Greetings all who wrestle for the Kingdom.

Spiritual Cataracts

I mentioned last month in the Update the miracle provision of cataract surgeries for my two eyes that occurred the end of July.  The surgeries were a gift out of the blue and an amazing and unexpected blessing.  Oh, and I can see now with both eyes.  Way cool.

In the middle of the week between the operations God gave me an insight using the physical condition I was in.  My right eye was done.  I could see clearly and count the number of bricks in the chimney across the street, read road signs without effort, etc.  The whole world became brighter via the good eye.  My left eye still had a cataract so when I closed my right eye I could see the yellowish haze and cloud that I had become used to over the past few years.  A striking and unmistakable difference.

One morning in my prayer time I was thanking God for the new eye and the ability to see clearly and He spoke an insight into my spirit; lies that we have grown to believe over time cloud our ability to see life clearly, as God intended.  Those lies are in essence cataracts.

Spiritual cataracts.

Here is one definition of cataract;

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from    slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early in the development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colors. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. 

Reflect on that definition as a guide to the effects of lies on your spirit,

1.)     The clouding of the lens (how we see) alters your sight

2.)    They obstruct the passage of light, light is different due to the discoloration

3.)    It is usually gradual over time and you can compensate so others think you are fine

4.)    True vision is not possible while the cataract remains but you think what you see is correct

5.)    There is no cure apart from surgical removal

What lies have entered your heart over time that you have come to believe are true and they color every thought and relationship in your life?  Unforgiveness?  Anger?  Fear?  They are altering your ability to see life in the true colors God painted it in and the only removal procedure is a surgical operation in your spirit by the Holy Spirit taking the lies away.  When this happens it allows the pure, true, deep, peaceful colors of God’s intention for your life to flow into your understanding.  His word replaces the filters.

A new book from the Barna group highlights what non-Christians believe about Christians.  Not a pretty sight.  But it also mentions what young Christians (age 16 to 29) believe to be true and acceptable as believers;

            59% believe it is OK to live together prior to marriage

            58% believe that gambling is OK

            57% believe that sexual thoughts about other people are OK

            44% believe that sex outside marriage is fine

            37% think using profanity is not a problem

            35% do not consider getting drunk an issue

            33% find no issue with viewing explicit sexual behavior

            32% think abortion is OK

            28% feel homosexual relationships are fine

            15% feel using drugs not prescribed for you is should be allowed

            7% believe it is OK to use the “F” word on TV

So  ….  Only 7% will be comfortable using the “F” word on TV but 59% think living together prior to marriage is fine and 44% believe having sex outside marriage is OK.  Are we missing something here?  These are professing Christians.  Christ followers.  How did we get here?  Spiritual cataracts that filter the truth and make a lie sound reasonable and true.

We see people freed every week as they repent and ask God to remove lies.  Freed from illness, emotional bondage and relational stress.  We are watching the Most High God surgically remove barriers to light and life and His healing power then flows but we need God to move if we expect our culture to be impacted in any reasonable way for the kingdom.

Take a moment to bless God in thanks for His cataract removals to date and also ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any spiritual cataracts that might still be operating in your heart.  John 16 tells us the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and we all need more truth in this area of our lives.

If you are interested the power point notes from the teaching in Indiana are on our website www.hearinggod.org.  Also, for those of you wanting the prayers to break off Masonic curses those are also now on the site under “Prayers”.

Thank God with us for these reports, many of them cataract removals in the spirit …

REPORTS:

• A young man was listening to God and he was told to go to Panera so he did and ordered his food.  He left and then checked the bag and realized that it was not what he ordered but he had already left.  The Lord told him not to worry and just take the sandwich to the park where he was supposed to meet up with a friend.  He went over to a tree where he thought he saw his friend but instead it was a homeless guy standing there.  The Lord said “give him the sandwich” so he did.  He felt energized that God would use him to serve this man and was blessed that he had listened.

• A man we told you about in April who had pancreatic Cancer and bone cancer who tenaciously fought his way to the “W” through a broken car, a broken arm and a broken leg sent us this email last week;

                        Dear Ted

I am doing much better now thanks to our loving Father. I have some outstanding news and would like to share it with you and your group if you think it would build faith and encourage others. The qualifier is we have been getting prayer and ministry since June 2006 for the prostate cancer .... In a nutshell since my accident  April 16, the night I got prayer in the parking lot, my PSA numbers have fallen to .1 , that's right point 1(normal is under 4).

My PSA was at 786 at the end of February and dropped to 601 before treatment started  (you guys prayed for me on April 16) , at that time I hadn't received any medical treatment for the cancer.. Praise the LORD!!!   We are still walking out this healing ... and daily depend on papa. I still am seeking prayer for God to complete the healing and restore my arm, shoulder and bones completely. He has done so much already but our God is a God of completion and we are pressing on until that day. Let me know if you would like me and my wife to share some time.

Thanks for your obedience

God, You are a wonder working God.

• A young man with severe cancer (age 22) was prayed for three times at the “W” but went home to be with the Lord one week later (last Sunday).  Father, we do not own the timing or results of our prayers and we trust your grace and mercy.  Thank you for healing this young man by bringing him into Your presence.  Give grace and shalom to his family at this difficult time.

• A woman brought a friend to the “W” who came to ‘give God one chance’.  He needed $400.00 to cover his mortgage payment and did not have the funds so he put the request into the box.  The next day his grandmother gave him a portion of his inheritance that paid off the balance of his mortgage in full.  Father, we seek Your heart and not Your gifts but we thank You for blessing this man with an answer that far exceeded his request.  The friend also had prayed that we would do “the box” for ministry time as she thought it would be less threatening to her friend.  It was the first time we had ever done the box two weeks in a row.  Lord, You are worthy of our praise.

• A woman with shingles was prayed for and they are gone completely.  Yes!

• A woman came to the “W” last week because a friend told her about “the box” and that she had put requests for the friend into the box.  Within a week the friend found and met her Father whom she did not know and had not seen in over 33 years.  It was a blessed reunion and she came to the “W” to thank us for our prayers.  We bless you Lord for You are good and direct Your sheep.

• A story came in regarding a tumor that was biopsied and came back without cancer to the doctor’s huge surprise.  Father, You indeed surprise us.

• An intercessor that is a part of the WT was not healed of a tumor in her throat so she had surgery.  The doctor came out and told the family that there might be nerve damage due to the size of the tumor and the amount of movement the nerves endured.  She is home and healing and doing well and has full functionality in her face.  We bless You God for grace shown to our sister.

• A young boy was prayed for at the “W” and his mother contacted us to thank us for the “sweet, peaceful, loving atmosphere” at our little gathering.  All peace comes from You Father so we bless You for being with us.

• A woman with severe lung issues (42% lung capacity) was prayed for and was healed instantly.  She walked quickly up and aisle and back rejoicing that she was not even out of breathe.  Lord, nothing is too difficult for You.

• A woman who was in need of encouragement was given Ps 91 three times in two days in remarkable ways and began praying that Psalm.  Later that week she found out she was now cancer free.  Yes and amen.

• A man with a prophetic gifting heard the teaching on spiritual cataracts and has seen his spiritual insight grow as the Lord identifies spiritual cataracts through his gifting.  We all learn from you gracious Lord.

• A man with two degenerated discs in his back (surgery was suggested 10 years ago and 4 years ago X-rays showed that the discs were gone and he was bone on bone at that point in his back) went into the hospital fully expecting emergency back surgery.  The MRI came back showing the discs had returned and he did not need any surgery at all.  We serve a restoring God.

• An intercessor woke up in the night extremely ill.  His wife prayed for him and he fell back to sleep and woke in the AM with no illness and feeling fine.  The prayers of righteous people are effective and accomplish much.

• A woman came to the “W” one time last year and returned two weeks ago to say thanks.  She came with MS and has not had any symptoms of MS for over a year.  What a mighty God we serve.

• A man who was unemployed for over ten months reported that he found a job.  Adonai Jireh is our provision once again.

• A father began praying for a son with seizures.  He learned about the deaf and dumb spirit being involved in this and as he began to pray when a seizure would start it would stop right away.  This happened six times.  He was praying and asked the Lord why they were coming back and the Holy Spirit said “seal the hole and then release me to fill the spot where the other spirit was attacking.  He did this and there has only been one very small seizure since and that one ended before he could even start to pray.  Thank You Father that the Holy Spirit does indeed guide us into all truth.

• A young woman who attends the “W” most weeks asked for prayer for her step dad who was having heart arrhythmia issues.  She reported this week that all the symptoms ended and he is fine.  He is also acknowledging God’s part in his recovery.  Thank you Father.

• A young lady from Ohio who is 16 was sent home to be in Hospice since the medical profession has nothing left to do to help her.  As she was prayed for at the “W” this week (this is the fourth time she and her family have come for prayer) her pain left and the color came back into her complexion.  Father, we look to you to cleanse her entirely.

 Here are some additional things to be aware of as WT members;

OPPORTUNITIES:

·         The new fall schedule begins next week with the elimination of the 6PM service.  Please pray for those who considered the 6PM their “home” service during this time of transition and also please pray for the staff and workers to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit as they do the work at Mars Hill.

·         Please pray for the staff, leaders and volunteers at Mars Hill as transitions continue with new leadership and new responsibilities and the search for another teaching/leading Pastor moves forward.

·         Please continue to pray for Ted and Claudia and the OMWB as they speak and minister;

o   Three teaching/worship events coming up this fall at First Reformed in Byron Center;

§  October 5^th

§  October 19^th

§  November 9^th

You are appreciated and prayed for often.  

Ted and Claudia Kallman

Wrestling Coaches

“One outsider (non-Christian) from Mississippi made this blunt observation: ‘Christianity has become bloated with blind followers who would rather repeat slogans than actually feel true compassion and care.  Christianity has become marketed, streamlined into a juggernaut of fear mongering that has lost its own heart.’”

            From the book unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

“Only two things will I seek to know, God and the soul, the soul and God”

            Saint Augustine of Hippo

“Nothing of value that happens in the kingdom happens without prayer.”

            AW Tozer