The Burketts considered borrowing the money and believing God would help them pay off the debt. On the day of the appointment, $600 came in. The Burketts thanked God that the amount they needed to borrow would be small.
PRAYER:THE WAY OF ESCAPE
Arlis Cole grew up on a farm in Southeastern Oklahoma during the days of the Great Depression. He was born again at 12 years of age at the little Baptist church his family attended. His parents taught him the value of prayer.
While he never went hungry, the Navy presented an opportunity to better his life. At that time the Navy offered young men of 17 a chance to take a “kiddie cruise.” They would serve an “easy four years” rather than the usual six years. Like many young men of his time he knew that America could not continue to stay out of the conflict with Germany and Japan. However Arlis believed that when America stood up for what was right, he wanted to serve that cause as well.
When Arlis left home in December of 1940, his mother assured him that she, his family and his church would be praying for him. Every letter he received from his mother confirmed that their commitment to pray for his safety remained firm.
On December 7, 1941 Arlis served on the battleship, West Virginia. As the bombs began to drop and sirens sounded, he ran for his station three decks below. Just before the lights went out Arlis saw water and oil foaming up the passageway preventing him from reaching his station. He turned to make his way out. By the time he reached the hatch, other sailors had made a watertight sea. He was alone and cut off from escape. Then he heard a noise nearby. When he moved in that direction, he discovered a hole in the ceiling. He found his way of escape.
Arlis later learned his ship was positioned in the bull’s eye of the Japanese attack on Battleship Row. One of the two bombs that the Japanese dropped on the West Virginia was a dud. That bomb created the hole through which Arlis escaped. If it had exploded, he and many others would have died. Arlis knew that the prayers of his mother, family and church saved his life.
As the war continued, prayer went heavenward from the small town in Oklahoma for the young man serving in the Pacific. Kamikazes attacked his ship more than once, but never managed to sink it. On one particularly dark night the radar man from another destroyer picked up a signal. He had detected the smokestack of the destroyer with Arlis aboard, but he thought it was a low flying Japanese plane. Friendly fire flew at Arlis and 17 other men on the platform of the ship. A young man fell dead right beside him. Others received wounds, but Arlis remained unscathed. He felt angels guarding and protecting him. Again he felt the prayers of his loved ones.
Through three years and eight months of service during the war, Arlis lived to come home. A shell exploded near his head and caused an eardrum to burst. He lost 50% of his hearing. However, he discounts that as minor when he considers how easily he could have died.
When asked why he survived, Arlis replies with a tear in his eye and a catch in his voice, “I don’t know.” Then he quickly adds that his mother and others prayed for him constantly. Arlis believes that God saved his life for a purpose. He has shared his testimony with hundreds of people. Lives change as he shares about the power of prayer in his life.He has taken up the mantle of prayer for young men serving their country in the military.
In the war to liberate Iraq, Arlis has a grandson-in-law serving in Kuwait. While Vince is part of civil service and works mainly with computers, he is not out of danger. Arlis encourages his family to pray for Vince every day.
Like most young men Vince enjoys his meals. However one evening hr choose not to eat supper. That evening, an Iraqi national poisoned the food and put glass in the mashed potatoes. No one died from the poison, but 165 people were too ill to perform their duties. Several suicide attacks have occurred at or near Vince’s post. Each time he has remained free from harm. Arlis believes the power of prayer will bring Vince home safe just as it did him.
The generation that gave us men like Arlis has been called the “Greatest Generation.” Arlis believes that God put a special spirit of warfare in them to fight for right in the world. At one time he wasn’t sure that the current generation of young people had the determination to do what it takes to defeat evil. As he watches the news, he is gratified to see that he was wrong. God has once again put a special spirit on the young people of America. While Arlis knows first hand that some young people will sacrifice their lives, he prays daily for their protection and that God will make a way of escape for them.
FLYING HIGH WITH GOD
Pat Richardson makes a point of listening to David Emigh’s daily broadcast on KNYD radio. He worked it out with his co-workers to take a break at that time. Little did he know that the words he heard would one day bring him healing.
On September 22, 2002 Pat and his son drove out to a friend’s house in the country to ride motorcycles. His friend had an area set aside for jumping that included a triple jump. On a triple jump the motorcycle flies through the air for as much as 70 feet. Pat had made the jump approximately 40 times that day. He decided to make one last jump. Not sure what went wrong he flew toward the ground knowing the landing would not be pretty.
The next thing he knew he was looking up at his buddies from the ground. Finally able to get his breath, he got to his feet and dusted himself off. He had a cut on his head but thought he felt okay otherwise.
His friends talked about cloud of dust he made upon landing and wondered if he was truly all right. Pat insisted he was fine and took one more jump. After that jump he decided he needed to go home and lie down.
On the way home Pat’s speech became slurred and he began losing his motor control. He pulled over and his son flagged down a police officer. At first the officer thought Pat was drunk, but after they told him about the accident, he called an ambulance.
At the hospital, Pat was surrounded by doctors and nurses who asked numerous questions he had trouble answering clearly. They urged him to move his toes, but Pat couldn’t move the ones on his left foot.
He listened as they discussed an X-ray. The person’s neck was definitely fractured. Pat at first felt sorry for the poor person they were discussing. Then it dawned on him. He was the person with the fractured neck.
As they wheeled him down a hall for a Catscan and MRI, the enormity of what had happened hit Pat. In the midst of his fear, words came that he had previously heard on the radio. “No matter what happens in your life, God will never leave you or forsake you.”
Pat began to pray crying out to God in fear. A peace filled him. He felt God offering him healing. His spirit he reached out and accepted it.
The hospital attendants completed the procedure. Pat surprised his nurse by telling her that it didn’t hurt and that he was doing better. He soon became the talk of the hospital. While the X-ray showed fractures, the Catscan and MRI revealed his healing.
Pat continues to ride and jump his motorcycle. He rests in the assurance that God will never leave or forsake him even as he flies over that same triple jump.
Top of PageHEART STRENGTH
Sharon Stecker knew something serious was happening to her. She constantly felt ill. When she went to the doctor, her EKG looked worse than it had previously. He ordered a heart catheterization, which shows how the heart muscle is operating. Normal functioning level during testing is 65%. Sharon’s heart function was 34%.
The doctors diagnosed her condition as congestive heart failure. The condition restricts blood flow to all the organs of the body causing malfunctions in nearly every area. The doctors explained that there was no surgical procedure that could correct the condition. Medication would improve her quality of life, but she would have to accept her condition.
Sharon told them that she did not believe God wanted her to die. She had grandchildren that she wanted to see grow up. While she agreed to follow the doctor’s directions, she told them that she would also believe God for long life.
Sharon thanked God every day that her heart worked the way He created it. She followed the doctor’s prescription. Her condition improved to the point that she felt ready to join a health club, but they refused to accept her without further tests.
Sharon visited her cardiologist for testing. Before she got the results, Sharon went to her internist for a check up. He came into the room very excitedly. He had contacted her cardiologist for the test results. Her heart muscle function had increased to 42%. He explained that while the increase might not seem like a lot, they seldom see any increase in such a low-functioning heart. Sharon shared how she had been speaking God’s word over her heart.
Sharon continues to thank God for heart strength. Because of God’s faithfulness, her heart for Him and others beats strong.
Top of PageGOD’S WISDOM MAKES A WAY
Misty Burkett needed to have her wisdom teeth extracted. When she made the appointment, the office staff informed her that there would be a three-week wait. They also told her that the cost would be approximately $920. Misty and her husband prayed for a supernatural procedure and a better price.
As the three weeks drew to a close, the money had not appeared in the natural. .
The Burketts considered borrowing the money and believing God would help them pay off the debt. On the day of the appointment, $600 came in. The Burketts thanked God that the amount they needed to borrow would be small.
The doctor told Misty that she would probably be in surgery for 40 minutes. She had a 10-minute wait before the procedure. She used that time to praise God, thanking him that "In the name of Jesus, this will be a fast, easy procedure."
Fifteen minutes after the anesthetic took effect she stood at the counter paying her bill that totaled $560. God had provided more than enough to pay the bill without borrowing.
Top of PageEARS TO HEAR
Dell Gray experienced hearing problems in her left ear for ten years. Sounds were garbled and distorted. Hearing aids brought sounds into focus.
Recently she began having bouts of vertigo. The doctor diagnosed Meniares Disease in the right ear. With each attack she would lose further hearing in that ear until she completely lost the ability to hear. The doctor offered no cure but suggested that cutting sodium and caffeine from her diet might slow down the process. He also recommended surgery on the left ear.
As she considered her options, Dell went forward for prayer. After she explained the situation to Pastor David, he laid his hands on both ears. Dell did not experience immediate healing. She continued to believe God and pray. Her Life Group prayed with her and brought her low-sodium and caffeine-free food.
Dell continued with life as best as she could. She went to have her hair done. She explained to the beautician that she could hardly hear. The beautician told her about a tea that reportedly helped cleanse the body. Dell added drinking the tea to her daily regimen. One night Dell’s phone rang. She lifted the receiver to her left ear. She intended to tell the caller to wait while she got her hearing aid. To her surprise, she could hear the caller perfectly.
Her hearing in her left ear had gradually improved. She has had no further attacks of Meniares disease. She no longer has to use hearing aids to hear. Dell had done what was in her hand to do and God had done what was in His hand.
Top of PageFATHER'S DAY:TESTIMONIES OF SALVATION
Every Christian has someone close to them they desire to see saved. We pray and witness. Sometimes we are able to lead them to the Lord. Other times someone else leads them. Occasionally they just make the decision on their own.
Diane Bale lost contact with her biological father due to a divorce. A few years ago, she and her sister began to develop a relationship with their father. While he acknowledged the existence of God, he never accepted the gift of salvation. Diane’s sister’s dying request was that Diane speak to their father about his spiritual condition. A year and a half passed before Diane felt a need to fulfill that request.
Discussing plans for a visit with her father, she told him to think about the answers to two questions. “If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity, heaven or hell?” and “What reason would you give that they should let you into heaven?”
The day after her arrival, Diane’s father gave her his answers. They were scripturally unsound. Diane presented the gospel to him and asked, “Is there any reason that you would not want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” He answered, “No.”
Diane led him in prayer. He became a new creature in Christ. God restored his eyesight and hearing, He reads his Bible every day until he went to heaven. Diane rejoices when she remembers that day.
Judy prayed for her father for years. She reminded him that, as a Christian, his deceased wife went to heaven. Although he expressed a desire to see his wife again, he did not receive salvation. He often refused to discuss the matter.
When Judy introduced Phil Kennemer to her father, they felt an instant kinship. They could talk about anything except the subject of salvation. When Judy married Phil, her father rejoiced in their marriage. However, he still would not discuss his need for salvation with Phil. Judy was disappointed, but Phil encouraged her to keep praying. They often prayed together.
Judy’s father was hospitalized with asthma and chronic bronchitis. When Phil came to visit, he was ready to talk. Phil showed him some scriptures and prayed with him. Judy’s father called her before Phil left the hospital to tell her the good news-that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior.,/p>
My father, Bill, had a reputation for honesty and fairness, a tough thing to achieve for a used car salesman. His mother raised him in a Christian home, but Bill never felt a need to accept Christ.
He saw to it that my mother and my siblings got to church. At a young age, I accepted the Lord and began praying for my father to do so. As the years passed, I went through some discouraging times.
During a discussion about heaven with a friend, Dad said, “If I died tonight, I’d split hell wide open.” How could a person feel that way and not accept the Lord? Fear and doubt filled my heart. Then faith rose up again. I prayed even more than before. I stood on any scripture that remotely applied to the situation.
The deepest things of my father’s heart have always been very private. One day, at home by himself, he prayed and accepted the gift of salvation. I had been praying for my father for almost thirty-five years. Others had been praying longer than that.
If you are praying for someone you love, do not give up, no matter how things look. Keep praying. Take every opportunity to witness. Then allow God to work in their life by whatever method He and they choose.
Top of PageGRANDMA MISSIONARY
Eva LaFever looks like a typical grandmother. Soft, gray curls frame sparkling eyes and a warm smile. Her arms open wide for a hug. One could easily picture her knitting, rocking near a fireplace. However, after becoming acquainted with her, you realize she could never remain seated that long.
She is the grandmother of three, but she is not a typical grandmother. Eva went to the mission field for the first time at age 61. While attending RHEMA Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, her heart was drawn to missions. In 1992 her business in Texas closed. She turned to God, “What do You want me to do now, Lord?” Zimbabwe was the answer.
Trusting God to show her the way, Eva attended Kenneth Hagin’s Campmeeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During Campmeeting, the RHEMA Alumni were asked to introduce themselves and share about their ministry. Eva gave her name and said, ”I’m looking forward to meeting someone from Zimbabwe.” Two days later, some young men asked her if she was the one looking for someone from Zimbabwe. At her affirmative reply, they told her that they just returned from there. They put in touch with others working in Zimbabwe, who assisted Eva with her first mission trip.
After spending four month on the mission field, Eva returned to her home church, Tabernacle of Praise in Alice, Texas. They were beginning a new Bible school program,School of Life. After one session, Eva said, “This is just what the people of Zimbabwe need.” Upon hearing of a grandma missionary interested in establishing School of Life in Zimbabwe, Pastor David Emigh wanted to meet with her. Arrangements were made to have the School of Life materials translated into the native language, Shona.
Eva, like the circuit-riding preachers of early America, travels to various cities in Zimbabwe. She brings the School of Life materials and assists the students as they begin their lessons. The natives study on their own, much like correspondence students. Eva makes a circuit, teaching whatever lesson the group is currently studying and answering any questions they may have concerning their studies.
Eva recently began showing the “Jesus” film in Zimbabwe. The “Jesus film, based on the book of Luke, has been translated into Shona. Those traveling with her prepare for the screening by setting up the projector and attaching a large sheet between two poles. Many times, the area they use for the screening is a field with nothing in sight, except a single mud hut. By the time the opening music begins, hundreds of people have trickled into the area.
At one screening, some young men were drinking beer, purchased from a nearby tavern. They walked around the screen observing the workings of the projector. Since the film is shown on a sheet, the projection appears on both sides of the cloth. Eva felt some concern as the young men appeared to be the kind who might cause problems. She prayed during the entire showing of the film. When the altar call was given, the leader of the group rushed forward to give his life to Christ. Later Eva discovered that he had been delivered from the alcohol during one of his trips around the screen.
Many come to view the film as a novelty. Drawn into the story, they give their lives to Christ during the altar call. During the first four months of 1998, approximately 5,000 people came to Christ through the screening of the film.
Although life as a missionary is far from easy, Eva knows God provides. Recently she moved into a house in Harare. While it does not have all the conveniences of most houses in America, she enjoys having a place of her own. Since the bus system is not always reliable, he only guaranteed transportation is her own two feet. God always provides in this area as well-it could be anything from an ambulance to a freight-hauling vehicle.
For further information about Eva LaFever or School of Life, contact Word of Life Fellowship at PO Box 1220, Sand Springs, OK 74063, USA, or by calling (918)245-0262. If you would like to support Eva’s work in Africa, you can send your financial gifts to RHEMA Bible Church, PO Box 50126, Tulsa, OK 74150.
Top of PageREVIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES
The revival that’s seeping the world hasn’t missed the island nation of the Philippines. This powerful move of the Spirit is awesome. When the power falls, people often fall to the floor in a trance or weeping, shaking, or laughing uncontrollably. Jim Urban, a missionary from the United States, says that on occasion people have been ”drunk in the Spirit” that they must be carried from his meetings and driven home.
Jim and Nancy Urban graduated from both RHEMA Bible Training Center and Victory World Missions Training Center. Jim first went to the Philippines on a short-term mission trip. He and Nancy have been resident missionaries in the Philippines since 1984. Jim began his ministry conducting pastors’ seminars and church conferences. They also operated a short-term Bible school for six years. “The teaching ministry of the last decade,” Jim remarks, “has been like a form for the concrete of the Holy Spirit to fill. Without the form there isn’t much for the Spirit to work with. With God’s Word and this Power you can take the world for Jesus.".
”The Holy Spirit manifests Himself much the same in most meetings,” Jim says. ”But the individual fruit is vastly different.” While lying, fallen out “under the power of the Spirit,” many get direction from God. One may feel led to go witness, another to Bible school, and another to the prayer closet. Several experience a deep change. Many are set free of bad attitudes, fears, insecurities, physical infirmities and demonic powers. “Many churches have been radically changed. Believers say their first love is restored, a fresh zeal is required. As a result, there are many new Bible studies and churches.”
Spontaneous healings are prevalent in the revival meetings as well. One woman had a cancerous tumor in her adrenal glands. After various tests, the doctors told her the tumor was inoperable. They had no hope for her, but she put her hope in God. “When Brother Urban was preaching, the Holy Spirit touched me, a blew in my ear, and I felt like I was burning with fire. Suddenly all the pain was gone.” The next day she went to the doctor for a checkup. The tumor was gone!
Surely, God has a sense has a sense of humor. One man had a huge stomach tumor that disappeared so fast his pants fell off. He quickly pulled them up, rejoicing in his healing.
This move of God is breaking the spirit of poverty in Filipino churches. One church had only managed to save 6,000 pesos of the building fund in 13 years. As he people were taught God’s Word on tithing and giving, the Spirit began to move and the fund grew to 70,000 pesos within the month and 250,000 within the year.
Unfortunately, not everyone immediately jumps into this move of the Spirit. When the Spirit moves with laughter, some say, “It’s not of God.” One such pastor invited Jim Urban to his church several times because his board insisted. When the Spirit fell, the pastor always walked out. When Jim found out about this minister’s resistance, he declined another invitation to preach. Some time later, this minister found himself spiritually dry, but hungry for revival. He came to Jim seeking prayer and was so touched of God that he left Jim’s house a changed man and promoting the revival.
Another minister attending a conservative seminary that did not teach “this sort of thing” invited Jim to preach as part of research for his Master’s thesis which to be rebuttal of this revival. The resistance from the congregation was tangible. However, the Spirit manifested itself in the minister’s wife, ”This is God,” she proclaimed. “I haven’t felt such joy of my salvation since I was saved 14 years ago.” The minister invited Jim back the next week. This time the Spirit moved throughout the congregation. Again Jim was invited back. The minister called for a testimony service. Each testimony began with “I was against it, but it happened to me.” Many lives were changed. Alcoholic husbands repented, rebellious teen-agers asked for forgiveness, people began evangelizing and healings occurred among family members.
God’s Spirit is moving mightily throughout the earth today and He will flow powerfully through those who receive this move and touch in a world in need of Christ. If you are experiencing a dry time in your life, study God’s Word, pray for revival and get to some good Holy Ghost meetings. When you’re touched, follow God’s leading and minister to the world.
To contact Jim Urban for meetings, please write Jim Urban Ministries, PO Box 20, Nemo, SD 57759, or by calling (605)578-2399 or E-mal to 76736.3055@compuserve.com. In the Philippines, write: PO Box 183, Marikina Central, PO, Marikina City, M.M. 1800.
Top of PageGOD, WHERE IS YOUR PROSPERITY?
Saying “amen” during a sermon on prosperity is easy when you are feeling prosperous. I listened to such a sermon one Sunday morning smug in my prosperity. I had recently acquired a full-time job instead of temporary work.. The pay wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I was sure I would be moving up into some other position. The president of the company had recently made an announcement that the company had been bought out, but the corporate headquarters would remain in Tulsa. He assured us there would be plenty of opportunity with the company.
However, the very week I heard that message on prosperity, the president of the company made another announcement. The CEO of the “parent” company had made a decision to move the corporate headquarters to Ohio. We would all lose our jobs. My initial reaction was, ”God, where is Your prosperity in this?” Then I remembered a point from the sermon—even when it may not look like we are prosperous, God is always working to bring us to a place of better prosperity.
My family continued to pay our tithes. We had made a commitment to give extra offerings. We had a desire to increase our giving every year. Even thought it was tempting to draw away from those things, we knew we must continue them in order to “open the windows of heaven.” We quoted scriptures about prosperity. We believed that God was using this situation to bring me to a better place.
The company began to shower blessings upon me. They sent out a letter that promised eight weeks severance pay to every employee that stayed until they closed the Tulsa offices. I had worked there only a few months. Most companies pay two weeks severance to some one with that short amount of time.
The company also sent us to computer software classes to help us become more employable. They paid us for the time as well as the classes. They sent us to Job Corp Training Center, paying us for the half-day training session on how to get a job.
At the end of my time with that company, I got my promised severance pay. I had been with the company just long enough that they also gave me a week’s vacation pay and a day of personal holiday pay. They gave us all the miscellaneous items from our desk. My desk happened to have one of the best calculators the company owned.
During the last two weeks of my employment, I began looking for another job. The day before my last day of employment I got one. It paid $2.25 more an hour than what I had been earning. There were some things I liked very much. However, I found out some things that I just could not accept. I had to quit.
I was not worried. I was still sure that God has my best in mind. I told my husband that my favorite position had be a payroll job. He suggested that I should pray for one. My sister-in-law suggested that I try an agency that specialized in accounting jobs. The day after I applied, they called me with what I had asked God for—a payroll job. I am still getting a $2.25 an hour raise. I was without a job only three days.
I don’t have to ask God where His prosperity is anymore. I know that He is always working on my behalf.
Top of pageHEALED TO THE TIPS OF THE TOES
Carol Mcnutt is one of those people whose smile lights up her whole face, from the twinkle in her eye to the dimple in her cheek. She even managed to give a cheerful smile while living with pain.
For approximately two years, Carol struggled with an unexplained pain in her foot. It would begin at her heel and shoot down to her toes. Continually believing in God’s healing power, she endured pain daily. Often she had to hop around on one foot just to manage the pain
One Sunday, Carol was scheduled to sing with the choir. Early in the service a call for healing was given for someone with pain in their foot. Carol knew that call was for her. She felt a warmth spread through her foot as hands were laid on her. She still felt the pain, but she knew something had happened to her foot. During the choir’s performance, the pain left her foot. She was so excited, she stopped right on stage to tell Pastor David that the foot was healed.
Now Carol’s smile is even brighter as she spends a part of every morning dancing in the joy of the Lord with no pain.
Top of PageHEALING-A GIFT FROM GODMany times, we accept pain as something we must live with. We accept it as part of the aging process or because of an accident. However, pain is not acceptable to God.
Several years ago, Rhonda Trickler was getting ready to mow her lawn. She was having trouble getting the mower started. Giving the pull cord a firm yank, she lost her balance. One foot remained planted solidly on the ground while the rest of her body twisted crazily, wrenching her knee as she fell. She landed on the ground with excruciating pain in her knee which began to swell quickly. Her knee was nearly as big as a basketball at one point.
The swelling eventually went down, but the pain never totally left. Many times, Rhonda would come home from her job at Wal-Mart and lie down because of the pain in her knee. She had to be careful in activity involving her knee. One night, Rhonda watched as her three-year old was crawling on a hardwood floor playing with Rhonda’s sister. It looked like such fun, but Rhonda knew she couldn’t join them because of her knee. A desire for healing was born in her heart.
The very next Sunday, a word of knowledge was given out. “There is someone here having pain in their knee. God is ready to heal you today.”
“That’s me,” Rhonda knew God was confirming the desire of her heart. Rhonda went forward for prayer. The pain left that day and hasn’t returned. She is able to enjoy her son and her life to the fullest.
Top of PageFROM DEPRESSION TO JOYJames Dement lives what many would call the American dream. He has a lovely wife and family, a nice home, and a good job in a fairly stable industry. And he has a leadership position in Word of Life's Royal Rangers program. Therefore, it may seem shocking that he was diagnosed with depression.
It certainly was a shock to James. He first began to notice several physical problems: insomnia, weight loss, even a sinus infection. Taken individually, none of these seemed to be a major cause of concern. Then, at an important company meeting, James began to cry for no reason at all. He had to excuse himself from the meeting to get control. It was then he realized somthing serious might be happening to him.
Since all healing comes from God, James decided to see a doctor. After a physical, in which the doctor asked various questions, the doctor looked over his notes. "You're not going to believe this," the doctor said. "But you have the classic symptoms of depression." James nearly fell out of his chair. He had no reason to be depressed.
However, the doctor explained that the form of depression had was due to stress. James freely admites that "I like to give 110 per cent." Many consider this a great attitude, but it takes its toll. As a believer, the doctor prayed with James for healing and prescribed a mild anti-depressant.
James knew he needed more than drugs to get his healing. He went directly to Pastor David Emigh. James was also surprised and relieved to find his problem was not unique. Others in the body of Christ had come for counseling concerning depression. David prayed with James and gave him a tape series on joy.
James took the medicine that the doctor prescribed as well as the medicine that David prescribed. He listened to the tape series over and over. He even listened on headphones in his bed. One scripture from that series captured his attention. Proverbs 17:22says, "A joyful heart is good medicine..."NAS. As he meditated on that scripture, James began to notice many things in his life for which he could rejoice. He made a conscious effort to rejoice in those things.
Within two weeks, James knew he was healed. Although recovery from the form of depression James had normally takes six months to a year, the doctor proclaimed him healed in a month. James now witnesses to others who have depression. "God has given each of us so much to rejoice in. There is no need to live with depression."
Top of PageCOMPASSION FOR ALBANIA
Albania was a country isolated from the rest of the world for over 40 years. Under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, the country was a model of Stalinist communism. Trading with foreign businesses and religion of any kind was forbidden. Any hint of criticism could land you in cruel prisons. Paranoia reigned supreme as evidenced by concrete bunkers that dot the country.
For centuries the people of Albania have had a code known as besa. If someone gives you his word, he will not break it. There is and old saying, “The Albanian will sooner kill his son than break his vow.” Breaking besa not only brought disgrace, but destruction of your home and execution. Even though the code is no longer enforced, ruined foundations of those who “broke besa” can still be seen.
Perhaps it is this code which stirred the unrest when the communist government fell and the recent revolution over the collapse of the pyramid schemes. The people of Albania feel they have no one to trust anymore.
Larry and Janice Mosley had no intention of going to Albania in 1993. They planned to take a short-tem mission trip to Russia. However, when they turned in the application, they were told people were needed to go to Albania. They went to Albania.
They began working in many areas of ministry including teaching in Victory Christian Center’s Bible school. They also assisted Albanian nationals with training and financial support. They also assisted in establishing and stabilizing new works in the country.
Their ministry has escalated to holding crusade meetings hosting Word of Life Albania established by Ulf Eckman’s group based in Uppsala, Sweden. Word of Life has established churches throughout Albania and a Bible school in Tirana, Albania’s capital.
The Mosleys’ ministry is expanding into other areas as well. They have begun printing and distributing Christian literature in the Albanian language. (The people of Albania are 100 % literate.) Currently being distributed is “The Story of Jesus” by Terry Law. They are planning to distribute approximately 75,000 copies.
Other areas of their ministry include supporting pastors financially, providing study materials for those who speak English, and sponsoring Bible school students in Tirana. Plans for expansion of their ministry include Kosova, Serbia which borders Albania. Approximately 2 million Albanians live in this area which has only five churches and approximately 200 professing Christians.
“The Albanian people have lost their trust,” says Larry. “It is our desire to show them that Jesus is someone they can truly trust. We preach the gospel and God confirms it by signs following.”
Although the country is still in much turmoil after total anarchy, Larry Mosley returned to Albania April 22 to continue their ministry there. If you would like to support their ministry or receive monthly information about their ministry, you may contact them at:
Liberty Evangelistic Association P.O. Box 447,Prague, OK 74864
Phone:(405) 567-4851
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