Saturday, February 25, 2023

                                            

                             We praise God for all His miracles since 1963

                 CHRIST’S VICTORY

                            SATAN’S DEFEAT, OUR LIBERTY

                                   By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

“He that believeth on the Son, hath Everlasting Life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36). “And ye know that He (Jesus Christ) was manifested to take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 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: 5, 8):

“Therefore being justified by FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for ungodly. But God commendeth His LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom.5:1,6,8,9)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath CHOSEN us in Him before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His GRACE, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have REDEMPTION through His BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace,” (Eph.1:3-7)

JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF FOR US!

More than 600 years ago a young soldier kissed his wife and children good-bye, saying, “Today I give my life for my country!” An army of 2000 Austrian soldiers had crossed the border into Switzerland intent upon conquest. The defenders were being pushed back in retreat, when Arnold Von Winkelried, dashed boldly into the Austrian ranks shouting, “Make way for liberty. Make way for freedom!”

With his bare hands, he seized as many enemy spears as he could reach. As he fell, pierced by the spears, he created a gap in the Austrian ranks. The Swiss, who were buoyed and invigorated by Von Winkelried’s great courage rushed through the opening and won the battle in hand-to-hand fighting!

 The young soldier’s ‘freedom cry’ and the raw courage of the small company of Swiss defenders - several hundred - so overwhelmed the invaders, that they were defeated on that historic day in 1386 at the Battle of Sempach. Arnold Von Winkelried has been immortalized as that country’s national hero! And Switzerland has been free ever since!

 FREEDOM’S CRY FROM GOLGOTHA!

Nearly 2,000 years ago a young man was nailed to a Roman Cross on a hill called Golgotha, outside Jerusalem’s city walls! The Jewish Messiah, who’s coming had been foretold by Hebrew prophets hundreds of years earlier, was on a divine mission to redeem fallen man through His death and resurrection!

Just before He died on the cursed tree, Jesus of Nazareth cried out: “Tetelstai”. That word comes from the Greek verb ‘teleo’ which has three essential meanings: “to finish something, to bring something to an end; to fulfill something; to pay that which is owed.” Jesus of Nazareth had finished His work of Redemption. He had ended Satan’s power over the human family. He had fulfilled every O.T. Scripture about the Jewish Messiah!  And He had had paid for the sins of mankind for all who will receive Him as Saviour and Lord! Jesus was shouting: “Make way for freedom! Make way for liberty!”

Before His Trial by the biased, judgmental, and unfair Sanhedrin, Jesus was invited to read the Scriptures in the Nazareth synagogue. He asked for the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and read from the 61st. chapter, which specifically foretold His coming!  “And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,

“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 them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4: 17-19).

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE!

Jesus was referring to the ‘Year of Jubilee’ that was observed every 50 years in Israel, at which time slaves could be redeemed, prisoners freed, and property returned to the original owners! The ‘Year of Jubilee’ began with the blowing of a trumpet, immediately following the ‘Day of Atonement’.

Jesus fulfilled the ‘Day of Atonement’ when He died on the cross as God’s Pascal Lamb, as well as the Year of Jubilee’ when He poured out the Gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, to inaugurate the ‘Gospel Age’!

 The Holy Record states: “Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound though out all your land. “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his own family. A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you…” (Lev. 25: 8-11).

The “acceptable year of the Lord” was a type of the Gospel Age that began on the ‘Day of Pentecost’ when the Church was born! Since we are still living in the ‘Year of Jubilee’, sinners can be forgiven, sick people can be healed and those who are captives of Satan can be liberated!

Jesus said: “And ye shall know that truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 32, 36).

LUCIFER’S TREACHERY & MONUMENTAL FALL!

An enemy had invaded planet earth in a wicked, blasphemous maneuver that caused the tragic fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and plunged the human race into a dizzying downward spiral that leads to perdition and hell! The high – ranking, rebellious archangel Lucifer had led a revolt against Almighty God – his creator - in an unprecedented and blasphemous revolt fuelled by pride, jealously and unholy ambition!

Together with one-third of the holy angels whom he had cajoled into joining his rebellion, the ‘evil turncoat’ was soundly defeated and cast out of Heaven by the archangels Michael and Gabriel and other loyal angels of God! Isaiah details Lucifer’s treachery and fall thusly:

“How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning.  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell...” (Is.14: 12-17).

The Prophet Ezekiel also chronicles Lucifer tragic fall in the 28th chapter of his book!  And JESUS confirmed Lucifer’s defeat and delegated divine authority and power to His disciples over the Evil One: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightening 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).  The Bible says:Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist in the faith….” (1 Peter 1: 8-9).

JESUS PROCLAIMS LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES!

The archangel Lucifer - guardian of God’s throne and worship leader in Heaven – sinned through his desire to be worshipped, and pride because of his beauty and wisdom! He was cast out of Heaven and became the enemy of God and man, and the world’s leading terrorist! Jesus said: “The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have life and more abundantly.” (John10: 10).

 The Bible says: “He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil is the servant of sin and the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3: 8).

What are the WORKS OF THE DEVIL? By studying the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, we get our answer: Jesus preached the gospel, forgave sinners, dispelled fear, brought peace, healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out devils and raised the dead! He opposed sin, fear, disease, death, poverty, and the devil!

 SIN – Jesus forgave sinners! He died for sinners! His blood was shed for our sins: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). He also commanded His disciples: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16: 15).

 The Bible says: “For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom.5: 6, 8). 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, God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7). 

FEAR – Jesus dispelled fear! He brought peace to those who were troubled. He said: “Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid” (Matt.14: 27); “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27).

The Bible says: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Tim.1:7); “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18).

SICKNESS, DISEASE, DEATH – Jesus healed the sick and diseased. And He raised the dead! These three are lumped together because sickness and disease is incipient death. It is death on the installment plan! Although there are some sicknesses that are brought on through accidents and personal neglect and abuse of oneself, yet all the cases recorded in the Bible that Jesus healed, were a direct or indirect result of Satanic intrigue and oppression!

The Holy Spirit states: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL THOSE WHO WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38). There was no sickness, disease or death in the Garden of Eden, prior to the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve!

There is an exception, however, where a baby was born blind for the purpose of Jesus giving him sight, so that God could be glorified thereby! (John 9: 1-3). This falls into the category of ‘God’s Sovereignty’ in all things and similar to the “hardening Pharaoh’s heart” so that his rebellion could be used to bring glory to God through the deliverance of the Children of Israel!

Similarly, Judas’ transgression and demon possession fulfilled prophecy, with predestination playing a part. We must keep in mind that God – knowing the end from the beginning – understood these men were arrogant and rebellious and would go down that road regardless!

JESUS PERFORMED SO MANY MIRACLES that St. John wrote: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” (John 21: 25, 26). Interestingly, the two largest categories in the US Library of Congress are respectively, the Civil War and Jesus of Nazareth!

Blind Man Healed: Matt.9: 27-30; John 9: 17. Lepers Cleansed: Matt.8: 3, Luke 17:14; Paralytic Cured: Mark 2: 3-12. Hemorrhage Stopped: Matt.9: 20-22. Deaf and Dumb Cured: Mark 7: 32-35. Dead Raised to Life: Matt.9: 18, 19, 23-25.

POVERTY – Jesus was very concerned about the plight of the poor! He halted a funeral procession where a widow was about to bury her only son, and in a show of unprecedented power raised the young man from the dead!

Why did Jesus do this? He cared for the poor and seeing a poor widow about to bury her only son – left with no economic support - had compassion on her. By raising her son from the dead, He had solved her financial problem!  “Now when He came nigh to the gates of the city (Nain) behold there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

“And when the Lord saw her, HE HAD COMPASSION ON HER, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier (coffin): 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 to his mother.” (Luke 7: 12-15)

On two occasions, He multiplied loves and fishes to feed the hungry multitudes. (Matt.14: 15-21; 15: 32-33). And He gave us the key to economic success and financial prosperity: “Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, filled up, pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give unto their bosom.” (Luke 6: 38).

DEMONS AND SATAN Jesus cast out demons from those who were tormented, sick, diseased and possessed! He liberated them from satanic tyranny, oppression, and subjugation! (Mark 8: 28-32; 9: 32-33; 15: 22-28). Not only did He cast out demons, but through His vicarious death for us and glorious resurrection, JESUS DESTROYED SATAN by rendering him powerless and unable to harm those who trust in our blessed Lord Jesus!

The Bible says: “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: 12-15) 

Satan has absolutely NO POWER over blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers who trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord, and Deliverer! When Jesus shed His precious blood for our sins, He stripped the devil of all his authority over those who believe!

The ‘Evil One’ cannot cross the BLOOD-LINE! Jesus Christ has defeated him totally and we are redeemed, justified, purged, saved, covered, and protected by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Bible says: “God 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: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (No one is before Him. He is first in rank) of every creature:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR!

“For by Him (God the Son) were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: All things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

“And He is the head of the body, the CHURCH: Who is the beginning (He is the alpha, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” (Col.1:13-19). What does “the firstborn from the dead” really mean?

 Jesus was the first to die and be resurrected, never to die again. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Later, he had to die again. Jesus cannot and will not die! He lives forever as the Glorified Son of God and Saviour of all who believe! 

The Bible says: “…Who (Christ Jesus) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (He was God the Son): 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)

The Bible says: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; “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 and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2: 13-15)

The analogy employed here is of a GREAT KING returning to his Capital City, after defeating his enemies.  Loyal subjects line the streets to cheer on their victorious Majesty! With the enemy king and his leading officers in chains running behind his chariot, he leads a triumphant procession of his mighty men of war. In his chariot is the ultimate ‘spoils of war’ – the armour and crown of his prisoner!

 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Jesus is the conquering King! He defeated His adversary, the devil, and made a show of him openly. He made a spectacle of Satan when He defeated him totally through His vicarious death to atone for the sins of the entire world! And He did it publicly!

An audience in three worlds beheld His victorious death and resurrection and Satan’s total defeat. The angels saw it and shouted for joy. The demons witnessed it and screamed in terror! And the people saw it and glorified Almighty God! 

The Bible states that Jesus spoiled demonic principalities and powers, making a show of them publicly, triumphing over them, in it. Three worlds witnessed Satan’s utter defeat at the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ: Heaven, Hell, and Earth! In Matthew’s Gospel there are three divine laws that Jesus gave to believers to be used in the battle between good and evil, right and wrong and God versus Satan! These spiritual laws, when used in faith and sincerity, guarantee a divine hearing and an answer to prayer!

THE LAW OF BINDING AND LOOSING!

Jesus stated: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 18:18). I call this the 'Law of Binding and Loosing'. Christ has given us the LEGAL RIGHT to use His Name with authority and power ‘over and against’ evil spirits of sin, fear, sickness, disease, and Satan himself.

When we “bind” him and his agents in Jesus’ name, the power of Heaven comes into operation and renders him powerless in the lives of those to whom we are ministering salvation, healing, and deliverance! When we "loose" people from their evil habits, diseases, fears and oppressions in Jesus' Name, the power of God in Heaven comes into operation and looses the people from their bondages!

It’s like the principle of remote control. Alberta Hydro has one or two central power stations that cover the entire province.  When the lever is pulled or the button pushed to cut off the power in a certain area or the entire province, it is done so by remote control!  Every building has a master switch that can either activate or de-activate all power to that building, by flicking it on or off.

That's how it works in God's Kingdom as well.  We use the Name of Jesus to bind Satan and his evil works and to liberate the people from his power! At that moment the power of Almighty God begins operating on our behalf, through the workings of the Holy Spirit!

God's power is universal, so therefore, the use of Jesus' Name in “binding and loosing” can affect people world-wide, through our faith and prayers! Here is the question: “What would God desire us to bind, and secondly, who or what would God want us to loose or liberate”?  An in-depth look at His earthly ministry gives us the answer!

When He walked here among us, He was opposed to these things: sin, fear, sickness, disease, death, poverty, and demons!  And He loosed people from those evil, negative powers and situations!  Since He has not changed, He continues doing these things!  And that is exactly what He desires us to do as well!

A DESPERATE NEED IN THE CHURCH!

What is desperately needed, however, is powerful ‘Intercessory Prayer’.  Revival does not come by rebuking the devil, however, but by seeking God’s face in prayer and intercession!

Intercessory prayer will cause the Holy Spirit to strive with people who are in the need of salvation and deliverance! Our intercession for the lost, will impact their lives as we touch God on their behalf, and the devil will be compelled to loosen his grip on them!       

The Bible says, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; Then will I hear from heaven, and will heal their land”. (2 Chron.7: 14). This text does not include “binding the devil” as a pre-requisite for Revival, but, seeking God does!

Again, rebuking the devil does not bring revival but seeking God in earnest prayer with fasting moves the hand of God on our behalf!  Spiritual warfare is more than words spoken into the air, directed towards unseen demons in some city of the world! Spiritual warfare is to put on the whole armour of God and preach the gospel of Christ, in our homes, on the streets, in the market place, from our pulpits, over the airwaves and on the internet!

It is to share and live the gospel with such power and potency that those whom come in contact with us will be convicted of their sins, convinced that they need the Lord and converted from their evil ways!

Spiritual warfare is to pray and intercede until our hearts are right before God and the anointing is on every word we speak and action we initiate, in the precious Name of Jesus!

Spiritual warfare is liberating people by the power of the Holy Spirit and casting out demons in Jesus' precious Name, from those who are vexed, oppressed, and possessed!

Spiritual warfare is to fast, pray and give to God's work until we are totally sold out to the Lord and receive His compassion for the perishing, humility of spirit and holiness of life! 

When we fast and pray - like Daniel - God will send us the answer, and also dispatch angels, if necessary! By boldly taking the gospel to Satan's slaves in love and power will get the job done! We must confront Satan and cast him out of those with whom we have contact!

 FASTING AND PRAYER!

We are not fighting an illusory enemy, so we must be definite and confront him directly when he gets in our way!  If he gets in the line of fire as we advance with the gospel, we have the right to command him in Jesus' Name, to leave! The Bible says:  "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you". (James 4: 7).

Jesus said, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth". (Acts 1:8)

Don't let self-styled leaders in the church get you off the main track onto a side spur which only excites but does not get the job done!  Let’s get back to the basics of old-fashioned holiness, dedication, consecration, prayer, fasting and preaching, with personal soul winning and we will see genuine Bible revivals again!

Remember, Bible Revivals are born in times of intercession and prayer, on our faces before God!  Revival comes from God and has nothing to do with the devil!  To rebuke the devil does not bring revival, but earnest prayer brings the answer from God! Daniel found that to be true! After he had fasted and prayed for three weeks, God sent Michael and Gabriel to wrestle with Satan, and deliver His message to His servant!  Let's take a lesson from this old gospel hymn:

CLEANSE ME!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray:

See if there be some wicked way in me:

Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

 

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin:

Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within;

Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame:

Grant my desires to magnify Thy name.

 

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine:

Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;

Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;

I now surrender:  Lord, in me abide.

 

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee:

Send a revival - start the work in me:

Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need:

For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.”

NO. 2 - THE LAW OF AGREEMENT!

 “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.” (Matt. 18:19). There is great power in prayer and especially united prayer.  When two or more join in concerted, corporate prayer, Jesus said, “It shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven”.

Believers can join in times of tragedy, danger, sickness and epidemic for prayer and intercession!  I call this the 'Law of Agreement'! According to our Lord Jesus, any two people agreeing in fervent, believing prayer will bring an answer from our Heavenly Father. When Jesus Christ said, "Again, I say unto you" or "Verily, I say unto you", it was very important. Everything Jesus said was important, but when He used these terms He was adding a special emphasis!

Why? Using the word "Again", He was stressing something He had previously told them.  And the term "Verily" means "certainly". “By using these words, He was emphasizing their validity and importance! I want to stress the importance of His words, because by and large the ‘Church World’ has almost dismissed them! WHAT A SHAME!

Let us grasp His Words and never let them slip from us!  Jesus said: "Again I say unto you.” He had told them before but He was reminding them again, just before leaving, of this important exercise of faith! If two of you - that could refer to any two people anywhere agreeing together in faith, for any specific request.  Jesus declared: "It shall be done for them of My Father who is in Heaven". (Matt. 18:19)

The word shall, is mandatory and absolute.  It is concrete!  It will happen as He said, when we ask in faith believing!  He can make our impossibilities possible if we totally put our trust in Him!

 NO. 3 - THE LAW OF HIS PRESENCE!

The third law in this portion of Scripture is the 'Law of His Presence'. Miracles happen when the presence of God is in our midst.  And we know He is present, when we gather in His Name, worshipping and praising God!  Wherever we are gathered in Jesus' Name, we are guaranteed that He is there!

Jesus stated emphatically, “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them”. (Matt. 18:20).  It is His Mighty Presence that brings healing by the power of the Holy Spirit!

IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS!

Do you have any rivers you think are un-crossable?

 Do you have any mountains you can’t tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible.

So why don’t you ask Him?  He’ll do it for you!

“Faith in God can move a mighty mountain,

Faith in God can calm a troubled sea,

Faith will make a desert like a fountain,

And faith will bring the victory.

“Faith in the Father, and faith in the Son

Faith in the Holy Ghost; these three are One

Demons will tremble and sinners awake,

Faith in Christ Jesus will anything shake!

So have faith in God,

Have faith in God,

Have faith my friend, in God.

Whatever is facing us now or in the future, God is greater than our needs.  He will meet our every need for body, soul or spirit!

JESUS HAS NOT CHANGED!

Jesus is still against sin, fear, torment, sickness, disease, poverty, and demon spirits! And all things are possible through Jesus Christ if we truly believe it! (Mark 9: 23). Finally, Jesus Christ promised:  "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". (Heb. 13:5). In the literal Greek, Jesus used a double imperative to make His point clear.  He said, "I will never, no never leave thee; I will never, no never forsake thee."

The Bible says: “Again, He reassured His disciples and all believers for all times, with these words:  "...and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world". (Matt. 28:20). These three great laws tell us that:

 (1) We can bind evil spirits and sickness that are affecting people, in Jesus’ Name and God’s power in heaven comes into play to bind those evil powers.

 (2) We can free (loose) Satan’s slaves by using Jesus’ Name, and God’s power in Heaven will liberate them.

 The Bible says, “...For this PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the DEVIL.”(1 John 3:8)

Come back with me to that memorable hour at the Nazareth synagogue when Jesus revealed His identity and the purpose for His coming into this sin-cursed world: “And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down.  And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.  And He began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:16-21)

 When Jesus stated, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears”, He was declaring Himself the Messiah!  That prophecy was foretelling the coming ‘Gospel Age’ which would fulfill the type - ‘The Year of the Jubilee’! Once a year on the great ‘Day of Atonement’, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies with a basin of blood and stood in the very presence of Almighty God.  He sprinkled the blood (a type of the blood of Jesus) on the mercy seat!

 

 When he had finished his ministration, the people who were prostrated on their faces outside, rejoiced because God had accepted the sacrifice and forgiven their sins for another year!

 THE YEAR OF JUBILEE!

Every fifty years, the Israelites celebrated theYear of Jubilee’, at which time all prisoners were freed, slaves were released, debts were forgiven, and property and inheritance reverted to their original owners! The Bible records: “Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the JUBILEE to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 

“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof:  it shall be a JUBILEE unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

“In the year of this JUBILEE ye shall return every man unto his possession and in the JUBILEE it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.  And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, both he, and his children with him.” (Lev. 9, 10, 13, 28b, 54

The trumpet could not sound in the fiftieth year to usher in the ‘Year of Jubilee’ UNTIL the ‘Great Day of Atonement’ had been completed! Jesus read the prophecy and then unequivocally stated, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears”! What was He saying? He was declaring Himself the “Lamb of God” that would die for the sins of Israel and the world and fulfill the Great Day of Atonement, and purchase our salvation!

He would then personally usher in the YEAR OF JUBILEE when all Satan’s slaves would be released, sinners would be forgiven, the sick would be healed, evil spirits would be driven out and the people would be delivered!

Jesus died on the cross and arose from the dead, meeting the demands of divine justice. Fifty days later, He ascended into Heaven and poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 1-4)

At that moment, the Church was born, and the YEAR OF JUBILEE BEGAN!  Praise God, we are still living in the ‘Year of Jubilee’ and there is deliverance for all who desire to be free from Satan’s enslavement!

CALL UPON THE LORD!

Call upon His Name today, believe His gospel and receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life.  And He will make you totally free, my friend! We will recover all if we have faith and boldness to pursue the enemy and bind his evil force, casting him out and forcing him to acquiesce. He must give up, hand over the spoil he has stolen from us and make his retreat!

 My command to Satan in the precious, powerful, and holy name of Jesus Christ is: “Devil move aside. We are coming through. Get out of the way. We are coming in Jesus' Name”!  

 Early Church believers knew their rights in Christ and the secret of how to put the ‘run on the devil’. Look at these Scriptures: The Bible says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4: 7); “Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph.4: 27): “Be sobre, 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)

Jesus said: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler (Satan) of this world is coming, and he hath nothing in Me.” (John 14: 30); “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject to us in Thy name.”  And Jesus said unto them, “I beheld Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10: 17-19).

 IT IS FINISHED; IT IS FULFILLED; IT IS PAID!

“When Jesus had received the vinegar, He cried, It is finished and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” (John 19: 30). Jesus spoke in the Greek language when He cried out from the cross. The word He used was ‘tetelestai’! It comes from the Greek verb teleo, which has three essential meanings: To finish or complete something, to bring something to an end; to fulfill something; to pay that which is owed!

Our blessed Lord had finished the work His Father had sent Him to do. Redemption was complete. The fountain for sin and uncleanness had been opened. (Zech.13: 1). In repentance and faith a dying thief cried out to Jesus: “Remember me Lord when you enter into Your kingdom”, and Jesus replied: “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 43)

There are a total of 332 Old Testament Scriptures that refer to the Coming Messiah. Jesus fulfilled them all. There are 61 major prophecies, all of which Jesus fulfilled to the letter!  Not only does history prove that Jesus is the promised Messiah because of all the fulfilled prophecies, but Science also makes that same claim.

Dr. Peter Stoner states, that according to the ‘Law of Probabilities’ for any other person outside of Jesus Christ to fulfill just 8 of the 61 major prophecies that our Lord fulfilled, he would have one chance out of 10 to the 17th power! In order that we may begin to understand that huge number (1,000,000,000,000,000,000), Dr. Peter Stoner gives us this analogy:

You would have to cover the great State of Texas with millions, billions, trillions, quadrillions and septillions of silver dollars until every square foot of ground had a two-foot blanket of silver dollars. Put a mark on one silver dollar and stir in into the immense mass of other silver dollars.

Then, blindfold a man, give him a walking stick and invite him to dig, touch and walk as far as he likes foe as long as he desires. The first silver dollar that he holds in his hand as the winner, however, must have the mark on it!

 THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOUR!

There is only one Saviour, Healer and Deliverer and His name is Jesus the Christ of God, who suffered, bled and died for our sins and was raised again for our justification! (Rom.4: 25). JESUS saith unto Him, I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.” (John 14: 6)

Jesus invites you, my friend: “Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11: 28). “Now unto Him who can keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24, 25)

 Max Solbrekken World Mission, Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]. YouTube, Face book; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donations to [email protected]. God bless you!                                                  


 

JESUS: GREAT PHYSICIAN
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

 The Word of God declares: “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). “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: By whose stripes we were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

“When the even was come, they brought unto Him (Jesus) 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 Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matt. 8:16,17)

 

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. And HEAL the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come unto you. And the Seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even, the devils are subject unto 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: 10,9,17-19)

 THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE!

“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 hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18)

“And a woman having an issue of blood, which had spent ALL her living upon physicians, but had NOT been healed of any, came behind Him and touched the hem of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

“And Jesus said, Who touched Me? And when all denied, Peter and they that were with Him, said, Master, the multitudes throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?

“And Jesus said, somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that VIRTUE is gone out of Me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately. “And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48)

 MAKING A DEMAND UPON HIS ABILITY!

The Amplified Bible translates this passage this way, “Somebody has made a demand upon My Ability.” And that is exactly what the woman did. She made a demand upon Christ’s ability to make her well! This marvelous account of the ministry of Jesus Christ reveals many truths about God’s great love, power and how we may tap into His Healing Stream for our needs as well.

Our Lord was always busy doing wonderful and miraculous things. When He wasn’t teaching or preaching, He was healing the sick and suffering, casting out demons or performing other signs and wonders.

 The Bible states: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

 “And His fame went throughout all Syria:  And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those that were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them.” (Matt.4: 23, 24)

When Jesus saw the people as sheep having no shepherd, He ministered His love, mercy, and grace to them through the Word of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. He declared: “My Father worketh and I work…Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will show Him greater works than these that ye may marvel.” (John 5: 17, 19, 20)

“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: for the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8: 28, 29)

THE HOLY SPIRIT DID THE MIRACLES!

The Bible states: “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)

Jesus relied totally on the Holy Spirit which was given Him at the time of His baptism. (Mark 1:9 -11). He said: “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God then the Kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil His goods, except he first bind the strong man and then he will spoil his house.”  (Matt. 12: 28)

When our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ returned to the Gadarenes where He had earlier liberated an insane man from many demons, the people eagerly welcomed Him back:

“Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house and show how great things God hath done unto thee and he went he way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him. And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him.” (Luke 8: 38-40)

This is the key to Revival and to the advancement of the church. It is the key to an awakening and changing the spiritual complexion of an entire community. Jesus knew the value of a great miracle to influence relatives and friends, so He sent the man who had been insane and living among the tombs back home to witness to his healing by Christ.

POLIO VICTIM HEALED IN MANILA!

In our 1966 Gospel Crusade in Manila, seven-year-old Sal Gadula's stunted leg grew out between 12 to 15 inches in a moment. Many people were moved upon by our Lord and 100 members of his extended family gave the hearts and lives to Christ!

Sal's life had been dominated by the terrible disease called polio. His right leg was hard like wood and 12 to 15 inches shorter than his other one. His mother Josephine Gadula carried him to the Crusade. Her husband had deserted them. She did not even have crutches for Sal but had heard about the miracles that Jesus Christ was doing at the Crusade and decided to attend.

She said, “Please heal my son.” I said, “I cannot heal your son.” She said, “You have healed my neighbours.” I answered, “If they were healed, Jesus did it.” Josephine said, “Then, ask Jesus to heal my son Sal. I answered, “I do not have the faith and you don't know anything about this. Fast and pray for three days, read the Gospel of John. Then, I will pray for Sal.”

Three days later they returned. Josephine confessed that they were upset: “I thought it was because we were Catholics, but I realized that my neighbours were Catholics. The Holy Spirit told me that what I was asked to do was not difficult; just fast for three days and read John's Gospel.” After reading St. John's Gospel they both realized that they needed to be born again. And even if Sal did not get healed, they still wanted to be saved.

I knelt with them at the altar and they asked Jesus to come into their hearts. Then I placed Sal on a large communion table and with hundreds watching, I laid my hands on his head and prayed. Suddenly, his dead leg began to jump up and out and both legs became the same length. I lifted him up and he stood for the very first time.

As I stepped away from the table his mother wanted to steady him. I said, “Don't touch him. God has healed him”. I put him on the floor, slapped him on his seat and said, “Run.” He walked, fell, and ran. And he is still walking today.

The truth is that both Sal's mother and I touched Jesus with our faith. She wouldn't give up, and by placing him on the Communion Table for everyone to observe the miracle taking place, I was inadvertently touching Jesus with my faith.

Thirteen years later, I was preaching in an Assembly of God Church in Brooklyn, New York and 13 members of their family were there, together with his grandparents. Sal was playing his guitar and singing for Jesus.

His outstanding miracle was so shocking that his relatives abandoned the Roman Catholic Church, and his uncle Conrad Gadula became a preacher of the Gospel of Christ in the United States. Praise His holy name!

 RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE!

Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, fell at Jesus’ feet and besought Him to come to his home to minister life to his dying daughter: “For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged Him.  While He yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole.

“And when He came into the house, He suffered no man to go in save Peter, and James, and John, and the father, and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but He said, Weep not: she is not dead, but she sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.  And He put them all out, and took her by her hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her meat.”  (Luke 8: 42-48)Not only did Jesus have compassion on the people who had earlier driven Him away from their coasts, but He responded immediately to the urgent request of the Ruler of the synagogue. While on His way to Jairus’ home, a desperately sick woman reached out by faith by touching His garment receiving an instant miracle!

Jesus immediately turned around asking, “Who touched Me?” When those near Him remonstrated, He said: “Somebody touched Me, for I perceive that virtue has gone out of Me!” (Amp). When the woman who had been healed admitted that she touched Him and received a miracle, He said: “Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace.

JESUS IS ALWAYS DOING MIRACLES!

The Miracles of Christ are given to needy people who truly believe in Him. He knows when someone has touched Him by faith. He compliments us for our faith in Him. Jesus was true God from Eternity and true Man by the virgin birth, and He ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit to all who came to Him with their needs.  He healed all whom He touched and all those who touched Him in faith.

The truth is that the woman who reached out in faith by touching the Master made a demand upon His ability. She knew that she was unable to help herself and that all the physicians had failed her.  She also knew that Jesus Christ had the power to heal her and unlike the physicians, He didn’t charge for the healing!

By sheer determination and heart-felt faith in the ‘Man from Galilee’, who had cast out a myriad of demons from the “Maniac of Gadara’, this woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years, pressed through the crowd, and took her Miracle from God. She touched the hem of His garment - the Ribbon of Blue – which devout Jews had sewed into their robes, that spoke of the Righteousness of God.

 She was not disappointed! Immediately, the blood flow stopped, and her strength returned. The miracle happened when by faith she made a demand on His Ability! You can do the same!

THE SNAKE'S HEAD WAS CRUSHED!

Many people have heard me preach a message titled, ‘The Snake is Dead’.  In it, I share God’s Word about the Prophecy that Almighty God delivered to Satan after Adam and Eve’s tragic fall. God told the Devil: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her SEED. It shall bruise (Crush) your head and thou shalt bruise His heel.” (Gen.3:15)           

In this prophecy Almighty God laid out His great plan of salvation: He would send the Deliverer to crush Satan’s head thus destroying him conclusively. The Deliverer would be born of a virgin and thereby sinless, and through His vicarious death would meet the demands of God’s Justice thus satisfying His anger against the sin of High Treason committed by our first parents.

 The Deliverer would be His own incarnated Son whose heel would be bruised through death but healed in His resurrection from the dead! God the Father has arranged everything for our benefit. By praying in faith and binding the demons of infirmity and disease in Jesus’ name, the gift of faith touches the hem of His garment!

MY MOTHER WAS INSTANTLY HEALED!

My Mother, Anne Nikoline Hestikind was accompanied by her brother on the train to the Bethesda Healing Home, situated on the shore of the North Sea near Oslo, Norway. She was instantly healed of a serious 6-year-long illness while waiting her turn to go into the water. As she stood thinking about the ice-cold water of the North Sea, a warm feeling came all over her and she walked into the water and out again perfectly well. She took the train home, walked 28 kilometers to her home. She got married, bore six children and was never sick a day in her life of that disease.

What was that warm feeling that came over her? It was the blessed Holy Spirit. He is the Healer Whom Jesus sent to the church on the Day of Pentecost so many years ago! It was the Holy Spirit of God that enveloped her and made her perfectly well.

A wonderful miracle happened in the beginning of our 1968 Revival at Filadelfia Assembly in Oslo. During my message, a woman lifted her hand to get my attention. I stopped preaching and asked what she wanted. Excitedly, she said: “I have suffered terrible pains affecting the mobility of my leg for ten years. Just now, I felt a large warm hand on my thigh and all the pains are gone. I can move my leg without pain. Praise God”.

    

I asked her to walk down the aisle. She did with great joy. All pains were gone! All the people rejoiced as the Revival leaped forward with God answering prayer and blessing for the next three weeks!

MELBA PHILIPS HEALED BY CHRIST!

In the 1980’s I was conducting a Divine Healing Service in Vancouver, BC together with Dr. D.H. Phillips. He shared the testimony of his miraculous recovery after a tragic automobile accident. His wife Melba came to be with us in that meeting. Unknown to me, Melba had suffered many years with raynaud's syndrome.

Her feet and legs were ice cold and when at home in California in the summer she wore sheepskin shoes around the house. Her husband Durwin stated that if his wife’s feet touched his leg while in bed, he would wake up from the freezing cold in her feet. Two of her uncles had suffered from the same disease and had to have amputations.

That evening I preached on, ‘EMMANUEL: GOD WITH US! I declared that Jesus is called Emmanuel and that He is with us and through the blessed Holy Spirit He is in us. I declared that because He is with us and in us, we have His peace, love, joy, assurance of sin’s forgiven and power over Satan!

The Bible declares: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (1 John 4.4)

 The devil must bow before Christ our Lord when we speak in His holy name! He that is in us is greater than the devil who is in the world. Sin must bow, fear must bow, sickness must bow and the world, flesh and the Devil must bow before Him.

I quoted St. Paul: 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 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: 9-11)

While I was preaching about Jesus Christ, Who was God in the flesh and had been wounded, bruised, chastised and scourged for our total deliverance, the Holy Spirit reached out and touched Melba. Suddenly, a warm feeling came over her and she reached down to touch her ankles. They were warm as toast.

Jesus Christ had touched her as she listened to the inspired Word of God. She had made a demand upon His Ability and He delivered her from a very serious disease! To God be the glory, honour and praise forever and ever!

A MIRACLE IN LYTTLTON, NB!

Here is an e-mail we received from Terry Somers on September 3, 2019.

Hello Pastor Max! It is 25 years today since I received my Miracle! Thank you, Jesus! Sept 3rd 1994. There is a significance of the 3rd day for me! It was confirmed as a Miracle on Oct 3rd 1994 by Dr. Edward Abraham! All power and glory to God!

The Lord granted us a notable creative miracle during our September 1994 Gospel Crusade at the Pentecostal Church in Lyttleton, New Brunswick.  Pastor A.W. Rowe, a very dear friend and one of Newfoundland’s great preachers had come out of retirement to shepherd that flock.

Living in the area was Terry Somers a young man who had been seriously injured during an accident while working in a mine. While trying to repair a large water pipe, the pressure returned and knocked Terry off the platform onto the railway tracks below. He was taken to the hospital and underwent several surgeries, leaving him with constant unbearable nerve pains!

For the next seventeen years Terry suffered enormous nerve pain, taking three times the amount of pain killing pills, to no avail. He saw doctors in Halifax, St. Johns, and Toronto and no one could help him. He was ordered not to drive the logging truck as he would sometimes lose all feeling in his legs. He was placed on permanent total disability by Workmen’s Compensation.

Once he parked his rig on the side of the road and when he stepped onto the ground he had no legs, but fortunately was able use his arms to pull himself out of harm’s way. Terry had never been able to hold his children when they were young or lift anything over ten pounds. And he prayed nightly that he could die.

Then, one day he heard the good news that people were being healed by the Lord at the Pentecostal Church. Mervin Mutch, a leading Deacon in that Church visited Terry and told him about our coming crusade. He brought with him a tape of Betty Baxter’s miraculous healing.

Due to the intensity of the pain, Terry had to remain in the foyer of the Church because he could not sit still during the service and before coming to the meeting Terry doubled up on all his pills but was still in enormous pain. After my message Pastor A.W. Rowe brought Terry Somers to the platform expecting a miracle!

Terry was instantly healed by God’s supernatural power as I prayed in the matchless name of Jesus of Nazareth. After prayer, he stated that the pain was gone and leaped in the air, shouting hallelujahs.

He picked up a ten- year- old girl standing nearby, lifted me up and finally lifted 245 pound A.W. Rowe and danced all over the platform with him in his arms. Terry has not had a pain or taken pill for anything since Jesus healed him!

New Brunswick’s leading orthopedic surgeon wrote a letter to Workmen’s Compensation Board requesting that Terry be released from his total disability pension because he was perfectly well. In his letter he twice stated that Terry believed that he was divinely healed, as he also did. His Examination proved that the discs that had been damaged or removed by surgery were supernaturally replaced.

 The well-known, Dr. Edward Araham told Terry that if any medical doctor examining the x-ray he had taken, and had not seen the scars on Terry’s back or the hundreds of x-rays and doctor’s reports taken earlier, that Doctor would say that Terry was a liar and had never been in an accident or had any surgery because his spine was like a 20 year old man and everything injured or removed had been replaced.

I was fully convinced that Terry would be healed that evening in Lyttleton. And when Terry and I together touched the hem of His garment, Jesus Christ heard us and performed that glorious miracle for His glory and honour! We made a demand upon His ability and the Sign and Wonder of God happened!

HOW MUCH ABILITY DOES JESUS HAVE?

 Jesus said: “All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt.28:18);

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you, as My Father hath sent Me so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed upon them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” (John 20, 21)

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 26, 27)

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.” (Matt.24:35). "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9: 23); “...With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10: 27)

Jesus said, "As thou hast believed so be it unto thee," (Matt.8: 13); "Thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5: 34); "Great is thy faith: Be it unto thee as thou wilt." (Matt.15: 28)   

"And Jesus answering Have faith in  God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things shall, which he saith shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith.” (Mark 11:22-24)

THE AWESOME POWER OF JESUS' BLOOD!

 There is purging, cleansing and divine healing through the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible declares our freedom from the power of Darkness through the devastating power of the life-giving blood of the Lamb:

“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Eph.1:6,7; 2:13,14)

“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 God’s Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7)

“In whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace; Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1: 7,8)

 WHAT IS DEMANDING FAITH?

1. THREE LOAVES

 “And He said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and shall say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves: For a friend of mine in his journey I come unto me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.  

“And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11: 5-13)

2. CANANITE WOMAN
     
“And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David: my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 “Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” (Matt. 15: 22-28)

3.  BLIND BARTIMAEUS

“And they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace; but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, be of good comfort, rise, He calleth thee.   

“And he casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:46-52)

4.  AND ALL THINGS

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matt 21: 21, 22)

Dr. Ole Hallesby, Norway’s famous theologian and founder of the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, wrote: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21: 21, 22)

Now and then, we make discoveries which almost take your breath away, namely, when we see what great powers are present in this realm of the invisible. This is especially true when these powers are put to our disposal, when God performs a mighty miracle simply because we ask Him to do so.”  (Devotional Jan. 28)

 5.  MOVING MOUNTAINS

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.”  (Mark 11: 22-24)

6. PRAYER OF FAITH

“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 and if he have committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5: 14, 15)

7.  THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW

 “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and 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; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.” (Mark 16: 15-20)                                    

BRITA GLOPPEN OF BERGEN, NORWAY

Bergen's Labour Newspaper carried a large front-page report of Brita Gloppen's amazing miracle healing at the 'Bergen Tabernacle' in May, 1968.  'I WAS HEALED - THREW MY CRUTCHES'.

Brita Gloppen at Mannserk: “It is the Lord that has healed me. A Wonder has happened. Jesus has healed me!”  Brita Gloppen has enthusiasm in her voice. She does not have the tiniest doubt in her mind that it is He who has given her health and earlier life back again.

After many years of being in a wheelchair, Brita goes about, healthy and active! While Brita was totally dependent on help from others, she can now look after her cosy apartment in Manannverk 32. During the day, she goes out and travels about visiting friends and relatives, and above all she tells about the great thing that has happened to her.

It was a Sunday in May, at one of the meetings the well-known Canadian preacher Max Solbrekken had in the Tabernacle. - I was pushed forward, and with help of crutches and others steadying me, I was able to get a place to sit down, tells frk. Gloppen in a conversation with Bergen's Labour Paper.

Max Solbrekken prayed for me and suddenly I was able to walk over the floor without crutches and without help from others. It is totally impossible for me to describe how it happened! But I know that it was our Lord Jesus Christ had mercy upon me and made me well and strong!” (Bergen Labour Paper)

Brita Gloppen used a wheelchair and special crutches for 8 years. For 10 years she was forced to wear a steel corset. Her spine was deteriorated severely and beyond repair. She had spent considerable time in the hospital over the years and had been designated as incurable.

 I was conducting a Gospel Crusade at the Pentecostal Tabernacle in Bergen, Norway when I learned about Brita. For five years Pastor Roald Andersen had dutifully picked her up every Sunday morning in his station wagon and taken her home after the service.

In our May 1968 Crusade, Brita came to receive a miracle from Jesus. She was instantly healed and ran down isles and down the steps and around the church. She walked home after the service! Pastor Roald Andersen stood behind the pulpit and wept, saying, “I have waited 40 years to see such a miracle.”

Brita's life was changed overnight. The next morning she was outside washing down her steps and her neighours saw her and heard her testimony, The ladies in the department store wept as they witnessed her trying on dresses two sizes smaller because she no longer needed the steel corset. She travelled by airplane, train, boat, bus, and automobile to visit her siblings, and all but one or two fell on their knees and received Christ as their Saviour! Amen.

 I WAS ON DRUGS, ALCOHOL & CRIPPLED

      Says Arne Erik Tomassen, Gjovik, Norway

Twenty-nine years ago, I was a hopeless alcoholic and drug addict and had planned to kill myself. I was also crippled. At 17 my right leg stopped growing after an accident. A speeding vehicle struck me while walking, throwing me high into the air! A growth began to develop on my right hip, but I didn't do anything about it at the time, thinking it would go away.

I went to sea and worked on ships and boats and the tumor kept growing. As a 22 years old sailor I was taken to a hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I stayed for 8 months and endured several operations, leaving my leg 3 inches shorter. To walk, I had to swing my body awkwardly forward with each step. I also became addicted to morphine!

 Life was tough when I returned to Norway. People stared and began calling me, 'den halte pinken' (the halting cripple). From 1969  to 1973, I lived and slept on the streets of Oslo. In early December, I planned to kill myself. I had climbed up on the high railing overlooking a river and in a drunken stupor I was about to throw myself into the ice-cold water when suddenly, I heard a voice, saying “Arne, don't do it. I have a better way for you.”

 I was shocked and looking around, I saw no-one. I thought, have I flipped out? Then, I heard the voice again, “Arne, don't do it. I have a better way for you!” Then I thought, “Maybe this is God”, remembering what my mother had taught me.

Suddenly, in my stupor of drugs and alcohol, I remembered what a street friend told me, “If you are ever in trouble, Filadelfia is a good church.” My head had cleared, and I knew that I had to get to that church. God had called my name. With all my strength and a new lease on life, I headed to Filadelfia.

An usher asked me where I was going, and I pointed to the preacher behind the pulpit in that large church. I must not let anyone stop me. I must meet the One whose voice I had heard on the bridge! Evangelist Max Solbrekken stepped down and stood waiting for me. He asked, “What do you want?” I said, “I want God.” He threw his arms around me and began to weep, calling upon God to save me and heal me.

And then, it happened! My leg lengthened and straightened out, my head jerked back, and I stood as straight as an arrow. And I was stone sober! I was born again and became a member of Filadelfia Tabernaklet!

I am now living in Gjovik and serving the Lord here. God gave me another miracle on January 27, 2002, when Max preached at the Gjovik Pentecostal Church. I had suffered a major hemorrhage of my right eye resulting in complete loss of the sight in that eye!

 As Pastor Max prayed for a lady from the Salvation Army Band, total vision returned to me as God's servant prayed for her. God's power swept the sanctuary. Everyone there knew of my plight and word of that miracle has spread throughout the city. We are waiting for Max Solbrekken to return to Gjovik!

THE WORD OF GOD CANNOT FAIL!

We know that God cannot lie. We know that God cannot change. We know that God cannot fail. We know that God is no respecter of persons, places, or times. We know that His Word is true and will stand for time and eternity!

Jesus said: “Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matt. 7: 7,8)

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible o him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23); “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men this is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10: 27)     

The Bible says: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, I we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5: 14, 15). Amen.

 Max Solbrekken World Mission, Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]. comehometojesus.ca; Face Book, YouTube. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Send it to: [email protected].