from walking in divine health as fear, worry and anxiety induce diseases such as hypertension, depression which if not well managed can deteriorate to renal failure, stroke, heart diseases and insanity. Please, see Isaiah Chapter 43 verses 1 to 4. The fire, waters and rivers represent the challenges of life that could frighten a person and make the person afraid, worry and anxious. But God cautions against such fear, worry and anxiety in His word. The Bible records three hundred and sixty five instances of fear not, which if eaten daily should drive away any fear designed to cause worry and anxiety. Other negative emotions that induce diseases include anger, greed, hatred, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy and envy

One of the most self destructive behaviors anyone can put up is to deny the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ over his or her life in addition to trampling on the complete salvation package of faith in Jesus Christ. Apart from robbing a person of the many benefits of salvation, it also denies a person entrance into Christ’s eternity.

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Healing Streams

Excerpts from God Still Heals: By His Stripes You Are Healed by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

Healing is on three major levels – the spiritual, the soul and the body. While demands for healing are often more concerning the body, the truth is that many people actually require spiritual and soul healing to be able to receive healing in the body. If you study the miracles of healing performed by Jesus Christ in the Bible, you will discover that a number of them were healings in the spirit that proceeded to the soul and then the body. Please see Matthew Chapter 43 verses 23 to 24.

The Gadarene Demoniac

The Gadarene demoniac was first cleansed in the spirit when Jesus Christ removed the spiritual obstruction and obstacles that were preventing his mind from functioning normally. Thereafter, physical healing took place – the bruises, cuts, injuries and pain suffered on account of his lifestyle at the tomb. The Bible records in Mark Chapter 5 verse 5 that he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. He broke chains and shackles and could not be bound by anyone. He engaged in self destructive behavior that afflicted his body. Jesus dealt with the source of the challenge - He cleared and cleansed the man’s spirit by sending out the demons. Thereafter, the man came to his senses as his mind received light and healing. He then realized that he was naked so he probably showered, washed off every grime and dirt that had accumulated on him and was clothed. Additionally, he was in his right mind therefore no more cutting up of his flesh. He was healed, spirit, soul and body.

The Woman with the Spirit of Infirmity

The woman with the spirit of infirmity is another case in point. She was bent over for eighteen years and could not raise herself up in any way. But one day, in fact on a Sabbath day, Jesus saw her and spoke words of freedom, release, healing and deliverance to her spirit and soul for she was first bound in her spirit, then her soul and body. Jesus said to her, ‘woman, you are loosed from your infirmity’; that is to say, I set you free; release you from the oppression and captivity of the enemy. Therefore, walk tall and strong and be all God created you to be, free of satanic limits.

The Epileptic Boy

Yet, another healing at the spiritual, soul and physical levels is the epileptic boy. The evil spirit that took over his mental faculties ensured that the boy engaged in self destructive behavior which endangered his life. He was always falling into dangerous places that could kill him. Yet God had mercy and chased the evil spirit at work out of the young man’s life. That was where the issue of fasting to cast out evil oppressive spirits so healing could take place was introduced by Jesus Christ while explaining to His disciples while they could not minister healing to the boy.

For the mentally incapacitated whose souls were locked into the ailments that afflicted their bodies and who had come to accept such conditions as permanent, Jesus healed their minds first by asking them to do exactly those things they felt they were incapable of doing. 

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The Power of Relationships 3

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

I have no idea what relationships you are in and they appear to be limiting you; prison like in the mold of Potiphar's wife, daily harassing Joseph to sin against God and his master Potiphar. I challenge you to be like Joseph and honor God rather than the Potiphar's wife in your life. That decision may mean prison (increased financial or any other type of hardship). Do not be dismayed for God has not changed. Of a truth, your weeping will be cut short as the night will run faster than expected so that your joy will unfold to keep leaping in bounds and bounds as you settle into your rest prepared for you by God. I suggest that you pray this short prayer; Father, I plead with you to have mercy on me and move me out of the prison I am in into my rightful place, Lord in Jesus mighty name.  Whatever and wherever this prison is Lord, please help me to get out in Jesus mighty name,  Amen.

Other examples of such relationships include Samson and Delilah; Jesus Christ and Judas; Jephthah and his brothers, Jacob and Laban, Isaac and the Philistines and as many more that you know about which I will be glad to learn from you.

Even if people are not useful to you, they are useful to God one way or the other. God may need you to minister to some of their needs and He rewards you for doing so. Moses and Pharaoh make an interesting case study. Ordinarily, there will be no point of reference between the two princes yet God needed the meeting point and reference. He sent a rather unwilling Moses to Pharaoh. Pharaoh made mockery of the visit by calling on his magicians to replicate whatever miracles Moses thought he had performed by the power of God. The idea behind Pharaoh’s actions and utterances was to weaken the resolve of Moses. Pharaoh continued to capitalize on this by his refusal to let the people of Israel leave Egypt; denying them access to certain rights and privileges in addition to making life really difficult for the Israelites.

Yet, Moses persevered, visiting and making requests to Pharaoh as directed by God. Though the visits and Pharaoh’s negative responses left Moses drained, he held on because he had been with God and he knew that a victorious end was in sight. And when it was time, Moses was the one who told Pharaoh that Pharaoh would never see his face again. Please, see Genesis Chapter 10 verse 29. That was it. God had accomplished His purpose in that relationship. Moses was therefore free to walk out of the relationship, away from Pharaoh’s pride, arrogance, insolence, rudeness and oppression. Every relationship has a time span and when the end comes, the relationship ends. Some end in anger, violence, death, malice while some end in peace. Nevertheless, every relationship requires certain levels of creativity, wisdom, knowledge and understanding alongside tolerance and wit for successful navigation.

Associations foster either wealth or poverty depending on the type of associations/relationships that you keep. If you keep associating with people who are poor (poor because they fritter time and other resources, are lazy, chatter boxes) because you feel that they are underdogs, disadvantaged people who need a helping hand, then you will remain poor as most times, such poor people cannot help you out of poverty.

God’s instruction in the Bible is to give to the poor, support the poor but not necessarily hang around the poor so you are seen as a friend of the poor. If you do that long enough, you will invite the many dimensions of poverty of the poor to yourself; their inability and refusal to develop themselves; refusal to invest time through wasting time in fruitless activities. Once you have done your bit of giving money, personal development advice and whatever else you can offer to the poor, let them know that time is very precious to you and can only be traded for what brings honor or glory to God, for the salvation of the souls of men, for intercession, for money making activities, for personal development purposes and not for time wasting activities that have no purpose or meaning in life.

Most poor people actually have no understanding and value of time. That explains their poverty. Do not let such poor people decide and determine how you spend time with them, the amount of time you spend with them. Spend very limited time with them and be diligent about the business God committed into your hands. Time is money.

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The Power of Relationships 2

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

Sometimes, the relationships that God allows in our lives frighten and astonish us particularly on account of the lifestyle of the people; the cruel and harsh treatment they mete out to us; the countless cries of help to God and the seeming delay in getting help from God that makes us wonder if God still exists and if He does, If He still cares about us. Hold your peace, child of God. God cares and is watching out for your best interest, ensuring that no evil befalls you while He is building your rest designed for His specific time.

Also, the person may not be exactly your first choice of a relationship partner. But if the person is brought your way for a purpose, then thank God and learn. Joseph for instance had absolutely no choice in choosing his brothers, who sold him to the Midianites traders. He was eventually sold off to Potiphar. Fortunately, Joseph understood his role as a slave and worked diligently, comporting himself in a godly manner. In no time, he became chief of staff in Potiphar's house. But just when he was beginning to savor the job, Potiphar's wife chose to be used of the devil; albeit in a very positive manner. Positive!  YES, for it was this situation that led to Joseph's imprisonment in the royal prison. That placement made the connection between Joseph and Pharaoh's chief butler which eventually culminated in Joseph being brought to Pharaoh. That was it – the jealousy and hatred by his older brothers that led to his sale to Midianites traders who in turn sold him to Potiphar's wife that led to his imprisonment were all the hand of the unseen but mighty God directing and ordering Joseph to his rest, the purpose of God for his life.

This explains why Joseph could say to his brothers in Genesis Chapter 50 verse 19 that what his brothers meant for evil turned out to be for the greater good because God intervened in the situation to work out His purposes, plans and timing for Joseph’s life. God had made a promise to Abraham in Genesis Chapter 15 verses 13 to 16. Though God did not specify at that time what land the descendants of Abraham would serve in as slaves, it turned out to be Egypt and Joseph was sent ahead by God to prepare a place for them in Egypt; ironically against the global famine of Joseph's day. Thus did the Israelites settle in Egypt, not initially as slaves but as migrants and relations of the then Prime Minister of Egypt. This was Joseph, the chief servant of Potiphar, later a prisoner and finally a Prime Minister.

Prison is prison for crying out loud and no place for prestige, honor, fame, resource ownership and position. So also is servant-hood. I believe Joseph understood all of these implications to his leadership role which explains why above everything else he desired to get out of prison and pleaded with the butler to remember him. It also explains why he comported himself well in each of the limiting positions he found himself in. It was not long before God orchestrated Joseph's exit out of those positions and put him where he rightly belonged – Prime Minister of Egypt.  It is significant to note that Joseph did not own any possessions or resources until he left servant-hood and prison to become Prime Minister. That exactly is why the devil orchestrated Joseph's slavery through his brothers; incited Potiphar's wife to ensure prison so that Joseph who had declared himself leader of his father's children would own nothing whatsoever, be a slave, a servant and a prisoner. Who bows to a servant and a prisoner? Nobody in his right mind does that and not even when you are head of the prisoners.  Joseph never preoccupied himself with owning resources while serving as a servant and as a prisoner. He preoccupied himself with getting out of prison. Beloved, it is time to get out of prison into where God purposed for you in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

When Joseph eventually got out of prison, global wealth, honor, fame and leadership were his without any struggle. He just owned what he did not sweat for; a befitting house, a wife, children, choice clothes, furniture and what have you. Joseph was free, wealthy and respected. Getting out of prison, in this case whatever limits you from achieving purpose is therefore your primary goal after which every other thing will follow.

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The Power of Relationships 1

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1 verses 1 to 3.

There are different types and layers of relationships.  There are bread relationships; seed relationships as well as bread and seed relationships. The most significant of these relationships is God who gives both bread and seed and also empowers parents, guardians, ministers as givers of bread and seed. Parents give both bread and seed from conception through good food and rest by the mother passed into the fetus, and prayer and prophecies to the fetus. At birth, this bread and seed nurture continues with introduction to the ways of God, formal education and skills acquisition until the child becomes an adult. God on the other hand parents us with both bread and seed until eternity. He daily orders our steps into His abundant bread and seed provision, teaching us how to separate seed from bread and how to always multiply the seed. Such relationships should be celebrated.

Relationships ideally are meant to bring blessings and progress; however the devil who is the author of confusion and wickedness often attacks relationships to ensure that relationships do not bring about the desired blessings.  Therefore relationships that ideally should bring blessings bring all kinds of problems. In fact some relationships become toxic, so toxic that they drain one and eventually hasten the journey to the grave. This is because certain relationships make it easy for the devil to access and attack one. In this case, one has to be extremely careful with people who use divination, have unforgiving vindictive spirits and they live a lifestyle characterized by jealousy of their friends', neighbours and siblings’ successes. While such relationships should be avoided at all costs, there is need for wisdom to maneuver some of those relationships especially when they are blood or marital relationships.

The reason God allows certain relationships in our lives is so that certain changes can be effected in our lives irrespective of the weaknesses, strengths and negativity of the people. There may be just one or two characteristics that would make a lot of difference in your life if you will just patiently learn, be grateful for the opportunity of knowing that person and then practice and build upon what you have learnt. Once you recognize that God sends a person your way for a specific reason, I think the best start point should be to ask God what the purpose is and even if He does not say anything, then it is your responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit do His work by being wholly dependent and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. You will be amazed at how much you will learn within a short period of time especially if you are submissive to the Holy Spirit's promptings and directions.

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Utterances and Actions that Enhance Divine Destinies

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

The house of God was rebuilt in Jerusalem through the prophesying of Haggai the Prophet and obedience of Zechariah, the son of Iddo as well as the Judeans that he governed. The positive declarations of these prophets, words from the heart of God strengthened the Jews, broke through and destroyed every satanic opposition and barrier. The house of God was rebuilt, normal and true worship was resumed and the people were blessed by God. Please see Haggai Chapters 1 and 2.

Barak prospered by the prophesying of Deborah. He was wise enough to associate with a wise woman who heard God clearly and delivered God’s message without diluting it. Please see Judges Chapter 4.

The associations, the spiritual environment surrounding the associations, the utterances, the intent of the heart including wishes and desires go a long way in determining divine destinies. If you stay with people who speak positive words to your life, you will be fruitful; you will fulfill purpose like the Jews.

If you celebrate light, excellence and limelight, you will be charting your own paths to excellence, limelight and greatness through associating with people of excellence, greatness and limelight. Associate with greatness, excellence, limelight by associating with people who fear and love and respect God. Those are the people that God promotes. Those are the people that God brings to the limelight. Bible examples include Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Hannah, Daniel, David, Abel, Enoch, Moses, Isaac, Joshua, Esther and Mordecai as well as Gideon and the men of war that God asked him to reduce to three hundred men. It is not that the other warriors were not skilled men of war. But in this particular war, God required only Gideon and the three hundred men so that God’s glory will not be shared with man.

If your destiny is to unfold, you must let go of certain relationships. To move to your next level, there are people you must separate yourself completely from. This is very critical for you to get to the next level God is taking you to.  Whatever it is God called you to do; you can be sure that He will give you the corresponding anointing to succeed. You can move and do that which God calls you to. Destiny separates the chaff from the grain. Build empowering relationships by identifying people with the grace of God who share in your vision. These are the people to spend time with in prayer, praise and word study.

In conclusion, relationships are very dear to God which explains why He gave several instructions in the Bible on how people should relate with one another. I believe the Bible and will do anything to live in peace with all men as instructed by the Bible. But that does not mean that I will maintain relations with people who want me to become a prostitute or drug user or an accuser of the brethren. What to do in such situations especially when they involve family members is to act with the wisdom of God.

Also, I do not believe in divorce. I believe that God can heal and save any marriage, any family no matter how bad the situation is. If He could raise a dead Lazarus about to decay from the dead, He can restore any marriage or family if He is invited in to the affairs of the couple or family. I therefore plead with couples not to walk out on their spouses, children not to walk out on their parents or other members of their family and parents not to disown their children. Some situations can be especially tacky and trying. Nevertheless, make plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to always take His place in such situations. A friend of mine discovered that her mother and her mother’s family had consistently lied to her about her paternity. She was told that her father died before she was born. But eventually, she discovered that her father was alive and she was the product of a fling. She searched for and found her father and forgave everyone involved in the cover up. Today, she is happy with both families.

While I caution against purpose limiting relationships, I also advise that you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in patiently navigating extremely difficult relationships which ultimately serve the purposes of God for your life. A great example which readily comes to mind is the Lord Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew that Judas was a thief and that he would eventually betray him, yet he chose him as a disciple. Eventually Judas served his purpose and betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver and Jesus was crucified, died the death of a sinner so that humanity can be saved. This does not suggest that you go look for a Judas to cut short your life. You are not Jesus Christ and will not rise on the third day.

Potiphar’s wife for instance played a very significant role in Joseph’s life. Joseph went to prison because of the lies she told. Her role would have been purpose limiting if Joseph succumbed to her temptations.  But Joseph feared and honored God and though he went to prison, all things eventually worked for good as the prison was the meeting point between Joseph and Pharaoh’s butler and baker. Though Joseph’s brothers wronged him by selling him off to Midianite traders’ on their way to Egypt, their action served in the fulfillment of God’s purpose for Joseph.

What I mean is that when the need arises; make the most of difficult people and situations. That is why I included the piece on how to make the most of difficult people in this book. Honestly, I believe I have had more than my fair share of difficult people yet I always encounter them and just when I think I am through with one, another one shows up.

Also do not get bitter, hate and hold people in unforgiveness even when they are purpose limiting. The most you can do is separate from them but never forget to apply the wisdom of God. Abraham separated peacefully from his nephew, Lot.

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