Footprints are evidence that we’ve been in a certain place. When Bill was a young boy, the circus animals broke loose in his home town of Peru, Indiana. Later that night, they heard loud noises outside of their house in the country. When they got up the next morning and looked outside, there were elephant footprints all over their yard. There was no denying that an elephant had visited them the night before.

Many of you have seen little children trying to step in their daddy’s footprints that he may have left in the sand or the snow. Maybe you’ve even done it yourself. Sometimes, they’ll even put his much-too-big shoes on to make it seem more real. They have a desire to be like him and to do what he has done. Somehow, it makes them feel closer to him to stand where he stood. I know you’ve heard the phrase, “He’s walking in his father’s footsteps.” In other words, he’s like his father, or he’s doing what his father did.

At times, people will want to make a more permanent statement of their existence by stepping into wet concrete. Recently, I watched an old I Love Lucy rerun where Lucy stole John Wayne’s cemented footprints. They were valuable to her because, even though he wasn’t with her, they were something that belonged to him and it made her feel close to him.

Many people go to the Holy Land because they want to walk where Jesus actually walked while he was here on earth. Someday I hope to do the same thing. There’s something about walking down the same street where we know Jesus walked and healed the sick. That point of contact binds us in a great way and produces a supernatural closeness to Him. Many times, this is a life-changing event, and we’ll never be the same.

About twelve years ago, I was privileged to visit my sister, who was living in Poland. Needless to say, I was excited about seeing her. Not only that, but I was also excited about going to Europe and even visiting some of the concentration camps used during the Holocaust. It turned out to be an experience I’ll never forget that has forever changed my life.

While at Majdanek Concentration Camp, I walked up several steps to a covered mausoleum where I viewed a hill ,about the diameter of a baseball infield, filled with human ashes. I walked through the very same gas chambers that killed thousands of human lives. The oven doors were left open where they had burned the bodies, with human ashes still inside. I can still see the dissecting room, which contained a concrete table with a hole in the middle of it. This hole was directly over a drain in the concrete floor beneath it for blood to drain into.

This was where the gassed victims were examined before going into the ovens. The guards would be looking for and removing gold fillings, as well as cutting the stomachs open looking for valuables that may have been swallowed. The blood was splattered everywhere, even though it had been years ago. Their blood was crying out as evidence that they had been there. It is a permanent memorial of their lives. All of these visible reminders gave me a connection to these people, who I had never met, yet felt like I knew.

This summer I was privileged to visit the Holy Land Experience in Orlando. The first thing we did was to watch an outdoor drama of the Passion. It was very moving and realistic. When they tied Jesus to the whipping post and began to beat him, the blood poured from his body, dripping down to his feet. They cast the cross upon his back for him to parade the streets on his way to Golgotha. Tears streamed down my face as I imagined my Savior suffering all of this just for me.

Bill and I joined the crowd leaving the small amphitheater, walking down the stone street toward the next exhibit. As I just happened to glance down, I thought my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I was walking in the bloody footprints where Jesus had walked only minutes before carrying his cross.

Words can’t begin to describe what I felt. Jesus was there; I could feel him. I felt like I was actually there the day he was crucified. As I stepped into his bloody footprints, I saw evidence that he was here. Evidence that will last through all eternity. His blood was crying out to me: I did this for you. You’ll never be the same since my blood has touched you. My blood saves you, cleanses you, heals you, and covers you. We are connected. You are mine!

God did this for me! There’s nothing like walking in the footsteps of Jesus. I want to be like him. I want to do what he did. When I walk in his footsteps, I feel closer to him. There is a divine connection that can never separate us. Thank you, Lord!!

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.   (Matthew 15:8)

When I was growing up, church and church activities were my favorite places to be. I especially liked the music and knew most of the songs by heart that they sang out of the dark green All-American Church Hymnal. In fact, I still have an old copy sitting on my bookshelf.

I especially liked the Sunday nights when we sang favorites. This was a time when you raised your hand if you had a favorite song you wanted sung, and if they called on you, the congregation would sing your song. When they picked me, the song I chose most often was Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Some people chose the same song every time, so it got to be a game with me, hoping and praying that so-and-so wouldn’t get picked because I didn’t like the song I knew they were going to choose.

Besides the Favorites nights, once or twice a year, we would have a Singspiration where we would all get together for two or three hours and have special music as well as singing the congregational songs. What memories!

Recently, God reminded me of a time when I must have been in my early teens. As I was standing there in the pew next to my friends singing out of the hymnal, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He asked me if I even knew what I was singing. The truth was, I didn’t. I knew all of the songs, and I was singing with all of my might, but I wasn’t paying any attention to the words coming out of my mouth.

Conviction fell on me like a lead balloon. I don’t know what the preacher preached that night because I was so wrapped up in this whole new revelation, trying to figure out how and why it happens. The one thing I know is that I learned I did it a lot. I was singing songs like:

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

Was I really surrendering everything to Jesus? Was I loving and trusting him and living in His presence every day? Then there’s a song that is really a prayer from the heart:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.

That song wasn’t coming from my heart. I didn’t even realize I was praying as the melody came out of my mouth. Did I really want God to do these things? Then, I wondered how many times I missed out on God’s help, His comfort and peace, and His blessings when I didn’t pay any attention as I sang:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Wow! Look at the other two verses when you get a chance. We could go on with other songs, and I do, indeed, challenge you to do just that.

That night I had to confess that I had only been giving God lip service. The songs I was supposedly singing to him weren’t coming from my heart at all. I was ashamed and asked God’s forgiveness because I truly didn’t want to be like that. I didn’t want to sing songs out of habit or because everyone else was singing them. I wanted to praise Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

It’s important that we know and understand what comes out of our mouths and that we don’t take those words lightly. The power of life and death is in our tongues. We have been given the power to either curse ourselves or bring blessings to ourselves. We also need to realize that God knows our hearts and our motives. He knows whether or not we’re simply acting like a Christian or if we’re truly being one.

From that night God spoke to me, I changed. I am a lot more aware of what I’m singing, and when I sing, I sing from my heart. Yes, sometimes I still mess up and sing with my mouth and not my heart, but when I realize what I’m doing, I get myself back on the right track and start over.

Just a side note: Be careful of other songs you sing. Many times I’ve come out of a store or restaurant singing a song from the past with a catchy tune, not even aware that I’d heard it, let alone that I’m now singing it. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit makes me aware of what I’m singing, and I realize that the words don’t line up at all with what a Christian should be speaking. The devil would like nothing better than for us to curse ourselves or open the door for sin to come in.

I ask the Lord to help each of us to be those who draw close to God with our hearts, and not just with our lips.

When I was born again back in the early 80s, I began to question the Lord about the church.  Not a particular church, but the overall church of our Lord.  I began to see people who were sick, broken down and financially in ruin.  I could not understand why the people in the church looked no different that the people who were not born-again.  I saw individuals who had developed cancer just like the cancer of those who did not serve Him.  I saw that most of the church was financially in dept and living from day to day just barely making ends meet.  I saw that most of the church had no peace.  And again, I saw many struggling with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and many other infirmities that should not be in the church.  I cried out many times asking God why these things are prevalent in the body of Christ. 

Could it be that we are much like the people in Jesus home town.  When Jesus left the place where He was brought up, his heart was filled with discouragement.  All those in His home town who were crippled died with their infirmity.  All those who were blind died with their blindness.  How horrible Jesus must have felt when He discovered that all he could do there was heal a few colds & flues, maybe a few fevers.  Unbelief was so strong that even Jesus could not heal their diseases.

 3     Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4     But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5     And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them (Mark 6:3-5).

I believe there are many hindrances to receiving what we need from the Lord.

No Desire To Grow Will Hinder Your Ability To Receive.  Some people want to just live on the edge of what they can get away with.  They want to give God 10%, then when they are in trouble, they want a God to dispatch armies of angels on their behalf.  Why should we think that God will give us any more than we have given Him.  We will not raise our hands, we will not get involved in the service, we have set rules with our attendance, sad to say, but most Christians will not read the Bible.  If you want what God has promised, then we may have to change to get it.  Grow in the things of God.  Get on the meat of the Word and go all the way with God.  In doing so, He will go all the way with you!

Failing To Repent Of Sin Will Hinder Your Ability To Receive.  You cannot have what God has and live anyway you want to.  I had a man tell me one time. “I will not allow anyone to tell me what to do.”  Well, that attitude certainly will not get you anywhere with God.  We must be pliable in His hands, willing to admit our failure, willing to call sin sin.

In today’s world, people want to have every excuse for their sin and most will not call sin what it is.  There is only one thing to do with sin, repent and go the other way.  There is only one lifestyle expectable with God, that is one which is holy which is described by the word of God.  Anything other than that is Sin.  You cannot think that God will heal you and at the same time you can continue in your sin.

Unforgiveness Will Hinder The Move Of God In Your Life. We must be willing to forgive those who have hurt us, those who have wronged us, those who have somehow sinned against us.  Failure to forgive will rob you of every blessing the Lord has to offer us through his promises.  Let’s look at the scripture:

 ²³    For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ²⁴    Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ²⁵    And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶    But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:23-26).

Maybe you have not talked to your mother for the past five years, maybe there was an argument at a family reunion and you have not forgiven her!  Maybe you were abused.  Did you know God will help you to forgive?  In doing so, you will untie the hands of the Lord.  He will do what he has wanted to do all along.  Healing is the children’s bread!!!   

This story begins in the foothills of a little mountain town called Ravenna Kentucky about 35 miles east of Richmond.  The church, New Vision Full Gospel, is located in the middle of a residential area.  Pastor Buford Powell, with just a small 10 or15 person congregation, told the Lord he would take all the people that other churches did not want.  A mighty revival under the leadership of Pastor Shaun Campbell came to this little church in October of 2007 and the church grew to over 150 with 79 people giving their lives to the Lord!.  Drug dealers and whiskey moonshiners were saved and gave their lives to Jesus.

Pastor Shaun asked me to come during that great outpouring to help him with the masses of people who needed not only to be saved, but healed of all sorts of sicknesses and diseases.  Many were healed during that wonderful time in which the Lord poured out his goodness upon his people.

Since that time in 2007, I have been invited back on a regular basis, to preach the gospel and lay hands on the sick!  Pastor Buford Powell along with his wife Lisa are ministers of great faith!  It is a pleasure each time I come to see the miracles that God will do.

a blinded eye open

several deaf ears open

a diseased throat healed

carpal tunnel in both wrist healed

numbers of necks and backs healed

severe allergic reactions healed in a small boy

The list would go on and on!!!

In November, our ministry team fasted and prayed for the meeting coming up.  We were prepared to preach the morning service at 11:00 am, and the evening service at 6:00 pm.  The Lord spoke so plain proclaiming a shaking of the entire city!   

After the message, we moved into the altar service and the people began to come forward, I saw a woman with an oxygen bottle who was coming up the isle to be prayed for.  I began to question her about her condition, as far as I know, I had never seen this woman before in my life.  She was an above middle age woman.  Her appearance was sickly with about all the color gone out of her face.

I learned later that she has had severe breathing problems for over 50 years.  As a matter of fact, she began having these problems at the age of nine years old when the doctor said she would not live to be ten.

Over 50 years of medication, inhalers, and other paraphernalia had kept her alive until, at this point, she was 62 years old, and suffering severely with lung disability.  The doctors said that her lung capacity was about 20 percent.  The doctors continued that the inside of her lung was like leather, not being able to expand or extract.  The only thing that will keep you alive is a lung transplant!  “Even then,” the doctor went on, “you will have to live in a bubble with perfect atmosphere.  Pastor Powell revealed to me, without her oxygen bottle, she could not walk to the altar from her seat (about 20 feet) without passing out.
The Miracle

It was November 22nd, 2009, about 1:00 pm when all that changed.  She came walking forward at our great altar call carrying her oxygen with her as usual.  She had no idea, this would be the last she would ever need it.  As she arrived, I told her to remove the oxygen from her face, telling her it would never be required again.  She quickly was obedient to the Lord, removing the hoses and setting the tank on the floor beside her. 

Prophetic message began to come forward saying, “The inside of your lungs are like leather, having no ability to expand or extract, but from this moment forward, I am giving you a new lining for your lungs.”   I laid my hands on her face.  Immediately she fell to the floor completely restored by the power of almighty God! 

The evening service was exciting as we all praised the Lord with the church’s wonderful praise and worship.  All of a sudden, the back door opened and in walked the woman who was healed with no oxygen attached to her.  A roar of applause and clapping of hands filled the sanctuary as she came and took her seat toward the back!  She had gone several hours now with no help from neither medication or oxygen from a tank!  What a service we had as people were healed from the back to the front.  The altar was filled with every person in the building wanting prayer for whatever they needed from God.  We saw numbers and numbers of healings and rededications to the Lord Jesus! 

Pastor Buford called me about four weeks later to testify about the wonderful move of God they had all experienced.  Then he told me about several miracles including the woman who was miraculously healed of severe lung disease.  She had not had any oxygen from the tank for a month.  The doctor’s are now saying that she has truly received a miracle.  Checking her oxygen level, they discovered she has 91.5% oxygen in her blood without any outside help of medications or oxygen from a bottle.  Normal level is anywhere from 90 to 100%.  God has performed a supernatural healing this woman will never forget.  She has a new life and will live many more years, thanks to God himself who loves people, and will make them whole if they will believe!

 Pastor Buford called me again December 15th, 2009, six weeks after the miracle.  He told me that the woman was making a trip to one of the western states to show her sister what God has done in her life. 

Since the doctor said the only hope is a transplant, we know that God indeed did transplant a brand new lung, a heavenly surgery. 

Thank God for his signs, wonders, and miracles that continue even in the year of 2009.  His love and mercy is to all generations!

from: Evangelist Bill Campbell  

While meditating on what I should write about this month, I felt that the topic, “Resurrection Power” would be a good subject for the Easter celebration, so I began jotting down some thought-provoking notes that I could use in this devotional.  Then, the Lord started showing me all of the “threes” associated with Jesus, especially in association with his death and resurrection. The number “3” represents resurrection power. Of course, I was already aware of the most obvious ones, but the more I began digging, the more fascinated I became with my findings. I’m not claiming this to be an exhaustive list — you may know of others. Nevertheless, these facts all point to the truth of the supernatural resurrection power of our Lord Jesus.  

Jesus is 1/3 of the Trinity — the Godhead — three in one: God, the Father; Jesus, the son; and the Holy Spirit, who is with us today.  Jesus was 30 years old when he began his ministry. His ministry began immediately following Satan’s three temptations in the wilderness. His earthly ministry lasted three years. Then, He was crucified when he was 33 years old.  Jesus prophesied of his own death and resurrection in John 2:19 saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” speaking of his body. He also spoke of his own death and resurrection in Matthew 12, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  During the last supper, Jesus prophesied that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crowed.. Scholars say the cock is known to crow during the 3rd watch of the night, which is between 12:00 midnight and 3:00 am. With this in mind, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times during the 3rd watch of the night, and the cock probably crowed about 3:00 am.

After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter would have to re-affirm his devotion for Jesus three times when Jesus asked him three times, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”

Following the last supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Three of his disciples, Peter, James, & John went with him into the garden to pray. Jesus prayed in the garden three separate times; the Bible records the first time was for one hour. If the other two times were also one hour, Jesus would have prayed a total of three hours.  Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver.  When the soldiers led Jesus away, he was tried before three official leaders: Caiaphas, Pilate, and HerodPilate spoke of Jesus’ innocence three times, saying that he found no fault in him.  Pilate appealed to three different groups: the Sanhedrin, the crowd of angry people, and the priests.  The soldiers whipped Jesus 39 times with a cat of nine tails. It was a whip with a piece of metal or bone attached to each of nine separate strands. That means Jesus was beat with 351 strands and pieces of metal or bone (351 divides evenly by 3).   When they laid Jesus on the cross, they pounded three nails or spikes into his flesh. There were three men crucified that day on three crosses.

The sign on the cross, “This is the King of the Jews” was written in 3 languages: Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.  The Bible names three women who were at the cross of Jesus: Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James & Joses; and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Three drinks were offered to Jesus: on his arrival at Calvary; on the cross before the malefactor cried for mercy; and at the end of His life.  The first three words Jesus spoke on the cross were, “Father, forgive them.” Jesus, also, had to forgive to be the perfect sacrifice for us.  Darkness came upon the earth for three hours before he died at 3:00.  Three supernatural events took place at his death: an earthquake, the temple veil was torn in two, and the dead were raised and seen walking.  Three women came to the tomb early Sunday morning: Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James; and Salome.  The title, Lord Jesus, is first mentioned in Luke 24:3 following his resurrection. It is found 33 times in the New Testament.

The account of Jesus’ death — from the garden where He was arrested to his resurrection — is recorded in three chapters of all four gospels: Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke   22-24; and John 18-20.  It’s clear to see that God loved us so much that he created a perfect plan, with every detail pointing toward the resurrected Jesus as our perfect sacrifice, bridging the gap between lost humanity and Himself. I’m so glad he did. Aren’t you?  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Vicki

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

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

“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.

To Evangelists Bill & Vicki Campbell

Hi, my name is Brother Michael Gambrel and recently at a revival held at The Trosper Church of GOD I received a miracle healing. For years I suffered with severe back pain due to two different car wrecks in which my back was broken each time. Many nights I cried myself to sleep. I’m 28 years old and sometimes I would cry like a baby from so much pain.

The 1st night of the revival Preacher Bill taught us how to receive the healing because the healing was already done through the precious blood of JESUS at the whipping post. He called me up and through JESUS I was healed instantly. NO MORE PAIN! That night I done something I’ve not done since I was about 17 years old… I slept like a baby.

Many people do not know just how important your back is in your being able to move around, and LORD willing they never will. I thank GOD everyday for my healing. I know just what GOD can do, I’m one of GODS walking miracles.

When I was 3 weeks old the devil tried to kill me. Our house caught on fire and I received 3rd degree burns from head to toe. It was so bad that the doctors at The Knox County Hospital gave me up to die. I was given my last rights. After 4 hours, they saw that the good LORD was in control, and they transported me to a Louisville hospital.

Now you see the devil wasn’t done. The ambulance driver got lost in route to the hospital. Once I finally arrived there, gangrene had set in, and I had to have my left foot cut off and most of my right. The doctors said I would never walk, but now I can run … pain free!!! Like the song says… OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

Michael Gambrel

This is an awesome story! Jesus healed you completely!!! You had one foot that has been amputated and part of the other. You were burnt to the point of death. Your skin could not grow because of the hardness of the skin, and so you were in constant pain for more than 25 years. Given up for dead at three years old, Jesus touched you even then.

I had asked you to stomp your foot, I did not know your foot had been cut off. I asked you to run, something you could not do! But that day you ran under a new freedom with no pain whatsoever!

Are these things true? I’m trying to get the full picture

• God healed your back of serious complications due to two separate car wrecks.
• God healed your legs due to being severely burnt when you were three years old.
• God healed you so you can sleep for the first time since you were 17.

Is there anything else I need to know? I am happy for you!!!

God bless you and your family!!!

 Evangelists Bill and Vicki Campbell