Back from India

Dear Oaks,

Well because of my week in India this is my first devotional message for about two weeks.  Firstly, I want to thank those of you who prayed for me whilst I was away.  You will not go without your reward and I was certainly aware of the favour of God that was upon our ministry there.

Amongst the highlights (not including the driving which was quite other worldly!) I must mention the healing of an elderly man called Jabez.  He was completely deaf in his right ear and came to me for healing having lost his hearing ten years previously.  On the first two occasions I prayed nothing whatsoever seemed to happen.  However, in such situations I do encourage you not to give up to quickly.  It is always God’s will to heal and so the question is to be asked as to why the healing is not coming through.

This reiterates the need not simply to ask in prayer but to listen in prayer and for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

As I waited on God I felt the Holy Spirit say to me that Jabez was putting his faith in me rather than in Christ.  This is a very foolish mistake since mis-placed faith is not effective in bringing the resources of heaven to the earth.  I gently challenged Jabez about this and reminded him of the work of Christ upon the cross and that Jesus was the only true healer.

I then prayed a third time and this lovely man had his hearing fully restored.  Thanks be to God!  What is more it then came to light that Jabez was a little backslidden as a Christian and that God wanted to restore their relationship with one another.  Remember a healing is a sign and signs point somewhere or in this case to someone –TO JESUS.  Healings or indeed any miracles are not ends in themselves they point to God and his kingdom.

Other highlights included seeing 19 people come to Christ.  To see a Hindu have their Hindu band cut from their wrist as they profess Christ is a wonderful sight to behold.  It was also a privilege to meet a woman who had converted and refused her husbands demand that she should not read her bible.  He then cut both of her arms off!  Her response has been to work through to a place of complete forgiveness –how about that for a sign and wonder?

Much more could be said but enough for now. I hope to show you some photos from India on Sunday, technical issues allowing.

Every blessing,

Mark