Scheduled to sing a special song in the evening service at church, I was meditating on what I should say to the congregation as a prelude to the song, “I’ve Been to the Potter’s House.”

The Lord reminded me of a phone call I once received in the office. This man was questioning his salvation, telling me that he had done some pretty bad things before he was saved and that he had a hard time believing God would really forgive him. This man was also handicapped, with a permanent disability due to his neck being broken.

As we talked, I assured him that there wasn’t anything he could have done that would have been so bad for God not to forgive him if he had repented and asked His forgiveness. I reminded him of King David and how he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, plus had her husband killed. Yet, God forgave him when he truly repented and turned back to Him. 

Then, I reminded him of Saul (before God changed his name to Paul). I described how he was responsible for persecuting the Christians, even having them killed. Yet, God not only forgave him, but also used him as a great apostle to the Gentiles, and who also wrote about half of the books in the New Testament. 

With God’s help, I reassured this man that God had truly forgiven him for all that he’d done, but he needed to forgive himself. I also encouraged him that God had a purpose for him. Yes, this inspirational story was what God wanted me to share before singing:

Tossed about by life’s battles

All my hope was sinking fast

The sinful life that I was living

I knew that I just could not last

Then I went down to the potter’s house

And placed this vessel into His hands

On His wheel of grace and mercy

He made me over again.

If God could forgive David, and if he could forgive Saul, then he’ll forgive any of us if we turn from our sins and call on Him. He can take our broken lives and make something beautiful out of them, even when we don’t think there’s any hope.

Later on, during the communion service, I was meditating on Jesus and what He had done for me. It’s important to make sure my heart is clear before I partake of the holy communion, which represents His broken body and spilled blood – making sure I ask God to forgive my sins, plus making sure I don’t have any unforgiveness in my heart.

As I was praying, I confessed to God that I forgave all of the people who have hurt me and persecuted me, even those who didn’t even realize they were persecuting me. Then, I hesitated as the Holy Spirit helped me understand what I had just prayed. He reminded me of the scriptures I had searched out before singing regarding Saul and how he had persecuted the Christians. Saul thought he was doing a work for God, that he was doing God a favor by persecuting and destroying the Christians. He honestly believed this was the right thing to do.

The Holy Spirit then spoke to me and told me that many people today are persecuting Christians and don’t even realize it. They not only speak against men and women of God and the work they are doing, but they also stir up strife, doubt, and division by sharing these thoughts with others. They honestly believe they owe it to others to tell them the truth. However, they are not building up God’s kingdom. They are tearing it down with their criticisms and misjudgments – all in the name of doing a work for God. They magnify a person’s faults or weaknesses – out of a false sense of duty.

The sad thing is that many of these people seem to be blinded to the fact that Satan is using them as a tool to tear down God’s people. Unfortunately, it has been said that Christians are the only species on earth that destroy their own wounded. How sad! I know because there have been so many people – yes, Christian people – who have said destructive things either to me, or about me, and, likewise, done things that have hurt and discouraged me. Now, I know I am far from being perfect, but I have a heart for God and a heart to serve Him and work for Him. Wouldn’t you think that all Christians would be on the same side trying to encourage one another? Why do we criticize, find fault, nit-pick, or hold past mistakes over each others’ heads? It shouldn’t be this way!

Through the years, many Christians have persecuted me and my family, and they haven’t a clue as to the damage they’ve done to God’s kingdom.

Yes, Lord, I forgive those who have persecuted me, saying or doing things that hurt or discouraged me, even if they didn’t realize what they were doing. And, Lord, help me never to be one who persecutes another Christian brother or sister. I don’t want to be a part of tearing anyone down, especially their work for your kingdom. Please forgive me for times I may have done just that, and Lord, help me to never do it again. Lord, during those times I feel persecuted, help me to remember your Word:

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

(Matthew 5:10-12)

Vicki

Many times before I read the Bible, I ask the Holy Spirit to show me something new. You see, I’ve been in church since I was a little girl, so I’ve heard the stories of Jesus over and over again in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Church Camp, as well as in the regular church services and revival meetings, plus all of the teachings I get by radio, TV, tapes, CDs, etc. Besides all of this hearing of the Word, I’ve also read these stories many, many times. Needless to say, if I’m not seeking God to show me something, it’s easy to miss a blessing in His Word because I’m not expecting anything new in what is already familiar to me.

About a week ago, I was reading in Luke, chapter 5, where Jesus told Peter to cast out his nets for a haul of fish. The Holy Spirit, my teacher, was faithful in bringing these scriptures to life. (You can read this whole story in the first eleven verses of Luke 5.)

One morning, by the Sea of Galilee, people were pressing in around Jesus to hear the Word of God. He knew he couldn’t be very effective with all of the people crowded around, and that only those closest to him would benefit from his teaching. When he saw two ships docked, Jesus took the initiative to climb aboard the one belonging to Simon (Peter) and asked him if he would take the ship out just a little so that he could speak to all of the people. Simon obliged, and Jesus was able to teach all of the people.

When Jesus finished, he told Simon to go out into the deep waters and let down his nets for a haul. Now Peter was tired and discouraged. He had been out all night without catching anything and had just finished cleaning his nets. Nevertheless, because Jesus told him to, he reluctantly relented and agreed to let down his net. I know that Simon was reluctant because, before he agreed to obey, he complained to Jesus about what all he had just been through. Not only that, but Jesus told him to let down his nets (plural), but Simon agreed only to let down his net (one). So we can see that not only was he reluctant, but he was also full of unbelief.

Now all through the years, I had it pictured that at this point Jesus had already climbed off of the ship and sent them out into the deep waters by themselves, but that just isn’t so. Jesus went with them. The Bible says that when Simon Peter saw this miracle of catching enough fish, that two ships were overfilled, he fell down in humility at Jesus feet confessing his sin. It was then that Jesus prophesied to him and told him that from now he would catch men. Again, I had it pictured that this happened once they had docked the ships, but that isn’t so. After Jesus said this, the Bible continues, “And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”

What can we learn from this story? First of all, Jesus had a need and saw that Simon had what he needed and that he was available. Simon agreed to let Jesus in and take him out in the boat, even though it wasn’t convenient for him because he was tired and discouraged. 

Today, Jesus sits in heaven and needs us to help him fulfill his purpose here on earth. He looks around to see who has what he needs for a particular task and if they’re available. When he asks us to help him, whether it’s making a phone call, providing food, giving an offering, visiting the hospital, or whatever, do you say, “Yes, Lord, I’ll do it,” even if we don’t feel like it, or it is bad timing?

Second, there was a blessing in store for Simon when he was obedient to Jesus. Simon wasn’t expecting or looking for a reward, but Jesus had one for him anyway. However, this miracle blessing wasn’t just handed to Simon. Again, he obeyed Jesus’ instruction, even though it didn’t make sense and even seemed foolish. Then, he received a financial blessing of fish, more than he ever expected.

Upon seeing this enormous miracle, Simon fell to his knees in humility at Jesus’ feet. His spiritual eyes had been opened, and then he received a spiritual blessing. Jesus saw that Simon was faithful in these little things, so he promoted him, brought him closer to himself, and entrusted him with even greater things to do.

When we are obedient in serving Jesus with a pure heart and right motives, He blesses us. We may have to stretch our faith and go take what he says we can have, but nevertheless, he will bless us; he wants to bless us. On the other hand, we must remain humble in his sight and always give Him all glory and honor. Then, we too, will receive spiritual blessings and promotion. God will speak to us and draw us closer to himself, as well as entrust us with even greater things. What joy and peace!

Finally, we see that Jesus was with Simon the whole time. He gave him a job to do, but Jesus didn’t make him do it by himself. He was right there. Even when Simon had to go after his miracle, Jesus was right there leading him all of the way. It’s the same with us. Jesus doesn’t expect us to do something that he hasn’t equipped us for, or given us the ability to do. Even then, he doesn’t send us anywhere that he doesn’t go along with us. Yet, Simon had to let him in his ship.  Likewise, as God’s vessels, we have to let Jesus in to be Captain of our ship.

Vicki

How Bad Do You Want It?

This wasn’t the first time we had counseled and prayed with Natalie (name has been changed for privacy) about her problem. It was the third, or maybe even the fourth time, and it didn’t appear that we’d made any progress. Something had to change, and quickly!

We met Natalie at a home prayer meeting many years ago. She was a lovely Christian woman who loved the Lord and even taught Children’s Sunday School. One night she seemed especially disturbed and asked if she could talk to us privately after the meeting, but we weren’t prepared for what she revealed.

Natalie confided that she had been having an affair, and it was with a married man. She wanted out, but didn’t seem to be able to break it off. We were shocked because it seemed totally out of character for her. Yet, we knew how deceiving the devil can be when he catches us in a vulnerable position. We counseled and prayed with her, and it appeared that a great burden had been lifted as hope and relief rose up in her.

When we saw Natalie again a couple of weeks later, discouragement and shame were written all over her face. She told us that she had broken it off with him, but that he wouldn’t leave her alone. He continually called and even did such things as leaving notes on her car windshield and flowers on her doorstep. Feeling so lonely and desiring to have someone love her, she would inevitable give in. Again, we counseled with her and prayed with her. She left believing that she had the victory over her sin.

However, Satan is a sly evil force. Once we’ve opened the door and allowed his evil into a corner of our lives, he’ll not only try and possess the ground he’s walked on, but he’ll also try to infiltrate every area of our lives in hopes of totally destroying us. That’s exactly what he was trying to do to Natalie. He wanted to destroy her witness, her ministry, and her Christianity, not to mention this other man’s marriage. Natalie was still trapped in this web Satan had woven around her.

One evening, she called us weeping in total humiliation and defeat. She had failed once again. Bill advised her to let us come to her apartment the next evening to pray for her and pray throughout her apartment, anointing with oil. She agreed, and we began praying, seeking God for total deliverance in this situation.

I was so burdened for Natalie that I could hardly think of anything else the next day at work. As I was praying, God gave me direction for that night. I was very resistant to His instructions. I even protested, “How come Bill gets to pray over people, giving them uplifting, encouraging prophecies, and I’m asked to give a hard word, that seemingly offers no grace?” Nevertheless, I couldn’t get it off of my mind, and in spite of my objections and reluctance, I knew what had to be done.

We all sat down at Natalie’s kitchen table as tears streamed down her face. Now, I’m one that if I know I have to do something unpleasant, I’d rather do it quickly and get it over with. So, with all of the love and compassion I felt, but with an unrelenting firmness, I looked her square in the eye and asked her, “How bad do you want it?” Are you willing to do all that is humanly possible to remove yourself from this temptation to allow God to give you total deliverance? We then began discussing her situation and offering suggestions as to what she could change in the natural. I knew that if she was truly repentant, and not just making excuses for her sin, she would be willing to go to extremes to be free.

The more we talked, the more excited she became. Before we left, we prayed over her and her apartment, believing God to lead her into total deliverance. The next time we saw her, she had a different color of hair, as well as a new hairstyle. She shared with us how God had given her guidance and favor in changing her entire life.

The next day, Natalie spoke with the manager of the apartment complex, and they allowed her to move into another apartment in a different building on the far opposite side of where she now lived without breaking her lease and with no additional costs. They also agreed that if this man came looking for her, they would simply say that she had suddenly moved. By the next day, she had moved.

Not wanting this man to find her at work, she took a few vacation days and went to visit her son in South Carolina, who worked in a body shop. For the price of the paint, he repainted her car and made a few other minor changes to the car’s appearance.

Natalie made arrangements with her best friend to become her answering service and had her phone calls forwarded. For several weeks, this friend answered all of her calls just as a professional answering service would in those days, screening out any calls this man made to keep him from having any contact with her.

When she went back to work, she parked in a different place and waited extra time before she left building. She did a few other things, too, such as getting a new license plate and staying away from places where she might run into him. For quite a while, this man continued to pursue her. He left flowers at her door, and when they were still there days later, He went to the apartment offices. He called her phone and left numerous messages, and he tried to find her at work. Needless to say, when Natalie submitted herself unto God and resisted the devil, doing all that she knew to do, the devil had to flee (see James 4:7), and she received total victory & deliverance.

Each one of us have things in our lives that we want to change and things that we would like to accomplish. It seems that we especially reflect on these things at the New Year. God wants to help us and He will answer our prayers, but He expects us to do our part, and sometimes He asks us, “How bad do you want it?”

Vicki

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

Can you imagine what it was like up in heaven before Jesus came to earth as a baby? Just think about it. I have quite an imagination, and I began thinking about it, putting the whole scene into a perspective I can understand and relate to. You see, one day God had to throw out Lucifer and all of his followers, which was one third of all the angels, to keep their evil thoughts and ways from contaminating heaven.

No wonder one of the things God hates is people who sow discord, causing strife and division among the brethren. No wonder Jesus prayed for unity among the disciples and those who would be his disciples in the future. I’ve gone through a church split, and personally know of many others. It’s a horrible thing. Good people are hurt and many are disillusioned, somehow blaming God for what people have done. This is not what God wants; it never was. He wishes that we would all dwell together in unity and harmony.

Nevertheless, I imagine it was a sad day in heaven when God was betrayed by his chief musician. Not only did Lucifer turn against him, but he caused many others to do the same. It wasn’t God’s idea. God didn’t create evil. It was the turning away from God, the absence of God in Lucifer’s thoughts and life that produced the evil. When Lucifer rejected God as the supreme being, evil was present.

When Lucifer, or Satan as we call him, was kicked out of heaven with his angels, he made it his personal goal to do whatever was necessary to keep as many people here on earth from ever knowing God and his plan for us to live forever with him in heaven. Satan can never enter heaven again, and he doesn’t want anyone else to, either. He is a great deceiver. Yet he, himself, is so deceived that he believes he is greater than God. He tries to convince people to worship him, a mere counterfeit, instead of our worshipping the one and true God, who made us and all of creation.

So, when Satan tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, with Adam following in her footsteps, Satan felt that he, indeed, had won the victory and was greater than God. It wasn’t God’s plan for Adam and Eve to get kicked out of the Garden of Eden, like Satan had been thrown out of heaven, but since it happened, God came up with a plan to allow his people to be reconciled to him.

He knew that since Adam and Eve failed, giving in to sin, that their sinful blood would be passed down through all of time, and the only thing that could purify it would be perfect blood being sacrificed to cleanse it. Since there was no such thing as perfect blood, untainted by sin, in the earth, God’s only other choice was to search through heaven.

Now, we all know the mystery of the Trinity: God, the Father; Jesus, the Son; and the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine what Jesus’ life was like in heaven? Not really, I guess, because the best that we can think of doesn’t even compare to the reality of its glory. What it must have been like for Jesus to even consider leaving all of that, knowing where he would be going! What it must have been like for him to consider leaving all of that, knowing what he would have to suffer and go through in his life as a mortal man! Jesus didn’t have to do it. He chose to do it. Why? Because he loved us, and he knew if he didn’t, we could never be reconciled to him. We could never know him or his great love for us. We could never know his peace, his joy, his goodness, and his heaven.

Imagine what God must have been feeling to send, or even allow, his one and only son to go through with such a plan, knowing the horrible pain, the rejection, and the unbearable suffering and torture he would have to endure. He loved his son, even greater than we love our own children.

Yet, he looked past all of that and saw you and me, and he had a great love for us, too, even though we didn’t love him back. Some of us even treated him terribly, and seemed to have a greater devotion to Satan and his evil ways. Yes, God’s plan was that Jesus would also be resurrected and would be reunited with him in heaven, but what a price to pay!

Too often, we take it all for granted. God didn’t have to send us his son. Jesus didn’t have to give up all of his glory and riches in heaven and live the life of a poor servant, with the only gratitude being having his friends betray and deny him on the night he needed them the most. If that wasn’t enough, as he hung on that lonely cross with the weight of all our sin upon him, God’s presence also left him, and he felt that God had truly forsaken him, too. Yet, in the midst of it all, he had to forgive those that put him there. Otherwise, he couldn’t be a perfect sacrifice.

We have been given the greatest gift of all, but it’s still up to us to receive it!

Vicki

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

When I think of earthly heroes and those whom I greatly admire, Corrie ten Boon is high on my list. She and her family were responsible for hiding and helping the Jews in World War II, thus spending years being tortured in concentration camps. Upon their arrival to Ravensbruck, near Berlin, Corrie and her sister, Betsie were placed in a filthy, overcrowded barracks infested with lice. In her 50’s, this was more than Corrie felt that she could bear.

They were determined to be Christian witnesses and examples, even in these adverse circumstances. Corrie had even smuggled in a Bible with God’s help. However, that night as they lay down to sleep, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Corrie whispered to Betsie that she didn’t know how she could ever be thankful for the lice.

Betsie, being the eldest and seeing things from a different perspective, responded with excitement. She had already heard the talk spreading amongst the women that because of the lice, the guards wouldn’t come into that particular barracks. Guards were known not only to physically torture women prisoners, but also to sexually abuse them. Betsie excitedly assured Corrie that because of the lice, they wouldn’t have to face that abuse while dwelling in that God-provided shelter. She elatedly explained that because of the lice, they would also have the freedom to read the Bible, and even have Bible studies with other women, without fear of the guards coming in and confiscating their Bible. Through this, Corrie learned that she could even be thankful for lice.

Most of us, myself included, have major trouble being thankful for all things—just look at this evil world around us. How could I be thankful for my 10 year old niece being run over by a semi? How can I be thankful for the murders I hear about, or for the abuse of innocent children?

It’s difficult to even conceive that God would want us to be thankful for all the evil. If we look at our scripture, it doesn’t say that we should be thankful for every thing. Rather, it says that we should pray with thanksgiving in every thing. We can also see this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where the apostle Paul writes, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” God wants us to express thanksgiving no matter what circumstances surround us.

After all, even when bad or evil things happen, God has promised all of us who love Him and are serving Him that He will work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). This is a great mystery that we don’t often understand, and it requires a great faith to hang onto it.  We do this by casting all our cares and burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7/Matthew 11:28-30); by receiving His peace through our prayers of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7); and always thinking on the good things (Philippians 4:8-9).

Recently, I was reading an article in the secular magazine, Woman’s Day, on No Worries. The author used many biblical principles, but the section on gratitude really caught my attention. She cited a study that was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 on severely depressed people. Martin Seligman, PhD, a researcher and psychology professor asked these severely depressed people to go to a website once a day before they went to bed and write down three good things that happened that day and why.

These were people who were so severely depressed that simply getting out of bed could be one of the things on their list. This was their only treatment— writing down three good things every day. Within 15 days, 94% felt less depressed. This study has been repeated several times since, and every time researches found that being thankful actually made the subjects feel happier.

If this works in the secular world, on subjects suffering severe depression, how much more can we Christians follow God’s instructions and claim His promises by being thankful in everything? I dare say that if every one of us followed these same instructions given in that research project, our lives, also, would drastically change for the better.

ALL good things come from God. If it’s good, He is the source, and we need to give Him thanks. In the natural, when we do something special for someone or give them something, and in return, they show us their appreciation and gratitude, we have a desire to give even more to that person. If we, being humans, feel that way, don’t you think God also reacts similarly when we honor Him with sincere thankfulness and appreciation?

Of course, He does. Just look at the story of the ten lepers who Jesus healed. Only the one who came back to thank Him was made whole. He received more of God’s goodness than the other nine.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful, annual holiday, but for Christians it should be a daily celebration, giving glory to God for who He is and for all He’s done!

Help Us With Travel Expenses By

Buying Our Products!

Every time you buy our products, the money goes for gasoline and other travel expenses that the ministry has to pay.  Also, there are times when I go to churches that cannot give an offering, or the offering is very small.  When you buy our anointed products, you are making it possible for me to go!  Please help me to preach the gospel to as many as I possibly can.

Click Here to shop or to see what we have to offer!

Click Here if you would like to donate for this cause!

Thank you for supporting  Faith In Motion Ministries

Dear Pastor Bill & Vicki

This is the information from the very beginning up until today! On Feb 25th of 2008 I went to the doctor for the first time in 10 years to have a female exam, at that time, I ask the doctor to freeze a growth that was on the top of my head. I was scheduled for follow up exam in a couple weeks! I began taking shots in both my legs on Feb 20th or there about for weight loss.

On March 5th while I was at work, I was helping a customer when I felt a fire sensation burning in my leg, they took me to my office and laid me down as I could not walk from the excruciating pain. I called the clinic where I was taking the shots. They said, come right in, they checked my blood pressure it was very high, they didn’t feel the shots had anything to do with what was going on they told me to continue taking shots in my legs. I continued shots for about 1 more week, by then I was sure it was the shots.

Over the next several months the pain intensified where I could walk very little. The family doctor began ordering all kinds of tests. I was in and out of the emergency rooms because my heart was racing out of control now…. they put me on heart a monitor to monitor what my heart was doing. Now I was having severe burning on the inside of my legs as though someone was taking a knife to them. I got so I could not sleep, and fear had gripped my heart. The family doctor ordered more tests. I had M.R.I’s of the brain and upper and lower back, I had cat scans , ultra sounds and unimaginable blood work done.

The doctor could not find anything going on and began sending me to specialists! I went to a rheumatologist and a neurologist, neither could pinpoint the problem, all three doctors had prescribed so much medication I could not function or think any longer. They had me on Lyrica and cymbalta which are anti depressants, percocet, which is addictive and much more, too many to tel1! Cymbalta meds caused me to be carried out by my store employees because I could not even move. I continued to work as store manager, I would go to work and come home after a couple hours.

In Nov. 2008, I was sent to the University of Denver Hospital. The neurologist there said in her opinion that the needles I had used in my leg had gone into a nerve two times and had caused the nerve damage thus … neuropathy.

By now the pain is so terrible I am in bed day and night. I had to step down from my job, not being able to fulfill my duties. I barely went out of the house, by now, when I did go out, I had to use a wheelchair. I was unable to do even little things. I could barely brush my hair, I could barely get to church, and being, Co Pastor of Gods Ordained Ministries, I was feeling defeated, I had only preached 2-3 times in a year, then when I went to church I could barely tolerate sitting in the chair let alone carry my purse and my bag with my Bible, my husband would carry all my things in for me.

On top of this I could barely wear clothes because the clothes touching my skin would cause jabbing knife stabbing pains! The doctors had me on so much meds. Let’s start with Prednisone. I was on it for about 3 months. They took me off without stair stepping which is protocol which just normally don’t get done because of the side effects!

I have pictures to show that it looks like death was taking me out that day! I had already made instructions of who was to get what of my personal belongings; I knew my heart was right before the Lord, that heaven would be my home that day. I called my sister Debra Ann I don’t even know what I said to her that day, I only know she called our sister Joyce immediately to pray, I know that they prayed for me over the next several days and I only slept!

Throughout that entire year they continued to do blood work and tests to find what was wrong in Oct 2008 I began to have problems with my stomach. Everything that I ate went straight through me I lost 20 lbs in 10 days. I could not sleep I looked as though I was pregnant from the bloating. They began to do tests on my stomach, they ran scopes upper and lower G. I’s to look inside my tummy and colon. The doctor’s report said I had eight different diseases in my stomach! I could only eat small amounts of bland foods and drink clear liquids. I had no energy; I stayed in bed except for when I went to church and doctor appointments. The doctor’s report says chronic neuropathy on left side! When I walked I drug my left foot and my foot was turned outwards. I wore large slip-on clogs.

In March of 2009, two of my sisters, Joyce and Debra Ann, asked me to come to Kentucky, I am thinking, are you crazy no way can I travel by myself. They had already made plans for my Pastor (Celia Cumberbatch) who is the Senior Pastor over me to come with me to Kentucky. I had to heavily medicate myself on pain pills to even make the trip. I had to have them waiting at the airport with a wheelchair! Joyce and Debra Ann picked us up in Indianapolis. It’s a 2 1/2 hour drive to her house in Kentucky, and we got caught in a traffic jam for over an hour – barely moving. We began to sing and praise God and by the time we were finally at Debra Ann’s house, I thought I was going to cry. I pretty much was in bed that whole week, only up for short spans at a time.

I got there on March 13th and the following Friday at Community Family Church, Pastor Bill was holding the Friday Night Miracle Service! I came and Pastor Bill was preaching on the shulamite woman! I know in my spirit I have to receive my miracle now! Pastor Bill asked me to stand and tell everyone what had been going on with my health “I told them the Lord had already spoke to me that I was already healed and just had not seen the manifestation yet. The doctor’s report was that I had severe chronic neurapathy, and eight different diseases in my stomach. Pastor Bill then asked me to walk with him if I could. I began to walk and fall out in the spirit. My Pastor and sisters said my foot was doing a, turning back and forth motion, while I was out.

Then Pastor Bill had two men get me up, and says lets walk! We got to the end of the platform and we begin to turn to come back. The last thing I remember was looking down and I seen my foot straightened…….. The next thing I knew, I am laying on the floor under the power of the Holy Ghost!!! My sisters and My Pastor tell me that my left foot was turning in circles I tell them that’s not possible I can’t move my foot I have not been able to pick my leg up or bend it in a year!! I am in awe for the remainder of the service , I know God’s a healing God but it’s amazing when it happens and when it happens after a drastic year like this. It’s definitely a moment that will never leave my mind! After we went back to Debra Ann’s house that night, I was lying in bed and realized… I was sitting Indian style, and thought this is not possible and that’s when it finally hit me that I was totally healed!! Over the next couple of days, I realized that not only was my leg healed, but so was my stomach!

When I got home in Colorado, my husband could not believe it with his own eyes; he could not believe the miracle I had received. He began to take me to family members, and told me to walk for them. Family members began to rejoice and cry with me. They could hardly believe it. All in Colorado who know me knows that I received a miracle. The church that I Co-Pastor, they are all rejoicing with me when I preached the first Sunday that I was back!

Blessings of the Lord to you!

Pastor Brenda Wiley

P.S. I am eating salads, and I am walking in divine health! Praise The Lord!!  Date received this letter 04-02-09

Here I am again, standing here knocking on Josh’s door. I know he’s home, but he just goes about his business acting as though I’m not even here. It’s hard to accept what’s happened with our relationship. We used to be so close, and I loved spending time with him. I know he loved me, too. We used to hang out together every day. He would share his most private thoughts and dreams with me — things he wouldn’t tell anyone else. Josh knew he could trust me. He told me that I knew him better than anyone else, and would often say that I knew him better than he knew himself. I suppose I did.

So, what happened? Josh, please open the door! He’s such a likeable guy — happy, easy-going, and he’d do anything for you. He truly has a servant’s heart, full of love and compassion. It all changed when Josh started making new friends. They didn’t have the same standards that I did, and they were ever so persuasive in convincing him that he could have more fun without me around. One friend of his, Mandy,  would completely ignore me, treating me like I didn’t even exist, and it didn’t even seem to bother him.

His apparent rejection hurt me terribly, but I won’t let it stop me. There have been too many people, especially his parents who have talked to me about him and asked me not to give up on him. They believe that our relationship can be restored; I believe so, too. That’s why I’ve come here again, knocking, hoping he’ll let me in this time so we can talk.

I think when I leave here, I’ll go down to his brother’s house. Eric’s a strange one. He always acknowledges me, but he wants to keep his distance. It’s like he’s too embarrassed or ashamed for anyone to see him with me. Yet, he’s very agreeable. If certain people ask, he’ll say he knows me, and if anyone suggests that he spend some time with me, he’ll always tell them he will. However, when it comes right down to it, He just won’t. I’ve knocked on his door many times, but he won’t give me the time of day.

It’s sad, because Eric could use a true friend right now. He’s got so many problems, and I know I could help him and make things easier for him — give him some hope and encouragement.  Somehow, though, he doesn’t think he needs me. Maybe, if I just try one more time, even if it’s out of desperation, he’ll let me in.

Josh, I’m still standing out here knocking. Please let me in.

I guess I should stop over at Dave’s today, too, and see how he’s really doing, even though he’s the kind of guy that only wants me around when he needs something from me. I’ll never forget how friendly and appreciative he was when he spent that time in prison, and I was there every day for him. He thought I was the greatest, back then.

It’s a shame, but since his release, Dave got so wrapped up in getting an education, getting a great job, and having a family, that I’m just not important to him anymore. He won’t even give me the time of day, let alone help me out with certain things I need help with — things that were meant for him to do.

Why isn’t Josh answering? I have so many gifts I want to give him that I know will help him fulfill his life’s destiny.

Maybe, I’ll just sit down with Holly this afternoon. She’s such a loyal friend. We go back a long ways. I feel good at her house; she makes me feel at home. She’s not at all like Samantha, who acts like we’re best friends and tells everyone so. Yet, her house is trashed — she has trash coming in, trash going out, and trash that just won’t leave. She’s really deceived if she thinks I want to hang out at her house in all of that filth. On the other hand, Holly may make mistakes sometimes, but she strives hard to make sure I’m comfortable. She keeps a clean house and tries hard to make sure I’m not offended in any way.

It’s sad, though, because I long to be even closer to Holly, but, in her past, she’s been hurt so badly by so many people that she’s built up walls around her heart — gigantic, thick walls. It’s been hard to convince her that these walls aren’t protecting her from further pain; rather, they’re keeping her from receiving and giving love, even my love.

I want her to know I’m not like that other dude who comes knocking at people’s doors. If you even open the door a crack and peek out while he’s standing there, he’ll shove that door open and force his way in. No, I’m a gentleman, and I want to make sure Holly knows it. Perhaps today, she’ll let me tiptoe into that most private, vulnerable place in her house.

Josh, where are you, man? Don’t you know how much I love you and want to be your friend? Please, let me in!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  (Revelation 3:20)

“You will not die; your baby will be fine!  You will carry the baby full term; you will deliver the baby, and the baby will live!  Be of good cheer, for I, the Lord am with you; and so shall I be with your child!  Thus saith The Lord God almighty!”

“Brother Bill, pray for me!”  I heard a voice call out somewhere in the crowd.  As I looked to see, a young woman, with tears streaming down her face came running toward me.  In her expression, I saw the look of desperation as she arrived to stand in front of me.

The Miracle Service had just begun about an hour before.  We had enjoyed praise and worship for about thirty minutes; I had brought forth the Word of life, and the actual prayer time was just starting.  Earlier that day, I had prayed for God’s special touch to minister to His people!  I was down on my knees in the living room, crying out to the one God who could make a difference in so many desperate lives!

God had demonstrated His tremendous love for His children so many times in these meetings.  We had seen several brain tumors healed; two little girls who were delivered of oncoming blindness; and others with heart problems completely healed with doctor’s verifications.  The list would actually go on and on of the things the Lord had done as we prayed.

This particular day I will never forget.  Many had been prayed for and the Spirit of the Lord was moving!

This was when I began to hear the young female voice crying out, “Brother Bill, pray for me.”  As she approached the altar where we were praying, I knew God was about to do something phenomenal. 

She began to explain how she had seen a doctor after discovering her pregnancy.  Thinking it was just a routine visit with the physician; her whole world seemed to fall apart as he gave the unwanted news.  “You cannot carry this child – your heart cannot take the stress of childbearing — either you will die or you will lose the child. My advise to you is to get an ABORTION.”  Sobbing even harder than before, she cried out, “Pray for me.”

After she had finished telling of the horrible situation she was in, we gathered around her to pray.  About ten men and women placed their hands on her.  I began speaking in tongues in order to enter into the spiritual realm.  You see, I have learned that nothing can be done in the natural.  Speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is our way of entering into the spiritual.  In the Spiritual mode, all things are possible. 

Being familiar with the gift of prophecy, I could feel the Word of God coming forth from deep within. 

“You will not die; your baby will be fine!  You will carry the baby full term; you will deliver the baby, and the baby will live!  Be of good cheer, for I, the Lord am with you; and so shall I be with your child!”

Through sobbing tears, the pregnant woman walked back to her seat with new hope deep in her heart.

She returned several times to the Miracle Services for prayer.  The Spirit of the Lord spoke the same Word over and over until her delivery drew near.  I tell you of a truth, she had that baby, and the child was healthy.  Little Carrie is nine years old now, and has a three-year-old brother who is also healthy.  God certainly has plans for those two children.  The devil tried to steal those kids, but the Lord brought deliverance to a crying mother who believed Him for a miracle!

Faith Must Have A Work

Just like the woman with the issue of blood that we find in the Bible, this woman believed if she could touch God with her faith, all would be well.  Miracles do not just happen on there own.  This particular woman had to believe the Word of God concerning her situation.  It’s not enough to say that I believe God, but she put feet to her believing and came to a meeting where God was moving by His Spirit.  If you want what God has, you have to come where He is moving and where these kinds of things are happening.  Its not enough just to have faith.  The book of James speaks to us about these things.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

All who are born-again have faith.  The Bible says,

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he aught; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

We must do something with our faith.  The woman in our story came to the Miracle Service.  The fact that she came was an act of faith.  A lot of folks will tell you that they can get what they need from God right there in their living room.  That may be true as long as you are exercising your faith in some manner.  This woman knew she needed to get where God was moving by His Spirit.

The Importance of Humility

Another thing about this miracle was that the woman humbled herself in the sight of God.  The Lord really can’t do anything with someone who is unteachable or high-minded, thinking that they know it all.  There’s only one who knows all things and that is God Himself.  The Bible says,

Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto you (James 4:6-8).

Humility is a must to receive what God want to do in your life.  Whether you need healing, salvation for your family, or a financial miracle, we must humble ourselves before God.  When we humble ourselves, we are saying to our Heavenly Father that we are unable and we know that He is able.

Two Or More Believe Together 

I have learned this lesson over and over as I have held hundreds of Miracle Services believing God for the supernatural to take place.

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:19-20

Christianity is not meant to be lived alone.  Those who have separated themselves from the rest of the body are trying to live this thing by themselves.  The Bible is very clear that we are to assemble together to share our needs and testify of the goodness of the Lord.  Your testimony may be what I need to get through another day.  But what if I don’t hear what I need to hear.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Bible teaches on the power of agreement.  This is where two or more will come together such as we did with the woman in our story.  Two or more have come together to agree upon whatever they need.  The Word of God gives us perfect direction concerning this agreement.  If you agree, it will be done.  This woman came to be with others who were trusting God for the needs of others as well as their own.

Would you knowingly pick up a bottle of poison, drink it, and honestly believe that it’s not going to hurt you, but that it might very easily hurt someone else? No! None of us in our right minds would believe such an absurd notion.

Now, imagine watching your best friend walk into a room, pick up a glass of poison and start drinking it. You don’t have a problem with this. In your efforts to console her, you let her know that you understand that she doesn’t have any choice but to drink it. If you were in her shoes, you would do the same thing. Hogwash! What kind of a friend would let another friend destroy themselves this way?

Yet, I see this happening all the time. This poison that so many people, even Christians, are drinking is packaged and promoted by Satan himself as Unforgiveness. His advertising campaign is so full of deceptions that many times, even the best of us, fall prey to his scheme of self-destruction. We believe the lie that everyone else in our situation is doing it. What else is there to do but to join the crowd and gulp down a big bottle of this readily available poison called Unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is deadly. It torments our minds. It brings on sickness and disease. It ushers in stress. It robs us of our happiness. Worse of all, the Bible says that if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us. That means our own eternal salvation is at stake when we choose to allow Unforgiveness in our lives.

Satan tells us that we don’t need to forgive our offenders because they don’t deserve it. Well, maybe they don’t, but your Unforgiveness isn’t hurting them; it’s hurting you! Many times the person or persons we refuse to forgive don’t even know that that they need to be forgiven, and even if they do, most of them don’t care one way or another. Let me repeat myself, “They’re not hurting because of your Unforgiveness; you are!”

What a con! Satan even has Christians believing that we can’t forgive even though the Bible not only says that we can, but that we must. God wouldn’t command us to do what is impossible. The Devil has us believing that it’s normal to hold onto Unforgiveness. I’ve even heard people brag about how good they are at holding grudges — a form of Unforgiveness. They’ll boast about how they’ve held a grudge now for 20 years or more.

I even know one Christian lady who had been active in her church for years. She wanted prayer because she was tormented with recurring nightmares about snakes and she suffered terribly with Parkinson’s disease. It was amazing when we watched God’s healing hand transform her from taking painful baby steps, barely able to move to literally running around her house pain-free. Yet, when she adamantly refused to forgive the men she worked with years earlier for treating her badly, she lost her healing and spent her remaining days tormented in both her mind and her body.

Don’t think for one minute that I’ve not battled with this deadly poison myself. I couldn’t begin to tell you the number of times and the circumstances which kept this poison so close to me. There have been many long, hard battles to get it out, and keep it out of my system.

You have to stay on top of it! What I’ve found is about the time I’ve rid myself of it all, something will happen to remind me again of the injustices done to me. I find that if I start dwelling on that thing and reliving the horror in my mind, I’ve once again taken a big gulp of Unforgiveness. Then, I have to start all over again to get rid of this deadly poison.

However, if I choose not to replay that old re-run in my mind again; rather, if I begin praying and reminding myself that I’ve already forgiven, I’m not haunted anymore by that deadly, tormenting poison. Philippians 4 says that we must think on the good things, and then we’ll have the peace of God.

I know many of you are thinking, “But you don’t know what was done to me.” No, I don’t, but God does, and for your own good, He still wants you to forgive. We’ve seen and heard about every horrible thing that can happen to a person from a family member being murdered to a war veteran sitting in a wheelchair, hating an entire nation for what was done to him. Is life fair? Is it right for Christians to hurt each other? Is it right for family to turn against us? Was it right what they did to Jesus? No, but follow His example and forgive anyway.

Do yourself a favor and stay healthy. Don’t drink the poison.

Vicki