Statement of Belief

Scripture and creation reveal the existence of a Sovereign God. Nothing exists without Him. He controls all things and gives them meaning. God is a Triune God: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Equal in divine nature, they created humankind in His own image. Through Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden, we are all born with a sin-nature. God is perfect and holy, and sin separates us from Him. How can Holy God be in relationship with sinful man?

Jesus Christ came to earth to rescue and reclaim sinful humanity. While in human form, He was both 100% man and 100% God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so that we could have a relationship with Holy God. Bible studies based on the fact that Jesus is the way to the Father are imperative.

The Holy Spirit's presence makes people aware of their need for Christ, and provides Christians with power for living, for guidance in doing what is right, and for understanding of spiritual truths. He immediately dwells in our hearts and empowers us when we ask Jesus into our lives. He's our strength when suffering from chronic illness.

Bible is God's Word to all people. Human authors were given supernatural guidance from the Holy Spirit as they wrote. God inspired, infallible, and inerrant, the Scriptures are the final authority on all matters of faith and practice. It behooves us to study Scripture and apply its truths to our lives, allowing personal growth through chronic pain.

Salvation occurs when we accept the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for our sins, was resurrected, and will return to earth to claim His followers. Eternity begins, and the Kingdom of God is present, as we walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit, believe in the name and promises of Jesus Christ, and come to know intimately the character of our Heavenly Father. Neither good works nor self-improvement frees us from the penalty of sin, which is separation from God. It comes only through Christ's salvation.

God does heal today as He did in Bible times. He also uses our physical and mental weaknesses to develop our spiritual growth-as He did with Apostle Paul's thorn in the flesh. (2Cor. 12:7) I believe that Jesus used a variety of healing methods so that we could not develop five sure-fire steps to miraculous healing on our own. Jesus focuses us on what is important to Him: "The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing."(John 6:63) We can pray for healing, "naming it and claiming it,"but we must also be willing to live in our present condition if that's God's plan for us. With our pain comes the sensitivity to comfort others, as we ourselves have been comforted in Christ. God is the final authority on how, if, and when healing occurs in our lives. We are assured that we will have no physical trials when we join Him in Heaven. (Phil. 3:20 21)