THE GOD CONNECTION by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Jesus Christ stated: “Verily I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven: and whatsoever
ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven. Again, I say unto you, that if
two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that 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 am I in the midst of them.” (Matt.
18:18-20)
There is great power in PRAYER
when we ask in faith, expecting God to answer! When we pray for the sick, we
bind the sickness in Jesus’ Name. Our prayer is heard in Heaven and when we
command the sickness or disease to leave, the miracle occurs for His Name’s
sake. There is great power in prayer when we unite with one or more
people. And the awesome PRESENCE of
Jesus Christ brings answers to our prayers!
St. Paul declared: “Grace
be to you and Peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us
from this present evil world, according to the will of God the Father:
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Gal. 1:4,4)
JESUS
BECAME A CURSE FOR US!
“I am crucified with
Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which
I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and
gave Himself for me. Christ hath Redeemed us from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a Tree:
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ;
that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
(Gal.2:20; 3: 13,14)
“But when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to REDEEM them
that were under the law, that we might receive the ADOPTION
of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into
your hearts, crying, Abba Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son;
and if a son, then an HEIR
of
God, through Christ.” (Gal.4: 4-7)
JESUS
said:
“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 work’s sake. Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works that these shall ye 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. And I
will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot
receive…At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I
in you.” (John 14: 10-17)
The Holy Spirit
raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead! When He descended upon 120 believers in
the Upper Room, the Church was born with supernatural signs and wonders! There
is no power on earth that can stand against the Holy Spirit. He has given
the Church power in Jesus’ Name, to heal the sick and cast out devils! Jesus
and His Father are one and we are one with Jesus and the Father through the
Holy Spirit. (John 17:21)
The Bible says, “Set
your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead,
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our Life, shall
appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in Glory.” (Col. 3:2-4); “Ye are of
God, little children, and have overcome the: because GREATER is He that is in
you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4: 4-6)
THE
PROMISE OF THE FATHER!
JESUS stated, “Ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part
of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“And when the Day
of Pentecost was fully come, they were with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues
as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
St. Peter declared:
“But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel: And it shall come to
pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel,
hear these words:
“Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among
you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel
and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have Crucified and SLAIN: Whom God hath
raised from up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was possible that
He should be holden of it.
“He seeing this
before spake of the Resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in
Hades, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up,
whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore, being by the right hand of God Exalted,
and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth
this, which ye now see and hear…
“Therefore let
all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same JESUS, whom ye have
crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:16-36)
THIS
IS FOR US TODAY!
“Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38,39).
I am including a
letter written to Donna and me from my mother Anne, sharing how my
father Ingvar Solbrekken was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit! We
were Lutherans and unfamiliar that. God reached my father in a marvellous
show of power and love. I was always a believer in Christ, but the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit was unknown to me! I give all the glory and praise to Almighty
God for His great mercy and grace toward my family!
March 29, 1956: Dear Max and Donna,
Thank
you so much for the phone call; it was so nice to hear your voices. I must tell you a little about the wonderful
things which have happened to us here on the farm in Saskatchewan. It began
with Dad receiving a marvellous spiritual experience. He sat in the big chair and listened to Oral
Roberts Sunday morning and was expecting to receive healing from the Lord. This was the third Sunday morning he had
risen early to hear this broadcast.
Oral
Roberts said we should ask God to show us that He is God! Dad told us later, that he had done just
that. The first I heard was when Dad
began to groan and it sounded as though he couldn’t breathe properly, and then
he began to cry. I jumped out of bed and
ran to the front room thinking that Dad was dying or had become terribly sick.
You
have probably never seen Dad cry. In
more than 31 years of marriage, I had never seen him cry. I asked him if he was sick and he barely
managed to answer, “This is God’s power”.
When I heard this, I let him alone thinking if it is God’s power then
there is nothing to worry about. I fell
to my knees and prayed.
Dad
seemed to be completely overtaken with this wonderful power of God which was
upon him. He had just sat down in his
big chair when this great power came all over him again and seemed to take
complete control of him.
It
all began as Dad sat praying, and there appeared something like a pillar of
fine rain or mist above his head and enveloped him - he just breathed in the
wonderful presence of God, and he was so thrilled with the nearness of the Lord
and the beauty of this great spiritual experience. Then this great power seemed to fill his
body, soul, and mind!
Naturally,
I became very surprised at all this and many thoughts crossed my mind - perhaps
Dad was going to die - I could not really understand what this was! Such a change came over Dad and it caused me
to really wonder about it all. He was
completely taken up with spiritual things and wanted to talk about God and the
Bible, and also pray a great deal. In
other words, HE HAD
BECOME A NEW PERSON! He only wanted to do that which was right in
all matters, and he had such a burden for all those who were not saved.
I
was overjoyed at the change in him. A
short time later, however, (perhaps one week) Dad had lain down to rest on the
bed, when he suddenly began to speak in a foreign language, clearly and
distinctly and for a long time! I became so surprised that I began to cry as I
had never heard or seen anything like this before. Dad continued to speak in these foreign
tongues several times a day and continued praising and magnifying God.
All
this greatly surprised me as I could not understand it, but I knew it was the
working of God, since I had observed the great spiritual change in Dad for the
better! YOU KNOW, HE HAD NEVER BEEN A CHURCH MAN! So
Dad rejoiced and spoke in tongues daily and worshipped God. I had always been afraid of those things
thinking it was just nonsense, but now when I saw it, I realized it was a great
power from God. I certainly could see
that from Dad’s experience!
Then
I began to consider the possibility of receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
also, but I was afraid - to pray for this mighty gift and afraid to ask the
Blessed Holy Spirit to come and dwell within me. Since I had these fears within me the devil
didn’t waste any time in trying to rob me of this great gift from God. Finally, however, God gave me grace to pray
for the Blessed Holy Ghost to come and take His abode within me.
For
three nights I prayed earnestly to be filled with the Holy Ghost but became
rather discouraged because nothing happened.
The presence of God, however, was so real in our home that many times I
would tremble and shake as I sensed God’s power all over me - it seemed I could
just breathe God’s goodness and power.
Then
one morning I woke up with strange heavenly words on my tongue which I spoke
fluently. I thanked God as I felt a deep
peace and tranquility fill my chest!! The next day I lay down for an afternoon
nap, as I was tired. Suddenly I felt a trembling
in my hands and a quivering in my mouth as my tongue began to move. The Blessed Holy Spirit had taken possession
of my tongue and I heard myself speaking out loud in distinct and clear words -
PRAISES UNTO GOD IN OTHER
TONGUES!
After
this had passed, I became so overjoyed that God had visited me that I began to
cry. Dad came running into my room,
praising, and magnifying God because I had also been filled with the Holy
Ghost. It still thrills me to think that
the Holy Ghost would touch the lives of sinful humanity. It is all the grace of God through
faith. Seek God and receive the Holy
Ghost, Max and Donna. It is a great
blessing!
Love, Mama
HISTORY OF DAD’S
MIRACLE!
My father had been suffering
with his gall bladder for several years but being a hard-working farmer, he
kept putting off an operation. He finally went to hospital to have the
operation. He was taking a lot of medicine and his heart was also affected. There
were several other men in a large room, when he heard a voice in Norwegian,
saying, “Go home and listen to Oral Roberts.” He looked around to
see who spoke to him. He was the only Norwegian in the room. He prayed, “Is
this You, Lord?” The voice came again, “Go
home and listen to Oral Roberts.”
Immediately, he asked the nurse
for his clothes and after signing himself out of the hospital, he headed to the
bus station. He was in much pain and his heart pounding. Fortunately, a taxi came by and took him to
the bus station, and he was able get to Norquay. My mother was surprised to see
him at the door. He said, “God spoke to me.” She said, “That’s
good. I’ve been waiting for thirty years for that to happen.”
After his miracle, his gall
bladder and heart were normal. Dr. Duncan was so amazed and stated, “Mr.
Solbrekken, You are the luckiest man in Norquay.” And he gladly allowed
Dad to pray for him! Many years later Dad was struck by a vehicle causing concussion
of the brain. The Physician attending him, said, “Your Dad’s heart is so strong.
It doesn’t want to let him die.” I answered, “Dr. that is good
news. God healed my Dad’s heart about thirty years ago.”
OUR FAITH
IS IN GOD’S WORD!
When we are asked to
minister to the sick and afflicted, the Word of God is the basis for our prayer
and supplication. In His victorious wilderness temptation, Jesus Christ used
God’s Own Word to defeat Satan. Three times Jesus stated, ‘It is
Written!’ And the devil was defeated by the Word of God alone! (Luke
4:1-13)
The Holy Bible declares:
“For the Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
This Scripture declare
that the Word of God not only ministers to our spirit and soul, but also to our
body. What is the Word of God doing in our bones and
the marrow of our bones? There is no sin there, but there could be serious
diseases like arthritis or cancer there, and the Word of God heals them! Why is
this?
Jesus is the Word of God:
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 1, 14).
Jesus is the Living Word of God, and the Bible is the Written Word of God!
WE ARE COMMANDED TO HEAL THE SICK!
“He hath sent His Word
and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. Oh,
that men would praise the Lord, for His goodness, and for His wonderful works
to the children of men.” (Ps. 107: 20, 21). God has given us His Word to
use as a weapon against Satan and his evil works!
The Holy Scripture says,
“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 …. Whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God
raised up the third day, and showed Him openly…” (Acts 10: 38, 40)
“When the 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 that were sick: That it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our
infirmities and bear our sicknesses.” (Matt. 8: 16,17)
FOR THIS
PURPOSE:
“He that committeth sin
is of the devil: for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8);
“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. And we are witnesses of all these things He did in
Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on the tree: Him God raised up the
third day, and shewed Him openly.” (Acts 10: 38-40)
Jesus said: “The Thief
(Satan) cometh not, but for to Steal, and to Kill, and to Destroy: I am come that
they have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the
Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. As the
Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My Life for the
sheep.” (John 10: 10,11, 15)
The Bible states: “Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter
1: 3-5)
THE PRAYER
OF FAITH!
The Bible says: “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)
“And the seventy returned
with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us in Thy Name. And He
said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL
the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke
10:17-19)
“And He said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel unto every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and
if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them’ They shall lay their
hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16: 15-18)
SATAN
EXPOSED & DEFEATED!
Satan is the Accuser of
the brethren. He accuses us before God, day and night. (1
Tim. 4:13). His name is also the Devil which means Liar.
(1 Tim. 5:15). The Wicked One is the Opposer and Enemy of
God and His children! How busy he is in his work of lying, stealing, killing,
accusing, oppressing, and slandering people! He himself is condemned to the Lake
of Fire forever! (Rev.20:10)
Satan deals in
death. Jesus deals in life. The Evil One was cast out of Heaven and is called, “The
prince of the power of the air.” He still wields destructive power but can be
stopped by the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus Christ,
and the name of Jesus Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords!
All praise, honour and
glory be unto our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who conquered Satan when
He gave His life, as our substitute to purchase our eternal redemption. When He
cried, “It is Finished”, that was Satan’s total defeat: “When Jesus
therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is Finished: and He bowed His
head and gave up the ghost.” (John 19: 30)
Jesus spoke in Greek. The
word He used was ‘Tetelestai’ from the Greek verb ‘teleo’ which
has three essential meanings: to finish something and make an end of something;
to fulfill something; to pay for that which is owed.” He had finished His
work of Redemption and put an end to Satan’s power over mankind. He had
fulfilled every Old Testament scripture about Himself. He had paid for our sins,
sicknesses, and diseases! Hallelujah and Amen.
Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V1N6 Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; YouTube, Face book. Donations may be made by e-transfer: Send donation to: [email protected].
