needs, and that you are happy to share and pray with him or her.
NOTE: Some people tend to describe their ailments at great length.
You should be sympathetic and caring, but at an appropriate opportunity take command of the conversation.
2. After the inquirer has explained the problem, say that you would be glad to speak about the matter but you would first like to ask a very important question directly related to the issue: Has he or she ever received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If not, explain "Steps to Peace with God," page 11, followed by "Assurance," page 15, and the chapter on "Assurance of Salvation."
3. Now, redirect the conversation to the emotional or physical problem. Is it due, possibly, to habits or excesses such as those mentioned in the "Background"? Some discussion may follow at this point. Help the person to realize that these habits, if involved, might be directly related to the problems. Encourage asking God for help in getting his or her lifestyle under control.
4. Pray with the inquirer for victory over the contributing excesses, if any, as well as for complete restoration to health.
5. If the caller is a Christian, try to determine if the illness is in any way related to a lack of harmony with God's will and plan for his or her life. Gently ask if there is any anger, bitterness, resentment, or some other unconfessed sin. If so, share "Restoration," page 11. Emphasize 1 John 1:9 and 2:1.
Encourage the inquirer to live in fellowship with Christ, seeking always to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Following this, pray earnestly and in faith for healing, according to Matthew 18:19.
6. If the inquirer is a Christian who feels that he or she has been walking in God's will, go immediately to prayer, claiming God's promise according to the prayer of faith.
7. Following your handling of any of the above cases, always speak of the peace and completeness which can be experienced as we learn to depend on God's Word and prayer. These will provide the greatest encouragement in the face of illness or adversity. Offer to send Living in Christ, which will help get him or her started in Bible reading and study.
8. Recommend that he or she get involved with a Bible-teaching church. The fellowship, care, and prayers of God's people are a great strength. And counsel and encouragement from the pastor may be a definite asset.
Scripture
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18).
"And lest I [Paul] should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind" (James 1:6).
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:13–16).
HEAVEN
Background
Heaven is a prepared place for a redeemed people (John 14:1–6). As hell is the final abode of all who live and die in their sins, so heaven is the final abode of all who are redeemed by the blood of Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It is a known, permanent place, which is said to be:
• The place where God dwells: "Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive" (1 Kings 8:30).
• The city of God: "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God" (Hebrews 12:22, NIV).
• God's house: "In My Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2).
• Where Christ is in God's presence: "For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence" (Hebrews 9:24, NIV).
• The dwelling place of angels and saints: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:10, NIV). "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
• The eternal home of all believers: "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
• A state of perfect love and perfect rest. Heaven is entirely separated from earth's impurities, imperfections, and deceptions. Heaven is a place of worship, praise, and service where the redeemed will be forever relieved of sinfulness by Him who will be our unending joy.
• A perfect place from which unredeemed sinners will be excluded: "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Revelation 21:27; see also Revelation 5:9–13).
• A place where we will see Christ and become more like Him: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed,