Melanie shares the true story of her journey from non-believer to Christian author at www.womanalive.co.uk/.
I was an atheist, living my life my way and getting nowhere fast. I was disabled, in chronic pain and was depressed. I finally had enough and called out to Jesus to heal me or take me, as I’d had enough of life and wanted the pain to end. Jesus touched me and his power pushed me to the floor. I was shaking and sobbing but when I stood up all the pain, and all the depression was gone!
I gave my life to Jesus there and then, I started going to church, got baptised and my life took off! I began to get ideas for poetry in the small hours of the morning, which led me to write a book called Descending Dove, then another, Spirit in the Wind, and finally a children’s book called Keith’s Teeth.
My life has been so blessed by God that it’s unrecognisable! Hallelujah. All honour, all glory goes to God.
It starts with desperation. Melanie had an “impossible” need – ruined both spiritually and physically. Just like the woman with an issue of blood for 12 years, there was nothing that man could do for her. The woman in Mark 5 had gone to doctor after doctor, but no one could help her. She had exhausted all natural avenues and had not gotten better but had instead gotten worse. She needed a miracle, something that only Jesus could give her. She was desperate for divine intervention.
Have you ever felt that way? Backed into a corner, desperate for an answer, in need of divine intervention? No matter what you did, you could not see a change in your circumstances. You could not see a different outcome.
Faith releases the miracle. After the desperate cry for help comes the declaration, “I believe!” We need to know where to turn when we are facing “impossible” situations. We may not have the answer to the problem ourselves, but we can know who Is the answer. If Melanie had not turned to the Lord, if the woman in Mark 5 had not sought after Jesus, nothing would have changed. A miracle would not have happened.
But when we realize that we can do Nothing, and that Jesus can do Anything, then something miraculous can happen. Melanie turned to Jesus. The woman in Mark 5 turned to Jesus. They were persuaded that only He could make a difference, and they were right. A miracle happened!
According to hymnary.org, Paul Rader was one of the most powerful evangelistic preachers of the early 20th Century. He described himself as an ex-bellboy, ex-cowboy, ex-prospector, ex-football player, and ex-pugilist. He was pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois (1915–21), and followed founder Albert Simpson as president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (1920–23). In 1921 he wrote the wonderful hymn, Only Believe.
v3. Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot, / He enters all rooms, “the doors being shut,”
He never forsakes; He never is gone, / So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.
Chorus: Only believe, only believe; / All things are possible, only believe (repeat).
Yes, only believe! Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. He reigns supreme over heaven and earth. There is nothing too hard for Him and no one above Him. There is nothing He cannot do and no one who can interfere with what He chooses to make happen. So put all your faith and trust in Him. Let faith release a miracle for you.
This Sunday, October 15, we will continue our teaching series, “Faith Strong!” The call this week? “Believe!” from Mark 5:25-34. Faith in Jesus can turn an “impossible” situation into a miracle! Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Save the Date: Saturday, October 21, 11:30am is “Refresh!” – a fun time of creativity, good conversation, and important connections for women and children as we prepare for our upcoming December 2nd “Christmas Lunch and Treasure Trade”. Bring a friend and one of your delicious favorite foods to add to the lunch table.
Aloha ke Akua!
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