Thursday, November 22, 2018


Rev. Max Solbrekken at Edmonton Revival Centre, 1970
Thousands attend Max Solbrekken Port au Prince Crusade
at the Du Valier Stadium in 1972. God received glory and 
praise. He performed staggering miracles as God's servant
 prayed. The nation of Haiti was blessed of God!
15 year-old Insane boy healed by Jesus Christ in 1972
Gospel Crusade in Duvalier Stadiun, Port au Prince, Haiti
During the mass prayer for salvation, healing and 
deliverance in Duvalier Stadium 15 year old insane 
boy was suddenly made well. Thousands heard
his testimony by live radio broadcast across Haiti.
16 year-old Geraldine Rideout weighed 25 pounds, was 2 1/2 feet
tall. She had never stood in her life, suffering with Osteo Genesis 
Imperfecto. She was made whole by Jesus Christ in 1968, at the

F. G. Bursey Memorial  Tabernacle, Lewisporte, Nfld. At age 21, 
she started attending school in grade one. Geraldine graduated. 
She spent 16 years travelling and singing the Gospel across the
province of Nfld. We took her to Europe and Norway where she 
testified to the grace of God. She got married at age 46. Amen.
Pastor Max Solbrekken with Geraldine Rideout, 1980
THE DOUBLE CURSE
and
THE DOUBLE CURE
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D
     The Bible states: “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42: 10); “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.” (Is. 53: 4,5)
      “Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgiveth all my iniquities and healeth all my diseases.” (Ps. 103: 1, 2); “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 5:15)
    In the above Scripture texts we see two things: sin and forgiveness; sickness and healing! Job was greatly afflicted with sore boils over his entire body until God healed him. Isaiah declared that Messiah's vicarious death provides forgiveness of sins and healing of sicknesses and diseases. And St. James states that the prayer of faith saves (heals) the sick and forgives those who have sinned!
     Jesus Christ said: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19: 10); “And when they had found Him, they said unto Him, All men seek Thee. And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.” (Mark 1: 37-39)
                                  SICKNESS & DISEASE IS CAPTIVITY!
     Sickness and Disease is Captivity. Destruction of the house and death of Job's children is captivity. Losing his property and reducing him to poverty is captivity. The horrible boils covering his body which Satan brought upon Job is cruel captivity!
       Without doubt, Job was a captive of Satanic invention. Job was assaulted by the Devil and all his emissaries who killed his servants and stole his cattle. He was targeted by Satan who engineered the storm that destroyed his house and killed his children. It was Satan who brought destruction, death, sorrow, sickness and pain upon a godly man!
     The GOOD NEWS is that even though Job suffered under the brutal hand of Satan for about six months to a year, in the end he was exonerated. God totally healed him and restored back to him twice as much as Satan had stolen!
     Sickness and disease is Captivity. Christ, however, has purchased our Freedom from Satan's Prison House of fear, bitterness, anguish, torment, condemnation, doubt, oppression and depression, which often accompany severe sickness and disease!
      The shed blood of Jesus Christ brings peace, forgiveness with assurance, wholeness of spirit, soul (mind) and body. Divine Healing from our Lord causes joy and blessings beyond compare, and a tranquility filled with thanksgiving and praise unto Jesus Christ our Lord!
                                  JESUS CAST OUT MANY DEMONS!
    Jesus cast out devils everywhere He went. Demons feared Jesus during His earthly ministry and they fear His servants today as we preach in His Name! The Holy Bible states: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His Word was with power.
     “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone: What have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold Thy peace and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown Him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. (Luke 4:14; 32-35)
      The scribes, pharisees and chief priests were amazed by the power and authority Jesus of Nazareth possessed. Our Master was able to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead and perform other great miracles after He was filled with the Holy Spirit. (John 3: 34). He had taught in the synagogue for years without any miracles of healing or deliverance, before He was filled with the Holy Spirit.
     “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him: and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ.” (Luke 4: 1)            The Bible says: “The thief cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy; I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 10): “And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through 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.”
     Just prior to His ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ issued the Great Commission to His followers: “And He said unto them, Go ye unto 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 hands on the sick and they shall  recover.” (Mark 16: 15-18)
     My Prayer is: “Come Lord, turn the captivity of sickness, disease and pain away from Thy children according to Thy Word and Thy precious promises which fail not, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son! Amen.”

                 WHY DID JESUS HEAL THE SICK?

1. SATAN IS THE SOURCE OF SICKNESS & DEATH:
      There was no sin, sickness, disease or death in the Garden of Eden before the Fall: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it. “And God saw that everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good...” (Gen, 1: 27, 28, 41)
      The Holy Bible states: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2: 16, 17)
    “And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; But of the fruit in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” (Gen. 3: 4).
     And the serpent (Satan) said unto the woman: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day that ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil... (Gen. 3:19)
      When God's Hammer fell, He stated: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art and, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3:19)
    “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned. For if by one man's offense, death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5: 12,17)
     “The thief (devil) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy; I am come that ye may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 10); “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8)

2. HE CAME TO LOOSE THOSE WHO WERE BOUND:
    His mandate was to Liberate the Captives held by the tyrant Satan, the enemy of God and man. Our Saviour spent three years dismantling the kingdom of darkness by preaching the Word of God, healing the sick and casting out evil spirits!
     Jesus came from Heaven to bring freedom to Adam's fallen race. After being filled with the Holy Spirit at the Jordan River and defeating the great Liar in the Wilderness Temptation, He returned in the Power of the Spirit declaring that He was the One whom Isaiah prophesied would usher in the Gospel Age, which was called the “acceptable year of the Lord.” Immediately, He began casting out devils and healing the sick!
     This text defined His Ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty to them that are bruised.” (Luke 4: 18).
     Here is Moffat's translation of Isaiah 61:1:The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. He hath anointed Me to preach the Good News, to tell the Prisoners that they are Free, to tell the Captives that they are Released.”
   St.Paul stated that Jesus Christ's vicarious death on Golgotha and His glorious resurrection three days later, totally destroyed Satan's power over the human race:                  “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through DEATH He might DESTROY him that had the power of death that is, the DEVIL: and DELIVER them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2: 14, 15)
     When something is destroyed, it cannot be fixed. Satan is an eternally doomed despot and in the future will be cast into Hell and later, the Lake of Fire forever. It will take only one angel to bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit!
     “And I saw an angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the Bottomless Pit and a great chain in his hand. And laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the Bottomless Pit, and shut him up...” (Rev. 20: 1,2)

3. TO BEAR AWAY OUR SINS, SICKNESS & PAIN:
   Seven hundred years before our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, God's prophet declared: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not.
    “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; 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 His 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: 3-6)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation, 
   "Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a Body hast Thou prepared Me; by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for EVER, sat down on the right hand of God:
     “For by One Offering He hath perfected for EVER them that that are sanctified. And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
      Please Note: When you have confessed your sin to God, it is forgiven. Therefore, it is foolish to continue asking for forgiveness for something that no longer exists. There is no forgiveness for that which is already forgiven. Therefore, thank God for His amazing grace and mercy. You are then Free and God's Peace belongs to you!
     “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the HOLIEST by the BLOOD of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an High Priest over the House of God:
    “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; For He is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 9:28 10: 5,9-14, 17-23)
    This is the greatest truth ever revealed to mortal man! Nothing in a million years could compare with the magnanimous goodness, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ's gift of eternal salvation freely given to us through His all atoning, compassionate and vicarious death for us on Golgotha's Cross.
     We have been PERFECTED forever through Christ's PROPITIONARY OFFERING, because He was delivered for our offenses and was raised for our justification! (Rom. 4:25). Hallelujah to God the Father, His glorified Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit!

4. TO BREAK THE MOSAIC DEUTERONOMY CURSE:
      In the Covenant of Blessing and Cursing, Moses declared: “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandment and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee.
     “Moreover He will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way which I spake unto thee Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall ye be sold to your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy thee.” (Deut. 28: 15,60,61,68)
    The Mosaic Covenant that God made with the Children of Israel was one of Blessing and Cursing which stated that if they would obey the Lord and refrain from pagan idolatry they would be the most blessed in all the earth, but if they disobeyed, His blessings would leave them and they would be cursed.
     In His mercy, God the Son was incarnated (God in human flesh), true God from eternity and true man through His virgin birth and became a curse, by dying as God's paschal Lamb for them and the whole world. He had come to lift the curse, but was reviled and rejected by their religious leaders.
     St. Paul wrote: “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 blessing of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal.3: 13).
    When the nation of Israel rejected their Messiah, Almighty God turned His back upon His people. During their revolt against the Roman Empire, eventually the city of Jerusalem as well as the Temple were totally destroyed, more than one million Jews were dead, 97,000 were enslaved as gladiators and eventually were killed.
    Everyone under 17 years of age were sold as slaves. There was such hatred for Jews, however, that only Egypt would take Jewish slaves. Here we see the perfection of God's Word regarding the fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant: “And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships by the way whereof I spoke unto thee. Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.” (Duet.28: 68)
     When Jesus was lifted up on the cross for the sins of the world, He broke that curse and through His shed BLOOD He has purchased our freedom!

5 . TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
   St. John declared: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might DESTROY the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8). Through many years of studying the Holy Bible and other theological materials and a half century of ministering God's Word to multitudes across the world, I am convinced there are five works of the Devil.
     The first work of the devil is Sin, which is a transgression or disobedience of God's laws (1 John 3:4). Through the call of the Holy Spirit and preaching of God's Word, sinners are born again. There is deliverance of sin through Jesus' precious blood.
    The Bible states: “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, His Son cleanseth us from all sin. My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous:
    “And He is the propitiation (expiation, covering, satisfaction) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 1:7; 2:1,2); “In Whom (Christ) we have Redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph.1: 7)
      The second work of the devil is Fear. The Bible says: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7). Satan is the author of fear. Fear hath torment and perfect love casteth out fear. When Jesus spoke to troubled people, He said: “Be not afraid.” (Matt.14: 27); 
     “Peace I leave with you; My peace I leave with you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27)
    The third work of the devil is sickness, disease and death. Sickness is incipient death. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead and He has given us the power to heal the sick in His name. Through His vicarious death and resurrection, He tasted death for every man. And because He lives, we shall live also! Jesus Christ Lord of the Living and Dead!
     “And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of God is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.” (Matt.10: 1, 7,8):
     The fourth work of the devil is poverty. When He witnessed a funeral procession with a widow mourning the death of her only son, He was moved with compassion and stopped the procession. He raised the boy from the dead and him gave him back to his mother. He made sure that she would be cared for!
     “And when He saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And He said, young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered him unto his mother.” (Luke 7:13-15)
   The fifth work of the devil is demon oppression and possession. On multiple occasions, Jesus cast out demons from those who were bound by them. He commanded them to be quiet and to leave, which they did. The demons were terrified of Him and begged that He might not torment them for they knew who He was. He commanded them to depart. And He gave us his power to do the same!
     In his Great Commission He says: “And these signs shall follow them that believe. In My Name, shall they cast out devils...” (Mark 16: 15-20)
      After Jesus' resurrection and ascension to Heaven, St. Peter said, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power Who went about doing good and healing those who were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
    The Bible states: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light, who hath Delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities an powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
      “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.1:13; 2:14,15; 3:3)

6. TO DO HIS FATHER'S WILL
    “Giving thanks to the Father, which made us meet to be partakers of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of Darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, in Whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14)
    “For as much then as the children are of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise also took part of the same; that through Death he might Destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil. And Deliver them who through fear of death, where all there lifetime subject to Bondage.” (Heb 2: 3-4)
    “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to His cross; and have spoiled Principalities and powers. He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2: 14, 15); “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Whom is our lie shall appear then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:3,4)
    The Bible is very clear on the reason God the Father gave His Son as His paschal Lamb to shed His pure and perfect blood on the Cross so that we could be Redeemed and become God's children. St. Paul who formerly was an enemy of the Gospel, writes: “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: 5-11)
     Divine Healing is God's will. Jesus healed the sick wherever He went preaching the Gospel. Why did He heal the sick? He came to do His Father's will, and His Father's will is to make everyone whole. He is the Creator, the Life Giver and the Great Physician!
     The Bible states: “And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His Miracles which He Did on them that were diseased.” (John 6: 2,3); They were HIS miracles and every miracle which is performed on the sick in JESUS' Name are God's miracles alone! They belong to Him and we gladly give Him all the thanks, honour and praise!
     “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: the Father hath not left Me alone: for I do always that please Him.” (John 8: 28. 29)
    In his Pentecostal message to the multitudes in Jerusalem, St. Peter declared: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” (Acts 2: 22)
    Concerning the Coming Messiah the Prophet David prophesied: “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10: 9; Ps. 40: 7)
7. TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURES
    Seven hundred years before Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem, the Prophet Isaiah foretold His coming: “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; 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 His stripes we are healed.” (Is.53: 4,5)
    St. Matthew confirms Jesus' Ministry: “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 Easaias the prophet, saying: Himself took our Infirmities and bare our Sicknesses” (Matt. 8: 16, 17)
    “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 we are healed.” (1 Peter 2:24);               “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: Who healeth all thy diseases.” (Ps. 103: 1-3)
                                         DOUBLE CURSE & DOUBLE CURE!
Reviewing the great truths presented here:
  1. Psalm 103: 4, 5 -forgives all and heals all.
  2. Isaiah 53: 4, 5 – three fold healing: spirit, soul, body
  3. Psalm 102: 19. 20 - to lose those appointed unto death
  4. James 5: 14, 15 – Healing and forgiveness for us
  5. Heb. 2: 3, 4; Acts 2:22 – Jesus' Earthly Ministry
    God's Word deals specifically with Deliverance from the powers of Darkness and Satanic oppression, curses, plagues, bondage, fear and torment. Our Lord Jesus came against Satan and all his evil works and brought deliverance, healing and blessing to mankind. As His servants, we have been given the authority and power to continue His work.
     JESUS said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature...And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall the 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 hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18)
     Isaiah prophesied the coming of our Saviour. He also preached powerful messages of righteousness and laid out specifically what God's people must do to prepare their hearts for a great Revival! Here he teaches the importance of fasting and prayer:
     “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Is. 58: 6,7)
     Early in my Ministry for JESUS, I learned the value of fasting and prayer! For years, while working as a pastor and evangelizing simultaneously, we usually began the New Year with seven days of fasting and prayer. A number would join us in this effort, with great blessing. Personally, I would continue the fast for a longer duration.
     The disciples of Jesus had tried in vain to free a little deaf and dumb boy from demon spirits. When Jesus came on the scene, He healed him. When they asked why they could not, Jesus answered: “Because of your unbelief...Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17: 17-21)
     Jesus Christ our Lord said: “Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom is taken from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Mark 2:20)
    This is God's way to reach those who are unsaved, sick or suffering from demon oppression. God's promises are sure and certain and when we seek God in fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to liberate Satan's slaves in Jesus' Name!

HERE IS HOW GOD DEALS WITH THE ENEMY:

1. Curses - Deut. 28: 15, 18, 22, 27, 28. 34, 35, 45
2. Plagues - Mark 5:25
3. Bondage – Luke 13: 11; Is. 58:6
4. Oppression – Acts 10:38; Is 58:6
5. Captivity - Job 42: Luke 4:18
6. Sicknesses & Diseases -Is. 53: 4, 5
7. Fear – John 14:27, 1 John 4:17, 18; 2 Tim. 1:7

    The Holy Bible states: “God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of a man that He should repent (change). Has He said and shall He not do it, or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?” (Nu. 23: 19)
     God's great heart of mercy and grace desires to bless and heal all who are hurting and suffering today. I do not believe it is God's will for any of His children to suffer the pain, agony and torment which Jesus suffered for us on the whipping pole and on the cross!
     God's Word cannot return unto Him void. It must accomplish that for which it was sent. It is impossible for God to fail. He has placed His Word above His Name, therefore it is impossible for God's Word to fail. “He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from all their destructions.” (Ps. 107: 20).
     All sickness and disease was conquored by our Saviour Jesus Christ who took upon Himself our sicknesses and pains. The Bible says: “For He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.” (Is. 53: 4, 5)
     “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);
      “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 ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24). Our Lord is good and His mercy endureth forever.
My deepest convictions and personal belief about Jesus Christ is identical to the Holy Scriptures. I concur totally with the Word of God! Amen.
                                          JOHN ALEXANDER DOWIE
    Dr. John Alexander Dowie was born in 1847 in Scotland. He emigrated to Sydney Australia as a Congregational Minister. In 1874 a serious plague swept through the city of Sydney leaving a swath of dead and dying. Pastor Dowie had buried 40 members of his congregation within a month and another 30 members lay dying.
    He did not know what to do as his prayers seemed to rise no higher than the ceiling. As he sought God in desperation, suddenly while reading Acts 10:38, the revelation of God came into his spirit. He saw for the first time that it was Satan who made people sick and that Jesus made people well.
      With great hope in his heart, he read: “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)
    At that very moment, he got a call that a young girl was on her deathbed. He rushed over to see her. The doctor was on his way out and realizing that there was no hope, said to the preacher: “Aren't God's ways mysterious?” Dowie responded, “No, that is the work of the devil. It is time to call on Him Who can destroy the work of the devil, to slay that deadly foul destroyer.” He walked in and began to pray! 
     Dowie wrote, Here is the prayer I prayed as I remember it: Our Father help and teach me how to pray and Holy Spirit teach me to pray, and plead Thou for me O Jesus, Saviour, Healer, Friend, Advocate with the Father. Hear and heal, Eternal One, from all disease and death, deliver this sweet child of Thine. We claim Thy promise. I rest upon Thy Word, We claim Thy promise now. Thy Word is true, “I am the Lord that healeth thee”. Then heal her now. Thy Word is true, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Unchanging God, “then prove Thyself to heal her now. Thy Word is true, “These signs shall follow them that believe. In My name shall they lay their hands on the sick and they shall recover.” And I believe. I lay my hands on her in Jesus' Name and claim Thy promise now. Thy Word is true, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” Trusting in Thee alone, I cry, O Saviour now for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Her mother asked, “Is she dead?” “No”, I answered in a whisper lower still. “Mary will live. The fever is gone. She is perfectly well and sleeping like an infant sleeps.” Dowie called for some food to be brought to the girl and the nurse brought some cocoa and some slices of bread. Dowie bent over the girl and called, “Mary”, and she awoke. “O sir, when did you come? Mother, I feel so well and hungry too.”
And Dowie left that home with a song of triumph that Jesus still is the same today!
                                       LET US BELIEVE & RECEIVE!
St. Paul stated: “He staggered not at the promise of God, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded, that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now, it was not written his sake alone, that it was imputed to him.
But for US also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4: 23,24)
What was he saying? The WORD of God does not change. It is eternal as God is eternal. The Almighty has placed His Word above His name. You can bank on it. It will not fail for our Lord cannot fail.
The second great truth I wish to leave with you is that there is only One True God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! In the divine economy of God there is no room for counterfeits or manufactured man made gods!
The very first of the Ten Commandments written with His own finger in two tables of stone, states: “Thou shalt have no gods before Me.” (Ex. 20: 3). The Bible says: “For though there be that are called gods, whether in Heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many), but TO US there is but One God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him, and One Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1 Cor. 8:5, 6). Amen.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

HONOURING
MY PARENTS
Ingvar & Anne Solbrekken
Pastor Max Solbrekken writes of his precious
parents who pointed him to Christ by word &
example. May these words strike a chord in 
others to be an influence to family members.
Ingvar & Anne Solbrekken, 1925
Ingvar & Anne Solbrekken, 1957
My Mother, Anne Hestekind at 19 years
Anne Solbrekken with her guitar, 1967
 
Ingvar Solbrekken, Edmonton, 1970
Ingvar Solbrekken's book, My Experiences with God
Ingvar Solbrekken age 20 in Norwegian Military

GOOD TIMES GROWING UP!
       As the years come and go I find myself thinking about the good times I had growing up in a loving family with a precious mother and father who cared about our well being. Although we went through the depression of the 'thirties' we lived on the farm and had  enough food and plenty work to do.
     We all had our duties and didn't complain and that is the way we were raised. Getting up early to milk the cows before going to school was par for the course. Being the second youngest, I got off  easy with only one cow to milk. 
     Until my fifth grade we had 2 1/2 miles to go to school. In the summer we would ride our bikes or travel in a one horse buggy, and in the winter we would make own track  and all six of us would go single file on skis. Dad built a one-horse covered sleigh with a little heater to keep us warm on extra cold days. He made the  skis as well!
     We acquired more land one-half mile from Norquay, so that we could attend High School. We would ride our bikes or walk to school. I enjoyed running and found myself often running to school in the morning, home for lunch and back to school at 1:00 pm, and home after 4:00 o clock.
   Our mail arrived at the Post Office three times a week so we would often run to town for the mail on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. When I won the Senior Men's 880 yard Race at the Saskatoon Provincial Field Day in 1951,  I did not realize that I was already a trained runner. 
 (Back to the beginning in Norway)

                           MY MOTHER BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL!
     My mother, Anne Nikoline Hestikind was trained in Specialty Cuisine and was often called to prepare dinners at High Class events. Then one day, she became ill. The doctors could not diagnose her illness. For six years she was constantly having fevers, more fevers and recurring fevers. She had lost her balance and was very weak. Then, one day there arrived in the mail a little magazine from the Storm-Monsen Mission, inviting sick folk to visit the Betesda Healing Home on the outskirts of Oslo, Norway.
    She was taken by horse and wagon to a level railway crossing. Her brother travelled with her by train to the Betesda Healing Home. For seven days my mother listened to teaching from God's Word, prayed and worshipped Jesus Christ in preparation for her healing. On the final night before her healing, she and others heard a constant noise like someone cluttering up and down the chimney. She was told that Satan often tried to scare the people, but to ignore him!
     On the seventh day, they were taken to a bath house at the waters edge of the North Sea. The nurse handed my mother the key to open the door. As she stood in the middle of the room, suddenly a beautiful warm feeling surged through her and she was instantly healed, walked into the water and back out again. The next day, she took the train and walked 21 kilometers to her home. As far as we know, she was the first person to be healed in that community in Valdres, Norway.
     One of my Dad's sisters wrote him about the great miracle that Anne had experienced. He wrote back saying, “I know Anne Hestekind and I would like to hear from her of how she got well.” When he had some free time, he and a friend decided to visit the young lady who had been healed.
     My Dad asked, “Did God heal you or did you just get well, naturally?” She told them that she had been born again and healed supernaturally, and called to proclaim the gospel. Dad stated that the Holy Spirit touched him when she spoke the name of Jesus and he felt like crying. They both became deeply convicted and left.
                               MOM & DAD IMMIGRATE TO CANADA!
    My Mother was a very musical person, played the violin, piano and guitar. She belonged to the Lutheran Home Missions and often sang and spoke to the children in schools. When my father had finished his 'three year tour in the Army' he became a conductor on the Oslo Street Car system. After some time, his father became ill and he had to go home to look after the farm.
    He enjoyed his work as a Street Car Conductor but was happy to be able to see Anne Hestikind again, because he was secretly falling in love with her, but was afraid to tell her. He felt drawn to her and visited her often. 
   Even though my mother was seven years older than my Dad, he asked for her hand in marriage but was refused unless he became a 'Personal Christian' (born again). He asked her to explain what it meant to be born again. After some time, he made a confession of faith. Later, they were married.
    My Mom and Dad owned a General Store in Etnedal, Norway and were doing well, however, word came to them about great opportunities in Canada. My grandfather had immigrated to Canada years earlier and was getting old. He wanted his daughter Anne, to have his half section farm land in Norquay, Saskatchewan.
    In 1927 the Solbrekkens embarked for Canada aboard the Bergenshaw.  Martin was two years old and Astrid six months. Traveling from Montreal to Saskatchewan on the Canadian National Railway, they were involved in a horrific train collision when two locomotives met head to head at top speeds in the dead of night, near Quebec City. Many were killed and others injured.  My father suffered a broken neck and spent three weeks in a hospitable there.  It was a shocking entrance for them in their new Country!
      Dad was unable to work for two years and was awarded $750.00 ($10,747.00 today) from CNR with which he was able to buy a team of horses, some cattle, furniture, farm implements and an Model T. Mom and Dad were young and strong and toughed it out, and so life began on the farm four miles north of Norquay in the province of Saskatchewan. Four more children were born to Ingvar and Anne Solbrekken in the next 10 years; Mekkal, Fred, Emil and myself.

Fast forward to March 1956.
                                  DAD HAS A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE!
   For thirty years Dad had suffered with an infected gallbladder but being a farmer he couldn't find the time to have an operation. Finally, he ended up in the hospital. Many tests were taken and he was very concerned. He also suffered with a racing heart and anxiety. There were four men in the ward, when my Dad heard a voice in the Norwegian language saying, “Go home and listen to Oral Roberts”.
     He looked around to see who had spoken to him, but he was the only Norwegian in the 

room. Again the Voice said, “Go home and listen to Oral Roberts.” He asked the nurse to 

call Dr. Duncan, who gave him permission to go home, under his own recognezance. He 

was very weak as he walked to the bus depot and had to lie down on the grass, however, a 

taxi came by and took him to a hotel until the bus arrived.
    My Mother was surprised when he returned. He said that God had spoken to him, to which she replied: “That is good. I have praying for that for 35 years.” In his book 'My Experiences With God', my Dad wrote: “I continued to be very weak and sickly. One day I said to my wife, will take my Bible and start seeking God for a miracle healing in my body."
    My oldest son had sent me some Oral Roberts magazines which I hungrily read, together with my Bible. I would rise early and have my devotions. Faith began rising in my heart. How long this continued I can't quite remember but I do know that, I began to believe that God would heal me.
     One night I had a strange dream and in it I saw a 'Chariot of Fire' travelling at a terrific speed. I awakened and knew I had dreamed something supernatural. I asked my wife what it could mean. She had no answer to give me since we were Lutherans and had not had any real experiences with the Holy Ghost. My wife was a spiritual person, but besides being a Lutheran I was a “dead Lutheran”.
    A few nights later I had another dream. In this dream I was walking down a newly constructed road which ran east and west. It was a dry, rough road as it was still ungraded. I had a hard time to walk but I struggled on. Finally I came to a hill. I took a little rest before I tackled this hill. I wasn't sure that I could make it because it was very steep besides being rough. I kept pushing forward and finally made it.
     When I stood at the top of the hill I was very happy. There were no buildings, but there was a strong light there and many tall trees that seemed to almost smile down at me. I had such a wonderful feeling of joy and I was extremely happy. Just then a voice spoke to me and said, 'You will see greater things than these.' When I awakened I wondered in my soul what these things could mean.
                                  I HEAR ORAL ROBERTS ON RADIO!
     A week after this great experience, I was up early having my devotions and tuned in to hear the Oral Roberts radio broadcast. I had been reading my Bible a good deal and prayed much during the week in order to prepare myself for God's healing power. As Oral Roberts began to preach I sat very attentively listening to his sermon;
     He said, “If you want to know if God lives or not, lift your hands up toward Heaven and ask God to reveal Himself to you and show you if He lives or not.” In obedience I did exactly what the Man of God asked us to do. I did not hesitate but quickly raised my hands towards God and sincerely prayed, 'O God show me if You live or not.'                         Immediately, I felt God's power come down over me. It was like a charge of electricity coming down on my body. God's presence not only came upon my body but into my body, soul and mind. I became very afraid as I thought that I was dying. I felt my pulse but could feel nothing. The power of God was all over my body.
    As I was prostrate under the mighty power of God, I finally called out to my wife and said, God has healed me and filled me with the Holy Ghost.” My wife who was still in bed came running and said, “Papa, have you had a stroke?” I answered, “No, Mamma. I have not had a stroke, but I have been filled with the Holy Ghost.” I then asked my wife to open her Bible at random and wherever it falls open, put your finger on that verse and read it to me.
     Here is what she read, “Give ear, O ye Heavens and I will speak, and hear, O Earth, the words of My mouth, My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the grass. Because I will publish the Name of the Lord, ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock. His work is perfect for all His ways are perfect. For all His ways are judgment: O God of Truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” (Deut.32: 1-4)
                            STAMMERING LIPS & OTHER TONGUES!
    One day I was sitting in the easy chair singing an old Norwegian Hymn and the Spirit of God was upon me. I was filled with great joy as I sang about the Church all over the world. I was lost in the Spirit and began singing different words with the same tune. Then I began to speak fluently in other tongues with great peace and joy.
    My wife was taking a little nap and came running, asking what had happened with me. I answered, “God has filled me with the Holy Ghost.” She answered, “I have been a christian all my life and I don't have this. And you have been a backslider.”I asked my wife to read Isaiah 28: 11, 12.
    She read: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing, yet they would not hear.”
    She had never seen that before in the Bible. She fell to her knees and said, “This is the power of God.” Then she confided in me that she wanted this great experience also. I laid my hands on my wife and prayed that she would receive the Holy Ghost. Two days later she received the Holy Spirit of promise and spoke in unknown tongues glorifying God.
      One of my boys was asleep in his bedroom and when he heard me crying out to God,
came running and in a concerned voice said: “You must be suffering from a nervous breakdown.” I answered him: 'No my son, I have just received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and have been healed miraculously by His Divine power.'
    I had been totally set free from darkness and brought into the light of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The glory of the Lord was so strong that I could scarcely bear it. I could see with my visible eyes the 'shekinah glory' and the anointing was so strong that I could hardly walk. The mighty power of Grace and Glory was upon me for more than one month.
     The same night that I received the Holy Ghost I was sitting in an easy chair worshiping God when suddenly a vision came to me. A cup was set to my mouth and I was given two sips out of this cup. I have never in my life tasted anything so wonderful as what I drank out of that cup. I believe it was a little taste of Heaven with God's grace and mercy that I was allowed to partake of.  Hallelujah!
    While I was kneeling on the floor in our living room seeking God during the radio broadcast I heard Oral Roberts singing 'Amazing Grace'. The next night I said to my wife, Tonight I am going to go on my knees and ask God to stay His hand because the anointing was so strong that I could hardly contain it. When I knelt to pray the anointing came over my head and stayed there for about two hours.
    One day while I was lying down on my bed resting, I saw a coal of fire coming from the window and it touched my lips; it did not enter my mouth, however. In that moment, I thought of Isaiah's experience and I trembled at the thought of God's holiness and nearness.
    “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is purged.” (Is. 6:6,7) I knew that my lips had been cleansed because I had been a sinful man.
     The first person I told me experience to was my own doctor. I told him that I was healed and filled with the Holy Ghost. I told him that I didn't need any more pills. That I was born again and changed by God's power. After he examined me, he noted that not only was I well in my gallbladder, but also that my heart was normal. 
    Dr. Duncan looked me straight in the eyes and said: “Mr. Solbrekken, you are a very lucky man.”
   From that time and onward I began testifying publicly for Christ, telling of my experiences with God and inviting them to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I soon realized that I had received an experience from God which seemed to be foreign to those with whom I conversed.
    Some people had the knowledge of sins forgiven and a personal experience of salvation but no one in our area had received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Some old time Christians had sought the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and still others were afraid of it because of wrong teaching in their churches.
    I also noticed that I soon became a marked man and if I would go into a public building in my town and people were blaspheming or swearing when I entered, they would abruptly discontinue that foul language and calm right down. They must have felt the influence of the Holy Spirit within me. I also learned that I had received great power over demons and evil spirits as I would seek God in prayer.
                                           PROPHECY FROM GOD!
    The Holy Spirit would speak to me regarding things to come. Usually this would come at night. I would pray to God concerning certain matters and ask Him to reveal His will to me and grant me His wisdom and understanding in many matters. Then the Holy Spirit would speak to me through dreams or deep impressions.
    God spoke to me declaring that He had given me power over diseases and demon spirits and that even cancer could not stand against me when I came against it in Jesus' name, with complete faith. He also reassured me that He would never leave me nor forsake me but would be with me always even to the end of the world.” (Matt 28:20)
     I noticed when the Holy Spirit wanted to speak to me, I would become very tired and would lie down to rest. Then the Spirit would begin to reveal many things to me about things to come. He showed me that a tremendous destruction was going to come as a result of a great world war, and the aggression would come from the Northern part of the globe.
    In the spring of 1956, I was having my crop spayed by a neighbour. In prayer the night before I asked God about my neighbour. He assured me that he was a born again Christian. The next morning as we met on the field, I shared with him concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. He asked me to pray for him. I asked him to remove his cap. Then, I laid my hands on his head in Jesus' name and began to pray for him to receive the Holy Spirit. I commanded him to receive the Holy Ghost in Jesus' name.
    The mighty power of God came upon him and he fell down, overcome by God's presence and began to speaking in tongues as they did in the Upper Room in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. This continued for about fifteen minutes as we worshipped God in the open field. Then, I helped him to his feet. I asked him what had happened to him.
     The first thing he said was, “I am not afraid of war any more.” Then he continued, “I had a wonderful experience with God and had a vision of three bright lights. First, I saw a small light coming towards me and then a second larger light and finally a third light that I could not look upon it and there was no strength in me. Hallelujah. This is the power of God. Glory to His name; Now I know Heaven is for me and that I will make it there.”
One week later, I met this same neighbour again and he gave the following testimony. He had been deaf in one ear for quite some time but his ear had opened up and he could hear perfectly from it, since his wonderful experience in the field.
                                              I AM SO THANKFUL TO THE LORD!
    Before my healing, I had a difficult time to walk the half mile from our home to town but after my healing I could run to town and back, and felt that I was almost more in the air than on the ground. Since my healing, I have had absolutely no trouble with my heart. Praise God.
    There are two things that I could not understand. First, why would God love me and want to give me His gifts when I was such a sinner? God spoke to me through the Scriptures and showed me that Jesus Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom. 5: 6). 
    And that He had come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19: 10). Jesus said, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I not am come to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance. (Matt. 9:12, 13)
     Second, I did not know how easy it was to receive from God. As I read the Scriptures, I realized that all a person has to do is to believe the Word of God completely and in simple faith, trust and obedience reach out and take whatever you need from His hand, because He stands ready and willing to give it to you.
    Jesus said: “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened.” (Matt. 7: 7,8). Then, thank, praise and glorify God for sending His Son Jesus Christ to save, heal and fill you with the blessed Holy Spirit. In closing, remember my friend that Jesus Christ died for you and that God loves you and wants to forgive you, heal you and fill you with the Holy Spirit and power. May God bless you. Amen.

                                          LETTER FROM MY MOTHER!
    Below is a personal letter written by my Mother Anne, regarding her experience of being filled with the Blessed Holy Spirit. This letter was written in Norwegian and sent from Norquay, SK and translated into English. - Max Solbrekken

Dear Max and Donna,                                                                              March 29, 1956
     Thank you so much for the phone call – it was so good 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 wonderful spiritual experience. He sat in the big chair and listened to Oral Roberts on Sunday morning and was expecting to receive healing from the Lord. This was the third Sunday morning he had risen early to hear this radio 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 could not 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 not seen Dad cry; in over 31 years of marriage, I have never seen him cry before. 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 it 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 again when this great power came all over him again and seemed to take complete control of him.
     It all began when 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 to 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 - perhaps one week, Dad had lain down to rest on the bed, when suddenly he began to speak in a foreign language, clearly and distinctively, 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 of 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 against those things, but now when I saw it in reality, 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 – 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 in of 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 begin 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 God 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, 
Mamma

PLEASE NOTE:
    In July, 1957 I surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and was born again and baptized with Holy Ghost and fire. In 1961, we started our radio ministry and in August 1963 I resigned from my lucrative position in the business world and launched out in World Evangelism, which continues until today! Together with my precious wife Donna, we have stood in the forefront for Jesus across the world! I want to say that had it not been for my Dad's great miracle and changed life, I do not believe I would have ever entered the Gospel Ministry for Jesus Christ! AMEN.

Max Solbrekken
November 18, 2018
                                             LUDVG MONSEN MIRACLE!

   While I was preaching to great crouds across Norway in 1968, I heard so much about the men who were instrumental in the healing of my mother, Anne Hestekind. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Ludvig Monsen's healing, the 1975 issue of the Stavanger Newspaper filled a very large section of their newspaper with the Miracle Healing that he received from Jesus Christ on January 15, 1915
   There would not have been a marriage between Anne Hestekind and Ingvar Solbrekken, if God had not healed my mother in about 1920 at the Betania Healing Home on the shore of the North Sea near Oslo Norway. And I would not have been born or preached the Gospel because Anne would not have married, because of her serious illness!
   And there would not have been a Storm / Monsen Ministry to bring healing to my mother, if God had not healed Ludvig Monsen at the Special Gospel Meeting at 3:00 pm January 15, 1915 at the Labour Hall in Stavangr Norway.
     Here is a brief history of the great Ministry that brought salvation and divine healing to countless thousands of sick and suffering in Norway, Scandinavia and Europe. Ludvig Monsen of Stavanger had experienced God in a special way as a youth but going to sea at 16 years of age had slipped away from the faith. After some years as a sailor, he got a job as a chimney sweep.
                                   LUDVIG MONSEN FALLS OFF ROOF!
    On a wintry night in 1903, Ludvig Monsen fell off a roof onto an icy street 60 feet below. He was left paralyzed and blind and hovered between life and death for two years. During this time he returned to the faith and for next two years he asked for prayer from the Lutheran Prayer House, Lutheran Home Mission Group, the Salvation Army and the Methodists. He prayed four hours a day – two in the morning and two at night – without an answer from God.
    Then God brought into his life HÃ¥ken Storm, a young man he knew in his youth who had experienced a powerful visitation from God. He was from a wealthy, highly cultured family who were personal friends with the King of Norway. His father was the mayor of Stavanger and his two uncles were Professors at the University.
    HÃ¥kon Strong was a musical prodigy, starting to paint at the age of ten and accepted at the Copenhagen Academy of Art in Denmark at 15. After graduating at age 20, he spent considerable time studying in Rome, and would often sit in the Sisteen Chapel studying the works of Michael Angelo and Leonarda de vinvence. He met with several Norwegian artists, among them Edvard Munch who painted' The Scream' and called him "Church Crazy".
    Returning to Norway, he became involved in teaching ART but there was a yearning in his heart for God. He began visiting homes to read the Bible and pray. He asked the Bishop of the Lutheran Cathedral if he could hand out gospel tracts to people attending and he began holding open air meetings in the area. Then, somehow he learned about the paralized Ludvig Monsen who was praying four hours a day for divine healing.
   They devised a plan to form an Evangelistic Team to reach the people of Norway. HÃ¥ken built a wagon/bed on two high wheels with two handles similar to a wheel barrow, which he could push. On June 15, 1909 the wagon stood ready. HÃ¥ken had specially made identical dark sailer's uniforms with Captain caps. (Ludvig's father was a ship's captain who drown at sea when he was 9 years old)
    It took five men to carry him to the wagon. Their first meeting was in a Lutheran Prayer House in Ryfylke, eight kilometers away. When they arrived it was discovered that the bed was too wide. One of leaders went home for a saw and cut out a piece of the wall, and the meeting took off with a start. Not only was Ludvig totally paralized, with the exception of his rght arm. He was also blind.
   Shortly thereafter, they received a letter from Andeas Larvik from Bergen inviting them to be his guest. He was a well known godly man and they had a number of meetings under his auspicous. In the meanwhile they had started a magazine titled, 'The clear Morning Star', and within two weeks they had 6,000 subscribers.
   They preached the Gospel everywhere they could. Doors opened for them in many places and in 'Open Air Meetings' and revivals in tents. The wagon was raised up a little with a head rest, enabling Ludvig to preach also.
    On October 1914 the Storm / Monsen Brothers began a series of meetings in the Labour Hall in Stavanger. They invited all Religious groups, Peace groups, leading women of the Community and the Temperance Movement. These meetings continued until Christmas. The day before the meeting, someone seeing them push the wagon said, derisively:“Tomorrow they will get slaughtered!” And I believe that GOD LAUGHED!
   Ludvig Monsen was getting sicker and sicker. He had been twelve years crippled due to a tragic accident of falling down sixty feet from the roof of a house where he had been working as a chimney sweep. He and HÃ¥ken had spent five years preaching the Gospel. On Thursday January, 1915, HÃ¥ken placed this ad in the Newspaper:

                    IS THE GOSPEL TRUE? IS JESUS TRUE GOD?
A special meeting will be held this Sunday the 17th of January at precisely 3:00
pm at the Labour Hall. To this meeting the Darwinist Society and all the town's Priests will be officially invited, and herewith we invite as well every socialist in Stavanger, as well as all rationalists and God deniers (who deny that Jesus is True God). All doubters and those who doubt that Jesus is God, are all heartily invited.
   There were also sent invitation letters to the Home Mission, China Mission, Methodists and Salvation Army, as well as a host of other pastors and friends asking for their prayers for the Meeting. The Day came.
   The Labour Hall was filled. First, HÃ¥ken Storm read a Scripture text. Then, Ludvig Monsen prayed. When he had spoken for a few minutes, he felt helpless and the death angst took a hold of him. He could no longer speak, but prayed silently.
   After a little while, he felt a shock go through his body. It felt comfortable. Immediately thereafter, a new and powerful shock. It felt like it would tear his body in pieces every bone and every limb. He tells it himself:
    “Then came some of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced in my life. A delightful voice, so heavenly, so clean, mild and gentle, which spoke the most loving language I had never heard. The voice came from Jesus' own lips and from His own mouth. And the words which He spoke, was for me more than words can speak and pen can write and said. “Ludvig, stand up.”
HÃ…KEN STORM SAYS:
    “I sat on a stool beside the wagon while one wave of death after another swept over my soul. I felt myself together with my brother deep down in death's bitter waters. After these fearful moments came God's mild peace and I heard the Lord's quiet voice say to me: “Stand up!” But I hesitated. Then the voice said again: “Be kind, raise yourself up!”
   Slowly, I stood to my feet and felt a stream of blessing flowing through me and as I stood there by the wagon, I saw my brother raise himself up and I gave him my hand.”
   The following day, the Stavanger Newspapers carried reports with this headline: A PARALYZED MAN STOOD UP AND WALKED, a Dramatic, Emotional Episode!
   For 40 years, the Storm /Monsen Team preached the Gospel of Christ across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, U.S.A. and other countries, winning thousands of souls to Christ and bringing healing to the sick and suffering in His Name.
  They built 'Healing Homes' as well as places for Homeless Men looking for employment, a Home for alcoholicsorphanages and a home for the aged.

                            JESUS HEALED MOTHER AT BETANIA!
It was at Betania Healing Home, near Oslo Norway that my mother Anne Hestekind was supernaturally healed by Jesus Christ, from a serious ailment which had sapped her strength, taken her balance and immobilized her, for six long years! After Christ had made her well, she took the train home alone to a level crossing, and walked more than 21 kilometers, completely well as though she had never been sick, Praise God!

All honour, praise and glory belong to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.