Possess The Land is a sermon preached by Bishop Derrick Day at Apostle J.C. Francis’ Solid Rock Fellowship Church in Del Rio, TX.

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I recently posted on Facebook that God WILL NOT make you sick to chasten you and that anyone who teaches that is repeating a lie straight from the pit of hell.

Yep, I said it!

Indeed, I am rather surprised that this statement did not get more traction than it did. I believe this is a revelation that will cause religious shackles to fall of the hearts and minds of all who receive it!

Strong words, for sure, but words of necessity. You see the church has been bound by a doctrine that suggests that God is the architect of illness and that He afflicts His children to chasten them. There are many scriptures proffered in support of that theory, chief of which is the following:

⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-1)

Now, we must first understand that Paul referred to himself as a Pharisee (Acts 26:5, Philippians 3:5). He was well schooled in the law, having studied at the feet of Gamaliel. Before his encounter with the risen Jesus, I posit that the former Saul of Tarsus was quite proud of his educational accomplishments. Perhaps God dealt with Paul to keep him from being puffed-up in the knowledge of the Kingdom of God as He was in his knowledge of the law.

Now, I’ll admit, that’s speculation and can be considered Eisegesis. However, we can glean something concrete from the text – that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a “messenger of satan to buffet” him. A disease or an infirmity is not a messenger. This passage is referring to a sprit being that satan unleashed to impede Paul’s progress in spreading the Gospel. Furthermore, when Paul spoke of infirmities in verse 10, he was simply saying that whatever he had to endure for the Gospel’s sake, he was willing to take.

This is Paul’s testimony, saint, not yours! But I digress.

John 10:10 states that, “the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.” Who is the thief? Why, the devil, of course; that is his job. When something comes about that steals from you or tries to kill you or tries to destroy your life, you can be sure that this is the devil and that God is far from it. Indeed, Jesus identifies his role in the life of the believer in the same passage of scripture, stating that, “I am come that they may have life more abundantly.”

Now, my first question to the reader is, “Is there anything abundant about sickness or bodily affliction?”

I’ll help you out: NO!

If you are a born again, washed in the Blood believer, you are an heir to the promises of Abraham and have an earnest expectation of long, healthy life.

⁷And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. ⁸Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8)

Let’s face it, pain and suffering is stressful and certainly not conducive to long life. Further, it is not the will of God that His children, the saints, go through life this way. I’ve posed this question many times but it begs to be asked again in this context, would you, a parent, afflict your child with so much as a tummy-ache to get them to behave properly? I believe the answer to that is “NO!” And if God is a better parent than any of us could aspire to be, why would He do such a thing? The answer is, He will not!

Psalm 103:3 Puts it thusly:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.

What part of ALL is unclear, here? God heals…period!

For the icing on the cake, let’s take a look at Jesus. Matthew 4:24 and 8:15, and Luke 6:19, all clearly state that Jesus healed all who come to them. It is interesting to note that these people whom He healed were Old Covenant saints – they had neither the risen Christ nor the Holy Spirit! BUT YOU DO!

Another good question is, how many people did Jesus make sick during His earthly ministry? Again, the answer is clearly “NONE!” According to John 5:19,

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Then, If Jesus only healed folks and made none sick (and certainly didn’t kill anyone), and He only did what He saw the Father do, this means God makes no one sick! But let’s take it a step further, If God did, indeed, make some sick and Jesus healed them, that would make Jesus’ actions contrary to the will of God, right?

When will the Body of Christ acknowledge that bodily healing is available for all believers? I’m tired of this weak-kneed, so-called “Christianity” that teaches that sickness somehow emanates from God. What part of “Jesus healed them all” (Matthew 12:15) are we missing?

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, “ALL means ALL, y’all!”

I like how God revealed this to Isaiah:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Note two things:

First, God said the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, that is, Jesus. This means the punishment we deserved was laid squarely on Jesus. Once we are saved and in Christ, the affliction we deserved is no longer reserved for us. Glory to God! Now this chastisement actually extends beyond the believer in that God is no longer making corporate judgments as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. The plagues, weather phenomena, and acts of terrorism emanate from satan – not God! Yes, God did these sorts of things in the Old Testament, but they are conspicuously absent from the New Testament!

Second, the stripes (the beating, scourging, and scorning) laid upon Jesus were the payment for the health and healing of the believer! Again, those who are in Christ have the earnest expectation that the God who saved them from eternal death can save them from earthy disease, plague, and disability!

God chastens His children with His Word. This is explained in 2 Timothy 3:16:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

And again in 2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Correction for the believer is from the Word of God, not sickness! Man, this is a revelation!

The difference between capability and manifestation is potential. God has given us awesome capability but we have to get a revelation from Him for our potential to be revealed. The Body of Christ frequently operates beneath privilege because purpose is unknown to most of us.

I stand firmly behind my original premise. Any teaching that discounts healing or, worse, supposes that God is the architect of sickness is a perverted Gospel. I will teach this faithfully until the Holy Spirit releases me from it. Be healed. Be set free. In Jesus’ name!

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

I have made enough mistakes in my life for both me and you. I have made mistakes concerning finances, family, and faith that could have been my undoing in this lifetime. And if it had not been for Jesus, I would have been surely cut off!

But thanks be to the God for His mercy and His grace. When you turn to Him and His Word, He makes even your mistakes prosper! Don’t believe me? Check out Psalms 1:1-3:

⁽¹⁾ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ⁽²⁾ But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ⁽³⁾ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I like that! Whatsoever! Unqualified! Because I trust in Him and delight in His Word, whatsoever (that means everything, y’all) I put my hands to will prosper.

Now, don’t get it twisted, you cannot knowingly do wrong and expect God to prosper that! But if you are meditating (studying) and delighting in (loving) His Word, that very Word will keep you from doing something really sideways!

Just like God told the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 1:19), if you’re willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land! If we delight ourselves in God and in His Word, we will experience His promised best! If we will confess and repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)!

God is the God that binds and heals all wounds — Even when they are self-inflicted! Hallelujah!

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

Righteousness has so many connotations. It is a term that is often misunderstood because many – including faith-filled – folks believe it is something earned by works. But it is a gift, given to us by God, and nothing we can earn on our own.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, we have been made the Righteousness of God through the finished work of Jesus. In the verse immediately preceding this (5:20), it says we are ambassadors for Christ. In order to be an ambassador of any nation or kingdom, it is important that we are in “right standing” with the government we’re representing. No nation sends out emissaries who are convicted criminals or otherwise representative of the worst elements of its citizenry!

That said, righteousness is simply “right standing” with God. Think of it this way, you must be in the right position to be blessed! For example, a wide receiver in football runs a specific route and positions his body to catch a pass thrown by his quarterback. Another example, when you pay your credit card bill on time each month, you position yourself to receive the bank’s favor when you go to charge a purchase. The more precisely the receiver runs his route, he is in “right standing” with the quarterback and the more likely he is to make the catch. Likewise, paying your credit card bill on time puts you in “right standing” with the issuing bank.

But God is so much more! He isn’t merely throwing passes, he’s “pouring out a blessing you cannot contain.” (Malachi 3:10) And He is not just giving you money, He’s giving you “life more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, you have not just received a gift from God, you have received “The Gift of God.” (Romans 6:23).

And no man’s righteousness is greater than any other man’s! Isaiah wrote, “our righteousness is as filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6) It is not of our works that we are righteous “lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9) It is only through the shed blood of The Lamb, slain before the foundation of time, we are made righteous! Glory to God!

We are now clothed in a robe of Righteousness. We are washed clean of our sins! When we stand before the Father, He does not see us – he only sees the blood of his only begotten Son! Satan may accuse us but God sees us through the blood of Jesus and simply says, “Case Dismissed!”

Because we have been made righteous, we can now – by faith – appropriate all of God’s promises! We no longer have to be defeated, depressed, and dejected! We walk in victory! Thanks be to the God of Glory!!!

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

(Author’s note: this post was previously posted in May 2010 and is reposted after the site redesign)

In Ezekiel 37, God takes the prophet to a valley of dry bones. God does something interesting here: He asks Ezekiel the question, “Can these dry bones live?” The prophet’s response is like many of ours,  “Lord, you know.” Here, the Lord gives us revelation, He tells the Man of God to prophesy to the dry bones that they may hear and respond to the Word of God.

What God is showing here is how to operate in our God-given dominion and authority. When God commenced His creative work in Genesis 1, He spoke every thing into being. That is the way God operates; with a proceeding Word. So our first act as “dear children” of imitating our Heavenly Father is to operate using His methodology.

Now we have to understand what the dry bones mean. Theological scholars teach that the dry bones represent the nation of Israel in an apostate condition. But I submit to you that the dry bones represent anything that is dead or dying in your life.

Far too many times, people – even the child of God – faces a dead or dying situation and chooses to abide with or in it. That is not God’s way! When you see something that is not God’s perfect will in your life, you should speak change to it. In Genesis, when God saw darkness, He said, “..let there be light.” In other words, God’s perfect will is not darkness; He spoke to it and told it to change.

God has called his children to be agents of change. We should be like a thermostat; when we enter a room, the climate should change. God has commanded us to be salt and light. Salt is a seasoning and a preservative. That means we should season our environment with grace and preserve God’s Word wherever we are. Light displaces darkness; there is no measurement of darkness, only light. That means that in even the darkest situation, wherever there is a blood-washed, Spirit-filled believer, there should always be a ray of hope!

We have to understand that every miracle of Jesus began with a word. When Jesus calmed the storm, He spoke to it and it obeyed. When He told the fig tree to no longer bear fruit, it obeyed.

The light of God is infinite. In Him there is no darkness or “variation or shadow of turning.” Get this – in Heaven there will be no shadows because God’s perfect light will be everywhere!

So how do we effect change in the Kingdom of God? By opening our mouths and speaking to the situation! And what do we speak to the situation? Go back to Ezekiel 37 and you will find that He spoke God’s Word to the situation.

How did Jesus overcome the temptation of the devil? By speaking the Word of God. It is written, it is written, it is written, He said!

But, so far, we’ve talked about the cure. Let’s talk about why the bones got dry in the first place.

God’s law given to Moses forbade the children of Israel from eating blood because “the life of a thing is in the blood.” Let’s consider that for a moment (Selah, pause and think about that). These bones had no life because they had no blood!

As Kingdom citizens, we understand the Blood of Jesus is the price paid for our redemption. Because of this, we are able to plead (apply) this blood to every aspect of our lives that destruction may pass over us. The first type and shadow of this was the application of the blood of an unblemished lamb to the doorposts of the homes of the children of Israel so that the destroyer (death) would pass them by in the final plague upon Egypt. So, it should not surprise us that when we fail to apply the Blood to a thing in our lives that the very life goes out of that thing!

If there is no blood, there is no life. If there is no Jesus, there is no blood! This is why we have to invite Jesus in and allow His precious Blood and His Holy Spirit to fill the dark recesses of our lives.

If I had to create an advertising slogan, it would be, “The Blood – it prevents dry bones!”

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

Would you ask for something you already have? If your dad buys you a pair of sneakers, you don’t have to ask for them again, you only have to put them on and walk in them. In other words, all you have to do is appropriate what you ALREADY have! Romans 8:11 says that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is inside every believer. The Word also says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And God has given us so many precious promises regarding salvation, deliverance, healing and prosperity. Why, then do we insist upon asking for, instead of appropriating, what we already have?

©2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)