Faith, Hope, and Miracles: A Journey of Healing
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the miraculous power of God and the journey of faith that my wife Marie and I have been on. Three and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with inoperable brain and body cancer, with a prognosis of less than three months to live. Yet, by God's grace, I stand here today, cancer-free, as confirmed by recent medical scans. This journey has taught us profound lessons about hope, faith, and the purpose of God in our lives.
Life is a journey filled with challenges, but God is a miracle-working God who loves to intervene in our lives. We don't need to earn His miracles; they are a gift through Jesus' sacrifice. Whether you need physical healing, a relationship turnaround, or a breakthrough in any area, God invites us to ask for His intervention. We are encouraged to lift our hands in faith, believing in His power to bring divine turnarounds.
One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that hope is the birthplace of faith. When faced with a terminal prognosis, we chose to place our hope in God. Hope is not just a positive outlook; it is a decision to expect God's goodness and to see beyond our current circumstances. It is the foundation upon which faith is built, and it attracts the attention of the enemy. Yet, it is through hope that we open the door to the miraculous.
Revelations anchor us in storms. Belief alone is not enough; we need a revelation from God to withstand life's challenges. My personal revelation at 13 to serve and build God's house has been my anchor through various temptations and opportunities. It is crucial to have a revelation of God's purpose for our lives, as it provides stability and direction, especially during turbulent times.
Finally, God's promises connect with His purpose. Our journey through cancer was not just about the illness but about a greater purpose that God has for us. We are reminded that God makes everything beautiful in its time, and our lives are part of a larger narrative that He is weaving. Trusting in His promises and aligning with His purpose allows us to navigate life's uncertainties with hope and faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Hope as the Birthplace of Faith: Hope is the foundation upon which faith is built. It is a conscious decision to expect God's goodness, even when circumstances seem bleak. By cultivating hope, we open the door to the miraculous and prepare the ground for faith to grow. [09:03]
- Revelations Anchor Us in Storms: Belief alone is insufficient in life's storms; we need a revelation from God. This revelation acts as an anchor, providing stability and direction. It is crucial to seek and hold onto God's revelations for our lives, as they guide us through challenges. [18:20]
- Promises Connect with Purpose: God's promises are intertwined with His purpose for our lives. Understanding this connection helps us navigate life's uncertainties with trust and hope. Even when faced with trials, we can rest in the assurance that God is working out His purpose in His perfect timing. [26:56]
- The Power of Testimony: Sharing our testimonies of God's faithfulness encourages others and strengthens our faith. Our journey through cancer has been a testament to God's miraculous power and serves as a reminder that He is always at work, even in the darkest times. [30:04]
- Eternal Perspective: Life is short, and we must live with an eternal perspective. Trusting in God's plan and purpose allows us to face life's challenges with hope and faith, knowing that He is making everything beautiful in its time. [32:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Personal Testimony of Healing
- [01:06] - Prayer for Miracles
- [02:16] - God's Love for Miracles
- [04:00] - Importance of Learning
- [05:16] - Purpose in Every Season
- [06:30] - God's Timing
- [07:12] - Growth and Salvation
- [09:03] - Hope as the Birthplace of Faith
- [11:11] - Knowing God and Expecting Exploits
- [12:45] - Engaging Hope
- [18:20] - Revelations Anchor Us in Storms
- [26:56] - Promise Connects with Purpose
- [30:04] - Trusting God's Purpose
- [32:01] - Eternal Perspective
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11
2. Daniel 11:32
3. 2 Timothy 1:7-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial prognosis given to the pastor, and how does his current health status reflect the theme of hope and faith? [00:51]
2. According to the sermon, what role does hope play in the development of faith? [09:03]
3. How does the pastor describe the importance of revelation in facing life's storms? [18:20]
4. What connection does the pastor make between God's promises and His purpose for our lives? [26:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 help us understand the concept of God's timing in making everything beautiful? How does this relate to the pastor's journey through illness? [05:16]
2. In what ways does Daniel 11:32 encourage believers to expect great exploits? How does this expectation relate to the pastor's testimony of healing? [11:11]
3. How does 2 Timothy 1:7-9 challenge believers to hold onto their revelations and purpose, especially during difficult times? [23:28]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that hope attracts the attention of the enemy, and how can believers prepare for this challenge? [13:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did hope play a role in your response, and what steps can you take to cultivate hope in your current circumstances? [09:03]
2. The pastor emphasizes the importance of revelation as an anchor. What personal revelation or calling has God given you, and how does it guide you through life's storms? [18:20]
3. Consider the connection between God's promises and His purpose for your life. How can you align your daily actions with this understanding? [26:56]
4. The pastor shared his journey of faith and healing. How can sharing your own testimony encourage others and strengthen your faith? [30:04]
5. How can you develop an eternal perspective in your daily life, especially when faced with trials or uncertainties? What practical steps can you take to focus on God's larger narrative? [32:01]
6. Identify an area in your life where you need a breakthrough. How can you actively engage hope and faith in seeking God's intervention? [02:42]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of learning from life's experiences. What is one lesson you've learned from a recent challenge, and how can it shape your future decisions? [04:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope as the Foundation of Faith
Hope is the birthplace of faith, a conscious decision to expect God's goodness even when circumstances seem bleak. It is not merely a positive outlook but a deliberate choice to see beyond the present challenges and trust in God's promises. By cultivating hope, we open the door to the miraculous and prepare the ground for faith to grow. Hope attracts the attention of the enemy, but it is through hope that we invite divine intervention and experience God's transformative power. [09:03]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to consciously choose hope today? How can you actively expect God's goodness in that situation?
Day 2: Revelations as Anchors in Life's Storms
Belief alone is insufficient in life's storms; we need a revelation from God to provide stability and direction. This revelation acts as an anchor, guiding us through challenges and temptations. It is crucial to seek and hold onto God's revelations for our lives, as they offer clarity and purpose, especially during turbulent times. A personal revelation of God's purpose can be a steadfast anchor, helping us navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and peace. [18:20]
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when a revelation from God provided you with stability. How can you seek and hold onto God's revelations in your current circumstances?
Day 3: Promises Intertwined with Purpose
God's promises are deeply connected with His purpose for our lives. Understanding this connection helps us navigate life's uncertainties with trust and hope. Even when faced with trials, we can rest in the assurance that God is working out His purpose in His perfect timing. Our journey through challenges is not just about the trials themselves but about a greater purpose that God has for us. Trusting in His promises allows us to align with His purpose and find meaning in every season. [26:56]
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV): "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: How can you align your current challenges with God's promises and purpose for your life? What steps can you take to trust in His perfect timing?
Day 4: The Power of Testimony
Sharing our testimonies of God's faithfulness encourages others and strengthens our faith. Our journey through trials can be a testament to God's miraculous power and serve as a reminder that He is always at work, even in the darkest times. By sharing our stories, we not only glorify God but also inspire hope and faith in those around us. Testimonies are powerful tools that can transform lives and bring encouragement to those who are struggling. [30:04]
Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you witnessed God's faithfulness. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement today?
Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Life is short, and we must live with an eternal perspective. Trusting in God's plan and purpose allows us to face life's challenges with hope and faith, knowing that He is making everything beautiful in its time. An eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and align our lives with God's greater narrative. By focusing on eternity, we can navigate the present with peace and assurance, confident in the knowledge that our lives are part of a larger story that God is weaving. [32:01]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary challenges to an eternal perspective today? What changes can you make to align your priorities with God's eternal plan?
Quotes
Life is a journey and I want to encourage you today whether that's the first time in church whether you feel like you've been serving God your whole life God loves to do Miracles there's a lot of things we don't understand about when and why and how but God loves to do he's a miracle working God and you don't need to earn a right to receive a miracle Jesus died on a cross so that we could have healing in this life. [00:02:00]
Hope is the birthplace of Faith a lot of people say you need more faith I say Begin by having more hope CU When you have hope when you have an expectancy when you have a spirit that begins to say it's not over yet when you get a terminal prognosis you can go with the prognosis and say well what's the point medically there is no answer it's been repeated so many times and yet we just said well our hope is in God. [00:09:13]
Hope awakens hope hope awakens and attracts enemy attention so as soon as you start to be get hopeful after today's service we're not here just because we're the founding pastors or you know there's no one better to speak there's plenty of great people to speak but we're here on a mission yeah but soon as you start to hope for a shift you awaken and you attract enemy attention cuz the enemy can't stop Faith. [00:13:05]
Revelations anchor Us in storms see hope is like belief oh I believe that can happen but you need to get a revelation yes cuz when the storms H happen your belief system won't be enough what happened in Co a lot of people start stopped going to church because this you know wasn't right but they didn't have a revelation God's way is for us to be planted in the house of God. [00:18:14]
The greatest thing you have on a boat for safety is not an engine it's an anchor so that when the storm set you that anchor keeps you facing Into the Storm rather than changing course and running away most people have boating accidents when there's a big storm because they try to get out of the storm and they get side onto the water they get boat fills with water and they often then sink and have major trouble. [00:19:16]
From the age of 13 cuz I had a time with God in fact I was on a bike I felt the Holy Spirit say to me I'm going to have you serve my church today I'm still here at the age of 65 never veered off the course did I want to do other things yes were there opportunities to do other things that would help me in the particular season I was in yes but was what was the anchor it was the Revelation. [00:21:00]
Promise connects with purpose in other words we love the promises of God but it's like we've been touching on God's purpose stands with his promises yeah okay put your self in Jesus he's a 25y old male as a relationship with the father and the father's up saying it's getting closer not long and it'll be time it gets to the time where he faces the end of a very short life 33 years of age. [00:26:56]
We went to God and we said God first thing we did wasn't it we prayed as a family we did and then God spoke to you in the hospital as well with a promise and as a family we stood on that as a couple we have stood on that promise knowing that there's a bigger purpose to this it's not just about the cancer it's not about us it's not even about us not about Paul not about our family it's a bigger purpose that God has in plan. [00:28:39]
Did you realize that God may have for you A life that was not the one that you thought naturally you you would like to have God's going to allow things God doesn't create any evil in fact he's there's only one source of evil and that's the enemy yeah but God allows things for you to go through why did job go through what he went through or we say oh it all turned out good for job because he's he got married again his family was restored when he had lost everything. [00:29:41]
Too often we have conditional trust I trust you because I got what I wanted no get a revelation just trust him M he's able to do it he's the one that is able get an eternal perspective yeah remember if you've been here when I shared Our Testimony we work from now forward God works from eternity back there are some things we'll only really understand in eternity but get a revelation on that and then you can walk through it. [00:32:01]
I want to pray the most powerful prayer that any human can pray that's for someone like you like me that says I'm not walking with God I I used to but I'm I'm not walking with God I'm not talking about making a small mistake I'm just know I'm not connected with God or I've never given my life to Jesus I keep saying this and I'll never tie of it Christianity is not a religion it's a relationship with Jesus yes who came to Earth for us so that we could find the answer to this life and for eternity. [00:34:32]
I know that for many of us we just sit with us and actually create fruit and create change and create hope and create life for a long time can we honor Pastor Paula Murray and just thank them not for 30 minutes can we thank them for a life of just surrendering seeking God and thank you so much for the lives that you live day in day out thank you so much more for the Unseen than the seen just amazing and as a as a church thank you just for the way at 13 years old you said Okay God if that's what your word is that's what what I'm doing and just amazing God is so good isn't he God is so good. [00:41:52]
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