Cookies, Health and Temptation
Hi Friends,
I hope you are all well. I have been in Florida visiting my sister and her husband, and attending an Andrew Wommack Conference on Healing. I am so thankful that we had an opportunity to go. Andrew is an anointed man, a teacher and a devoted student of the Word of God. The entire conference was on healing, and guess what? People were healed! God is looking for people who will believe his word and move in faith, speaking life into situations, in the powerful name of Jesus. “Jesus said, to his disciples: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8
Before I share the vision with you, I want to share some good news. I have a wonderful couple with whom my husband and I have been friends. I have been praying for their salvation for over a decade. (We will call them Joe and Irene.) Joe has been fighting multiple health problems for years now, but over the past year, we have been experiencing a few miracles!
About a year and a half ago, Joe was rushed to the hospital. It was determined that he needed open heart surgery immediately. The doctors told the family that he needed the surgery, but because he was so frail, there was a possibility that he would not survive. He gave them only 2 minutes to decide yes or no. They said yes. To everyone’s amazement, he not only survived, he did well - and recovered completely. Later, Irene told me that she had not expected him to recover so well, that he had more energy and felt better. She thanked me for praying and gave me several of her friends names to lift up in prayer.
Joe suffered with diabetes, and so one night, he had a terribly painful attack of neuropathy in his legs and feet. Irene called me, she was beside herself, and asked me to come over and pray for him. Because they are Jewish, they would not let me lay hands on him and pray directly, so I kept my distance, but found myself in tears, seeing how he was suffering so. I prayed in the spirit and the pain stopped. Since then she has told me several times, that he has never had that intense pain return. Again I say, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”
Just recently, there was a spot on Joe’s cheek, that they chose to radiate. Rather than being destroyed, it grew rapidly to somewhere between the size of a nickel and a quarter. It became painful, red, black and ugly. It was located near the eye and began to cause the eye pain. Because of this and the fact that it was growing rapidly, a special surgeon was required. So an operation to remove it was scheduled. I had my prayer group pray with me. We declared that it was completely destroyed in the name of Jesus. We commanded it to shrivel up and die, and for the body to not give it nourishment. We declared that there was no cancer - and that under the growth was beautiful, perfectly healthy tissue.
I prayed several times a day, cursing the growth and demanding that it dry up and fall off. I kept praying and believing that there would be no cancer, but perfect skin under the growth.
The day of the surgery, the growth was still attached. Yet, the surgery went well and the doctors were so surprised that there was no cancer below the growth. And then after the lab report came back - Joe told me that there was no cancer on the samples! Hallelujah! No cancer at all! Hallelujah!
Now that the follow up visit was just yesterday, again the doctors were surprised and said that he had improved 200%! They couldn’t believe that a man of his age had healed so quickly! And he, a diabetic too! Even the location on his leg, where skin was removed to provide a skin graft for his face, had already filled in! God is good. But the most wonderful thing is that this Jewish couple are experiencing, day by day, the power of prayer!
Please pray with me for their salvation. I know that God is performing wonderful things in them and for them, because he wants them to be saved! It says in the word, “Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom.” 1 Corinthians 1:22
The Lord loves them, so he shows himself to them, with signs and wonders. Long ago, the Lord used signs and wonders to prove to the Israelites, that Moses had God’s authority to set them free from the bondage of slavery.
God is good! I asked Irene yesterday, “Do you see how much the Lord loves you?” She said, “Yes, I believe he does love us!” Hallelujah!
Now just one more testimony!
Two weeks ago, this same friend, Irene, called me and asked me to pray again. I asked her what was wrong. She told me that her son-in- law was on a ladder and accidentally shot himself in the abdomen with a nail gun! She said that because he ate a bagel, they couldn’t operate for a few hours. They were flying in a specialist to repair the organs that were damaged. But they couldn’t take out the nail until the doctor could see what structures were involved.
After we got off the phone, I started praying for her son-in-law. I was praying in the Spirit, and declaring that there would not be one structure harmed, not one organ damaged, in the name of Jesus!
After about 20 minutes, I experienced a peace - I knew he was going to be alright. So I called Irene, to tell her that everything was going to be fine, and to not worry.
After the surgery, Irene called and told me that the doctor used the word, “miracle.” The 3” nail went into the abdomen, but did not harm a single organ or structure! Can you imagine, that a nail gun that can penetrate solid wood in a fraction of a second, can dodge a liver, go between a gall bladder and a spleen and not hit an intestine? Wow! God is good! Thank you Jesus! Praise the Lord for he is good! Hallelujah!
The Lord wants to see people healed. Healing is supernatural. It is one of the Lord’s calling cards. It has his personal signature on it. When we experience the supernatural, we must come to the conclusion that God is here, and he has come with power.
Now for the vision - It came in two parts:
A White Dog
First, I saw a white dog lying on its back with its mouth open. He seemed happy. While on his back he shifted his upper body from right to left, back and forth, again and again.
A Box of Cookies
Then I saw a clear plastic box with a red lid, about 12” square and 4” high. There were chocolate chip cookies inside. The box sat on the front right corner of the stove. Then someone opened the box and showed me the cookies.
Now what do these visions mean?
The White Dog
In this vision, the dog was lying on his back. This position is one of vulnerability. One dog submits to another by lying on his back, bearing his stomach. It is not a fighting position but a position of surrender. The smaller, less powerful dog acknowledges that the other dog is boss, or top dog.
The dog’s mouth was open, having somewhat of a playful expression. His movement back and forth, left to right, would seem natural, if he were following something with his eyes, like a ball or a treat that someone was holding over him.
I believe the white dog represents a Christian, because the color white symbolizes righteousness, and purity. As believers we are seen in God’s eyes as having the righteousness of Christ.
A dog is often used as symbol of faith, because of its loyal devotion to its master. The dog depicts surrender, and submission by its position. As Christians we are loyal to Christ, humbly, submitting to him for we are his bride.
The dog also appears to be happy and content, which are attributes of one who trusts in God’s love and provision.
In the vision, the dog moving back and forth, right and left demonstrates vacillation. Christians like other people can become confused, misguided, or stuck in indecision. Confusion and indecisiveness, are not a particularly good place to find ourselves. James speaks of people who vacillate in their thoughts, due to a lack of faith.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. He should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all he does.” James 1:6-8
I know that many people find it hard to receive their healing, because they lack the faith to believe that God will heal them. They can vacillate between fear and faith, doubt and trust. Some may start with a measure of faith, but doubt and fear are ready to steal that bit of faith, so they never become fully free.
When we pray for healing, we need to bind up doubt and fear, in the name of Jesus. We need to pray for the faith to believe God’s word. He has given us authority over every sickness and every disease. We are to declare God’s word over the situation: “By his stripes we were healed!” Isaiah 53:5
All believers, whether new Christians, or those saved many years, need to develop the faith in the Lord to believe. They need to know the authority they have in Christ. Jesus said, “And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me.” Luke 22:29
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick; and they will recover.“ Mark 16:17-18
Jesus has given us authority. We must use it, for the benefit of others. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8
The Box of Cookies
The container holding the cookies was clear plastic. I knew there were cookies inside the container even before the person took off the red lid to showed them to me. I believe that the cookies represent temptation. The fact that I saw them through the clear box, shows that we are not unaware of temptation. In fact temptation is around us nearly all the time. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide the way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
The person taking off the lid, is someone who wants us to sin. Eating cookies is not thought to be a sin, except perhaps the sin of gluttony, if one is in the habit of eating boxes and boxes of cookies and everything else in excess.
Is there someone in your life that benefits from successfully tempting you to sin? I can think of a few. Generally they are people with selfish motives: a boyfriend, or girlfriend, who lusts for a physical relationship. Someone who sells expensive luxuries, benefits from the sins of covetousness, greed and pride. These people will do everything to tempt you to buy whatever they are selling. Most advertisements appeal to human weaknesses to make a sale. The devil uses those same motivations to make his sale.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
We are to RESIST the devil, BUT we are to FLEE temptation. Whether the temptation is a cookie or a romantic affair, whether it is an opportunity to make “cash” by illegal means, or to falsify tax returns, whether it is to cheat on an important test, or steal from your employer, we have to close the door quickly on temptation, and make a fast getaway. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
There is yet another meaning to this vision:
I was praying about three weeks ago when I heard the Lord say to me, “No added sugar.” I know he was not calling me to a fast, but a lifestyle change. This was not the first time the Lord was concerned for my diet:
Once I was at the altar praying some 20 years ago. I heard the Lord speak to me. He said, “Give up pop.” (Pop is the word we use to describe soda, in the Midwest.) At first, I thought it was just for a period, a fast. But suddenly, I knew that the Lord meant - forever! I went “cold turkey,” and gave it up immediately, and for the last 20 years, I have never had a pop. I drink seltzer water instead - But I know the Lord asked me to give it up because it can wreak havoc on one’s health. (Cola contains phosphoric acid which dissolves bone, and artificial sweeteners cause cancer, and sugar in the diet can lead to diabetes and heart disease.) The Lord watches over all our ways, and he will correct and discipline us when we are in error.
So the cookie was a reminder of his command - “No added sugar!” The Lord wants us not only to be healed of sicknesses, diseases, and physical ailments, but he wants us to be good stewards of our bodies. He wants us to eat healthy. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
How can we be useful to him, if we are in poor health, with little to no energy? The Lord has a purpose for each of us, and he wants us to be available for his use.
As we have been speaking of healing throughout this vision, we must remember an important teaching of scripture: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
God wants to heal us, but if we are sowing seeds of poor health by eating too much sugar, junk food, smoking, drinking, carousing at all hours, not managing stress, and having little, to no exercise, we will not be healthy. So if we are healed, we need to have a complete lifestyle change. The Lord wants us to remain healthy. Or else, our healing will have been for naught, and we will return to a sickened state of health. “Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Peter 2:22
So I haven’t had any added sugar in my diet now for 3 weeks. I hope you will be encouraged to pray for your healing and for others, and to take care of your body as the Lord would have us do. There is an expression: “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” So if the Lord is asking me to give these things up, you may want to do the same. He loves you too!
In Summary
If we want to walk in healing, we must believe the word of God. We must submit ourselves to God’s authority, and believe that God gives us that same authority. He sends us out as he did with the disciples to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to raise the dead, and to declare those things that are not as though they were!
If we want to see ourselves and others healed, then we must pray without wavering, and pray with faith. We bind up doubt and fear in the name of Jesus. We believe the word of God, that states: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14 And, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 And “By his stripes we were healed.” Isaiah 53:5
To have power over the devil, we cannot succumb to temptation. Jesus was tempted, yet did not sin. So we flee temptation and choose to be obedient to the Lord. Listen for his voice, for he calls you to a greater purpose. Take care of your body, because you belong to him. You want to be fit for the master’s use.
Let’s praise the Lord for he is good! His mercies are new each morning! God bless you! And please share this with someone you love!
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