“Thanksgiving” for Christians is a time to remember and thank God who has "supplied every need (of ours) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). In Canada it is on October 10th, 2016, and in the U.S.A. it is on November 24th, 2016. When I was the Pastor of the "First Presbyterian Church" in New Jersey, I visited a man from our church in a hospital in Freehold. There was a man who shared the room with him, who must have watched and listened to me while I prayed. This man took the liberty to ask me, “Are you a Christian?” For the moment I hesitated, as an underlying truth instantly came to mind - not all Pastors are necessarily born again Christians. Just because church ministers (Pastors, Reverends and Priests) become ordained, that doesn't make them exempt from receiving Jesus' full Salvation package. "All have sinned and fallen short of glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Without God's grace, their ministries are like "clanging cymbals that lack in God's (agape) love" (1 Cor. 13:1; 13:4-7). Nevertheless, I assured him that I was an "authentic Christian" (Mk. 16:17), who was able and willing to pray for his needs. As we talked, I learned about his ailment, which led me to pray for his healing. Later I went to visit him in his home, where I discovered he had a cancerous tumor. Now I knew why his belly was so huge - he looked like a woman who was 9 months pregnant. I ministered to him by his bed side, and watched as he struggled to raise his head up off the pillow. My concern for him grew by the moment. With his permission, I decided to call his doctor to ask if he would accept him back into the hospital again. The Doctor explained, “Rev. Williams, I have sent Mr. Bryant home to die. All you can do is to comfort him and be his friend.” I swallowed hard and continued to pray for him. That Friday evening, before Thanksgiving Sunday, my wife Ruth and I went to his house on our way to our prayer meeting. When I arrived, his wife and daughter were away shopping. Entering his house, I left the lights out because I didn’t want him to see my face - I never had to tell anyone that they were going to die. After I told him the doctor’s diagnosis in the dark, he took hold of my hand and asked me a question I didn't want to hear, “Pastor, do you believe the Bible? Do you believe that Jesus did what it said?” “Yes!” I said reassuringly. Then he asked me the dreaded question, “Do you think that Jesus would heal me?” I don’t know,” I replied, ”but let’s ask Him.” My mind raced through the Bible scriptures. I remembered James wrote, “If any of you is sick, let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord...and the Lord will raise him up (Jas. 4:14–15). There was no phone in the room to call a church elder. Then I remembered what Jesus said in Mark 16:8, “These signs will follow those who believe…..they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover". I had never prayed that way before, so I laid hands on him and prayed, believing in his healing. Then I left. That Saturday morning, one of my Trustees, Calvin Sawtelle and the president of our Youth Group, Lydia Coulson, took a Thanksgiving Dinner out to Mr. Bryant’s home. Both of them saw Mr. Bryant up and out of bed walking, his stomach flat and with no sign of the cancerous tumor. Calvin asked him, “Mr. Bryant, what has happened to you?” He said, “I believe the Lord Jesus has healed me!” It is a miracle! Driving home, Calvin realized that he had never asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins. Without hesitation, he pulled off to the curbside, prayed for Jesus to forgive him, and then drove home. When he arrived, his wife asked him to put up the Christmas lights as she did each year at Christmas. As she went to cover her ears dreading to hear his cussing and swearing, she heard him singing instead, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. Later she called me and asked, “What happened to my Calvin? He is different.“ "He is now a changed man," I replied, “and a new man in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). Calvin had decided to keep his roadside salvation experience between God and himself. That Sunday morning during our service, Mr. Bryant, his wife and his daughter came down to the alter for prayer. I saw tears of thanksgiving coming from his eyes as he walked down the aisle towards me. We all prayed and rejoiced together, thanking Jesus over and over again for Mr. Bryant's healing miracle. Later I realized Jesus had done three miracles that weekend. First, He healed Mr. Bryant; second, he saved my friend Calvin; and thirdly, He taught me a lesson in healing ministry! I'm reminded of Mr. Byrant's testimony often, and especially during Thanksgiving time. Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace! "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9) Do you want to thank God for his amazing grace? If you, your family and/or friends would like to receive either Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a Gift of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance, etc., I invite you come to one of our house meetings or contact me. Everyone is welcome! I pray that you and your loved ones are "blessed overflowing" this coming Thanksgiving season (Prov. 3:10). In Jesus, Rev. Gordon Williams |
New Testament (NT) Abbreviations Act (Acts) About GWEA Ministry Our "Holy Spirit" ministry emphasizes the necessity of the grace gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the Bible scriptures. Our ministry helps people to receive Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, healing, deliverance and other spiritual gifts from God. Also through our services, many have received miracles, healing, revival and renewal. Rev. Gordon Williams
"Holy Spirit" Scripture of the Month "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?
(I Cor. 14:1-7) ESV
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October 31st is known as “Halloween”, a Christian name meaning “Holy Evening” or “All Saints Eve”. As the early church grew, the leadership renamed religious celebrations and holy days with Christian names - replacing the old pagan gods that were long forgotten and cast aside. People mistakenly believe that the devil, dead people`s spirits (also called demons) were set free to roam the earth to haunt and terrorize. Jesus Christ changed all that when he died on the Cross of Calvary. The dead stay dead, and their souls/spirits reside either in Paradise (Lk. 23:43) or in a temporary hell (called tartarus) until Jesus returns to raise the dead for eternal life. (1 Cor. 15:51–58). READ MORE...
Love needs to be expressed over and over again every day to affirm and reassure each other that we love each other. It is amazing how that one sentence builds trust and confidence between a couple. Without it distrust and insecurity develop. READ MORE...
In the New Testament Greek, there are two words for 'good'. One (kalos) means 'morally good, noble, praiseworthy, leading to salvation'. The other (agathos) refers to the 'perfection of God, things of the Holy Spirit.' READ MORE...
Paul firmly stipulated that both husband and wife had to be "equally yoked" with Jesus Christ and each other for marriage to last. They must not be "unequally yoked." The King James version of the Bible speaks of being "unequally yoked," while the Revised Standard Version uses the term, "mismated." READ MORE...
Did you ever notice that most people pray only when they are in the midst of a real crisis? They tell me that they don't want to bother Jesus with the small decisions. Often they'll wait until they have big problems. And then when they finally do get around to asking Jesus for help, they want to make a deal with Him, a promise to change, or a vow to do something for Him in return if He would only answer their prayer. READ MORE...
Many Pastors teach that when a person receives Salvation, he/she also receives the Holy Spirit. I've had many people come and tell me that there is something missing in them... READ MORE...
This passage contains a strong reminder about the bottom line of our ministry; it is all about Salvation. It is important to focus on the essence of life so we don't drift away from God. He gave us His own witness regarding the message of salvation; with signs and wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit which are distributed according to His will.... READ MORE...
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"SPIRIT-LED DAYS" - DAY BY DAY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT" is one of the most inspirational, detailed and theologically studies on the Holy Spirit. Using a daily devotional format, the reader is led step-by-step, day-by-day, into a study of what the entire scriptures reveal about the person of the Holy Spirit.
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"THE FORGOTTEN KEY TO CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE" is God's key to a successful marriage.
Gordon's book outlines effective tools for building a happy marriage. Also explains why the divorce rate in the church is the same as in secular society and what to do about it. |
"LIKE A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND" is practical and important Christian teaching highlighting the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the 9 "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" as outlined in the Book of Corinthians. The results of Rev. Gordon Williams ministry have always been countless changed lives as people encounter Christ in His fullness.
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"VICTORY OVER THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS" is the most comprehensive teaching guide available today on spiritual warfare. Based on biblical theology, it is derived from many years of helping people to be freed from demonic oppression.
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