I spent several years in the Vineyard movement, and was influenced much by the theology of John Wimber. He taught that we should always pray for the sick, and God is the Healer. He taught that we should never succomb to death and disease, as the Lord's will for a soul. If things look grim, well, that's too bad, but we will live by faith, and stand for life, through the Redeemer Jesus, and petition the Father for healing intervention. The healing was always in God's Hands. We were just the child asking for favor.
John Wimber experienced many, many unanswered petitions, as did the early Vineyard movement. This did not deter the praying for the sick, though. Eventually, they [ much to their surprise] began to see results. John Wimber went on to see creative miracles, and things such as the born blind see.[ This occurred for a very few years.]
He also spoke of a "gift of Faith" in the COMMAND realm, where a confidence would speak out of him, almost like a prophecy, that would bring healing.[such as the case of a woman born blind, where he stopped preaching, and shouted "SEE!", and watched new eyeballs form.....brown eyeballs.]
He equated miracles as this to Peter and John's healing of the lame man, "Silver and gold have I none, but.....!"
Jesus always tried to defer miracles and Healings to the glory of His Father. Many times, He would command those healed to be silent, and tell no man. He wanted all Glory to proceed to His Father. People often desire to receive all the Glory as the mighty man or woman of God. [see the vast advertisements and puffing of "healings" in Lakeland...] Even if there were valid healings, they have received their reward.
Why would anyone want to display themselves? Jesus did not. Not all are healed. I do not understand why. It is in God's hands. I sat in front of a vast crowd [no end to it, as a sea, without end..] in India, as Reinhardt Bonke preached. I was on the platform, perhaps 8 feet away from him, and saw a basket pushed upon the face of the multitude, as men hoisted it above them toward the front. A girl , about 12 years, was inside. She was born lame. As she arrived up front, I was shocked to see her legs. They were but bone, masked in bronze skin. Bohnke asked for bowed heads, as he prayed. I chose to watch.
[She had felt a movement or electric pulse, and cried out, while in the crowd.]
The girl swayed as she attempted to walk...some what like a spider or octopus would. Her knees were very large in contrast to her thin muscleless bone. I watched with eyes open as swirling flesh matured to strong athletic perfection. Perfect strong legs broke forth, and she began to dance, as she walked. Bohnke was filled with joy. and held her hand, as she transformed to a ballet diva, leaping in beautiful gazelle like arcs with a beauty void of earthly stride. It was Heavenly dance, that I observed.
I witness an orb around her, and I swear before all, that I witnessed a MAN, in her, and around her....beard and face and EYES of LOVE. She was glowing, and perfectly whole.
Bohnke seized the moment, and gave glory to Jesus, and asked those to come forward to make this God theirs, as Lord of the universe, and themselves; Covered by His Blood. 5000 or so rushed the platform, and glory fell, with tears of joy, and cries of a repentant heart.
There were tens of thousands of lame and crippled in Madras that day, and I would bet that only one was healed. Why? I don't know, but I continued to pray for the sick.
As we would pray for our diseased child, without ceasing, so we shall pray for the sick, that look to Jesus, as His ambassadors. [male and female saints.]
F. F. Bosworth wrote a wonderful book; "Christ the Healer." It is supremely the truth, that He is Lord, and Lord of Restoration, according to Himself alone, and His desires. We who love Him, want so much to act on His behalf. I know I do. I want to carry all of the healing I can. Perhaps one day, He will allow it. In the mean time, I pray for all that I can, that want it, in Jesus's Name, and the results are His business.
