Signs ….

•  

  “Don’t follow a person just because he has a “gifts ministry.”  Instead, look for the fruit in his life, for honesty and purity brought about by the Spirit of Truth – the Holy Spirit – and a hunger for and appreciation of God’s Word.” 

  “Remember, Christians don’t follow signs, signs follow Christians.”

   Fr. Dennis and Rita Bennett The Holy Spirit and You.

These quotes are from an awesome book by an Episcopalian Priest and his wife who ministered for many years in Seattle, WA.  It is a balanced and well written book that answers many questions people have about spiritual living and it reminds us that God is the one who gives the gifts and who brings healing.  It is God who breathes life and power into those gifts and it is God who should receive the glory from the exercise of them.

We all want the full inheritance that is ours in Christ but Lord give us that inheritance in wisdom and sound discipline.

We have been blessed at the “W” in recent weeks with many visitors from around the country.  Colorado Springs, Huntington Beach, CA, Chicago, Central Ohio, Alpena, MI just to name a few.  It has been good to talk and pray together and to keep the focus on the One who actually heals  ….  Jesus.  Also, we need to continue to remind each other that Jesus made His power (and the Spirit of understanding) available to all who believe and it can be appropriated  …   now   …  wherever we are in the name of Jesus.

When we speak truth and life according to His will, signs like these tend to show up  …

REPORTS:

•  
  •  
    •  

      Last October a couple came to the “W” to seek help for their marriage.  Both and in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.  There was abuse and anger among other severe issues.  They were separated and filing for divorce. The father had spent time in prison and was not doing well. The wife had spent a month praying with the mother-in-law and came to the “W” for more prayer. 

      That night, people prayed for them and the power of God moved.  All of their addictions were broken.  God restored their love and their marriage.  It was remarkable.  So remarkable that much of the extended family came two weeks later to see what could have possibly produced such an amazing change in such a short period of time.  They came thanking and praising God.

      This extended family formed its own house church and they now meet every week to worship and study the Word.  They continue to thank God for what he has done and what He is doing.

  • A woman was freed from depression in prayer at the “W” and her doctor acknowledged this last week and reduced her medication in half to “see how things go.”  He did this because she had not been depressed a single day since prayer three months ago, even though her depression had been diagnosed as intractable and incurable.  Thank you Father that nothing is intractable or incurable with you.

  • A man needed a job and had been looking for months.  He was interviewed and hired within a week of prayer.  God, Your name is Jireh and we trust Your provision.

  • A woman was being ministered to by a WT team member and the intercessor was prompted to hug her, repent, and ask her to forgive all of the horrible things done over the years to her race.  The woman came back the next day completely healed of all of her physical ailments but more importantly her anger and rage toward the white race (she was part African-American and part Cherokee) was instantly dissolved and removed by the Holy Spirit as she was ministered to.  Bless God for He is the healer of the deepest, oldest wounds.

  • A family was down to its last $28.00 and no immediate prospects for provision.  Two people came up on the same day and gave them $120.00 which met the needs of the week and spoke of God’s eventual complete provision.  Father, when it is dark and there is no light we will trust Your reputation.

  • A woman was having car trouble and so she prayed.  One shop gave her a huge estimate on the cost of repair but she was led to go to another shop and they only needed to replace a hose. It cost less than $50.00.  We thank you Father for you have friends in automotive repair and you guide our steps if we will listen.

  • A woman was having tingling leg pain down her left side.  She was prayed for and within an hour the pain and tingling sensations were gone.  We bless you Healing Lord.

  • A story came in this week of a woman who was asking God “what should I do with my life” since her children were growing up and leaving the nest.  As she waited quietly the thought came into her head “look at Matthew 7:7-14”.  So she went and looked up those verses. They talk about asking, and God giving in response to the asking, and also giving good things and not stones.  That night she went to church and shared in the service how God had ministered to her with those verses.  After the meeting a couple of women came up and told her that those verses were exactly what they needed to hear as well.  That night she opened her Bible randomly just before going to sleep and it fell open to the section in Corinthians where Paul says “I did not come to you in eloquence of speech but with fear and stammering …”.  She had almost not brought up the verses at church because she had been afraid of what people might think. The Lord encouraged her that she was indeed supposed to have shared and that He was working in her life and ministering through her.  Father, Your sheep hear Your voice and follow You still today.

  • An intercessor that is a part of the WWT has a son in Afghanistan serving in the military.  He leads a medivac Chopper unit.  He also has spent time deployed in Iraq.  He was commenting to his Mom how amazing it is that their unit has not had any casualties and their aircraft has not suffered a single hit, even when other units around them were being hit in the same vulnerable situations.  His commanders and other units have all noticed and discussed this miracle. We bless you Father for answering the prayers of your people as they continue to lift up our sons and daughters who are serving our country so bravely and so well.

  • A young autistic boy was prayed for at the “W” and he said “amen” to his grandfather giving a testimony of how was gradually bringing healing to his grandson and later said the word “God”.  He had never said either of those words.  We look to you Father to complete the healing and restoration of this child to glorify Your Son.

  • A family came to the “W” to say thank you.  Here is their story;

Now that is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave at work in our lives today.

As an intercessor was reflecting a few days later on the awesome work God had done in this family the Holy Spirit gave them a word.  This person had been asked by an elder in their church “do you have any hope for this church?” and the person was slow to answer because they really did not have much hope for their church at that point.  The word God spoke was;

•  

   

  “You do not have a right to not have hope.  If I can heal a family that has no reasonable chance of being restored I can certainly heal this church.  You need to place your hope in Me.”

Hearing that story put things into perspective for me once again.  My hope needs to be in God and not fazed by the swirl of my circumstances.

We say it often at the “W” but it is worth saying again, the facts of your circumstance are not necessarily the truth, they are merely the facts.  God’s truth overcomes and supersedes facts.  He is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think. We do not deny the facts but we need to focus on Him and His truth, not the facts, when we are praying for difficult situations.  This may include a difficult situation at your church or in your life.  Do not lose hope.  Your hope is in Him.

“I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

 Here are some additional things to be aware of as WT members;

OPPORTUNITIES:

·       The fall schedule begins next week @ Mars so please pray for the staff and workers to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit as they do the work at Mars Hill.

·       We have asked for additional people for the WT over the past few months  ….  Names anyone?  J.

·       Please pray for the staff, leaders and volunteers at Mars Hill as there are many transitions in process. Change can be disruptive.

·       Please continue to pray for Ted and Claudia and the OMWB as they speak and minister;

o       Sept 2  Ted will be speaking at Crossroads Bible Church during the 9AM and 11AM services.  Crossroads meets at the National Heritage Academy Charter School on 3 Mile just west of Alpine.  He will be teaching on Listening Prayer and Healing.

o       Sept 7 The Old Man Worship Band will be leading the worship at a Roger Sapp Conference on healing in Ionia, MI at the First Baptist Church.  The Conf. begins at 7PM.

o       Sept 17^th Ted will be teaching at the Spring Arbor University Chapel.

o       Two PrayerFire events coming up this fall;

§       October 13^th @ Beechwood Reformed in Holland, MI

§       November 3^rd In Jenison, MI

You are appreciated and prayed for often.  

Ted and Claudia Kallman

Wrestling Coaches

“I believe in order that I may understand.”  St Augustine of Hippo