MAKING A DEMAND
UPON
CHRIST'S ABILITY
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
“And a
woman having an issue of blood, which had spent ALL her living upon
physicians, but had not been healed of any, came behind Him and touched the hem
of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus
said, Who touched Me? And
when all denied, Peter and they that were with Him, said, Master, the multitudes
throng Thee and press Thee and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?
“And Jesus said, somebody hath touched Me:
for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me. And when the woman saw
that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she
declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and
how she was healed immediately. And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good
comfort: Thy faith hath made thee
whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48)
The
Amplified Bible translates this passage this way, “Somebody has made a demand upon
My Ability.” And that is exactly what the woman did. She made a
demand upon Christ’s ability to make her well! This marvelous account of the
ministry of Jesus Christ reveals many truths about God’s great love and power,
and how we may tap into His Healing Stream for our needs as well.
Our
Lord was always busy doing wonderful and miraculous things. When He wasn’t teaching
or preaching, He was healing the sick and suffering, casting out demons or
performing other signs and wonders.
The
Bible states: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and
all manner of disease among the people.
“And His fame went throughout all
Syria: And they brought unto Him ALL sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and
torments, and those that were possessed with devils, and those which were
lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them.” (Matt.4:
23, 24)
When
Jesus saw the people as sheep having no shepherd, He ministered His love, mercy
and grace to them through the Word of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
He declared: “My Father worketh and I work…Verily, verily, I say unto you, the
Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things
soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the
Son, and showeth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will show Him
greater works than these that ye may marvel.” (John 5: 17, 19, 20)
“Then
said Jesus unto them: When ye have lifted up the Son of Man then shall ye know
that I AM HE, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath
taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: for the Father
hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:
28, 29)
THE HOLY SPIRIT DID THE MIRACLES!
The
Bible states: “How God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with
Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
Jesus
relied totally on the Holy Spirit which was given Him at the time of His
baptism. (Mark 1:9 -11). He said: “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of
God then the Kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a
strong man's house, and spoil His goods, except he first bind the strong man
and then he will spoil his house.” (Matt. 12: 28)
When
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ returned to the Gadarenes where He had
earlier liberated an insane man from many demons, the people eagerly welcomed
Him back:
“Now
the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with
Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return
to thine own house and show how great things God hath done unto thee and he
went his way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had
done for him.
“And it came to pass, that, when
Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting
for Him.” (Luke 8: 38-40). This is the key to Revival and to the
advancement of the church.
It is the key to a spiritual awakening. It can change the spiritual complexion of an entire community! Testifying for Jesus Christ is the answer to the problems of lukewarm churches and discouraged pastors!
Jesus knew the value of a great miracle to influence relatives and friends, so he sent the man who had been insane and living among the tombs, back home to witness to his healing by Christ. It is precisely what we should be doing today to advance the Kingdom of God among us!
1964: THREE TENT CRUSADES!
Early in 1964 we acquired a large canvas
Army Tent from Earl Vance, that had been used earlier by several Gospel
Ministers. It had three 45 ft. long telephone poles holding up the structure.
Brother Casperson, a godly Norwegian fisherman living in New Westminster, B.C.
gave us the $2,000 to buy the tent and truck
Ken and I picked up the unit and drove
across the Pattullo Bridge, exiting
onto Scott Road heading to White Rock. Climbing that hill, pulling a heavy load
was the first trial for the old 3-ton tractor. It was an exciting time for Ken,
who was only five at the time! Thomas B. Nash, who had been the interior
decorator for C.N.R. Hotels, painted these powerful words on the old Trailer: Solbrekken Revivals: Bible Days Are Here Again! Salvation: Divine
Healing: Holy Ghost.
Our first Crusade was in Surrey, B.C. My
good friend, Rev. Don Gossett and Joyce Gossett sponsored that crusade. Joyce
Gossett was our organist and in charge of the music. Since Don Gossett and I
were both on Radio Kari, it was well announced and many people came to meet
with God.
There was however the case of a youth with
his arm well wrapped with surgical cloth, saying that it was broken. I
seriously questioned the validity of his statement and cautioned him about
approaching God in honesty and faith. At that moment, he and his friend bolted
in fear, leaving behind many feet of surgical cloth.
Rev. Don Gossett wrote,
“People are still talking about the tent meetings and the great things that God
did during those two memorable weeks. Brother Solbrekken’s preaching about holiness,
judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ brought great conviction. And his ministry under the anointing of the
Holy Ghost has challenged and stirred my soul.”
Max Solbrekken: A Radical For Jesus: By Dr. Don Gossett, 1992
When I think of my friend, Max Solbrekken, words come to my mind; integrity, honour, anointing, zeal, sincerity, uncompromising! It was in 1962 I met Max and his family at Prince George, British Columbia where the Solbrekkens lived at that time. I was immediately impressed by the deep heart hunger of this man for the power of God.
The next year he moved to
White Rock, B.C. where we became fast friends, sharing together many ministry
opportunities as well as rich personal fellowship.
Through these more than 30
years, our friendship has never been marred by personal differences or any form
of strife. That's exceptional in this world of communication breakdowns,
between even the saints.
I have ministered in the
nations of the world where Brother Max has been. Pastors and leaders all
over the world speak so highly of him and the effectiveness of his ministry.
His radiant smile has
warmed the hearts of the coldest peoples of this world. His sparkling
Norwegian eyes have penetrated the hardest of sinners.
Max is well known in
Hell as a fearless, courageous preacher of the Word of God that pulls down the
strongholds of the wicked one wherever the Lord sends Max.
Yes, there are a
few words that come to my mind when I consider my friend Brother Max
Solbrekken....A radical for Jesus.
A man ready to die as a
martyr. A world overcomer through his faith in God. A remarkable
family man. Brother Max, you are loved by millions in India, Africa and the Philippines.
- Dr. Don Gossett, D.D., President of Bold Bible
Living, Surrey, B.C.
In the summer of 1964,
my good friend Bob Rosin took time from his large farm in Saskatchewan, to
bring our tent trailer to Winnipeg. We set up the tent near the Brookside
Cemetry close to the International Airport for 22 days of Holy Spirit Revival.
Miracles began happening
from the very beginning with many seeking salvation in Jesus Christ.
POLIO VICTIM HEALED IN MANILA!
In our 1966 Gospel Crusade in Manila, six-year-old Sal Gadula's stunted leg grew out between 12 to 15 inches in a moment. Many people were moved upon by our Lord and 100 members of his extended family gave the hearts and lives to Christ and joined the church!
Sal's life had been dominated by the terrible disease called polio. His right leg was hard like wood and 12 to 15 inches shorter than his other one. His mother Josephine Gadula carried him to the Crusade. Her husband had deserted them. She did not even have crutches for Sal. When they heard about the miracles that Jesus Christ was doing at the Crusade they decided to attend.
She said, “Please heal my son.” I said, “I cannot heal your son.” She said, “You have healed my neighbours.” I answered, “If they were healed, Jesus did it.” Josephine said, “Then, ask Jesus to heal my son Sal.” I answered, “I do not have the faith and you know anything about this. Fast and pray for three days, read the Gospel of John. Then, I will pray for Sal.”
Three days later they returned.
Josephine confessed that they had been upset: “I thought it was because we were
Catholics, but I realized that my neighbours were Catholics. The Holy Spirit
told me that what I was asked to do was not difficult; just fast for three days
and read John's Gospel.”
After
reading St. John's Gospel they both realized that they needed to be born again.
And even if Sal did not get healed, they still wanted to be saved. I said,
“That is what I wanted to hear.” I knelt with them at the
altar and they asked Jesus to come into their hearts.
Then
I placed Sal on a large communion table and with hundreds watching, I laid my
hands on his head and prayed. Suddenly, his dead leg began to jump up and out
and both legs became the same length. I lifted him up and he stood for the very
first time.
As
I stepped away from the table his mother wanted to steady him. I said, “Don't
touch him. God has healed him”. I put him on the floor, slapped
him on his seat and said, “Run.” He walked, fell and ran. And he is still
walking today.
The truth is that both Sal's mother and I
touched Jesus with our faith. She
wouldn't give up, and by placing him on the Communion Table for everyone to
observe the miracle taking place, I was inadvertently touching Jesus with my
faith.
Thirteen
years later, I was preaching in Brooklyn, New York. The Gadula family had moved
to the USA in 1967 and heard of my crusade. Thirteen members of their family attended.
Sal was lifting weights, playing his guitar and singing for Jesus.
His
outstanding miracle was so stirring that more than 100 members of their
extended family abandoned the Roman Catholic Church, and joined Bethel Temple
in Manila, Philippines. And Sal’s uncle Conrad Gadula became a preacher of the Gospel in the United States. Praise God!
Dr. David Sumrall is the Pastor of ‘The Cathedral of Praise’ with 35,000 members in Manila!
RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE!
Jairus,
the ruler of the synagogue, fell at Jesus’ feet and besought Him to come to his
home to minister life to his dying daughter: “For he had one only daughter,
about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people
thronged Him.
"While He yet spake, there cometh one
from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead;
trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not, believe only, and she shall be
made whole.
“And when He came into the house, He suffered no man to go in save
Peter, and James, and John, and the father, and the mother of the maiden. And
all wept, and bewailed her: but He said, Weep not: but she sleepeth. And they
laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
"And He put them all out, and
took her by her hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came
again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her
meat.” (Luke 8: 42-48)
Not only did Jesus have compassion on the people who had earlier driven
Him away from their coasts, but He responded immediately to the urgent request
of the Ruler of the synagogue. While on His way to Jairus’ home, a desperately sick woman reached
out in faith by touching His garment and received an instant miracle!
Jesus
immediately turned around asking, “Who touched Me?” When those near Him
remonstrated, He said: “Somebody touched
Me, for I perceive that virtue has gone out of Me!” (Amp). When the
woman who had been healed admitted that she touched Him and received a miracle,
He said: “Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in
peace.”
The
Miracles of Christ are given to needy
people who truly believe in Him. He knows when someone has touched Him
by faith. He compliments us for our faith in Him. Jesus was true God from
Eternity and true Man by the virgin birth and He ministered in the power of the
Holy Spirit to all who came to Him with their needs. He healed all
whom He touched and all those who touched Him in faith.
The truth is that the woman who reached out
in faith by touching the Master made a demand upon His ability. She knew that
she was unable to help herself and that all the Physicians had failed
her. She also knew that Jesus Christ had the power to heal her and
unlike the physicians, He
didn’t charge for the healing!
By
sheer determination and heart-felt faith in the ‘Man from Galilee’, who had
cast out a myriad of demons from the “Maniac
of Gadara’, this woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years, pressed
through the crowd and took her Miracle from God.
She
touched the hem of His garment - the
Ribbon of Blue– which devout Jews had sewed into their robes that spoke of
the Righteousness of God. She was
not disappointed! Immediately, the blood flow stanched and her strength
returned. The miracle happened when by faith she made a demand on His
Ability! You can do the same!
MY MOTHER RECEIVED A MIRACLE!
Many
people have heard me preach a message titled, ‘The Snake is Dead’. In
it, I share God’s Word about the prophecy that Almighty God delivered to Satan
after Adam and Eve’s tragic fall. God told the Devil: “And I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her Seed. It shall bruise (Crush) your head and thou shalt bruise His heel.” (Gen.3:15)
In
this prophecy Almighty God laid out His great plan of salvation: He would send
the Deliverer to crush Satan’s
head. The Deliverer would be born of a virgin and thereby sinless, and
through His vicarious death would meet the demands of God’s Justice against the
sin of High Treason committed by our first parents.
The
Deliverer would be His own Son whose heel would be bruised through death but
healed in His resurrection from the dead! God the Father has arranged
everything for our benefit. By praying in faith and binding the demons of
infirmity and disease in Jesus’ name, the gift of faith touches the hem of His
garment!
My Mother, Anne Hestekind, was instantly healed of a serious 6 year-long illness while seeking God at the Bethesda Healing Home, near Oslo Norway!
Standing in the room at the Bath House leading to
the water, as in the Pool of Bethesda, she thought about the ice-cold water of
the North Sea. She decided to take the walk in Jesus’ name. Suddenly, a
warm feeling came all over her and she walked into the water and out again
perfectly well. She boarded the train and walked 26 kilometers to her
home. She got married, bore six children and was not ever sick of that disease
again.
What was that warm feeling that came
over her? It was the blessed Holy Spirit. He is the Healer whom Jesus sent
to the Church on the Day of Pentecost so many years ago! It was the Holy
Spirit of God which enveloped her and made her perfectly well.
A
wonderful miracle happened during the first meeting of our 1968
Oslo Crusade, in Filadelfia. During my message, a woman lifted her
hand to get my attention. I stopped preaching and asked what she wanted.
Excitedly,
she said: “For ten years I have suffered terrible pains affecting the mobility of
my leg. Just now, I felt a large warm hand on my thigh and all the pains are
gone. I can move my leg without pain. Praise God”.
I
asked her to run down the aisle. She did with great joy. All pains were gone!
And the people rejoiced, as the Revival leaped forward with God answering
prayer, and great blessing for the next three weeks!
MELBA PHILIPS HEALED BY CHRIST!
In
the 1980’s, I was conducting Divine Healing Services in Vancouver, BC together
with Dr. D.H. Phillips. He shared the testimony of his miraculous recovery
after a tragic automobile accident. His wife Melba came to be with us in that
meeting. Unknown to me, Melba had suffered many years with Raynaud’s.
Her
feet and legs were ice cold and when at home in California, even in the summer,
she wore sheepskin shoes around the house. Her husband Durwin stated that if
his wife’s feet touched his leg while in bed, he would wake up from the
freezing cold in her feet. Two of her uncles had suffered from the same disease
and had to have amputations.
That
evening I preached on, ‘Emmanuel: God with us’ declaring
that Jesus is called Emmanuel and that He is with us; and through the blessed
Holy Spirit He is in us. I declared that because He is with us and in us, we
have His peace, love, joy, assurance of sin’s forgiven and power over Satan!
I
declared that the Holy Spirit is greater than the devil who is in the world.
Sin must bow, fear must bow, sickness must bow and the world, flesh and the
Devil must bow before Him. In our own strength we are no match for the Evil
One. We do not battle him in our own power! We are victorious because He is in
us!
I
quoted St. Paul: “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.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him
and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.2:
9-11)
While
I was preaching about Jesus Christ who had been wounded, bruised, chastised and
scourged for our total deliverance, our Lord reached out and touched Melba. Suddenly,
a warm feeling came over her and she reached down to touch her ankles. They
were warm as toast.
Jesus Christ had touched her as she listened to the inspired Word of God. She had made a Demand upon His Ability and He delivered her from a very serious disease! To God be the glory, honour and praise forever and ever.
A MIRACLE IN LYTTLETON, NB
The
Lord granted us a notable creative miracle during our September 1994 Gospel
Crusade at the Pentecostal
Church in Lyttleton, New
Brunswick. Pastor A.W. Rowe, a very dear friend and one of
Newfoundland’s great preachers had come out of retirement to shepherd that
flock.
Living
in the area was Terry Somers a
young man who had been seriously injured during an accident while working in a
mine. While trying to repair a large water pipe, the pressure returned and
knocked Terry off the platform onto the railway tracks below. He was taken to
the hospital and underwent several surgeries, leaving him with constant
unbearable nerve pains!
For the next seventeen years Terry suffered
enormous nerve pain, taking three times the amount of pain killing pills, to no
avail. He saw doctors in Halifax, St. John and Toronto and no one could help
him.
He
was ordered not to drive the logging truck as he would sometimes lose all
feeling in his legs. He was placed on permanent total disability by Workman’s
Compensation.
One
day he parked his big rig on the side of the road, and when he stepped down all
feelings had left his legs, but fortunately was able use his arms to pull
himself out of harm’s way. Terry had not been able to hold his children when
they were young or lift anything over ten pounds. He was a Christian attending
a Baptist Church, but he hoped that medical science could find a cure, but none
came. In hopelessness, he often prayed that he could die.
Then,
one day he heard the good news that people were being healed by the Lord at
the Pentecostal Church at
Lyttleton. Mervin Mutch,
a leading deacon in that Church visited Terry and told him about our coming
crusade. And he brought with him a tape of Betty Baxter’s miraculous healing.
Due
to the intensity of the pain, Terry had to remain in the foyer of the Church
because he could not sit still during the service and before coming to the
meeting Terry doubled up on all his pills but was still in enormous pain. After
my message Pastor A.W. Rowe brought Terry Somers to the platform expecting a
miracle!
Terry was instantly healed by God’s
supernatural power as I prayed in the matchless name of Jesus of Nazareth. After
prayer, he stated that the pain was gone and leaped in the air, shouting
hallelujahs. He picked up a ten-year-old girl standing nearby, lifted me up and
finally lifted A.W. Rowe who weighed 245 pounds and danced all over the
platform with him in his arms. Terry has not had a pain or taken pill for
anything during the last 19 years since Jesus healed him!
New
Brunswick’s leading orthopedic surgeon wrote a letter to Workman’s Compensation Board requesting
that Terry be released from his total disability pension because he was
perfectly well. In his letter he twice stated that Terry believed that he was
divinely healed, as he also did. His examination proved that the discs that had
been damaged or removed by surgery were supernaturally replaced.
Dr. E.P. Abraham, M.D. FRCS, the well-known orthopedic surgeon told
Terry that if any medical doctor examining the x-ray he had taken and had not
seen the scars on Terry’s back or the hundreds of x-rays and doctor’s reports
taken earlier, that Doctor would say that Terry was a liar and had never been
in an accident or had any surgery because his spine was like a 20 year old man
and everything damaged or removed had been replaced.
I
was fully convinced that Terry would be healed that evening in Lyttleton. And
when Terry and I together touched the hem of His garment, Jesus Christ heard us
and performed that glorious miracle for His glory and honour! We made a demand
upon His ability and the Sign and Wonder of God happened!
HOW MUCH ABILITY DOES JESUS HAVE?
JESUS
said: “All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28: 18); “As
My Father hath sent Me so send I you…” (John 20: 21); “Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24: 35); “But if we walk
in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the Blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 7, 9)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not our heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27). “I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. For the thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd and the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” (John 10: 9.10)
Our Lord said: "All things are possible for them that
believe." (Mark 9: 23); “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is
impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark10:
27);
"As thou
hast believed so be it unto thee," (Matt.8: 13); "Thy faith hath made
thee whole. Go in peace and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5: 34);
"Great is thy faith: Be it unto thee as thou wilt." (Matt.15: 28);
"Have the
faith of God. 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 shall, which he saith shall come
to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith.
"Therefore, I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark
11: 23, 24)
1. THREE LOAVES
“And He said unto them, which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and shall say unto him, Friend lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed;
“I
cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him
because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give
him what he needeth.” (Luke 11: 5-8).
Jesus
stated: “I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven: If any man eat
of this bread he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give is My flesh
which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6: 51): Concerning
Divine Healing, Jesus declared: “But
He answered and said, It is not meet to the children’s bread, and to cast it to
dogs.”(Matt.15: 26)
The
analogy Jesus brought can refer to Jesus who is the Bread of Life and the three
loaves may speak of healing for our total man: spirit, soul and spirit. Jesus
heals the total man. And finally, it speaks of not giving up when we call upon
God for a desperate need. Keep asking, keep on praying until the answer comes!
“Ask
and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened
unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and
unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matt. 7: 7, 8)
“And,
behold, a woman of Caanan came out of the same coast, and cried unto Him,
saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David, my daughter is grievously vexed
with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and
besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
“But
He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the House of
Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord help me. But He answered
and said, “It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs. And
she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their
master's table.
“Then
Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman great is thy faith; be it unto thee
even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
(Matt.15: 21-28)
The lesson we learn from this amazing
deliverance is three-fold: This mother loved her daughter and would go
to any length to get to Jesus, whom she called Lord which revealed that she had
accepted Him as the Messiah. She worshipped Him in great humility.
She didn’t give up until Jesus said, yes. And even though
Jesus had not planned to heal her daughter since He was sent to the Jews, He
could not deny her faith and gave her the miracle! We must all learn from her
great faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him with all her heart!
“And
they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a
great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the
highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began
to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many
charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal,
Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
“And
Jesus STOOD STILL and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man,
saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise He calleth thee. And he casting away
his garment, rose and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What
wilt thou that I should do unto thee?
“The
blind man said unto Him, Lord that might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto
him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received
his sight and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:46-52)
From
this great event: We learn that a blind beggar can be healed if he learns about
Jesus. It is our responsibility to let needy people know that Jesus is always
near! We can reach Him by calling His name. He says: “Come unto Me, all ye who
labour and are heavy laden and I shall give you rest.” (Matt. 11: 28): “For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)
Here
is God’s ‘International S.O.S. Call’: “Call unto Me, and I will answer
thee, and I will show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
(Jer. 33:3). Whenever God is revealing His might power in a Revival Meeting, it
is important to invite as many as possible to attend!
“Now
in the morning, as He returned into the city, He hungered. And when He saw a
fig tree in the way, He came to it and found nothing thereon, but leaves only,
and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee hence forward forever. And
presently the fig tree withered away.
“And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be though removed and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. (Matt. 21: 18-22).
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have the faith in God. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11: 22, 24)
Dr. Ole Hallesby, founder of Norway’s Evangelical Lutheran
Seminary, wrote concerning Matthew 21:21,22: “Now and then, we make discoveries
which almost take your breath away, namely, when we see what great powers are
present in this realm of the invisible. This is especially true when these
powers are put to our disposal, when God performs a mighty miracle simply
because we ask Him to do so.” (Devotional,
June)
5. PRAYER OF FAITH
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5: 14, 15)
“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be done for you of My Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18: 18-20)
“Jesus
said unto him, If thou canst believe all things are possible.” (Mark 9: 23);
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with
God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10: 27)
“And
Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God (have the faith of God). Therefore, I say unto you. What
things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye have received them, and
ye shall have them.” (Mark 11: 22, 24);
“Believest
thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak
unto you, I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth
the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me or else
believe Me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on Me, the works that I do, shall he do also; and greater works than
these shall he do, because I go unto My Father.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask
anything in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” (John
14:10-15)
Brita
Gloppen used a wheel chair and special crutches for 8 years. For 10 years she
was forced to wear a steel corset. Her spine was severely deteriorated and
beyond repair. She also had heart disease and had fallen out of her wheelchair
and injured her head, leaving her with concussion of the brain,
In May 1968, I was conducting a Gospel Crusade at the Pentecostal
Tabernacle in Bergen, Norway when I learned about Brita. Pastor Roald Andersen
had dutifully picked her up every Sunday morning in his station wagon and her
home after the service for five years.
Brita
was brought for special prayer. Miracles had been occurring for two weeks and
this was the final service in the crusade. After my prayer for Brita, I asked
her to give me her special crutches.
Then,
I commanded her to walk in JESUS' Name! She took two small steps and a couple
more. And she took flight, running up and down the aisles, outside and around
the Church.
Pastor Andersen stood behind the pulpit loudly weeping. He said, “I have waited forty years to see such a miracle!” The next morning, she went outside and washed down her steps, shocking her neighbours. She bought new dresses, two sizes smaller as she no longer used her steel corset.
Her testimony became known across the nation being interviewed on radio and the newspapers. Nearly all her siblings received Jesus as their Saviour after seeing what the Lord had done for her! To God be the glory! Amen.
SHELLY BEAR HEALED FROM PERTH’S DISEASE!
Shelly Bear
states: “Twenty years ago, Jesus gave me a miracle – a brand new life! He
healed me from incurable Perth’s Disease.” The Cry of His Coming 1998 Magazine we carried this great
testimony. Here is a copy of that great testimony:
When I was ten years old (1998) my
grandfather Marlo Kenny came to take me to the Max Solbrekken Revival Crusade in
the Corona Motor Hotel, Yorkton. Because my left hip bone was disintegrated due
to Perth’s – bones turn to chalk – I could not walk. My left leg was 1 ½ inches
too short. They had given me special crutches and were
outfitting me with a permanent wheelchair. My grandfather carried me to the car
and when we arrived in Yorkton he carried me down the steps into the large
ballroom at the Corona Motor Hotel.
When Pastor Max asked for people who needed a
miracle, my grandfather carried me up to the ‘Man of God’! When he prayed for
me all the severe pains were gone immediately.
I could walk, run, jump and do anything
a normal 10-year-old girl does! And I didn’t need the special orthopedic shoes
had to wear. I had spent many weeks and months in the hospital – in traction –
since I was seven.
MY
DOCTOR REJOICED WITH ME!
We went back to my doctor and he verified the miracle. Excitedly, Dr. Kim said, “Look at these two x-rays. Here’s an old one that shows you have total deterioration in your hip bone and here is the one I took today that shows a normal hip.”
When I told him what happened, he rejoiced with me and
marked my chart, “HEALED BY FAITH”! Then he spent a long time asking
my father Andy Farkis about the miracle in my body!
During my High School years I excelled in all sports, playing softball
and ice hockey and winning trophies and first place honours across
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia!
Even today at 30, I still
play on an ice hockey team and a softball team. I have three
children and am expecting number four soon. I thank God for His miracle in my
body, which happened 20 years ago. And I
am still perfectly well today. All glory to Jesus!
The Old Testament prophet Isaias made it
clear that when the Messiah arrives, He will liberate the human race from the
power of Satan and destroy his ability to oppress, steal and kill those who
reject him and his evil agenda.
The Bible states: "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses (heb. choli) and carried our
pains (heb. makob): yet we did
esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted, but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with our stripes we
are healed.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to His own way: and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." (Is.53: 4-6);
"When even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Eaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." (Matt. 7: 16, 17).
And St. Peter verified Isaiah's prophecy! "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that, we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you are healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)
50 MEDIAL SPECIALISTS EXAMINED MY ARM: Says Harold Slade, Brantford, Ont. (1973)
In January of 1967, I broke my left arm and in the month of April I suffered another injury on the same arm and as a result, it was broken again. This time however, a nerve got caught between the cracks in the bone. The doctor reported that it was completely cut.
As a result of the accident, my left arm was paralyzed and I just couldn't move it. It was curled up and if I had to move a finger or wanted to, I had to move it with the other hand. In all the time my arm was paralyzed, I had fifty medical specialists from across Newfoundland, Canada and even the U.K. to examine me.
They wondered
whether they should operate or not, and there seemed to be a real fear
concerning possible blood clots that might cause death if they operated. They
debated for one week and let me leave the hospital. After the week they would
make the decision as to whether to operate or not.
The nerve that was
cut was the radio nerve and while I was in the hospital, I was going to a
conference with the doctors about every second day. I remember them
saying that my condition was unique and there had not been a case like mine
ever to come out of it completely healed since 1920.
I had come home
to Victoria Carbonear, Newfoundland
from the hospital in St. Johns. It bothered me a lot to have my left arm
paralyzed because I love playing hockey and was very active. The only thing I
could do with my arm, was to put my thumb inside my belt, so my arm wouldn't
fall down. Anytime I had to use my arm, I had to use my right arm to do it.
I
believe it was in May, 1967 that you came to Victoria Carbonear, Pastor
Solbrekken, and I will never forget the night you prayed for me The glory of
God was falling, and I fell to the floor under God's power when you laid your
hands on me. As I fell, I remember hitting my arm and the devil seemed to say
to me, "That's it. Your arm is really hurt now."
When the Spirit lifted of me I got up and went home knowing I was healed. The next day I went to school because I was to receive my high school diploma that week. When I came home for lunch I said to my mother, "Look at my thumb! I can move my finger!"
Well, to make a long story short. I went back to the hospital for x-rays and tests. The doctors were amazed and asked me to come back the next Friday. I said that I would be completely healed. The next week when I arrived at the hospital, the doctor was so surprised and said my left arm was just as good as my right one!
The miracle happened
six years ago, and I am still perfectly healed today. Every time my doctor sees
me, he asks me how my miracle arm is doing. He still ca't quite believe it and
the hospital asks me if I have any problems, but I don't.
Dr. Wells made the statement, that if
there is a God, He sure helped Harold Sade! Many of the specialists and medical
doctors in Newfoundland were astonished when they heard about the miracle. Some
have heard of your ministry and about the miracles of other people.
Today, I am the manager
of a rent-a-car agency in Brantford, Ontario. I am married and still love to
play hockey and usually do three o four times a week I still find plenty of
time to play my guitar for the Lord. I praise God for this wonderful miracle He
has put in my life!
TODAY'S NEEDS ARE AS GREAT AS THOSE IN BIBLE TIMES!
In 1970, we published a little booklet
introducing our Ministry: God's Servant Evangelist Max Solbrekken is Coming to Your Area! Proclaiming
the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with signs, wonders
and miracles from Heaven!\
We carried thirteen powerful miracle testimonies of people healed by our Lord Jesus through our ministry. My brief message was titled, 'GOD IS ABLE, READY AND WILLING TO DELIVER YOU!' Jesus said: "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)
Yes, my friend, God is still
in the business of setting men and women free from their sins, sorrows,
heartbreaks, troubles, frustrations, and mental collapses. Jesus Christ is
still granting peace to the troubled, joy to he discouraged, strength to the
weary and healing to the sick!
Very definitely, Jesus
Christ is still in the DIVINE HEALING business. He is the healer of our
spirits, minds and bodies, since He alone is the Great Physician and the
Deliverer of lost humanity.
In this cold, selfish and
heartless world, where could you receive such a warm welcome and such an
invitation as from our Blessed Lord? With arms outstretched e is saying, "Come,
come, come unto Me" - His call goes out to all those who
are weary and heavy laden. Thank God for the rest we receive through Jesus
Christ, the Prince of Peace!
HE HAS THE POWER!
Not only does God give us a personal invitation to come unto Him and receive, but He has the power and the ability to do what He said He would do, He is able to forgive, save, heal and bless those who call upon His name!
God is able to answer every
prayer, meet every need and do the impossible! Jesus said, "All things are
possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23); "With men this is
impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible."
(Mark 10 27). Hallelujah! God is able to heal and deliver you. because He has
the desire, will, and power to do it!
GOD
IS WILLING!
A leper came to Jesus and said, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." (Matt. 8: 2). Jesus answered the question, whether it is God's will to heal the sick or not, when He stretched forth His hand and touched the leper, saying, I will be thou clean.
The Scripture says:
"Bless the Lord, O My soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth
all thine iniquities and who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103: 2,3). It is
God's will to save, heal and bless. He is willing to save and heal you right
now!
GOD IS READY!
The big question to you right now is: "Are you willing
and ready to call upon His Name for your miracle?" God is
more willing to give, than we are to ask! Even before we call, He will
answer. This shows His willingness to bless.
God still stands ready to answer
your prayers! Hear what He says: "Come now and let us reason together
saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as white as wool." (Is. 1:
18)
YOU MUST CALL UPON HIM!
The Bible tells us what to do that we may receive answers to our prayers: "If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron.7: 14);
"Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered." By faith and in humble obedience receive the blessing of God upon your life today, my Friend in Jesus' Name, Amen.
JESUS CHRIST MADE ME WHOLE!
Says Winston Bird, Blood Reserve, AB Taken from Cry of His Coming Magazine, June, 2001:
Twenty-nine years ago, I received a miracle from Jesus Christ. Here is my
story, which involves a lot of pain, as well as God's goodness and mercy
to me personally!
In 1971, I experienced an
unfortunate accident. As I walked outside my home - wearing slippers- I slipped
on an icy walkway, hitting my back on its concrete edge.
It
didn't bother me too much to begin with, but after 6 or 7 months I was
experiencing a lot of pain. Also, a bulge the size of a golf ball began to
develop on my spine, in my lower back! I couldn't lie on the flat of my back
any more and I was in a lot of pain, so I decided to see a doctor in McGrath.
After
examining me, he said that he could not help me, except to give me shot of
Demerol or Morphine, to lessen the pain, An appointment was made for me to see
a specialist in Calgary as I had extreme inflammation and possibly infection.
The large bulge was due to ruptured vertebrae and would get larger, if not
attended to.
By the
time I got to see the specialist - several months later - the bulge was the
size of a baseball and I was having a hard time to get around!
The specialist said I needed delicate surgery at the base of my neck, as well as on the ruptured discs in my lower back. My nerves were affected, causing serious problems in my neck, back, legs and arms!
I NEEDED DELICATE SURGERY!
He indicated that there was no guarantee that I would be well again. I
might become paralyzed after the surgery. It was a very delicate operation,
involving numerous nerves. I might lose the use of my arms and legs. They would
take re ex-rays and do more testing in the morning. I was asked to return to
the hospital one week later.
My Dad always
said, "Don't ask God, Why?" so I prayed: "Lord, I'm young and I don't
want to be crippled. You've blessed my ministry (I had been an evangelist for
about ten years), and I have so much to do for you and the people. Please heal
me!"
The clerk at the
Motel where I was staying brought me several newspapers, since I had a hard
time to walk. I had read most of the Edmonton
Journal, when I saw a large ad inviting people to the 'First Native Camp Meeting' in
Edmonton.
I had heard
Max Solbrekken's radio program, and I knew that God healed the sick in his
meetings! The ad stated: Salvation, Healing and Holy Ghost Services:
If you need Healing - Come Expecting! I knew at once that I had
to get to Edmonton!
My driver refused to take me there; so I made arrangements for him to return home by bus. I was beginning to take Demerol pills on a regular basis, as the 'shots' which were more effective, made me dizzy and affected my heart! But how could I drive my pick-up to Edmonton, in my condition?
I tried in vain to find a driver, and after two days without Demerol, I decided that I could make the journey! I prayed, "Lord, make a way. Help me to get to that Camp Meeting! I got up early on Friday morning and headed out. It was spring - time and I had good snow tires, so I felt safe. The only way I could sit was with cushions all around me.
I phoned my sister-in-law and asked her to meet me on the Calgary Trail at the 'Derrick' south of the city. When I got to Red Deer, however, I had to go to the Hospital to get something for the pain. They wanted to give me Demerol, but I refused, saying, "I'm driving, and I've got to get to Edmonton."
My sister-in-law asked me, "Why did you make that long drive in your condition?" I answered, "There's a preacher, Max Solbrekken, who is hosting a Native Conference and I want to go there. I need a miracle!" My relatives said, "We've been to his Church several times and we'll be glad to take you tonight."
AT THE SCREAMING STAGE!
It took me quite a while to
get dressed, and we got to the Church about 8:00 pm. By that time, I was
at the 'screaming stage', having not had any Demerol. There was a large crowd, but we found some
seats at the back.
A man who
introduced himself as Pastor Driver, asked if he could assist us! I
answered, "I'm going to
lose the complete use of my legs soon, I have ruptured discs in my spine."
My sister-in-law sat beside me. I felt like leaving, but she got me some water and urged me to stay. When the altar call was given for sinners, many went forward, and I waited for Pastor Max to call the sick forward!
One of the Bible School students assisted me to the front, as I had a hard time getting up. I was the 8th or 9th in the line, and although it was very hard to keep standing, I did; When the preacher got to me, he said, "My name is Max Solbrekken. What's your name and where are you from?"
I told him, "My name is Winston Bird from Blood
Reserve near Cardston. I'm going to be losing the movement
of my legs. The Doctors want to operate. They have no success rate on this type
of operation. It is a 'NO WIN' situation."
Pastor Max said: "I'm going to pray for you and you are going to get a miracle. God will do what Doctors cannot do!" A warm feeling came over me and I began to cry. I prayed, "Lord, I've come hundreds of miles. And Max Solbrekken is Your servant. You've called him into this ministry. I need a miracle now!"
He walked away from me, stopped and turned around with these words: "In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, be thou made whole from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. Dear Lord, heal this man now, for Your honour and glory!"
When he touched me, a bright light suddenly shined around me. It's hard to explain it. I knew I was starting to go backwards, and two young men grabbed me. I don't know whether I fell or was floating. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in a chair. My legs were hot, my neck was free, and my arms were normal.
My sister-in-law was crying.
I was able to turn my head and look at her. She said, "How are you?" I answered, "My legs are on fire.
Something is happening!"
Then the two young men raised me up and Pastor Max came up to me again and said: "God is going to use you. He has given you a ministry that will bless a lot of people". My legs went out from under me and I stated shaking all over. When I got to my feet, Max Solbrekken asked me: "Where's that large lump?" I said, "Right here" as I felt for it. IT WAS GONE!
Jesus had healed me! What a relief, after almost a year of discouragement, fear, pains, pills, morphine and Demerol needles!
THIS BOGGLES THE MIND!
When I got back home, I threw away
all my pills. And when I saw the specialist, he said: “I don't know what you have done. This boggles the mind and
the Medical profession! What did you do?”
I answered: "I went to
Edmonton to a Camp Meeting. Pastor Max Solbrekken prayed for me, and God has
healed me." Then I showed him the ad from the Edmonton Journal. In total amazement, the
specialist said, "Good luck and
God bless you!"
My wife cried for joy for many days
and nights, and we all praised God together for His Son Jesus Christ, who bore
our sins on the cross and by "His stripes we are healed".
I thank God for His great mercy and grace toward us! Hallelujah.
NEW GLASGOW – More than “100 miracles” have been performed at the
stadium here since a gospel-salvation-healing crusade began 10 days ago,
according to missionary evangelist Max Solbrekken. A three-year-old Pictou boy,
never able to walk in his life, is now walking. A nine-year-old Linacy youth,
blind in one eye, now sees, he said.
These, Mr.
Solbrekken said, are only two of the miracles performed since the crusade got
under way. The widely-known evangelist, of White Rock, B.C. this week received
a letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Pearson for work he performed
during crusade in India this summer.
Making his
first appearance in the Maritimes at the invitation of Rev. Paul Melnichuk of
New Glasgow. Mr. Solbrekken will conclude is crusade this Sunday evening before
returning to Western Canada for crusades in Winnipeg and Edmonton. He will then
return to India where he will begin further crusades this winter.
A
reformer, Mr. Solbrekken says he believes in the Bible as it is: he doesn’t
take anything away from it and adds nothing to it. I preach the same gospel
that has been preached by all reformers. I believe Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and forever. I believe every true minister of the gospel
should pray for the gospel and have miracles should have miracles performed in
his church”, Mr. Solbrekken said.
Mr. Solbrekken sad, “The three- year-old Pictou boy
was brought to the crusade by his mother last week. The boy never walked, only
crawled around on his stomach or walked a little with the aid of steel braces.
He said he prayed for the boy last Sunday evening and two days later the
child’s mother took off the braces and the boy walked for the first time. He
said the boy had been at the crusade services since then and has walked before
the audience.
Mr.
Solbrekken said he enjoys praying for deaf and dumb people. Ninety-five per
cent of the deaf people who come to be prayed for hear normally thereafter, he
said. On Monday evening, a nine-year-old Linacy youth was taken to Mr.
Solbrekken. The boy never could see out of one eye, other than to distinguish
light from dark. After being prayed for by the evangelist, the boy was able to
see for the first time, the evangelist said.
Mr.
Solbrekken said he believes Christ is alive. He rose from the grave and is
alive today. Since He is alive, we pray and ask Hm to do these things – and He
does them. “God is not dead. Thc commandments are not dead. The Bible to
believers becomes a living Book, backed up by a Living Christ. That is how
miracles are performed “, he said.
Dear Friend, if you need to hear from Heaven, don't delay. Call upon His name in faith believing that He knows about you, cares about you and has provided Eternal Life for you. Do it now and He will answer you with His assurance, peace, joy and divine healing. Amen.
