Reach Community Church 2/177 Beavers Road Northcote VIC 3070
Tel: (03) 9481 6889 Email: info@reachcc.org Website: reachcc.org Pastor: Victor Soo Church Administrator: Sharon Oen
Due t pro o COV gram ID-1 9, the s Zoo are no our re mp w the con gular lat ch duc cele urch o form. Plea ted via brat ffice se c ion onli for d ont se n ac join e every rvice is etails. Our t us, g stre Sun ame day o to at d reac hcc 10am; .org to /on line .
CHURCH SERVICE Celebration Service REACH Kids
Sunday Sunday
l 10am - 11:30am
l 11:30am - 12:30pm
PRAYER MEETING
Monthly Ministry & Prayer Intercessory Prayer
1st Friday of the Month l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Tuesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
BIBLE STUDY Young Adults
Chinese Bible Study
University & Youth Groups
Family
Wednesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Wednesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Monday l 8pm - 10pm
Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
OTHER ACTIVITIES Praise Dance
MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers)
Ladies’ Meeting Men’s Breakfast
Thursday l 10am - 12pm Every 2nd & 4th Friday l 10am - 12pm Quarterly Quarterly
Welcome to the 20th issue of REACH. In this issue we will be doubly blessed by two encouraging personal testimonies, one about God’s faithfulness, and the other about how God is waiting on us. May we come to understand that during sicknesses and trials that God is not to be blamed, and may we Be Responsible with our lives. There is also a double dose of book reviews; and a delicious recipe to try.
Reach Message
God is not to be blamed Reach Character
Be responsible Reach Recipe
Chicken Afritada Reach Book Review
Humility: True Greatness Reach Book Review
Spectacular Sins Reach Testimony
God’s faithfulness Reach Testimony
God is waiting on us Reach Teaser
Bible Trivia
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welcome
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Reach Message
God is not to be blamed
Reach / Spring 2020
By Kemi Aibinu
Have you ever wondered why there are many trials and troubles in the world? Have you ever prayed for healing and wondered why you did not receive answers and you are tempted to blame God? God is not to be blamed. God always wants His children well (Psalms 91, Exodus 15:26, James 5:14-15). Our expectation of Him determines our outcome. God’s Love God loves us so much more than we can ever imagine, and most Christians know that; but we often limit God’s love by our ignorance or by our lack of faith in His word. God who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). Note that it did not say some or most things. It says ALL things, which includes healing. Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13) No sickness brings glory to God. What brings glory to Him is the associated healing (Matthew 9:6-8; 15:31). Sometimes sickness is inevitable because we live in a fallen world, but as children of God, we must rise up to enforce our authority and never allow sickness to thrive. God also promises us divine wellbeing (Psalms 91). We can live in this divine health if we meditate on His Word and esteem it above what we can see, feel or hear in the physical realm. Long term sickness brings confusion to the children of God about His promises and gives scorners a reason to mock the word of God. It leads to many Christians doubting the legitimacy of their faith in God’s word, and some turned away from faith because things did not add up for them. They ask, “Where are the promises of God? Why do we all pray, and nothing happens?”
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Reach Message
We have been given the authority to rule and have dominion on earth (Genesis 1:28). Our ignorance or failure to exercise this authority causes unanswered prayers. We often beg God to do what he has already done. God has already given us all that pertains to life and godliness through Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3). He has given us the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). There is nothing more He could give. He has given us everything. The death and resurrection of Jesus paid the price for our salvation, healing and wellbeing. He was wounded for our transgressions and by his stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). Why is it easier to accept the first bit of this scripture and not the other? We don’t tend to blame God when someone refuses the salvation. We say it is up to the individual to accept it. It is all about choices! Why don’t we think the same with healing? Why do we think God is responsible when healing does not happen? When healing occurs, we might thank Him; if it doesn’t, we say well, it’s not God’s will. Really? No good thing will He withhold from His children (Psalms 84:11). The word of God makes it clear that healing is part of what Jesus paid for (1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5). It is our choice to take it and if it did not happen, it is not because God is not giving us. He has already done it. We just need to understand how to receive healing the same way we need to understand how to receive salvation. We need to rise up and take possession of what He has already given us; otherwise, our enemy will take advantage of us and steal it from us (John 10:10). We should not be ignorant of the enemy’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Where do trouble and sickness come from? This theology might raise several questions in your heart, “What about many great men of God who didn’t receive healing?” Well, that does not make them less men of God or less loved by God. God wants all His children well. This is evident in Jesus’ ministry on earth. God continues to make things clearer to the body of Christ and we need to be open to Him to make His word clearer to us. Through the life of Jesus and the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), we see the heart of God. He will never withhold good things from His children even when we don’t deserve it. And in fact, none of us deserves any of His goodness.
Reach / Spring 2020
Trouble and sickness are not from God James said we should not be deceived to think otherwise about the goodness of God. “Do not be deceived… Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:16-17). When we pray for healing and it did not happen, it is more complex than we understand, but one thing is sure: it is not God withholding the answer from us.
Reach / Spring 2020
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Reach Message Most of us will accept that sickness does not come from God but from the enemy (James 1:13). We (humans) have been given the authority to have dominion on earth (Genesis 1:28); when we do not exercise this authority as believers, we allow sickness to thrive in our lives. We need to take the responsibility to grow in this God-given authority to limit the enemy’s activity. Jesus said, “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 10:19). It did not say some power of the enemy, but ALL, which includes sickness, one of the manifestations of the power of the enemy. Christians can overcome it through the finished work of Christ. Some Christians believe that God uses sickness as punishment for disobedience. While it is true that sickness comes as a result of The Sin (from Adam and Eve), sicknesses have various causes including natural occurrences or works of the enemy (direct or indirect). God loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10), and Jesus bore our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24), why then would God use sickness to punish us? Are we implying that Jesus’ sacrifice is not yet complete? This mentality is an insult on God and Jesus’ sacrifice. This is far from the truth. The wrath of God was satisfied with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25-26). All the curses of sin which include sickness were laid on Jesus so that we do not need to bear it anymore. When we believe that God uses sickness to punish us, it disallows us to fight the enemy with the authority God has given us, because we think God is behind it and who are we to fight against God? When Jesus lived on earth, He went about healing all sicknesses and diseases. He showed us the importance of healing as part of our redemption. He also said greater works we will do (John 14:12). If we believe the word of Jesus, we should believe the authority He had given us to heal all kinds of diseases. It is our responsibility to seek God for His grace to operate in His full promises. Could God use trouble or sickness to bring about good? Someone may say God uses sickness to bring the best out of us, referring to Hebrews 12:4-11 where the Bible talks about discipline from God. However, from John 15:3 we are cleansed (pruned or disciplined) by the Word of God. This is also confirmed in Revelation 2:16, when the Lord warned the church in Pergamum to repent, otherwise He will fight against them with the sword of His mouth (which is the Word of God).
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Reach Message
Sickness comes from the enemy and we will do well to resist it with all our might. When we are sick, we are not waiting on God to heal. God is waiting on us to use our God-given authority to resist it. It is not up to God if we are healed or not, it is up to us based on our knowledge of and openness to His word. However, when we submit to God in our trouble, He can and will bring about good in our lives. Romans 8:28 says “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. He can make us a better person if we allow Him to change us. How should Christians respond to trouble or sickness? Acknowledge that problems do NOT come from God (James 1:13). Although God is sovereign over everything, He has given men the authority to rule the earth (Genesis 1:28). In Love, He chooses to flow through men to act on earth. Problems originally come from “The Fall” (Genesis 3) when man, offered his God-given authority to the devil. Jesus defeated the devil and gave the authority back to His children. As we submit to God and use the authority according to His purpose, God’s power will flow through us to overcome the works of the enemy. Acknowledge that it is God’s Will to heal and deliver. 1 John 3:8 says, “for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (which includes all the consequences of The Fall). Rise up to obtain what Christ has given us by faith. James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Rather than begging God to rend the heaven and act, know that he has already done so when He sent Jesus. All we need to do is to enforce our legal right to overcome which we have obtained through Jesus. Rise up to overcome. Never give-up. In Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” When we have prayed in faith and have not received the answer, we must never give up. We must, with the attitude of thanksgiving, continue to believe God’s word for what it says. God’s truth sets us free!
Reach / Spring 2020
In Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God disciplines His children through His word and that can be very painful. But when we submit to it, it changes us. God does not need to use affliction to train us. He uses His word.
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Reach Character
Be Responsible
Reach / Spring 2020
God has put each one of us in our current position – our family, schools, workplaces, neighbourhood etc., let us learn to be responsible in our speech and deeds.
Resist procrastination.
If a person waits for perfect weather, he will never plant his seeds. And if he is afraid that every cloud will bring rain, he will never harvest his crops. (Ecclesiastes 11:4, ICB)
Esteem integrity in all our dealings.
You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure.” (Deuteronomy 25:13‐15a)
Speak truthfully.
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,” for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)
Perform the tasks given to us to
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23, NIV)
Obey authority.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. (Hebrews 13:17a)
Nurture noble characters.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Serve diligently.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Invest in developing our spiritual
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (1 Timothy 4:14‐15)
Be a good steward of resources
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48b)
Learn the necessary skills in our job or service.
And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftmanship. (Exodus 35:31, ESV)
Earn our trust by being faithful.
A person who is trusted with something must show that he is worthy of that trust. (1 Corinthians 4:2, ICB)
our best ability.
gifts.
entrusted to us.
Chicken Afritada
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Reach Recipe
By Sarah McGregor
1kg Chicken 2 Carrots 3 Potatoes 1 Red capsicum 1 ½ cup Green peas 1 medium Onion
4 cloves Garlic 1 tbsp Fish sauce 1 cup Tomato sauce 1 tsp Salt 1 ½ cup Water
Method: 1. Cut carrots, potatoes, capsicum and onion into chunky pieces. 2. Cut chicken into pieces. 3. Chop the garlic. 4. Heat oil in a large wok. 5. Fry capsicum, carrot and potatoes for 5 minutes; take out for later use. 6. Fry garlic and onion until fragrant. 7. Put in chicken and fry for 5-10 minutes. 8. Add Fish sauce and fry for 3 minutes in low heat. 9. Add in tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. 10. Add in water to cover up the meat and simmer for 5 minutes. 11. Add in the capsicum, carrot, and potatoes from step 5, simmer until the chicken is tender. 12. Add in salt and it is ready to serve.
Reach / Spring 2020
Ingredients:
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Reach Book Review
Humility: True Greatness Author: C. J. Mahaney
Reviewed by Gregory Tanyi
Reach / Spring 2020
nature of pride. “Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in the light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” He further highlights the importance of the Holy spirit in developing this virtue as it helps us to honestly assess God’s holiness and our sinfulness. Mahaney teaches that God hates the sin of pride and illustrates how pride subtly and deceptively creeps into men. As such, in every man there is a battle between humility and pride and the key to winning this battle is spirit-led self-examination.
C.J. Mahaney’s Humility: True Greatness wonderfully articulates one of the fundamental virtues of the kingdom of God: genuine humility. In this book, C.J. Mahaney beautifully articulates one of the key principles of the kingdom of God: Humility. He sheds light on the paradoxical and often misunderstood greatness found in humility. He takes us on a journey through scripture as he teaches us why a virtue so important is so often misunderstood and gives both theological and practical keys on how to reframe our vision of greatness. This journey effectively helps us understand true greatness requires us looking beyond ourselves and today’s egocentric definition of greatness and adopting Christ’s standards which focus on service, validated by God’s purpose and driven by love for God and others. The book is divided into three sections. The first section deals with the battle of humility versus pride, the second on our Saviour and the secret of true greatness, and the third the practice of true humility. In the first section, Mahaney defines humility and contrasts it with the insidious
In the second section, Mahaney defines greatness as Jesus did, showing that being great means being a servant to everyone, in line with God’s will for us. Just as Jesus came to serve, so must we serve with our lives. Christ lived as the perfect example of humble service. We can only attain true greatness by emulating Christ’s example – the example that led Him to the cross where He made the greatest sacrifice. The third section of the book contains practical guidelines on how to make humility our lifestyle. Mahaney advises us to always reflect on the wonder of the cross. He recommends us to begin each day reminding ourselves of our dependence on God, and living out this dependence through prayer, studying God’s word and worshipping. Moreover, he advises that at each day’s end, we are to transfer the glory to God. Finally, he encourages us to find a group of people with whom we can be open and accountable as we engage on life’s marathon of humility. Humility: True Greatness is a really good book. I highly recommend this book as it will benefit whoever reads it, by providing timely strategies needed to defeat pride, embrace humility and step into God’s will within which is centred true greatness.
Spectacular Sins
Reviewed by Lee Chyi Lam
of Babel, the sale of Joseph, the Israelites asking for kings, and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot – and how all these led to greater purpose of God. Here is an example of how insightful this book is. Many of us are familiar with Joseph’s story, and the Bible verse in Genesis 50:20, when Joseph told his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
What is the most spectacular sin that has ever happened on earth? In his book Spectacular sins, John Piper tells us that “The death of Jesus Christ was murder. It was the most spectacular sin ever committed.” And he continues, “the worst sin ever committed served to show the greatest glory of Christ… God did not just overcome evil at the cross. He made evil serve the overcoming of evil.” Wow, how can this be? How did God do this? Reading Piper’s Spectacular Sins, especially during this time of chaos and confusion, gives me great comfort of God’s sovereignty. Piper demonstrates, from the Bible, how God’s sovereignty triumphs over evil. He illustrates, from the Bible, in such perspective that completely changes my view of sufferings and evils. It evokes in me a greater sense of awe for God, and gives me greater confidence and courage to face the increasing calamity in this world. There is so much to absorb in this book of just over 100 pages. Piper expounds on six great evils in the Bible – the fall of Satan, the disobedience of Adam, the pride
Using this story, Piper tells us, “Notice it does not say that God used their evil for good after they meant it for evil. It says that in the very act of evil, there were two different designs: in the sinful act, they were designing evil, and in the same sinful act, God was designing good.” He explains that this points to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Christ’s death was designed by the Jewish high priests for evil; but in the very act of this sin, God designed it for good, to save His people. Furthermore, Piper points out that “the spectacular sin of these brothers was God’s way of saving the tribe of Judah from extinction so that the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, would be born and die and rise and reign over all the peoples of the world.” Wow, not only that God designed good in sinful act, this good continues for many generations to come, to fulfil His purpose. God is so much wiser than we can ever fathom. During this pandemic, may you be comforted and emboldened, just as I am, that evils and sins do not take God by surprise. “God permitted Satan’s fall, not because he was unable to stop it, but because he had a purpose for it. Since God is never taken off guard, his permissions are always purposeful. If he chooses to permit something, he does so for a reason – an infinitely wise reason because he is infinitely wise.”
Reach / Spring 2020
Author: John Piper
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Reach Book Review
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Reach Testimony
God’s Faithfulness
Reach / Spring 2020
By Amarachi Nnah-Ogbonda
I am writing to testify of God’s faithfulness during my two-year stay in Australia. I had moved to Melbourne in July 2018 to commence my postgraduate degree at Melbourne Business School. I only knew one person in Australia before my move and I had no idea what God laid in store for me. Below are highlights of God’s blessings to me during my time in Australia: God’s provision of accommodation I had moved to Melbourne four days before my program was to start, to allow some time to settle down before classes started. Unfortunately, I encountered tremendous difficulties finding a place that was comfortable, close to school, and within my price range. This was mainly because my program commenced a week after other programs in the university started and many students had arrived in Melbourne earlier and taken the most suitable options. Thanks to God, I was able to find a place that met my criteria and with lovely Christian housemates within two weeks of my arrival. I found the place in an unexpected manner! I visited a Pentecostal Church in Box Hill on my first Sunday in town and right after the service, I was introduced to a young adult who was getting married and looking for someone to take over her room. For some reason, she’d decided not to advertise the room online but to rely on her networks to find the best person to take over her room. All praise to God! God’s wisdom and favour during my postgraduate degree Weeks before I started my program, I started experiencing the ‘imposter syndrome’. My program at Melbourne Business School is extremely selective and aims to select the best talent from around the world. I’d been blessed to be selected and received a full scholarship. However, for some reason, I started doubting my abilities and whether I could really handle the program. I thank God for helping me overcome that syndrome and helping me excel in my program. I was a top student in my cohort, receiving multiple Dean’s commendation letters for academic excellence and classroom participation, and graduating on the Dean’s Honours List. I am extremely grateful to God for His provision and for the learning opportunities, friendships, and network gained during my experience as a management consultant.
Reach / Spring 2020
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Reach Testimony
God’s provision of employment and work visa When I moved here for my postgraduate program, I had no idea how long I would stay in Australia. As the year progressed, I started sensing that I was to remain in Australia after my graduation. However, for that to occur, I would need a permanent resident or employer-sponsored temporary work visa. I was blessed with an internship at a management consulting firm, which extended to a full-time offer with an employer-sponsored temporary work visa, before I finished my program. This occurred during a period where the immigration climate in Australia was becoming less favourable to migrants and it required significant effort for my employer to go through the visa sponsoring process. I am extremely grateful to God for His provision and for the learning opportunities, friendships, and network gained during my experience as a management consultant.
Reach / Spring 2020
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Reach Testimony God’s blessing of lifelong Christian friendships I moved to Melbourne knowing only one person and will be leaving having many brothers and sisters in Christ - young and old(er), male and female, of different ethnicities, but with the common bond of the love of Jesus Christ. I am really grateful for the brothers and sisters God has connected me with at Reach Community Church, through the 24/7 Prayer House, and other ministries. I have been loved, strengthened, encouraged, helped, and corrected by my brothers and sisters and really grateful for the lifelong friendships gained. I am also grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve in the prayer ministry at Reach Community Church and the 24/7 Prayer House. I pray that God will continue to take us deeper into Him, refine us to be more and more vessels of honour, and use us to usher in His glory upon the earth like never before. As I look back on my time in Australia, it is only filled with thanksgiving to God for His goodness and faithfulness. I will greatly miss you all and our times together. Although I may physically be thousands of miles away, I am only seconds away thanks to technology (as the pandemic has shown us). I look forward to keeping in touch and hearing of all God continues to do in your lives. Thank you all for the love and care you have shown me during my time in Australia.
God is waiting on us
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Reach Testimony By Kemi Abiniu
For five years, I suffered various kinds of illnesses. While I knew that these were from the enemy and actively prayed against them, when they did not go away after many prayers, I thought God allowed it for a reason and was waiting on God’s timing to take them away. At the start of this year, I had a lot of plans. Then I suddenly had a severe sickness which came on me without an explanation. I was hospitalised for 3 days and tests results showed a dangerous bacterial infection. After months of treatments, doctors were surprised that my symptoms were getting worse and could not help much. Medications were not working, my quality of life depreciated, and I lost more than a quarter of my weight, because I could not eat or drink well. I also could not lie down to sleep. I coped with chronic pain daily for five months. Nights were like torture, food became like medicine something I take to keep me alive, not what I enjoyed. Every bite or sip led to pain. Although I had coped with various pains for five years, when things got worse this year, I became very frustrated. I went through days of crying; and other days I would summon courage and continued with my daily life as much as I could. Most times I tried not to focus on the sickness; however, it was not easy. I became confused and searched for God’s counsel from His Word. Did God truly allow all these? Was I doing anything wrong? I had done all that I knew how to do. I prayed. I gave thanks. I bound and resisted the devil. I applied faith, asked brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for me. As I researched about my sickness, I understood that it could be deadly if it deteriorated. I then concluded that maybe God wanted me more in heaven than here, and to be absent in this body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). As weird as it may sound, I was already putting my house in order and desiring God’s presence in heaven. While I was fine with being with God in heaven, I continued to remember all the promises God spoke to me in the past, and I was confused and did not know what to believe or accept. Amidst my confusion, God asked me, “Are you going to continue to search about where this will lead to or are you going to take my hand and trust me moment by moment?” When God said this, I knew He would take me through the journey and bring me out with a better understanding. I began to spend more time in His presence to understand the scripture and His counsel on healing. God began to reveal to me the deception of the enemy. The enemy made me believe that pain of sickness is part of Christian cross to bear.
Reach / Spring 2020
I was waiting on God for healing until I realised God has been waiting on me.
Reach / Spring 2020
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Reach Testimony Blinded by the enemy The enemy knows that if he can trick us to believe that God is behind our sickness, we will not be confident enough to use our God-given authority against the sickness which is the work of the enemy. And even when we use our authority, we will use it with double mindedness which deprives our prayers from being answered (James 1:7-8). Our authority against sickness will be firmer and stronger when we are sure God did not approve it. This is the beginning of our victory. However, if we waver on this, sickness will continue to thrive in our lives. Can you imagine someone praying for salvation without believing that Jesus wants to save them? How can they be saved? The truth is that, except in desperate situation, it is easier for Christians to accept sickness than to resist it because it takes us out of our comfort zone. We pray about it, but our prayer is “God if it’s your will” kind of prayer. As we strengthen our faith in God’s Word that Jesus has already paid for the price of our sickness like He paid for our sins, we will be able to resist all kinds of sicknesses. As we continue to esteem God’s Word above what we hear, what we feel, and what we see; as we choose to accept God’s gift of healing, we are closer to our healing. I have listened to testimonies of many people with terminal diseases, hopeless situation that got turned around when they acknowledged that this is not from God and resisted it with Godgiven authority. As believers in Christ, we need to rise up and enforce our legal right to healing that Christ has purchased for us with His own blood. Enlightened by God’s Word As soon as I understood God’s counsel and embraced it, I just prayed this simple prayer one night when I struggled in pain, and was instantly healed: “Lord this burden of dos and don’ts regarding this sickness is just impossible to bear. The more I tried, the more I realised that I couldn’t bear it. It’s too heavy on my shoulder. This looks like the burden of sin and law which you delivered me from at salvation. If you were wounded for my transgressions and by your stripes, I was healed, why am I not receiving the healing part of this scripture. I didn’t doubt your ability to deliver me from the burden of trying too hard to please you when I reached out for your finished work at salvation which set me free. Why is it hard to reach out to this freedom from sickness? I refuse to carry this burden any further. I lay it at the feet of the cross of Jesus. You had paid the price for my sickness and suffering; I refuse to pay another price for what you have already paid because I don’t need to anymore. I receive a complete healing from this. In Jesus name. Amen.” As I prayed this prayer, I felt a burden lifted off me like a big blanket and I knew that I was healed. Even though I still had pain the next day, I started taking bold steps that agree with my healing. Before, I had a daily food routine to minimise my pain.
That day, I violated my food routine. I ate when I felt like eating, instead of eating small blended meal at certain intervals. I ate unblended food. I usually had my last meal by latest 2pm, but I violated this that day. I also stopped all seven medications I took to help me cope with eating. I had ordered a medication from the US and had been waiting for it for six weeks. At that time, it was still in transit. I had a strong witness in my spirit that I would not need it anymore since I had been healed, so I immediately emailed the seller that I wanted the product returned and a refund. It was a bit of a struggle to do this, but I felt peace.
Reach / Spring 2020
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Reach Testimony
Reach / Spring 2020
18
Reach Testimony
I took these steps to enforce my healing and let the enemy know that there is no going back. The Word of God came alive to me and I knew for sure that if God says I am healed, I am healed. I did not do this based on an empty wish that God may do it. I did it because of the assurance I have in God’s Word that never fails. After I did all these, my faith for healing rose and at around 12 midday, my countenance changed, and all the pains left me completely. My level of energy rose, and a wave of joy and comfort came on me. I was completely healed. I looked for my pains but they were all gone. What a miracle! I began to do what I could not do. I could not bend down or touch my toes without pains. That day I did it. I had been sleeping on a chair for five months. The recliner chair which I had been sleeping on was purchased to make sleep easier. That night I rearranged my room and prepared a bed for myself to sleep on – what I dared not do for more than five months. That night, the pain came knocking as I lied down on the bed, but each time the pain showed up, I rebuked it and it instantly disappeared. I had been waiting on God to heal me, but God was actually waiting on me to rise up. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside me, I just need to exercise it. I had to draw a line where this sickness is not allowed to cross. I had to burn bridges of other options of healing and focused completely on the giver of life. Instantly I was healed. What’s more? God healed me of all other health conditions which had affected me for many years. I was gluten intolerant. On the second day of my healing, as I was rejoicing about what God had done and building my faith through listening to messages, the Holy Spirit told me, “Go and eat bread.” Bread was the last thing on my list to try. On hearing this, I smiled and tried to push the voice aside and concentrated on the message I was listening to. But to my surprise, from the message I was listening to, someone said, “What is wrong with bread?” He continued to say that some people put up with different kinds of intolerance. This just came randomly. It was amazing that God used him to confirm His Word. I obeyed and ate bread, and had no adverse reaction. I was very encouraged because it showed me that God wants me free more than I want to be free. I now eat all kinds of food. No more symptoms, no more pain. God also healed me of hormone imbalance that I had struggled with for five years. I had taken series of medications and although it worked for few months, it often returned and when this happened, higher medication were prescribed which had their own side effect. My prayer had been to be free from all medications and that is exactly what God did. When God healed me, He healed everything without leaving a trace. Hallelujah I am free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36). God is indeed faithful to His Word!
Hope you get to read the Bible more during the lockdown, here is to test your Bible knowledge on the New Testament. 1.
When Jesus was presented to the temple as a baby, who recognised Him as the Messiah? (Luke 2:25-30)
2.
Which tribe was Paul from? (Philippians 3:5)
3. Who was the apostle replacing Judas Iscariot? (Acts 1:26) 4. In which village did Christ turn water into wine? (John 2:1-11) 5.
Which town in Galilee did Jesus grow up in? (Matthew 2:22-23)
6.
Who was the Roman Governor during the trial of Jesus? (Matthew 27:2)
7.
How many loaves and fishes did Jesus Christ feed the 5,000 with? (Matthew 14:13-21)
8.
What was the name of the thief who was set free at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion? (Matthew 27:26)
9. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus healed ten lepers, how many returned to thank Him? (Luke 17:11-16) 10. Finish this phrase: “I can do all things through Christ…” (Philippians 4:13)
19 Reach / Spring 2020
Bible
Reach Teaser
Answers: Q1. Simeon Q2. Benjamin Q3. Matthias Q4. Cana of Galilee Q5. Nazareth Q6. Pontius Pilate Q7. Five loaves and two fish Q8. Barabbas Q9. One Q10. Who strengthens me