HEALING: The Better Fruit 1/3/2012

1 Peter 2:24
John 10:10
Mark 11:24

When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world.  Our Father never intended for us to be subject to sin and the affects of sin - including sickness.


Tonight I want to share a story with you that is very personal to me and one that I pray will give you a new hope in Christ.  If you are sick, terminally or not, I believe our savior Jesus wants you to know the truth about Devine healing and to pursue it with confidence.  Before I share this testimony with you I implore you not to ignore what modern medicine can accomplish as well.  Follow your heart and use wisdom, please.  Do not ignore your doctors.  Keep working with them as you walk out your faith for healing.

The following testimony was written by my grandmother and, knowing her, I am sure she would want you to hear this.  Keep in mind that M.S. is still an incurable disease.  Many can testify that what is written here is the truth.

These are the exact words of my grandmother, written to be shared with you:


"Let it hereby be known that what you are about to read is written through God.  As the pen is an instrument of my power to write so am I an instrument of God and this message is His and is designed for you.


In 1962 after several years of reoccurring illness, physicians finally diagnosed my trouble as multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the brain and the spinal cord which interferes with the normal function of the nerve pathway.  Throughout the years I had grown steadily worse.  Before the time of my complete healing, I maneuvered with the aid of a cane.  My speech was slurred, my left hand and arm were almost useless, my vision was blurred and my kidneys were almost nonfunctional.  My medication came to at least $30.00 a month.  There were also mental torments and anxieties which now seem pleasantly difficult to describe.

One day when I had an unusually bad time with a state of mental depression and uncontrollable jerking of my limbs, I needed someone---to help me---to pray for me.  I phoned out pastor.  Shortly he and his wife were at the door.  They prayed with and for me.  After our prayers, the pastor said this to me, “Eleanor, I believe God will heal you.  Just think what this will mean to other people.”  This then was my first realization that I would be healed.  It was at this time that God started to prepare me for this miracle.  God works in strange ways, and although that night I was considerably worse--both physically and mentally--the next morning brought a new light.  The storm of my mind had subsided.

Between then and the time of my healing many thoughts went through my mind.  Thoughts like “Will God choose me to be healed?  And if he does, do I really want to be healed.”  Throughout the years I had found security in my illness.  I didn’t have to feel guilty about slighting my work or my obligations to my family and community, someone was always there to give a hand.  It was nice having others care for my needs and I feared the loss of this security.

At Christmas time, 1968, our pastor told me about an evangelist who would be conducting special meetings at church the week of January 5.  He said God had used Pastor Ellingson as an instrument for physical healing as well as spiritual restoration.  I then planned to go to the meetings and be healed.

At the close of the first meeting I answered the invitation by going to the altar to dedicate myself to the Lord.  This seemed pleasing to God and to me.

The healing service was to be conducted the evening of January 9.  That day I told my family that I was going to be healed that night.  I acted like I was so confident, but---again there were thoughts and doubts.  “What will happen to the faith of your family and friends if you’re not healed?  They’ll lose all the faith they ever did have.  What will you tell [your daughter] Brenda?  She’ll never again believe in prayer.  You’ll just go up there and make a fool of yourself---getting all emotional---what will people think of you?”  I knew I had to pray and ask God to help me.  I got to my knees and told God, “I want to be healed.  If you want me to be a fool for you, I will.  I surrender myself completely to you.”

That night I had faith, but it took every ounce of it to get me out of my seat, down the aisle and on my knees at the altar.  Then there was the laying on of hands, the anointing with oil and the prayer for the sick (as it is established in James 5:14).  There was no excitement, no emotion like I had expected, just a sweet calmness that seemed to envelope me.  As I got up the Lord impressed it upon me to walk in faith.  When I was about to leave, the evangelist commented about my cane, “And now what are you going to do with that?”  Embarrassed, I lifted and carried it.  In a moment the disease of multiple sclerosis left my body and mind--leaving in no more time than it takes to wink an eye and with as little sensation.  The Lord cleansed me---body, mind and soul.

I no longer take any medication.  The numbness has left my body, my circulation is normal.  I can once again speak and see clearly.  There was a renewing of my mind and soul.  I have given my cane to another victim of M.S. and today I praise the Lord for my salvation and plead for that of yours."
 

Mrs. Norman Olson

Leonard, North Dakota

58052

My grandmother lived for many, many years after this.  She wrote to me and told me, "Eddie, I prayed and asked God to let me live to have a grandchild to love and hold in my arms.  He not only let me live, but to be well enough to drive to St. Cloud to the hospital to see you.  You have brought me much joy.  I love you and pray for you every day."  She added a reference to 2 Timothy 1:7.

I feel God is asking me to encourage those who are sick right now not to give up.  Read the verses I included above.  When we are sick, especially terminally, it is natural and easy for us to prepare for giving up, but I believe God has a purpose for each and every one of us, to let our lives be a testimony of His love and power!

I want you to know that your Father in Heaven loves you so much.  When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment for our sins and in 1 Peter 2:24 we read that His wounds healed us.  Yes, that is present tense!  He healed us.  In John 10:10 He makes it clear that it is the devil that has come to destroy us, not Him.  Jesus came to give us life and that we may have it abundantly.  Jesus cursed a fig tree that bore no fruit for him to eat.  It was withered up and dead the following day.  When his disciples noticed it, he said to them in Mark 11:24, "For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Take these words to heart and let them soak in and may the truth of God begin to grow in you that you may also believe and be healed.  I thank my Father in Heaven tonight for the great things you can expect to receive in your life.

I pray in His love for you.