Pastor David Wilkerson - Beloved Child of God - enjoying His presence

The following is a very comforting message written by Pastor David Wilkerson today - of all days. Pastor Dave was killed today in an accident. His wife is in critical condition. Please keep the family in your prayers. He will be greatly missed, but oh what joy in Heaven! I can just imagine the Father saying, " Welcome home, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Surely he fought the good fight, finished His course, and kept the faith.

WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL
by David Wilkerson | April 27, 2011

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen” (John 20:29).

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.

That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions: “Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.”

Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!”

Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.

It makes me want to shout hallelujah!

I thought about this song this morning as I heard AWESOME news from Michail ! He had a visit from his nurse, and she has pronounced his bedsores completely gone! He now has one remaining bandage that stays in place for about 1 month. We are so excited to see the touch of the Lord on his body, and we are believing Him for complete healing!

When I think about the Lord
how He saved me, how He raised me
how He filled me with the Holy Ghost
how He healed me to the uttermost
When I think about the Lord
how He picked me up
turned me around
how He set my feet
on solid ground

It makes me want to shout
Hallelujah! thank you, Jesus!
Lord, you're worthy
of all the glory, and all the honor
and all the praise!
Hallelujah! thank you, Jesus!
Lord, you're worthy
of all the glory, and all the honor
and all the praise!

It makes me want to shout!

April...for real?

I can't believe that it is April already. This year has begun to fly, and on one hand I am so excited that it is, because I am looking froward to my wedding, but then there is the load of things I have to accomplish before August, and I often wonder if time could slow down a little I might be able to breath better!

I am back in Milwaukee, and have realized that as easy as it was to work on things in Canada, I have to work a little harder here, as there is more commotion here at home with my family. I have to focus more. Making lists and keeping up with a certain pattern helps a lot, as well as always timing things... I feel like I don't know what I would do without a clock right now! :) I have also been informed that it is OK take time for myself, and not spend every waking moment working on wedding plans...cause I will burn out. I think this is wise advice, though it will be hard for me to make this a part of my life. I don't like to fuss over myself too much, but I know I have to take care of my body.

The sun is shining today! I am looking forward to warm weather and the arrival of Spring. There is 1 month and 8 days remaining before Michail and I will be betrothed. We are so excited! I have been blessed by the Lord so much by such a wonderful man of God. All my love to you my sweetest!

we are getting married!

Think, think, think...sometimes it is hard to know what to write when I sit down to update here. As I ponder, I am sitting down in the kitchen that will be my own in a few short months. For those who have not heard the news, I am getting married!
In January, Michail asked me to marry him, and I accepted with all my heart. We have set our wedding date for August 2, which I have begun to realize is not very far off! Shortly after our wedding, I will move to Canada with my Beloved.

We will take up residence in the home that Michail has prepared for us in London, Ontario.

Now I am in the midst of a lot of wedding planning. I am struggling to keep myself stress-free in the middle of thoughts that want to run in all directions, even when I am sleeping!
As I mentioned, I am in Canada, and Michail and I are working on making the most of our two weeks of time together to get as much accomplished as possible in preparation for our betrothal and wedding. Betrothal is the Biblical form of engagement. However, it is as binding as marriage, and at the betrothal we will exchange the same vows that we will on our wedding day, only in a more intimate, family setting. Michail will officially ask me to marry him, and will give me a ring!

While here in Canada, I am also getting my wedding dress altered, which I was able to find in January, thanks to my awesome cousin, who kept her eyes open for me! The story gets better though - the dress was only $50.00! Now tell me who buys a wedding dress for that crazy price? The size was much too large, but Michail's mom is an excellent seamstress, and is working hard on it for me! God is so good to me, and I am so grateful for the ways He is showing me that He cares.As for a health update, Michail is still recovering from one final bedsore, and we are praising the Lord that soon he will be able to be back to normal again, as the remaining sore is very small now. In all actuality Michail's recovery time has been quite rapid in light of how long these type of sores have been known to last.

Once more, I have been to the doctor for a 3 month checkup, and have returned with more good news! God has been faithful to continue to bring healing to my body following the removal of a malignant tumor last August. The cancer marker in my blood has come back even more favorable towards my recovery this time. I am still strictly following a high alkaline diet, which requires a lot of my time and effort, as well as self control, as I am avoiding eating a lot of foods that I have been accustomed to in the past. For those who may ask, this diet is a change in my lifestyle as well, as in order to keep my body healthy, I need to be careful to take extra care of it from now on. I have been eating carefully since August - following my operation. Michail has committed to help me by changing his diet also to make it easier for me. It has proved beneficial for him as well.
I am looking forward to helping plant my garden here in Canada (as we know Spring is just around the corner), as we will be reaping the fruit of it shortly after we are married! Thinking ahead is hard sometimes, but as I do, I would ask that you would remember us in your prayers as we both are making dramatic changes in our lives. Here are a few things to pray for on my end:

-My move to Canada, and all that this may involve, known and unknown
-transporting my things across the border, especially myself
-change of drivers license, and other legal paperwork
-health coverage until I become a permanent resident (Canada has socialized medicine)
-making the right connections with a doctor in Canada for my periodic checkups

-Wisdom for choosing and purchasing a bed that will suit Michail's needs and fit two :)

-Adjusting to life in a new country

-Learning the Russian language -for easier communication with Michail's mom

I appreciate you all so much, and though I may not know who exactly reads this, I am glad to be able to update you and share the good news of what God is doing in my life.

Blessings and Shalom!

With the changing of seasons comes lots of new beginnings

Dear friends,

I don't have too much to say, as I am going to update very soon. I do have a lot to say...

I know I sound confused, but as I am having another checkup with the doctor in a couple weeks, I will update then.

Thank you all for following this blog, and for remembering me in your prayers. I appreciate you guys!

Melanie

He has carried me

January 5, 2011

Dear Friends,

Here is another update on my health, for all of you who have been keeping up with me in regards to all that has transpired this past year.

At the end of December, I had an appointment with my surgeon for a routine checkup on my healing process after surgery four months ago. It's hard to believe so much time has gone by already! God has been faithful to do His work in my body, and I am continuing to trust Him for complete healing.

Results from my blood work came back normal, where before the cancer marking levels were extremely elevated. My scar is healing well, and everything else seems to be doing great. My doctor said I should be able to do anything I want now, though I know I need to work on bringing my strength back to what it used to be before my operation.

Personally, I feel very healthy, though I know that some things in my body will still take a while to be restored to complete health. I am continuing to follow a high alkaline diet recommended by my personal health practitioner. Some people have asked me how long I will continue with such a strict diet. I can't say I know the time frame, but I am taking each day as it comes, and trusting the Lord to guide me. I feel comfortable following the advice of my natural doctor, and healing my body the way God intended.

Michail (a.k.a. Misha), my beloved, is continuing to heal from his bedsores. His recovery has been long and trying, but not unprofitable. At Misha's last checkup with his wound doctor, the report was good, and very soon he will be able to be up and around like before. Hopefully by February things will be able to pick up their normal pace. One sore has almost completely closed up, and the other will follow soon. We are praising the Lord for His healing in both of our lives.

Our relationship has been blossoming in spite of the circumstances that have threatened to create a lot of stress and hardship in our lives. God has taught us how to use our difficulties to return praise back to Him. Together we are learning how to trust. Our Father has been teaching us how to stand up under pressure, so that we can in turn help those who find themselves in similar circumstances. He has not taken away our sufferings, but enabled us to grow, to overcome and to learn through them. I am blessed by how closely the Lord has interwoven our hearts in 2010, and look forward to the future that the Father Himself has been preparing for us. Michail and I are continuing to trust the Lord to provide financially, as I am unemployed since my operation. Please pray with me about getting a job, or some way to help cover expenses. There are high costs associated with the vitamins I am taking to regain my health. In addition, there are outstanding hospital bills yet to be paid.

My Grandma passed away on December 30 after struggling for quite some time with Dementia. I am glad that she is now no longer in pain, and is in the presence of our Lord. My family an I are in Missouri presently, as her funeral service was held yesterday, January 4. My mom and her family have a lot of sorting to do pertaining to what my grandmother left behind.

Please continue to keep my mom and her family in your prayers. Grandma had 10 children, 26 grandkids, and 11 grandkids. We all miss her.

Once again, I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I can't describe how blessed I am to have such a wall of support around me!

Blessings,

Melanie Phillips

Step by step He leads me

November 4, 2010

Greetings from Wisconsin!

I have just recently returned home from Missouri as my grandma has been experiencing poor health of late. She was admitted into the hospital because she was dehydrated, had low blood pressure, as well as a couple different infections, one being a mild case of pneumonia. Grandma has been doing poorly for a while, suffering from Dimentia of late, as well as Glaucoma for many years. About a month ago when my mom was visiting, Grandma made a conscious decision for Christ. We are praying that she feels His love and presence near her during this time of a lot of confusion and pain in her body. Grandma will probably be staying in the hospital for a while so the doctors can run some tests. Please remember her in prayer, as well as her many children and their families.

Thank you all for praying, and for standing behind me in my decision-making. I have been learning so much about trusting God this year, and this is just one more step for me. I have made a decision this past week to not have chemotherapy treatment, but rather to pursue health by natural means, involving change in my diet, and herbal supplements to bring my body back to health. It was a big decision to make, and I struggled a lot to know which way was the best way for me. I believe I have chosen a path that is not very popular, and yet one I believe will be the best for the sake of my health.

I had an appointment with my Naturopath today, and she sees good progress in my health, though I still have to work at getting my body back to a stronger state because of the cancer. One of my greatest points I need to work on is sleep, as so much healing can occur while resting. I can sleep, but I need to get more sleep, by going to bed early.

Also, I want to express my gratitude for your prayer support for Michail during his long recovery period from his bed sores. He is still slowly but surely getting better, and has been able to begin to function a bit more normally this past week, as he has been able to spend even more time up in his wheel chair, and not in bed all the time. We both still covet your prayers for a total and complete recovery!

Again, I cannot say enough how thankful I am for you all. You have helped me to keep going during one of the hardest years of my life. Don't ever feel like you are not helping someone by praying for them. I can truly say that the peace that I have felt through my trial with cancer has been tremendous, and I know it is a result of you holding me up in prayer before the Lord, night and day.

This passage of scripture has been my testimony. God has allowed all that I have been facing to use it later in my life as a message to bring to others who may be experiencing the same suffering.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” 11 Corinthians 1:3-11

Thank you again for following me with these emails. I know I am apt to write a lot, so I appreciate those of you who take time to read these updates.

Blessings in the name of Yeshua,

Melanie