Hands...

This is a picture of me. I wouldn't normally want to show a picture of myself but I have this time because I feel to share something with you. This picture was taken in Cambodia while sharing the Gospel of Grace. I so love to preach the Gospel!

A few days ago a dear friend who I respect and cherish greatly, asked me a question on Facebook about the raising of, and reaching out of our hands. Is it right? Is it necessary? What is the effect of it? Why would we do it? "If someone was to ask why do such a thing, how should I explain it?" This was her question.

I didn't have time to answer it then but this morning God has been prompting me to answer and so I have resorted to this blog, mainly because I know my friend reads this blog...so dear friend, you know who you are, this is for you. If others are blessed by it then , Hallelujah!

My friend made the comment that she liked this picture as I had my hand out and the question was about the raising of hands. It is true that hand raising is more widespread in some churches than others, and some more 'conservative' actively discourage the raising of hands.

I can only answer in two areas because these are from my own experience and conviction.
Put simply I can only answer from my testimony.
Firstly in my ministry my heart is to follow my leader.
His name is Jesus.
My declaration is 'for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.'
I watch Him and I do what He does.
Do you remember a few years ago many of us wore a simple bracelet with the letters W.W.J.D?
What Would Jesus Do?
In no way do I criticise but for me today my question is this, What is Jesus doing? However I can receive leading by seeing what my Leader did and I will share that now around the subject of hands.

So...hands.
There are many stories in the gospels that I love but I will share this one particularly. Many times I preach the Gospel using this story. In it Jesus shows me His way and leads me.
The story is of the woman who was bent double found in Luke 13. It is a tragic and beautiful story in one. In her state her only consciousness was of the dust and dirt of life (so tragic) until one day two feet come into her view (so beautiful).
Those two feet went on to to be pierced by the nail of our sin but for this lady the owner of these two feet spoke to her and said, '"Woman, you are freed from your sickness." And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.' Luke 13: 12, 13

In the name of Jesus, and in His authority, I can do the same; I can declare FREEDOM for the people and lay hands on the people, and I do. We are conduits of the Grace of God and our hands are His hands. I do what Jesus did, and what He is doing today. He is still ministering His mission of restoration, recovery, freedom and favour [Luke 4: 18, 19] and today He blesses me with the great privilege to be His hands, and His mouth, and His...
Obviously there are many, many other examples of Jesus laying His hands on people and they were all healed. Putting out your hand for me is following my leader but more than that it is my right and privilege as God's son and as His representative here in this place. I am His conduit of Grace

[Wherever I go, particularly in Cambodia, people come and ask me to pray for them. I am no different to anyone else and I often wonder what exactly I should say and so I often just let the Spirit lead and just pray in the Spirit. But I remember one time a man came to me with a little finger that was stiff as a board. Funny, hey? I put my hand on His finger and I thought of Jesus. What would He be doing? So, into my mind came Jesus standing at the tomb of Lazarus. He looked to His Father and He said, 'Thank Your Father that You always hear me,' and He then called forth Lazarus from the grave. So as I held this man's finger in my hand I just said to the Lord, "Thank You that You hear me...(and then to the finger) in the name of Jesus, be healed." The man walked away bemused by his newly mobile finger! I could tell you more but I love that memory because not only is it true that Jesus remains powerful to heal today but He is even interested in the relatively little things that trouble us, like a stiff little finger!]

Other than this I could direct you to loads of scripture to show the apostles Peter and Paul laying hands on people and raising their hands. You can check them for yourselves. Both apostles, and others, laid their hands on in healing and raised their hands to quieten the people and to direct the people; there are many examples I can give you if you wish.

For me, I'll finish with this. Unconsciously it has always been my practice to raise my hand when I preach and probably particularly when I proclaim a blessing over the people.
When I was in Cambodia in December last one of my team there came to me and told me that when I raise my hand great power is released; the power of the Holy Spirit. I tell you this not to proclaim myself but to proclaim my leader, Jesus Christ, revealed in me through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.
A day or two later I was preaching and there was a disturbance among the many people listening and naturally all eyes and ears went to that incident. What do we do? There was nothing I could do so I just raised my hand and prayed silently in the Spirit. Immediately the disturbance fell away and all eyes and ears turned back to me. Hundreds that day received Jesus.
At another place many were gathered filling the church with many others outside unable to get in. They looked in through any open point they could find and many just listened via the sound system we were using. Then the power went out. All amplification died! What do we do? I raised my hand and prayed silently in the Spirit. The power came back on, immediately. Many hundreds received Jesus that day. The Holy Spirit was present! I caught the eye of my brother sitting among the people who had told me that power is released by the raising of my hand and he just smiled.

So I believe that raising our hand whether it be to lay our hand on a sick person, or to declare blessing over the people, or in the sharing of the gospel, or in worship of our Lord and King is something we have authority to do and in it the power of the Holy Spirit is released in His work to exalt Christ and reveal Him in all His wonder and glory. Storms are calmed, spirits driven out, sicknesses healed, crowds settled, electricity restored, people blessed, and the King of kings and Lord of lords worshiped and glorified in the raising of our hands.
Raise your hand in recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the name above all names and wonder as the Holy Spirit in you is released to bring freedom and blessing.
Are we not blessed above all people? I rejoice that it is so.
Do you not rejoice to live in this day of the revelation of the favour of God in Christ Jesus? Absolutely!
Do you not rejoice that indwelling the believer is the Holy Spirit of God whose role is to reveal  and exalt Christ in and through YOU?
Raise your hand and praise His Name.
Hallelujah!
Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good.; His Love, Mercy and Grace endure forever and ever. Amen.