“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3: 20-21 NIV)

Even though we were out of town, there was no reason to think of this Sunday as being any different than any other; I couldn’t wait to get to church to worship my Maker. And since my eyesight isn’t the best, I found seats for my family and I as close to the front as possible!

It was during the praise and worship service that I noticed an older lady limping up the aisle with the help of a walker. As she took the seat directly behind me, I could see she was in pain, and I felt for her. I made sure to welcome her during our greeting time, and I found her to be a sweet lady who enjoyed talking.

As usual, the service was terrific, and as the gospel message went out that day, God’s Spirit filled the auditorium. Several people responded to the altar call at the end of the service, and one of them was the sweet lady behind me. But as I watched her go up the aisle to go to the front, I noticed that she was no longer limping along on a walker. In fact, she had left her walker behind, and she was running and jumping of joy. Her face was radiant!

What had happened?

Up front, she whispered something to our pastor, and in a few minutes she was given a microphone. She said something like this: “It has been 15 years since I have been able to walk like this,” she said. “I had polio as a child, and my abilities to walk, though never good, had deteriorated. In fact, I have been told recently to give up my walker for a wheelchair. I came to your church this morning out of curiosity. I didn’t know the Jesus that you preached. I had no idea that coming to this church would cure my illness. But when you preached that I can be saved by what Jesus had already done for me, my world turned upside down and I was overcome by a deep conviction that it was true. When you invited me to accept Jesus into my life, I did. And then I started walking! Without my walker! I can’t believe it! I am healed! I am healed! I can walk! I won’t need a wheelchair. I don’t even need my walker any longer. Jesus healed me! Oh how I love Him!”

Although I didn’t have any serious illnesses, I could totally identify with that lady. I used to think I knew Jesus and the Bible, but one day, when I walked into a Messianic synagogue that a friend of mine had invited me to attend, I felt a presence that was totally unknown to me. I knew beyond any doubt that I was in the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, the rabbi’s wife prophesied that someone in the congregation was hesitating to go through “the door” and was encouraging that person to do so. She had no idea that her prophecy was directed at me. I accepted Jesus that day, and my life changed. Although I had always proclaimed knowledge of God, I was being held captive by a sinful addiction, and no matter how hard I tried to get rid of it, it stuck to me like a twin brother. But that day, there in that Messianic Synagogue, that addiction was completely lifted from me. Goodbye addiction, hello Jesus! Suddenly all of my previous efforts to earn my righteousness now seemed so futile. HE was the One who made a difference in my life!

Something happens when you accept Jesus into your life. Not only are you now saved, but you also experience the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Victory is yours. Illnesses and addictions are zapped by grace as God works in the inside of His saved people with wondrous might. That old lady could surely testify about it, and so could I!

Jesus’ resurrection is real, and He shares His resurrection victory with all who accept Him. Do you want to get rid of an addictive sin? Come to Jesus. Do you want to experience God’s power in your life? Come to Jesus. Do you want victory? Accept Jesus into your life and welcome God’s Spirit. He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”.

Will you let Him reign freely in your life? Let yourself be zapped by His grace. Claim His promise found in Romans 8: 13-17:

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (NIV)

In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries