Sabbath Message 19/9/29/120
Dear Friends,
Over the years we have had many trials and tests both individually and as a
Church. Sometimes we get downhearted and sometimes we have tragedies in our
daily lives. We have often seen miracles occur in daily affairs. Often it makes
it worthwhile to see things happen when times look bleak. Sometimes we have
to carry through when we are not aware of the reason for things or when problems
look their bleakest.
We have seen miraculous healings over the years when prospects looked bleak and there was no real alternative.
I laid hands on a young woman in India who had been bitten by a cobra and her leg was swollen and she was in a bad way. She recovered virtually immediately. On the same trip I had taken some vitamin tablets with me. There were many people who were affected by ulcers and other sores and I handed out the tablets with anointing. The tablets never ran out in spite of the distribution. Some of those people were with ministers that were removed, and they had no support left. Their healing and faith was not dependent on the righteousness of any minister. It was in their faith in God and His mercy. Our common welfare depends on the common faith of the Church and our prayers for each other. We have seen people healed simply on requesting an anointed cloth, before the cloth was even despatched. Cynics and sceptics ascribe such healing to psychological causes. Faith is a relative matter. Those without it cannot understand its application in those that do possess it. Nor is such faith dependent upon holding any position in any Church of God. We have seen Churches of God pray for the gift of healing because it is not evident in that organisation.
Sometimes people suffer adversity and God chooses not to intervene. Their faith is tested by such activity also. All can be encouraged by the good that happens to those in serious trouble healed by faith.
We have seen people come to the Church because their own churches could not heal them and report miraculous cures, but they still chose to remain with that other group. In most cases it is desperate spouses that come to us looking for the healing that their spouses cannot receive. The spouse is not convinced by the healing they have received and is bound by the social group. It is like Christ healing the many and only a few come back to thank us, and fewer or none to join us.
None of that is of any importance to us in the daily affairs of the Church. This week we had another miraculous healing in that one of us was healed of serious cancer. The recovery from illness is sometimes not immediate and there are some aspects that are left over to heal of their own accord.
All of the Church should rejoice in the fact that God hears our prayers and chooses to act on some life threatening matters. I am sure that we all pray diligently on all requests that are issued and rejoice in the successes and commiserate in the losses of our people no matter where they are.
Do not be discouraged by the trials and adversities we face or suffer.
Discouragement is the weapon of the adversary.
Because Christ promised us that we should not be hurt by any deadly thing, for example such as the bites of serpents, and that we would have healings does not mean that we should tempt God by risking hurt and injury or by making outrageous claims concerning such matters.
We have been asked why we do not show evidence that we have the power of the Church as promised by Christ in Mark16:16-18. It is written that you shall not tempt the Lord your God. We ask in faith and receive in mercy. We make no pretence at demonstrating our exercise of the power of God as displayed in the Church. We let other men’s lips praise us.
Be grateful and give thanks in all things. As God has given us to Christ so also we are required to pray for all aspects of the Church and for one another.
It should be encouraging to us all to see one of us healed from a terminal illness and we should all give thanks for that exercise of God’s mercy. We rarely make such comments publicly and never discuss the person. Perhaps the matter followed the comment concerning the commission in Mark so quickly that it was opportune to refer to it for the education of the Church and hence my writing this message.
Fortunately none of us is dependent upon our own righteousness or the righteousness of our leaders but rather the collective supplications of the Church on our behalf. The twenty-four elders before the Throne of God collect those prayers. They have that authority delegated to them. It is easy to be self-righteous but far harder to be righteous in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit intervenes for us and makes plain our collective pleas on behalf of the Church.
Once again, well done to you all for your concern and love of one another.
Wade Cox
Coordinator General
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