1. 1 Thessalonians 5
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

2. Learning to trust God despite the headlines
The Big C

3. In the UK 1 in every 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime

4. These things we know God loves us God has a plan and purpose for us
God has and does heal
People get sick
When someone is sick we are instructed to pray
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

5. In the Old Testament God promises to heal the Israelites of their Egyptian diseases
9 times in the gospels it says Jesus heals all the sick
In Acts, Peter, Paul and Philip are all involved in healing

6. Does healing always occur in the Bible?
John 5
Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool,... 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralysed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’

7.  Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 1 Timothy 5:23
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Galatians 4:13

8. How we live matters – Exodus 15:25-26
Sickness used to be an indication of disfavour
But be careful about speculating over why someone is unwell
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

9. Keep our focus on what’s important
In biblical times the means of healing was not important
God is not just concerned about the physical - Don’t miss God’s healing whilst looking for a cure.
Our lives are so much more than the number of days we spend on earth.
Healing is linked to the arrival of the Kingdom of God which is both PRESENT and FUTURE