Medicines versus Miracles

January 25, 2023 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

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When you have a headache, running to a bottle of Advil is easy. When you have a sore throat, it’s easy to take a throat lozenge. When you are sick, it’s easy to run to a doctor.

But you know what? If you start practicing using the name of Jesus when you have a headache, it’s easy to get rid of it by speaking to your head and saying, “Headache, I command you to leave in the name of Jesus.” It becomes easier to speak to your body until your sore throat goes in the name of Jesus. It becomes easier to tell your body, “Hey, cramps—I know you may have come when you have come, but I am under a new covenant, and I command you to leave in the name of Jesus.” I don’t have to live any longer at the beck and call of my body as it cries out and tells me how it feels and what medicine it needs. I command my body, speak to it, and tell it what to do because it is my slave. I am no longer a slave to it, but it is my slave.

In medicine, who gets the glory? In miracles, it’s clear who gets the glory. It’s not you. It’s not your power. It’s the power of the name of Jesus Christ, which is above every name and has been delegated to you.

It doesn’t cost anything. You don’t keep it on the shelf in stock and then breathe easy because you are covered. You don’t have to risk someone opening it and getting into it and getting poisoned. You don’t have to run and see a doctor to get a prescription for it. You don’t have to risk becoming addicted to it. You get to take it everywhere. The name of Jesus doesn’t take up any space on your trips. The name of Jesus can be called upon anywhere you go, with anyone.

You can use His name, but it is like a muscle. It has to be practiced and used in the little situations so you can use it in the big situations. These big things seem scarier, but the name of Jesus works alike on the small and the big.

For some reason, in the mind, sickness becomes a huge mountain rather than a molehill. The name of Jesus, the blood shed 2,000 years ago, paid for sicknesses and diseases that weren’t even discovered yet. His blood cleanses everything from the beginning to the end, from the past to the future.

When you know that you know Him, when you are 100 percent sure of who He is and that He left you His name and delegated it for you to use to bring glory to Himself so people would know Him, then you will use it. You will catch yourself before you reach for a bottle of medicine. You will say, “Wait a second, there is something else I can look for first: a miracle. I can speak to this ache or sickness in the name of Jesus so that God gets the glory—not man and not medicine, with no bottle, no money, no brand name—only Jesus.”

I encourage you to pray and ask God about the difference between medicine and miracles. I pray that He will flood the eyes of your heart, so you will know for yourself what you have in Him. I pray that you know you are a co-heir. An heir doesn’t receive based on performance but based on relationship. You have received an inheritance of the name of Jesus, which is above every name (Ephesians 1:17–21). That is the full measure; it lives in you, and you can access it anytime.

His name is stronger than any medicine, heart shocker, or chemotherapy. It is above every name. Nothing on this earth is above the name and the power of Jesus Christ.

Father, open our eyes and show us who You are more deeply and intimately. Help us get rid of lies we believe, facts we have heard, naysayers who surround us, and the chains of our understanding so that we can step into Your power, and You will receive the glory in Jesus’ name.

Medicine verses Miracles

February 24, 2017August 31, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

When you have a headache, it’s easy to run to a bottle of Advil. When you have a sore throat, it’s easy to take a throat lozenge. When you are sick, it’s easy to run to a doctor.

But you know what, if you start practicing the use of the name of Jesus when you have a headache, it’s easy to get rid of the headache by speaking to your head and saying, “Headache, I command you to leave in the name of Jesus.” It begins to become easier to speak to your body until your sore throat goes in the name of Jesus. It begins to be easier to tell your body, “Hey, cramps—I know you may have come when you have come, but I am under a new covenant and I command you to leave in the name of Jesus.” I don’t have to live any longer at the beck and call of my body as it cries out and tells me how it feels and what medicine it needs. I command my body and speak to it and tell it what to do because it is my slave. I am no longer a slave to it, but it is my slave.

For some reason, in the mind, sickness becomes a huge mountain rather than a molehill. The name of Jesus, the blood that was shed 2,000 years ago, paid for sicknesses and diseases that weren’t even discovered yet. His blood cleanses all things from the beginning to the end, from the past into the future.

I encourage you to pray and ask God about the difference between medicine and miracles. I pray that He will flood the eyes of your heart so you will know for yourself what you have in Him. I pray that you know you are a co-heir. An heir doesn’t receive based on performance but based on relationship. You have received an inheritance of the name of Jesus, which is above every name (Ephesians 1:17–21). That is the full measure; it lives in you, and you can access it at any time.

His name is stronger than any medicine, any heart shocker, and any chemotherapy. It is above every name. There is nothing on this earth that is above the name and the power of Jesus Christ.

Father, just open our eyes and show us who You are more deeply and intimately. Help us get rid of lies we believe, facts we have heard, naysayers who surround us, and the chains of our own understanding so that we can simply step into Your power and You will receive the glory. In Jesus’ name.

Greater Works

February 10, 2017June 22, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

Have you ever made a list of the miracles Jesus did in the Bible? It is amazing. Jesus was for the people. He was caring and so willing to heal—when it was met with faith.

After all of these incredible miracles, Jesus made this bold statement:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NIV)

“You will do even GREATER THINGS…”

At the time I saw this verse, I had hardly seen any miracles, much less greater things. My mom was sick, and I wanted her to be well. I prayed. I asked. I begged God to heal my mom.

It’s really hard to have faith for God to heal cancer when you haven’t even begun to trust Him with a headache or a cold. There is all this fear that creeps in when you hear the word “cancer.” Fear and faith don’t make great companions.

How do we see even greater things than the works Jesus did in the Bible?

Start with the little things:

Headache
Cough
Congestion
Cramps
Earache

Stop trusting in medicine and home remedies and start putting your full trust in the name of Jesus. I am not telling you to get off your medicines. I am challenging you to ask yourself, “What tradition am I putting before God?”

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition… (Mark 7:13 KJV)

One tradition can be running to medicine for a headache before you seek God.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12 NIV)

God wants us to seek Him first, not when He is the last chance for survival.

The greater things begin with trusting God for the little things. As we trust God, not methods or traditions, we will begin to have faith for bigger and bigger things.

What are your methods or traditions that you run to before you go to God? Coffee to wake up in the morning? Food when you have a bad day? The phone to talk to a friend about something that’s bothering you? Medicine when you have a headache?

Make a commitment to run to your Father God first in all things.

Sisters, Who Do You Say That He Is?

September 2, 2016June 22, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

Matthew 16:13–15 New International Version (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Everyone was talking about who people said Jesus was, but Jesus turned and asked His disciples, “Well, who do you say I am?” I think that is a really important question. When you are in the middle of a faith crisis, you cannot rely or stand firmly on who someone else says God is. You can only stand firmly on who you personally know Him to be. There are so many character qualities and facets of God that it is impossible for two people to be leaning on Him in the exact same way because it’s based on how intimately you know Him and what you are going through at the time.

Recently, when I was super discouraged, I started listening to old messages I had recorded. When you know something to be true or you have experienced God in a certain way, you should record yourself talking about it. To review what you have learned about His character and how He has been in your life and hear your own voice saying it is a very powerful tool. As I listened to recordings of my own voice speaking about my walk with God—how He has encouraged me, truth that I know and stand firmly in, miracles He has done on my behalf, the way He has moved in my life—I was seriously encouraged.

Some days, discouragement will come out of left field and punch your lights out. If you leave discouragement alone, it will eat your lunch. But if you take discouraging thoughts and imaginings captive, if you cast them down and put your foot on their neck and replace them with truth, then they will have no impact. We need to encourage ourselves daily. Don’t wait on someone else to encourage you.

Encourage yourself daily. How do you do that? Remember who God is to you. Amy says, “If you can trust God with your yesterdays, you can trust Him in your tomorrows.” What has God already done for you? Who has He been to you?

There is a song that Bethel Church wrote called “Good, Good Father.” As I was thinking about this song, I began to replace the lyrics and make my own version based on my personal walk with God:

You’re a good, good doctor.
It’s who You are.
And I’m healed by You.
It’s who I am.

You’re a good, good shepherd.
It’s who You are.
And I am safe in You.
It’s who I am.

Now I want you to think about that song. Listen to it. Pray about it. Really ask yourself, “How am I experiencing God right now?” What if Jesus were to ask you face to face, “Who do you say that I am?” I want you to ask yourself that question and then fill out this song. Add your lyrics with this and share it with us.

When we share, we encourage others. There are some times when you need to fill up your tank because you can’t feed others on an empty tank. You have to have daily bread; you need fuel. Pour it in every day. It’s a great reminder. “As iron sharpens iron,” we can sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). As you share your song, it’s going to help another sister see God through your eyes, see Him in a new way, and trust Him more today than she did yesterday.

Don’t let technology or time get in your way. Just pause and listen to the song. Read the lyrics and then throw out your own. Who do you say that He is?

If this has encouraged you in any way, share it to encourage someone else.

When Fear Clobbers Your Faith

June 3, 2016June 22, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

I’ve been virtually without makeup or fixed hair for three weeks while battling my way back into strength from a neck injury. It was brutal. I’m so thankful I didn’t break it and that I can walk. I have been isolated and battling negative thoughts and a negative imagination.

I realized that I had lost my smile, my laugh, and my joy! Wowzers! I realized quickly that fear was clobbering my faith.

Before this, I considered myself sharp and on a narrow path, but this journey has revealed how dull I have become without even noticing it. This is NOT acceptable!

I’ve watched preaching messages and listened to the Bible for hours. I have sat and rested for many hours. I have recorded tons of revelations. I’m like a rifle ready to explode with truth bullets.

I’m living every day in the expectation of full recovery—and even better! Each day I gain strength as my faith is clobbering fear!

Miracles happen in an environment of hope, faith, and a relentless expectancy of God’s power to work within you—to make you alive!
#jairus #womenwithissueofblood #centurion #miracle #manatgatecalledbeautiful

You must expect God to get you through the valley. Expectation is key. God will meet you at your point of faith. The woman with the issue of blood expected that when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed (Mark 5:24–34). The centurion said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:5–13 NIV). Jairus said, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live” (Mark 5:22–24, 35–43 NIV). The man at the gate called Beautiful looked at Peter and John, expecting to receive something (Acts 3).

When you’re beat up from the battle, it’s easy to stop expecting and to lose your hope. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV), not whole and well. Hope is received to see miracles. We must keep up our hope. That’s our job. Hope is the expectancy.

I had to ask myself, “What am I expecting?” I began declaring what I expected and banishing doubt as I walked in the battle.

God is good! He is for us. He didn’t allow this or put it on me. He loves me most. If you, being a good person, wouldn’t put this on your own child, how dare you suggest that God would! He has been working on delivering us for years. He is the author of good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). Everything He makes is good!

You must set your heart steadfastly on His goodness; otherwise you will allow the imposter lion to steal from you. God is good! He wants you to be well and whole all the days of your life.

How can I pray for you?

Greater Works

May 11, 2016June 22, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

Have you ever made a list of the miracles Jesus did in the Bible? It is amazing. Jesus was for the people. He was caring and so willing to heal—when it was met with faith.

After all of these incredible miracles, Jesus made this bold statement:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 NIV)

“You will do even GREATER THINGS …”

At the time I saw this verse, I had hardly seen any miracles, much less greater things. My mom was sick, and I wanted her to be well. I prayed. I asked. I begged God to heal my mom.

It’s really hard to have faith for God to heal cancer when you haven’t even begun to trust Him with a headache or a cold. There is all this fear that creeps in when you hear the word “cancer.” Fear and faith don’t make great companions.

How do we see even greater things than the works Jesus did in the Bible?

Start with the little things:

Headache
Cough
Congestion
Cramps
Earache

Stop trusting in medicine and home remedies and start putting your full trust in the name of Jesus. I am not telling you to get off your medicines. I am challenging you to ask yourself, “What tradition am I putting before God?”

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition … (Mark 7:13 KJV)

One tradition can be running to medicine for a headache before you seek God.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12)

God wants us to seek Him first, not when He is the last chance for survival.

The greater things begin with trusting God for the little things. As we trust God, not methods or traditions, we will begin to have faith for bigger and bigger things.

What are your methods or traditions that you run to before you go to God? Coffee to wake up in the morning? Food when you have a bad day? The phone to talk to a friend about something that’s bothering you? Medicine when you have a headache?

Make a commitment to run to your Father God first in all things.

Build a Miracle Wall

March 18, 2016June 22, 2017 Sheri YatesLeave a comment

In Psalm 78, the Word describes the Israelites and what happened in the wilderness. These people began their journey by walking through parted water on dry ground, but from the start they couldn’t help but think about the comforts they left behind. Freedom on the other side was beautiful, but they had to walk a long road, experience some miracles, and take possession of the Promised Land from giants.

They weren’t willing to do it. They quickly forgot that God had parted the Red Sea for them—that He had provided the way out and was looking out for them. God doesn’t force His will down people’s throats. Instead He works through people to bring His will to pass. This can take some time. But the Israelites were impatient.

In Psalm 78:41, it says they “limited the Holy One of Israel” (KJV). Matthew Henry’s commentary explains how they did that: “They limited him to their ways and their timing.” We can do the same every single day. We have the ability to limit God to our understanding and our timing. For instance, we say, “God, You didn’t move, so now I’m going to take it into my hands.”

How many people do you know who do that? Ask the Lord, “Have I given up on You and taken this into my own hands?”

We do that when we forget what God has done already. Even if you can’t think of anything God has done for you, remember and say, “He parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites walked on dry ground. Hallelujah! He fed them for forty years in the wilderness with bread falling from the sky.” He provided fuel for them for forty years!

What we do in our family is write down on sticky notes what God has done and what miracles He has performed. I actually had a rug made with our twenty greatest miracles written down on it. Every time our feet pass, we remember, “This is what God has done for us.” You can also write them on rocks with a permanent marker. Write down on a rock, “Hey, here’s what God did for us.” Keep these rocks in a bowl, and as your family is sitting in the living room, review them. Talk about them: “Remember when God did this? Remember when God did that?” It makes for a fun time, and it builds and sharpens your family’s hope and faith.