FOUR DIVINE HEALINGS
October 2, 1999
Don Hawley
We praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. Eph. 1:6
So often we’re quick to weep and complain when trials come our way, but slow to praise the Father when he moves his mighty arm on our behalf. When God chooses to work supernaturally in our life, we need to stand up and publicly proclaim his power and goodness.
For many years my wife, Bunnie, suffered from three serious diseases, two of them "incurable." Some of you reading this testimony may be stricken with one or more of the same painful afflictions.
POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
With this serious and little-understood disease, the victim experiences severe pain and stiffness in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and hips.
The only medication that seems to control the condition is Prednisone, itself a harsh and burdensome solution. For one thing, this corticosteriod makes one ravenously hungry. Bunnie gained 35 pounds while ingesting Predinsone. However, PMR cannot safely be ignored, as in one form it can strike the victim instantly and permanently blind.
CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
This disease is characterized by a large number of cancerous white blood cells and enlarged lymph nodes. Such cells spread to the liver and spleen, both of which begin to enlarge. As they invade the bone marrow they suppress the body’s immune system, thus inviting other health problems. Those who have CLL are more likely to develop other cancers.
DIABETES
With this disease the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal bloodsugar levels. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, nerves, and other internal structures. On a few occasions I have seen my wife lapse into a near coma, not a pretty sight.
Over many years, hundreds of prayers for healing have ascended on Bunnie’s behalf. Just why a sovereign God decided to act recently I do not know; I only give him praise.
PMR
A few weeks ago, acting in faith, Bunnie began to slowly reduce her intake of Prednisone. When she got to zero the PMR was gone, and has not returned. She has already lost many of the unwanted pounds that accrued.
CLL
While reading the results of a blood test given for another condition, we learned that my wife’s white blood count is perfectly normal.
DIABETES
When I found it necessary to cut back on Bunnie’s insulin intake in order to keep her blood sugars from going too low, I decided God must be healing her. I kept reducing the insulin dosage until I stopped it altogether. It has now been two weeks since my wife has had any insulin, and her blood sugars are excellent.
When visiting Bunnie’s primary physician for a problem I will mention soon, I twice pointed out that the records he held in his hand indicated she had been healed of all three conditions. His reply was "Something is happening." Just before leaving, Bunnie gave him a mini-sermon on divine healing. His reply again, "Well, something is happening."
ANOTHER HEALING
This story has another exciting facet. For nearly two months Bunnie suffered from continual abdominal pain that went through to her back. We decided it must be a gallbladder attack, and would soon go away. It didn’t.
Finally, I took my wife to Urgent Care at our local hospital. The physician arranged for several tests, and prescribed 10 days of antibiotics. The pain did not subside.
Again we went to Urgent Care, where another doctor prescribed further tests. No help.
Really troubled, I took Bunnie to see her primary physician. One thing I appreciate about this man is that he will not treat unless he can diagnose. After an examination he admitted that he didn’t know what the trouble was, and wondered if we should just take a wait and see stance. We agreed.
In spite of the three major healings, Bunnie still was being worn down with this abdominal pain. At last I decided on a new approach. I recalled that at the cross Satan lost all dominion he claimed over this world. Since that time he’s been a pretender, with no innate right to harass God’s children. Recognizing that Satan’s the one who brings disease, I went to war against the demon being allowed to plague my wife with abdominal pain. Instead of merely asking for healing once again, I addressed the demon directly.
Reminding the demonic entity he had no legal right to torture my wife, I explained I was not just suggesting he leave. I wasn’t begging him to leave. Calling on the all-powerful name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I commanded him to leave. He couldn't refuse the divine mandate. The pain left, and Bunnie has experienced freedom from abdominal pain for the first time in many weeks.
TESTIFYING
When God moves powerfully on our behalf, it’s important that we testify to that fact. This morning in church Bunnie asked permission to relate her three healings, and the congregation was gripped with her account.
I joined Bunnie to point out that when God is moving somewhere with unusual healing power, it’s perfectly proper to travel to that location to receive prayer for healing. However, some may not be able to afford such travel, or be able to take time off. Bunnie’s experience shows that a sovereign God can and does heal anywhere and anyplace he chooses. The Great Physician makes house calls!Next I told about going to war with the demon causing Bunnie’s long-time abdominal distress, and his forced retreat. I stated publicly that if he tried to bring the ailment back again, we would refuse his offer. Lastly, I pointed out that although, as prophesied, there’s a big "peace and safety" cry in today’s church, such an attitude plays into the devil’s hand. The Bible says there’s a time for peace and a time for war. We happen to live in the time for war. The church has been in retreat or stalemate for centuries. It's time, high time, for the army of God to take to the field. It is time, under the direction of our Heavenly Commander, to invade enemy territory. Armageddon looms ahead, and the preliminary battles are already underway.This morning the pastor responded by putting away his sermon notes, and the service became a powerful praise and healing service. I’m happy to belong to a congregation where the Holy Spirit is allowed to upset the usual order of service if he so chooses.
THE REST OF THE STORY
At 5:45 this evening I decided to go to my computer to share our testimony on the Internet. However, just before leaving my wife’s side she said, "Don, the devil is bringing the pain back again." Obviously the dark side was not happy about being exposed in church this morning, or with our encouragement for others to stand against the demonic. I didn’t see how I could go to my keyboard to testify of healing if my wife was once again experiencing pain. Immediately Bunnie and I went to war against the demon,and he had to retreat. The pain he brought couldn’t establish a foothold.
While typing this item the phone rang, and it was a lady who was in church this morning. She received prayer for healing during the service, but told me that soon after arriving home she experienced pain. Encouraged by what she had heard this morning, she shut herself in a room and warred against the offending demon in the name of the Lord. The pain subsided.
Most of us still have much to learn about divine healing, but we need to understand it is God’s will that we be well. With that in mind, we have a right to go to God with the prayer of faith. It’s not that we have to have great faith in God, but we need to exercise faith in a great God. I believe we will see more and more healings as the Holy Spirit ratchets up his powerful closing acts.
Our trip to Italy would have been a nightmare if Bunnie hadn't been healed first. Her physician was a bit skeptical about all this healing, so asked that immediately after our return, Bunnie have a very complete blood work done. When it came back he had written on it, "Everything looks great!"
Praise God!
PS. In editing this article for my new web site, I realized that it soon will be a year since Bunnie had to check her blood and take insulin.
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