On a crisp evening in the city of Quincy, nestled along the mighty Mississippi River, a small group gathered for their weekly Bible study. The meeting took place in a cozy space above a mom-and-pop bookstore in the heart of the historic downtown. The streets below bustled with life—diners savoring meals at the Riverside Grill, couples strolling along the picturesque riverfront, and friends laughing outside atmospheric bars and lounges. Inside, however, the focus was set on something eternal: God’s Word.

Leading the group was Violet, a woman known for her wisdom and unwavering faith. She had a heart for teaching the Scriptures and helping others understand the nature of God. That evening, she introduced the topic: The Unchanging Will of God and Faith for Healing.

God’s Will Does Not Change

Violet opened her Bible and read James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” She paused, allowing the words to sink in.

“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” she said, looking around the room. “That means His will for us doesn’t change. If He was a healer in the past, He is a healer today.”

The group nodded, taking in the message. One of the members, John, a local fisherman who often kayaked on the Mississippi, raised his hand. “But why do some people say that healing was only for biblical times?”

Violet smiled. “Good question. But think about this—if healing was only for the past, that would mean God’s love and power were also limited to the past. But we see throughout Scripture that God’s character remains the same. Jesus healed the sick wherever He went, and He never refused anyone who came to Him in faith.”

She turned to Matthew 8:2-3: “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

Violet closed her Bible and looked at the group. “Jesus didn’t hesitate. He didn’t say, ‘Maybe.’ He said, ‘I am willing.’ That same willingness is true today.”

Faith Brings Healing

The discussion turned to faith. Could a person’s belief truly bring about healing? To illustrate, Violet shared a story from Mark 5:25-34, the account of the woman with the issue of blood.

“This woman had suffered for twelve years. Doctors couldn’t help her. She had every reason to give up, but she heard about Jesus. And what did she do? She pushed through the crowd, believing that if she just touched His garment, she would be healed. And what happened?”

“She was healed,” a woman named Sarah whispered, her eyes shining.

“Yes!” Violet exclaimed. “And what did Jesus say? ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you.’”

The room fell silent as the weight of the words settled over them. Faith was not passive—it was active.

John leaned forward. “So, you’re saying that faith is a key to receiving healing?”

“Absolutely,” Violet affirmed. “Hebrews 11:6 tells us that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’ Faith isn’t just believing God exists—it’s believing He still moves in our lives.”

Applying Faith in Everyday Life

Violet encouraged the group to share how they could apply faith for healing in their own lives.

Sarah spoke first. “I’ve been struggling with migraines for years. I’ve prayed, but maybe I haven’t truly believed that God wants to heal me.”

Violet nodded. “Faith isn’t hoping something might happen. It’s being confident in what God has already promised.”

An older gentleman named Robert, who used to work at the historic Dick Brothers Brewery District, added, “I’ve always prayed for others to be healed, but never for myself. Maybe I need to trust that God cares about my health too.”

“Yes,” Violet said, “Healing isn’t just for others—it’s for you.”

Closing in Prayer

As the evening drew to a close, Violet led the group in prayer. “Father, we thank You for Your unchanging will. You are our healer, the same today as You were in the past. We choose to believe in Your Word and trust in Your love. Strengthen our faith, and may we see Your healing power in our lives.”

As the group dispersed, some headed to grab a late-night bite at Seoul 2 Soul Bistro, while others lingered to discuss what they had learned. But one thing was certain—faith had been stirred in their hearts that night in Quincy, and lives were beginning to change.