A person who I would consider a dear friend, even though I never met him, died a few days ago. His name is Marcus Lamb and he is a very great evangelist. He runs one of the biggest Christian networks in the world and it’s called Daystar. https://www.daystar.com/watch/live-stream/
The reason I consider him a very dear friend is that his programming means so much to me. He has excellent teachers on his channel, and when I was able to afford full cable, it was on where I live most of the time. Because of him, I learned so much about God and feel so much closer to Him. He is without a doubt a great loss.
Now here is what struck me. After I wrote a condolence letter…who knows if anyone will ever see it…I scanned around their website and came across a show they had on November 23rd, about a week before Pastor Lamb passed away. Many were standing in prayer with him, decreeing and declaring he would be well. Even going so far to say they could see him “having mexican food” with his family at home. Oh boy. So what can we understand from this?
Not only that, but so many have lost everything. Not only loved ones, but finances, jobs, friends and even family. Not to mention freedom of speech! How terrible. I even lost my own job….does that stop me from believing in God? NO!!! Do I think God does these things to us? NO!!! NEVER LET IT BE SAID THAT GOD HURTS HIS PEOPLE!!!
The friends of Daystar who were praying and believeing for Marcus Lamb were doing exactly what they should do. One of the things that struck me was that the man kept saying ( according to his family) that he was repeatedly saying he wanted to go home. What was home to Marcus? I had heard him say we are but sojourners, quoting scripture Peter Chapter 2 verse 11“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” Perhaps he went to his real home…just throwing that out there…I’m not trying to be funny.
It’s a common question, I prayed, why did they die?
The best answer I can come up with is that this is, for a little while longer, the devil’s world. From the beginning, Adam was first given authority by God to rule over the earth. It says so in Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28:” God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and SUBDUE it. RULE over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Adam and Eve quickly decided God’s way was not enough and fell for the temptation and offer to “be like Gods in Genesis Chapter 3 verse 5: “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
When they accepted that offer, they were declaring they no longer trusted the authority and rulership God had given them. They were saying they believed instead a lying deceiver. As a result, the blessing that was on them lifted away. It wasn’t taken away, it disappeared as a consequence of their choice.
As a result the Devil became the chief power (temporarily) on the earth. That said, it’s important to understand Jesus restored our authority as long as we believe in Him. Jesus Himself gives us the authority over Satan, “19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” His disciples then went out and did so and were blown away by the results.
So you must be pretty frustrated with reading this by now. Why did our friend die? Jesus also said, “24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” in Luke chapter 11 verses 24 through 26. (I’m not saying Marcus had an impure spirit…please try to stick with me.)
Here are some other important notes. The Apostle Paul, another super-evangelist, wrote this in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians verse 25, “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift on the sea;” Okay, so this guy really went through it!”
Jesus also said to His disciples, who had left everything to follow Him in Mark chapter 10 verse 30, “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
And what about the Christians to come in the tribulation? In revelation chapter 20 verse 4, Jesus was showing John what was going on in the last days. “And I saw thrones and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads or on their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Did you catch that? They will be beheaded. Let’s not forget the martyrs all through time.
Do you think this was from God? Of course not. Is there poverty in heaven? Ahem, by the reports of near death experiences the streets are paved with gold…cool! Is there sickness in heaven? It can’t exist there. Jesus knows what we are going through. I also think it’s obvious that from these scriptures we can expect to be attacked spiritually. Things appear to be coming to a head. We are closer to the end of things than when Jesus walked the earth 2000 years ago…give or take a few. I believe that means we can expect things to at least go back and forth until the creep finally gets a solid grip, if this isn’t the tail end. The closer we get, the worse it will get. I don’t think fearmongering is the way to go. Why didn’t the prayers for Marcus Lamb work? My thought is that we are in a battle of good over evil.
Were people praying for Apostle Paul before he was executed? I would think so. Also in Acts chapter 9 Verses 36-41, Peter raised a woman from the dead. Notable in this case is the last verse:,”
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.” These people were believers, so they must have prayed for Tabitha. Why did Peter’s prayers work? Not only that, but he raised her from the dead!!! We don’t know everything, but I will continue to believe what my Lord says.
The first letter to Peter chapter 5 verse 6 says, “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.” It goes on in verse 10, “10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.”
I myself will continue to do what the Lord instructs:
I cast my cares on Him right away….not running around and blabbing to friends before talking to God. You never know who is inadvertently cursing you, saying it will never work.
I speak the word and I believe it! Isaiah chapter 55 verse 11: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
I Believe the word of God. John Chapter 6 verse 28-29:,”Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus replied,“The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
I give thanks. 1 Thessalonians chapter verse 18,” give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (a note this means it is his will to be thankful…..not to have a bad circumstance)
No one said it would be easy, not even Jesus. But He did get what was promised in the end. He rose again. And in the end, so will we.
If you would like to invite Jesus into your life, say these words out loud:
Dear Lord Jesus, I’m asking you into my heart and my life. I know I am a sinner. I ask your forgiveness for every sin I’ve ever committed. I believe you died on the cross for my sins, that you stood in my place and took all the punishment that was due to me when you were there. I believe that you rose from the dead and are alive. I thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me of sin with your blood. Thank you for making me right with our heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen and thank You!
blessedartthou 