Probably you have read the stories of those biblical heroes of faith, and you feel these were men who lived several centuries ago when it was easy to live a life of faith. In this line will I share with you stories of men of our time who had applied faith in life and had received the reward of faith. Your faith will be increased by their testimonies.

KENNETH E. HAGIN: Faith For Divine Healing.
He can be described as an Apostle of faith. He is the, founder and Pastor of Rhema Bible Church. His ministry had spanned for more than 60 years. God healed him miraculously of a deformed heart and incurable blood disease at the age 17. As a teenager, he was bedridden for 16 months. Best doctors in America examined him and said he would surely die. They said, medically, no one in his condition could live beyond age 16. But he was on bed till he was almost 17. Several times, he would pray but to no result. He would then challenge God, saying, Lord, I thought you were going to heal me. I just felt like you did. But you didn't." He kept on fighting death with every fiber of his being.

Finally on Tuesday 14th of August, 1934, he read Mark 11:24 and he said, "Lord, according to your word, I believed I'm healed of my sickness. I believed now that I have received my healing even when my heart is not beating right. I now know that if I believe that I receive it then I have it."

He had never done that before. He wanted to receive his healing first before he then believe. He chose to follow the word of God. He lifted up his hands while he was still lying on the bed and said, "Heavenly father, dear lord Jesus, thank God I am healed. I believe I am healed. I believe my heart is well. I believe my paralysis is healed". He spent about 10 minutes doing that.

Almost instantly, the Devil challenged him. He said, "Kenneth, you claim to be a Christian and now you've gone to lying. Don't you know that all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone?" (Quoting the Bible)
" Yes I know" Kenneth answered, "but I didn't lie."
But the Devil replied, "Yes you did. You said you were healed and you are not now feel your heart"

He was almost feeling his heart with his hand when he said, "Mr. Devil, I didn't say, I felt as if I were healed. I didn't say, I looked like I'm healed. I didn't say about how I looked or how I felt. I said I believe I am, and I receive the answer to my prayer. I believe according to Jesus words in Mark 11 :24. If you want to argue about that, go and meet with Jesus. I didn't say it anyhow, Jesus said it".

That was all the resistance the devil needed to flee from him. Kenneth then went back into his business of praising and thanking God: Then the spirit of God spoke to him, "You believe that you are healed, but healthy people have no business in bed. They need to be up" You see, he was believing, but faith is having. Believing is just a step up and you have to take all steps.

Now, he didn't look any better. He didn't feel any better. He was still physically paralyzed. He then pushed himself up to a sitting position in bed, took his hands and pushed his legs and fell off the bed, twisted his body around until his feet fell down on the floor like chunks of wood. The Devil kept on fighting him saying "You can't walk and you know you can't. You are not healed and you know. You are lying about it you are going to fall right here on the floor and you'll be there till evening; when those who went to work will be back. Don't try it; go back to the bed"

But he ignored the Devil's antics. This is one of the best ways to handle him and his devices. He acted as if the devil had said nothing. He got hold of his bedpost, hanging on with arms around it, lifted one hand a little bit and said, "Thank God I am healed. I believe it". Then he felt something like a jam of warm honey being poured on him from his head down. It ran down his whole body. When it got to his waist, feeling began to come back to him. Every nerve in his limbs was reactivated.

For a few minutes, it hurt. Then he felt normal. The paralysis was gone. Hallelujah. He began to walk and has since been walking. The doctors· confirmed his healing and concluded that nothing short of miracle could have done that. He lives today to share his testimony and teaches men the principles and practice of faith.

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* Reverend Israel Kristilere pastors Shepheredhil baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos Nigeria. Contact him at www.shepherdhillbaptist.org