Godly People Stricken Before Their Time

FUTURE FOR CHRISTIANS - The wind may blow in your face to stop your progress now, but may be behind you in the future after you have worked your way through the problem. Move forward with the Lord. Our God is faithful and we must relinquish control to Him. Praise breaks certain bondages put on us by Satan. By all means repent; it is a way of life. We are comforted by the Word of God; standfast and trust in Jesus. Keep on ministering by faith and depend in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. God loves us and cares about us; He has all power and authority to direct our lives.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - Do you believe that you have all of the answers to the problems we face here on earth? Are you living a perfect life in complete accord with the Bible? We don't believe that anyone has a complete understanding of the Bible. Everyone has problems; if you don't now, you will later. This includes those in the ministry and their families. God is sovereign and we can't change that fact of life. Rest assured that God's Word is a wonderful source of strength and comfort to suffering, hurting, poor people, as well as to those who are wealthy, all around the world. If we want life, we must keep His Commandments.
We are all aware that if there was an easy answer, everyone would already know. Volumes could be written to properly answer the question raised, even in a general sense. Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge and Discerning of Spirits could be God's way of answering specifically for each of us. Inwardly, there might be the sins of the fathers or some break in Job's hedge; outwardly, there might be an onslaught from some coven or occult source that is getting through; and these are just a few possibilities. There are some valid truths coming from the "bless-me club" but they need to be balanced: God's love balanced by God's justice. There are no pat answers.

GOD IN CONTROL - It may be God's purpose, not some other cause. What lessons can be learned? God can turn it around eventually; the future is in his hands. God understands and is rooting for us. We accept God's dealings with us and resist the Devil. Do not doubt God, who knows what we need. Jesus was not spared from suffering and has compassion on us. He gives us grace and sense to learn; God is teaching us. It may be for our good - for life and death situations. God can do whatever he chooses for greater glory and purpose. Jesus intercedes for us while we are going through the fire. Our peace comes when we rely on Jesus, even if it means that we die.

Satan is not in control. Satan will retaliate; we get wounded. There are occult attacks by witches and warlocks. We must know our enemies. There are curses, hexes and spells that are inherited, as well as received in the nasty now and now. Satan can not kill our spirits or souls, even if he is able to kill our bodies.

What about repressed feelings, used to being blessed, many causes of diseases and judgemental? We are susceptible, sickness is common, not immune to suffering and there are hindrances which may be mysterious or harmful. Do not get impatient. Control your emotions; we can not control the events. Keep our spirits dean before God. Do not go on a guilt trip. It may be a simple lesson of trusting, not just an exercise of faith. We are not immune to attack. It rains on the just and unjust. How do we respond to tragedy? We must have faith that all things work together for good. We will learn or not learn. Wait before God without doubting; die triumphantly. Sometimes it is nothing we do. Good comes out of our experiences. We are more understanding, compassionate and patient, not judging others. Our faith is joined with others. Have conviction that God heals and does recreative miracles.

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD - God allotted seventy years to all humanity, not just believers, which is about the average age at death. Life may be lenghtened or shortened; our body is not redeemed. It is subject to the curse of sin, old nature, physical defects and curse applies to body. Perfect health will come in Heaven. We must relate to the world, demonstrate our faith, believe in redemption and maintain hope. The environment effects our bodies. The dead are allright in God, sleep in Christ and awake to resurrection. Walk by faith; don't worry about tomorrow. God meets our basic needs, not our wants. Food, clothing and shelter are blessings by God's grace. Our bodies are subject to failure. Death has its way with all flesh; God can intervene if He chooses. Pray for God's Perfect Will in our lives. Have an overcoming attitude and draw dose to God.

Will in our lives. Have an overcoming attitude and draw dose to God. There is more to life than just having perfect health. God wants to cleanse us from sin, get our attention and test us to strengthen our faith. Sickness is not immoral and will be in the Millennium. Our spirit and soul are redeemed; our body is not resurrected. Sometimes we may recover from sickness through prayer. It is difficult in dealing with God; his ways are not our ways. Acknowledgment of reality of life is faith. Age brings susceptibility to disease and death.

TRIALS AND TESTINGS - Lord, what do you want us to learn from our trials and testings? Certainly the Bible nowhere promises that Christians will go through life without problems. In fact, a careful reading of the Bible indicates that Christians will face many difficulties and trials. There are at least two biblical reasons as to why Christians suffer. One of them has to do with the fact that we are a fallen human race. The effects of sin, including illness, will come to Christians as well as non-Christian people. The fact that we suffer physical ailments, disease, etc. in some sense has little to do with the fact that we are Christian, it is simply the state of the fallen human race. It is the effects of sin in the world in which we live. Christians are not immune to those effects.

Secondly, there are times when disaster falls into our lives because God is testing our faith. He allows the Devil to have relatively free reign. While at the same time promising that He will never give us a burden too heavy to carry. An obvious example of that would be Job. The Book of Job teaches the above very dearly. Certainly the apostle Paul is a good example. He struggled with a thorn in the flesh all of his life. God chose not to remove that. We may never know the exact reason why, but God had a purpose in doing what He has done.

The Bible does not promise health, wealth and prosperity to all who believe in Christ. There are many Christians around the world who live in poverty. The Bible talks about taking up our cross and following Jesus Christ. In many parts of the world that cross is big and heavy, even to the extent of having to pay for faith, on occasion, with their lives. Those are the kinds of demands and sacrifices that the Scriptures place upon us as Christians. Without question we have been blessed in this country, living in relative freedom and prosperity. God has certainly not promised that we are immune from suffering. In fact, the scriptural teaching is that suffering brings with it many benefits. It is sometimes for those benefits that God allows us to go through these things.

Any Christian who thinks that they will not face tribulation or persecution in this life is sadly mistaken. Satan asked to sift Job and Peter, and he asks to sift the Body of Christ. Consider Job's attitude as well as that of his wife and friends.

FAITH OF THE SAINTS - It takes faith to believe in healing, deliverance and salvation; everything we receive from the Father comes through the Grace and Mercy of God and the Lord Jesus Christ with the interaction of the Holy Spirit. God answers prayer; things happen when we pray that don't happen when we don't pray. We interact with God through prayer. He acts according to His pre-determined will and purpose as we enter into communication with Him through silent and vocalized prayer.

The Lord Jesus Christ is a repository of virtue and righteous power, m meet our needs. It has already been bought and paid for at Calvary; the victory is assured. But it is not automatic without conflict or effort of mind, will, emotions, body strength and spiritual involvement. For instance: fasting, prayer, worship, praise, spiritual warfare, meditating,, reading the Word, and submitting to God and one another with a determination to glorify God. Consider the woman with the issue of blood. The virtue deposited in Jesus for this woman was released through her faith. It brought about the desired results of her being made whole. Consider the man at the gate beautiful. He wanted alms; he didn't appear to have faith for healing. Was anyone else interceding for him? He was caught off guard. Peter reached down and lifted him up. Peter's and John's faith had to be sufficient. God's purpose was to show Himself alive by doing the miraculous. Consider the man crippled from his mother's womb. He heard Paul speaking and Paul perceived he had faith to be healed. He needed to be healed and God purposed a revival.

CHRISTIAN SCOREBOARD - Christians are not any better or worse than anyone else. Job's friends knew that there must have been something wrong in his life, or why else would he have to suffer? Was there a tradition around Israel that the Galileans who suffered such things and the eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell must have been worse sinners than others? But, this is not what Christ taught. We have not come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. But we have hope for the coming of Christ and his kingdom.

PRESENT CHURCH AGE - Do you believe that we are living in the Laodicean Church age? We think that we are so increased with goods, have need of nothing and we're so rich in the things of God. We don't realize how great our spiritual need really is. Are you prepared for physical death? Which group of the ten virgins do you belong to: those whose lamp is full or those whose lamp is empty? This is an hour that we must use wisely. Return to the simplicity of true devotion to Christ. We should be warriors for Christ.

Jesus has limited His visits to us in relationship m how obediently we provide Him that opportunity by being His Body for Him to fill with His Spirit and presence. As we yield to Him to be locally in fellowship with the other regenerate ecclesians, under His Headship proper and potent healing, etc. will be present in much greater fullness than we presently experience. The problem is we are churchgoing instead of being the local ecclesia and membered together with others by the Holy Spirit. The body is dismembered by locality, hence all the confusions, weaknesses, etc. If we ourselves don't live to enjoy the restored Ecclesia, we should be working on it for our posterity.

The church is full of people who are not well but they are praising God. He is in their midst polishing lively stones for His praising God. He is in their midst polishing lively stones for His Tabernacle. God is building a rock house with narrow mortar joints which is pleasing to Him. Have peace in God; there is tribulation in the world.

THIS WORLD - Earth is earth, and does not become Heaven for anyone when one gets saved. In other words, God's perfect plan, the full manifestation of His Kingdom, is fully manifested in Heaven. When we get saved, a ray of his Kingdom shines through our hearts with the provision for that glow to provide healing, deliverance and other manifestations of His Will. Certainly, He wants all to be saved, healed, delivered, filled with His Spirit, etc. and that will all be complete in heaven. Here on earth we get a taste, but not the entire package.

We need to seek God, live saved, be filled with His Spirit, walk in His Fullness all that we possibly can, be as healed as we can, and walk in the greatest degree of freedom and deliverance as possible. But, until Jesus physically returns, we will struggle, suffer and strain for the full manifestation of redemption in our lives.

The Bible reveals God's perfect plan for us in Christ. Now, Christ is here only by His Spirit. Soon we shall see Him face to face. When that happens, all of His Plans for His People will be fulfilled.

So, what should we Christians expect in the batde for the Lord? Exactly that-a battle. As for victory; absolutely. As for timing; some now, the balance later.

Not having any problems is neither biblical nor practical. Living a godly life means that a person can expect to live a godly life. As for mental, physical, spiritual and material problems, those all come in varying degrees to all who live. Living a godly life should minimize those problems and it certainly should open the door for the operation of the Holy Spirit which will help with the solution. But the problems will remain until Jesus settles the sin nature and Satan problem.

This is not defeatist. The powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit does remarkable things in all of our lives. The authority of the Word of God can do powerful things. The enforcement of God's plans during this present age takes constant prayer, faith and involvement of the Holy Spirit. Hope is there and power is there; but so is the enemy and the world.

TEN THOUGHTS FOR YOU - Each person must seek for himsdf for a clear understanding of what he believes and how God works in each conflict. We that minister must be careful we do not add to the confusion and minister condemnation.

1. God can and does heal His people.
2. It is God's Will that we be healed for the Glory of God. Therefore, glorify God in your body.
3. There are only two things: blessings and cursings. You are either increasing or decreasing.
4. The pure Word of God without mixture.
5. The non-pure Word of God with mixture.
6. God's medicine for us is His Word for us.
7. God is love.
8. God loves you.
9. You are healed because you were healed by the Stripes of Jesus
10. Bottom line is agape love in the Master's Service.

CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH - Fasting is a way to crucify the flesh and seek God. It is also a way to rid the body of toxins which can kill you. Depression will lower your resistance to disease. We are also required to follow other practices for Christians outlined in the Bible. Doctors may not make any difference if it is time to go and be with the Lord. Fasting may cause the burden to be lifted. Nutrition is a function of healing and a walk of health.

SERVANTS OF GOD - Many have served God faithfully and are in the call of God's purpose for their lives. They know the Gospel, have on the full armor of God, doing spiritual warfare, teaching and demonstrating biblical principles, and are faithful servants. Now the test is on; God removes the consciousness of His presence. The heavens are brass and you can't seem to rouse Him to work for you. You hear condemnation, failure, guilt, what have I done to deserve this, I thought God had a hedge around me and I was untouchable, and on and on until we become filled with despair. Our life is passing from us and there is nothing we can do except turn to the arm of flesh.

We search our souls, examine ourselves and try to find the key that will unlock the mystery of God's Grace. For all we are in Christ, all we do in the kingdom and our ability to stand in the face of the enemy is by God's Grace. The walk we walk is by God's grace: love, mercy, ministry, peace and health. God chose us in trespasses and sin, and seated us in Christ Jesus. He has given us a walk worthy of that Name and armed us to stand against the wiles of the Devil. No one can pluck us out of His Hand. We will not see the death angels, for God's angels will come for us that belong to Him. We will ever be with the Lord.

We can not earn that grace, keep it, improve on it, add to it, take from it or embellish it. Wages are earned and gifts are received. Just praise God and thank Him for Grace. When we are not established in grace, we go into confusion as did Job. He thought he did everything right and believed his works would keep him and his family protected, but it was God who had him hedged about. He could not understand why these things were happening to him and was overwhelmed by confusion.

DELIVERANCE WORKERS - A deliverance worker is a front-line warrior. The front line warrior receives the first strength of any attack. In the case of a couple, it is usually the wife who is attacked first as she is the weaker vessel. Sometimes, it is the man who is called into the ministry and not the wife. She goes along to support her husband, who leans on her for support. It takes a special couple to minister together for years avoiding or defeating Satan's attacks.

Sometimes we get puffed up in the idea of who we really are.We think that we are undefeatable and press on without really taking the time to stop and think that we are just His Servants by grace. We are ministering in His Name, Power, Strength, Might, Suffering, Love and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Then comes Satan's attack and we get mad at God. This is not supposed to happen to God's warriors. We warriors get wounded. When we fail to turn to the Lord in praise, we stumble. Have you a hole in your armor? Are you spending time in prayer and in the Word everyday? Have idle thoughts found a way to get you to stop praying without ceasing? Have vain imaginations penetrated your armor? Examine your armor for weaknesses.

Continue on to the goal of hearing Jesus say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." It could be that God is getting ready to do a greater work in your ministry once you overcome this trial. We must praise God in every circumstance. It is the praise, even unto death, that lifts the bonds that hold this earthly body in captivity. No one can separate us from the Love of God except ourselves. Regardless of what happens, we must always follow the Lord in spirit and truth.

APOSTLES SUFFERED - The apostles suffered, were God's saints, were persecuted, weak in body and had infirmities. Consider what Paul and Timothy went through. There are little things that affect the body. It is not a reflection on our spiritual condition if we get sick. Those with bodily weaknesses have been effective witnesses for Christ. The world can identify with their infirmities. They can be strong in the spirit. We are not perfect; we age, die, suffer sickness, are attacked by germs, our cells die every seven years and we are susceptible. Ask God for discernment and do not go on a guilt trip. Do not judge others outwardly; there is only one righteous judge. Show love and compassion; help others who are weaker. The church was persecuted. All apostles were martyred except for John in exile. God's heroes endured by faith even to torture and death.

PRIDE, EGO AND VANITY - God needs to cleanse our lives. Pride stands in our way of obtaining the blessings of God. We need God's wisdom and understanding. We must seek God and search our souls. We will always battle the forces of evil in this world. We need to try to live a balanced life: mentally, physically, spiritually and financially. Anything you neglect in life will cause you problems. Anything you omit in the Bible will cause you problems. Don't be puffed up; pride opens the door to demons.

CONFUSION OF MIND - Many Christians are confused about this subject. Why do they have to suffer in life when it seems that the heathen do not have to suffer? What are God's provisions and promises of healing? The concerns as to why terrible things happen to good people are quite natural and occur to us all. We must have faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, and know that we are loved by Him. The Scriptures are a source of comfort, strength and hope. What lies have we been told by our parents, spouses or children that we believe and affect our lives?

TESTIMONIES OF OTHERS - We hear of stories of those who read the scriptures every day, stand on them and are healed of terminal illnesses. We also hear of those who did the same thing and die. Can you judge and say that one person did not have the faith - absolutely not! There are those who seek the Lord for healing over some period of time, finally yield to surgery and are doing well. Can you condemn them for going to the doctors - absolutely not!

STANDING WITH EACH OTHER - We need to stand with each other, not only as Christian brothers and sisters, but also with other ministries. We are not in competition; there is plenty of work for everyone. This is especially true in the ministry of deliverance; there are few who perform this service. Ministers, just like everyone else, may have a difficult time with stability.

Ministers have a variety of styles and methods of ministry. Just because they don't perform the ministry just like we do, doesn't mean that we can not fellowship with them or support their ministry.

HUSBANDS RESPONSIBILITY - Have respect for your wife for her forced labor in the ministry. Don't put burdens on her so great she can not bear them. Repent to your wife for forced labor. Put her on the altar. God is faithful to honor the husband's proper relationship to the wife.

HUSBAND'S ASKING WIVE'S FORGIVENESS - Husbands and wives please stand together and hold hands. As your husband, I ask you, my wife, to forgive me for forcing you to labor in this ministry and to do things that God did not call you to do. Forgive me for placing burdens on you that were so great that you could not bear them. Forgive me for not showing the respect for you that you deserve as my wife. I place you on the altar of God and ask that He forgive me for sinning against Him in the way that I have misused you. Lord, help us to have the proper relationship as husband and wife in all walks of life including the ministry. Will you, my wife, forgive me? In Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Excerpts from the Deliverance Manual