Update on David
Dear friends of David,
Because he has been unable to write posts for his blog in recent days we felt it was good if we filled you in with an update.
It has truly been an amazing journey with David, thus far, with his battle with cancer. There have been so many answers to prayer and, even as we have been praying for him, we know there is an amazing army of people praying and this circle of prayer is increasing all the time, which, to us, is really amazing. Whenever he has had pain, after prayer the pain has left. When other difficulties have arisen and on the four or five occasions when he has had to go into hospital, the Lord has answered again, and after two or three days he has been home again where he has been for most of this period.
Until recently, he has been ministering in the church on a regular basis and his messages have been greatly anointed.
Just this last week he had to go into the hospital again, where he is at the moment, and in this crisis time the Lord is answering again. This morning he is looking much better and the Oncologists were "pleased with his progress".
So the calls of prayer are coming in from around the world reminding us of so many friends who are praying. We are also reminded that our focus is not on the cancer but on the power and the glory of the Lord and the Gospel's provision for healing.
Elena and the family are doing well and they want us to thank you also.
Much love from all of us, and once again thank you so much for your prayers and intercession for David.
Paul and Bunty Collins
posted by David A.Collins @ 5:03 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I really hope someone reads this and conveys the message to David that there is Power available to Him. I know he knows this but I feel the need to direct him towards the image of Jesus Christ Crucified.
The amplified has a good way of stating this truth it..John 3:14-16 .. But please take note of verses 14 and 15. Verse 16 is always quoted but its true context is missed.
We are to look at and actually gaze upon the image of Jesus Christ crucified for it is the power of God unto salvation. Salvation from what ? DEATH.. I mean a real physical death. Jesus died to give us IMMORTALITY ..
Please allow me to quote from the amplified.
John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [ on a pole ] , so must [ it is neccessary that ] the Son of Man be lifted up [ on the cross ],[ Num 21:9 ]
3: 15 In order that everyone who beleives in Him [ cleaves to Him , Trusts Him and relies on Him ] may not perish , but have eternal life and [ ACTUALLY ] live forever !
3:16 For God so greately loved and dearly prized the world that He [ even ] gave up His only begotten [ unique ] Son , so that whoever beleives in [ trusts in , clings to , relies on ] Him ( LIFTED UP ON THAT CROSS ... own words added )shall not perish [ come to destruction , be lost ] but have eternal [ everlasting} life .
Now I trust that if we take the word literally and not make up some doctrine that says yes Jesus came to give us an eternal home some day when we die . Which he did ! But focus on the real reason for his coming was to get back what Adam lost and to provide a way for us to access it. We need to focus on the image of the Crucified Christ !
Numbers 21 : 9
And Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole , and if a serpent had bitten any man , when he looked to the serpent of bronze [ attentively , expectantly , with a steady and absorbing gaze ] , he LIVED !
There are so many passages in the new testament where the image of the crucified christ is clearly mentioned.
Galatians 3:1 Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth ( Portrayed NKJV ), as crucified among you?
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So in closing we have to look to Jesus on the Cross. A clear depiction of Jesus Christ Crucified. Be touched by it , gaze at it and BE HEALED in Jesus name.
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and IMMORTALITY to light through the gospel:
I know I am probably a no body in the grand scheme of things but I do know this. God himself would not die on a cross so that we have to die a physical death. We have to give up our need to want to live and trust that He is in control. So if we do what he did.. we will get what he has got.
You know the strange thing about a monkey is.. if he sees someone doing something he does it. You can preach to him all day long and he might do it. He learns better by seeing. So too do we need to look at the image of the crucified christ to do what he did. You can'd do something that your mind isn't focussed on !
Focus and be blessed .
Thank you for reading.
Yours In Christ .
Nikolaos Raftopoulos.
David
I heard you speak at Springvale ECC and the love of the Lord shone through you so clearly!
I pray that our Lord will heal you COMPLETELY (this is not a "bold" request - it is made because I 'know' the Lord is omnipotent, he can do all things), so you may continue to glorify Him, to share the good news, to show His love, mercy and compassion to a world that really needs it.
God Bless you and your family during this time.
I shall remember you in my prayers
I am praying with you all.
Even if I never met David I love him for the service he is doing in God's Kingdom!
Just like to encourage David with this promise of God we learned as a memory verse last week in BSF. Ge 28:15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
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