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.
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)
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.
Jesus is ready to help
How did God heal me?
If God did not heal you yesterday, it does not mean He cannot heal you: God can! My God is a God of miracles! God has power and He can heal you. When I had lung cancer in 2003, I went to the Word of God and God completely healed me - no operation, no treatment - I only had God and the Bible, and that is 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, of miracles!
This one thing I know
Sometimes we hear about terrible events: accidents, sickness, financial trouble; why do these things happen? Why do we have sin? Why do we have accidents? Because man rebelled against God. But God so loved you, He sent His Son into the world to break the power of the devil and set us free. We can’t always explain or understand the ways of God, but as with the man healed in John 9:25, “One thing I know: though I was blind, now I can see.”
As you have believed
Our God answers prayer - and He works miracles. I have seen every kind of miracle you can imagine: people born blind, God opens their eyes; broken backs are mended; cancers are healed; cripples get out of wheelchairs. - I’ve seen miracles that are not healing: financial provision; my own miraculous release from prison, and many others besides. I know these miracles will happen when I pray; I don’t have any question about it. It’s no different from knowing that every morning the sun will get out of bed and show itself at my window. God works miracles every day - but it’s for us to believe that He can, and will, in our lives. - It is in accordance to our faith.
A miraculous God
A God of Miracles (Healed of Throat Cancer)
I know Jesus is alive, I talked with Him this morning. The reality of our relationship with Christ is in knowing Him. I talk to Him, He talks to me. Receiving my healing from throat cancer many years ago led me into a more positive experience in my Christian life: the realisation that if God says it in His Word then He will always do it!