There is a solution! Whatever situation you are facing today, God will use it for His Glory. In John 9, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ‘And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’ Doubt is one of the enemy’s biggest weapons against the believer: in the Old Testament he said to Eve, “Did God say…?” The devil destroys faith by replacing absolute trust with doubt; this is still the biggest problem in people’s lives today. Faith only exists through trust in God and His Word. Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 16)
In the midst of tribulation
Where is God when we are in the midst of tribulation? - He is right there with us, a very present help in our times of trouble. It is easy to feel God's presence when we are on the mountain top, celebrating His goodness; but the Scripture implies that whilst He is present in our good times, He is very present in our distress. Some years ago I was invited to speak at a conference. The theme was how we can know God, how we can come into His presence. I took as my Scripture Deuteronomy 4.29, 'If from where you are you shall seek the Lord Your God you shall find Him'. You will find God when you are in tribulation, when all the problems of life have come on you. God will use the very circumstances you are in to work a miracle in a demonstration of His Power.
The healing touch of Jesus
In Luke 8:45, a woman in great distress because of an incurable sickness came to Jesus. Jesus KNEW she had reached out to Him, because He felt virtue pass to her. Like her, you are not able to physically touch Jesus, but you can reach out to Him through prayer and worship. Whatever your problem: whether it is sickness, financial or other distress, come to Jesus. And like with that woman, He will turn around and say, “Child of Mine, go in peace, your faith has healed you.”
Miracles don't come easy
You can’t have miracles without first having problems; that is why I always say miracles don’t come easily. Twice God has healed me of cancer; He’s released me from a communist prison. Suppose I never had these problems, that God spared me the pain, I would not have the ministry I have today. God doesn’t send the sickness, but He will use it for good: “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed” (John 9.3). Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 9)
My mountain was lung cancer
I believe in prayer and in a God of miracles. But in 2002 I was faced with a challenge: do I really believe God or not? Diagnosed with lung cancer, my only hope was Jesus. I didn’t go to a healing evangelist, I went to the Word of God and He completely healed me - no operation, no treatment - I only had God and the Bible, and that’s all I needed to confound the doctors. They were shocked, they didn’t believe God. But I do, I believe in a God of power and of miracles. Healing, deliverance, forgiveness are yours to receive in the Name of Jesus… stop struggling and come into His arms! Talk to Jesus. He’s listening. Ask Him to forgive your sin and to heal you. He loves you; He’ll answer! Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 8)
Can everyone be healed?
God desires for you to live in health: to live a full satisfying life. Sickness is from the devil. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). I want you to receive those words deep in your spirit: to be settled on the truth of God’s Word. And until the day when your healing has fully manifested, know that His grace is sufficient, that He is all you need: His strength is made perfect in weakness. Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 7)
Power through difficulties
It is only through testings and trials that we learn who God is and what He can do; if we never had a problem, we would never know what faith in God could do. We all pray more when we are in distress; yet it is through difficulties we learn to trust God, to believe for miracles. God will use every difficulty to refine us, so that we become the person He can use for His glory. Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 6)
Searching for Jesus
What was the ‘secret’ to the healing ministry of Jesus? His power and authority came from spending time alone with His Father. In those times of stillness, He received fresh anointing. On one such occasion the disciples were searching for Jesus because the crowds were looking for Him. As a result, Jesus dramatically healed a man of leprosy.
The shocking Power of God
God’s Power is without limit. The same God who will heal the sick can calm the raging storm; with Him absolutely nothing is impossible. Ephesians talks about the surpassing greatness of His Power which is available to those who believe (1:19). When I had cancer, God healed me; when I was in prison, God set me free! - It all begins when we believe.
You are predestined
Everything I know about the Bible, and everything I know about God, can be summarised in this: with God, nothing happens by accident. God knows in advance; our steps are ordered; we are predestined. With God nothing happens by chance. Everything God does is for a purpose, by design, and with foreknowledge.