The Ministry Report on Lakeland
Here’s a GREAT post from The Ministry Report on Lakeland, regarding the ministry of the Arnott’s the other night (which we missed, but I hope to catch via the internet when I’ve got a free minute)
I can’t say that I agree word for word with Marcus’ assessment (but I can see how he draws those conclusions, and respect him for addressing them in a Christian manner) … and he does make an important point here:
If there’s anything we need more of at Lakeland, it’s the humility and transparency John showed with this simple, somewhat off-the-cuff comment. John’s been praying for people’s healings for years, yet I love that he was honest enough to explain what was going on at that moment and offer insight into the atmosphere of healing. We desperately need more of this—particularly in Lakeland—to diffuse the “mystical,” elitist sense that surrounds healing in certain charismatic circles. Healing has become a complex issue partly because of the culture we’ve created around it—the “why not me?” questions, the level-of-faith game, the prayer flair, etc. Yet throughout the night, John reminded people of how simple it really is. God does the work, we receive His gift. At one point, while speaking of God’s fatherly heart, John cited Luke 12:32: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Praise the Lord that it’s the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom!
July 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Kathi, my fear is for those that leave there having received no healing. What happens to their faith? And the faith of those around them? Having been prayed for at a revival, the chances of anyone following up on one that did not receive a healing is pretty slim to none - they’re on their own to try and make sense.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
That’s a good question hon. Don’t forget that I was prayed for, for 6 years, and didn’t get healed for those 6 long years. Then I did.
I’ll try to post more on it tomorrow.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Donna - I share your concerns, as you know. I’ve been through the ‘healing conveyor belt’ myself at Christian events, and not being healed is compounded by guilt at not making the grade, being attacked for not having enough faith, being dropped and left without support by those whose theology is too challenged by the ‘failures.’
I like the ministry report Kathi’s posted - it’s a timely reminder away from all the froth and hysteria. There’s far too much inhumanity in the instant-coffee culture of the healing phenomenon - it’s an absolute disgrace. As far as I’m concerned, the leaders have a huge responsibility to care and act practically, not just tally up the numbers as they fly past. If they don’t have the structures in place to do that (or at least direct people to those who can), they have NO business being in ministry. They’re like fishermen who pull in the nets and throw the substandard catch back into the sea.
It’s time we got away from the McChristianity on offer. It’s great when people are healed but not at the price of sacrificing those who aren’t, those who stand and watch sadly as the Healing Train pulls out of the station amidst banners and cheers.
July 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
What we also have to remember about healing that it may not ever manefest itself down here. The young lady I asked prayer for, her church and many others prayed for her to be healed and she was, the moment of her death it was manefested as she entered the Kingdom. I have been healed of a heart condition, diabetis and acid reflux. A church here in Concord told that a child died recently because the child lacked faith. the child was 5 years old. We all have a measure of faith given by God, but to say someone lacked faith, was a blow to the people and the woman of the child walked away from God over it and was distraught until someone told her that it was an error to have told her this. took five years for her to come back to Jesus. What we have to remember its not our will be done, but his will be done
July 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Took me 8 years to come back to Jesus, Rev - when my father died of cancer, I was accused of killing him by not having enough faith.
I prayed for the young lady you posted about, and continue to pray for her family.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Jules, when I was able to be a part of the going home service Wednesday, it was an honor as 20 young people came to Jesus that day. Her death was not in vain, as she was in heaven rejoicing with the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord here that the Father sent when Jesus left was ever so present. I know at times its hard but Jules remember its his will always. We may not understand it but we have to except it. I am glad you got back into the church, and it was never about your faith, it was also about your fathers faith. If the person we are praying for doesn’t have faith that God will move, then we can’t be blamed and as I said before, its his will and your father was healed as we know. By his stripes he was healed.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Todd’s message this evening is on this subject.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:52 am
“it was an honor as 20 young people came to Jesus that day.”
That’s wonderful
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24
July 19th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Oh Jules, to see it was awesome. These young people ran to the altar to become born again. It was tremendous. I have to say the other great thing was, the Pastors that were there also gave them hope of follow up after their excepting Jesus as Lord and savior. That is the important thing to me. Is that there is follow up by local pastors. In good revivals, local pastors are contacted to see that this is a priority. Billy Graham always sent teams in to the area to prepare the local church to do the followups
July 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
People receiving a physical healing can be a complex issue. I have received healing at times in my own body, however I have shared my mother’s testimony several times to explain about what scripture teaches us about faith playing a role in healing. My mother was ill throughout much of her child hood. As a young woman she was finally diagnosed with Leukemia. The Doctor’s told her parents to prepare my mother that she did not have long to live. She had been prayed for by many believers and had experienced no healing. On a particular day a little lady minister came by her hospital room and asked her if she truly believed Jesus wanted her to die or if she believed Jesus still had a work for her to do. My mother answered that she believed that Jesus still had a work for her to do. The woman prayed the prayer of faith. My mother did not have an immediated recovery. She went home and instead of getting worse she went back to work and experienced her healing. She is now 79 years old and has been pretty healthy from that point on in her life. I fully believe that if the little woman had not come by and sparked my mother’s faith and prayed for her she would have died of Leukemia. Now for the part of her story that is not always easy to understand. She went onto Bible College and met a young man from the state of Kentucky. He believed he had been healed of cancer. He and my mother became engaged, however, he died of cancer before their wedding. Sometimes there simply are no easy answers and some things we have to leave with God knowing that on the day we see Jesus face to face we will understand all things then.