How often have we asked God to give us that special someone in our lives? Or maybe we’re asking God to hook us up with some employer? God is still in the business of giving divine appointments!
My time in the States has been a great learning experience! Many prayers have been answered that I just wrote about last month. Before I left the Philippines, I had been praying for God to send those to me whom I’m supposed to teach in the States as I did in Cebu. It is my desire to multiply myself (aka make disciples) and teach them to be better than me. I want a true fathering spirit, and that would require I encourage them to go further than I can go, be better than I can be. On the same token, I haven’t stopped praying for more spiritual fathers guide me. There are now 6 people who have come to me, asking me to teach them to walk like Christ in the ministry of reconciliation with proclamation and demonstration. I’m so grateful to God for the evangelism group back in the Philippines and now here in America! I know none of their lives will ever be the same, all for God’s glory!
A couple of those who asked to be taught were divine appointments from God! God told me to write a message on Craig’s list, asking others if they need prayer. Only one replied. God had also spoken to him to search Craig’s list, of which neither of us could think up something like this! The second one God spoke to, “That he would meet a healing evangelist Monday who teaches others”. When I met this guy Monday night, the Holy Spirit and I wasted no time to teach him how to pray for the sick. Sure enough, many people got healed that night including serious back and knee problems that people suffered with for years! God is a good God! I was teaching both of these people to pray for the sick. Healing was flowing out in that crowd of 30+ people. God desires to use you as well. God is looking for those who won’t deny His power!
The past month I’ve really been busy connecting with many churches and Bible studies. God’s hand continues to be reaching out to all those who are in need of His touch.
In past month 50 people have been healed in various places of which I’ve recorded their testimonies. Incurable diseases are healed, and many backs and legs have been brought back into correct alignment as demonstration that God is over everything! Many people are okay with His presence being found inside the church, but what about in His temple? We are called the temple of the Holy Spirit, and must always recognize that He is with us and in us everywhere we go! Not just “Where two or three are gathered in His name”, but when you’re alone, too! That verse has been twisted, because it’s actually referring to reconciliation between two bothers in Christ. That’s why it’s important we read the whole chapter, not just the verse. What if you’re the only one around, is God not there?
People have also been witnessed to without me ever having to leave the dinner table at a restaurant. Two times this month God has brought someone to me while I’m eating so they could be brought back to Himself! Both times they also got healed and were taught the truth. He has told us to go make disciples, not decisions. He’s also asked us to exchange our yoke for His yoke, our kingdom for His Kingdom. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” – Matt 13:44. We’re not called to convict or to change people, God does that. Though we are called to preach the truth, and the truth is, many people are going to miss the Kingdom of God. Salvation does have a price tag, it’s an exchange. Some people want to walk in the kingdom of this world and not in His. Who’s the king of your kingdom? Yourself? What about God’s Kingdom? God.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give (EXCHANGE) in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” – Matt 16:24.
If the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then why did Jesus wait three years before He told His disciples that He would die and be risen again? What were they preaching before that time? Jesus and the disciples were preaching the Good News that His Kingdom is here and above all problems, demons, and sicknesses! After they proclaimed there is freedom, they demonstrated it!
Each one He called to preach, He also gave power and authority over demons and sickness. “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” – 2nd Tim 3:1-5. Sound familiar? I believe we are living in those times He’s referring to. God loves to show off His power! He’s just looking for those who will believe in His promises. If you’re struggling with a heart ache, head ache, or stomach ache; God can heal it right where you’re at.
I know I’m speaking very straight, but there are many who have been in church all their lives and still don’t understand these simple truths. Lester Sumrall said, “First the truth will make you mad, then it will make you free.” These are the truths that will set you free in so many ways! Those who are born again from heaven above have the Spirit of God in them. A seed produces after its own kind. God sowed a Son to reap more sons! “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” – Romans 8:12-14. Notice that God calls us sons? That goes for every woman, too!
His desire for your life is nothing but great things. Trust in Him as you exchange your thoughts for His. He will renew your mind to focus on things that are better for you. “For where your treasure is, there your heart (affections) will be also. The eye is the lamp (light) of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matt 6:22-24.
Ask God, “Where am I Lord? Am I light or dark?” He could say to you, “Where is your eye?” So my question to each of you is the same. Where is your focus?
Continue to pray for more of God’s divine connections in this missionaries’ life and for the right doors to be open in the in the States, and the Philippines when I return. I am so grateful for all of your prayers. Please don’t stop being a blessing to me! God will pour out on you as you pour into my life!
Because they haven’t heard,
Justin Gilpin
