The Bible and Life

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Open Yourself Up

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FLOWING THROUGH YOUR LIFE, PEOPLE

WILL WANT WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER

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People came to hear me preach as a young man in 1947 in a gospel tent on North Main in Tulsa, Oklahoma, not because I was preaching about a dead God or a dead Bible or a dead, dry religious experience. It was the power of God's Spirit that made them flock to hear me, as a struggling young preacher coming out of these hills of eastern Oklahoma.

And when the Holy Ghost's power comes upon this little hunk of clay, there's a compassion that races through my being like a wind across a prairie and a fire that whips through my soul like a roaring inferno. A tenderness touches my heart like a mother pulling her crying baby to her breast and I want to reach out to the sick, the afflicted, the hurting, the demon possessed. I want to get at the thing that's hurting them, that's tearing them up and destroying them. I want every man, woman, boy and girl to be healed, AND THERE'S NO REST IN MY SPIRIT UNTIL THE HEALING COMES!

And, my brother, my sister, God can put a brand-new fire in YOUR bones, a force in your inner man that will lift you up, that will thrust you into an even greater dimension of fulfilling His mighty calling on your life! Oh, don't be shy or hesitant! Just open yourself up to His Spirit!

Oral Roberts ( unleashing the power of praying in the spirit)

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William James Roop

Friday, March 21, 2025

Midwest Healings And Salvations

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

MIDWEST HEALINGS AND SALVATIONS - MARIA WOODWORTH-ETTER- “SIGNS AND WONDERS” BOOK CHAPTER 27, Page 127. 1903, Moline, Iowa.

“We commenced our work in Warr Hall. The first four weeks there thirteen hundred bowed at the altar; I prayed for each with laying on hands, and nearly all were converted or reclaimed; and nearly all were healed of from one to a dozen diseases. The power was present just as it was in the days of Christ and the apostles-we do not read of any place where the work was greater – sixty at the altar for healing, at once, in the afternoon meeting. Nearly everyone got up rejoicing, showing by their testimonies that they were perfectly well. Many people in the gallery shouted or waved their hands; sometimes nearly the whole house was weeping at the wonderful miracles that were done before them all. The scenes were wonderful.

Every meeting they could hardly wait until I gave them the opportunity to come to the altar; then there would be a rush. They brought them in chairs, on cots, and on pillows; the blind, lame, deaf, dumb, and the paralytic; those dying with consumption, tumors, cancer, blood poisoning, catarrh of the stomach and lungs, or all through the blood; broken bones and everything else-all chronic diseases that could not be cured by any earthly power – they laid them at the feet of Jesus. As at Peter’s great revival, they tried to get near enough for his shadow to fall on them, so it was here-everyone tried to get the nearest me, like those at the pool of Bethesda, to get into the water first.

One after another they were healed; sometimes in an hour everyone would be up rejoicing. The people looking on saw large tumors and goiters go and cancers disappear; children got up and walked who never walked before. They saw the deaf hear, the dumb speak, those that had never heard or spoken before. They wondered and were amazed, and they gave glory for His great power and love for suffering humanity.”

William James Roop

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Permanent Results

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

“PERMANENT RESULTS” Chapter 23 of The “Signs and Wonder” book Part #2

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From Anderson we went to Pendleton, Indiana, to hold meetings in the United Brethren Church for three days. A number were converted and several healed of bodily ailments.

A farmer living near Pendleton was healed in our meeting six years before (1885). He had been in the asylum 3-4 years. He would get a little better for a few days, then be worse than ever.

His friends brought him to the meeting. He was converted and healed instantly. He went home and took charge of his farm. He has been a businessman and a Christian since then. Eternity alone will tell the results of the one week’s meeting at Pendleton nine years ago and this three days’ meeting.

From Pendleton we went to Indianapolis, to visit the Church of God, which we organized nearly five years before. When we arrived at the church, we found the large building crowded. The church was all in harmony and on fire for God. We continued the meeting five days, had two meetings a day during the week and three on Sabbath.

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The house was crowded day and night, and many turned away. The interest was so great we had to request the young people to stay away and give room for the older. The altar was crowded day and night with seekers—some for salvations of the soul, some for the healing of the body, and some for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Lord was present to heal both soul and body. A number of God’s children received the baptism for service.

(This was before the Azusa Street outpouring of people receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues-1891). They obeyed the command of Jesus, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until you shall be endued with power from on high.”

Among those converted were two men 80 years old. One had been afflicted most all his life. He was healed and converted at the same time. There never was a brighter prospect for revival in any place than at Indianapolis. But we were compelled to leave, as our appointments were out ahead.

(That’s probably why she was lead to build her Woodworth-Etter Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1918)

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William James Roop

Friday, March 14, 2025

Intercessory Prayer

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

Here is an article from a book call God's Generals (Healing Evangelist).

Traveling in China in 1934 was fraught with danger. Lester’s life was almost lost on more than one occasion. One time, after drinking water that had not been boiled long enough, he became deathly ill with dysentery and fever. As his conditioned worsened, he began to hemorrhage from his intestines, racked with pain and an ever-rising fever. Lester wasn’t a complainer, though, so Howard Carter had no idea how ill he really was.

The next morning, when the caravan began to move, with Lester’s mule last in line, the hours of diarrhea and lack of food made Lester faint, and he fell off of his mule. Crawling to a bush, he fastened the mule’s rope and then passed into unconsciousness. No one in his party was aware of what had happened. He was left on the road in China to die.

Hours later, Lester woke up alone but was astonished to discover that he was completely well! His fever was gone; his strength was returning. God had healed him as he had slept. Lester remained in that spot until someone from his caravan returned and found him. He then continued on in the journey, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness.

A few years later, while preaching in Mobile, Alabama, Lester discovered what had really happened in the heavenlies that day. The pastor of the church in Mobile, who was also a longtime friend, and his wife shared a strange story. They had been warned by the Holy Spirit one evening that Lester was dying somewhere on the other side of the world. They had fallen on their knees, crying out to the Lord, “Save him. Save him. Don’t let him die.”Later that evening, when Lester checked his diary, he discovered that their prayers on his behalf had been offered at the exact time he had been struggling for his life. He shared this with his friends, and God’s faithfulness once again brought them to their knees in thanksgiving!

- God’s Generals' ( Healing Evangelist ).

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

T. L. Osborn On The Radio

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

People Healed Listening to a Radio Broadcast.

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A radio station offered T. L. forty-five minutes free of charge to enable him to minister to the thousands of people who were unable to get to the crusade. Policemen were sent to guard the radio station from being invaded by the people during the broadcasts.

A man reported that a woman next door to him who was listening to the broadcast, was healed of paralysis. Her leg and arm had been drawn up for many years. In a moment, she was made whole and was going everywhere testifying of her healing.

A man from a city ninety miles away brought an old woman to the crusade in order to let her testify. She was healed of total blindness that day during the radio ministry. At least fifty miracles had already been reported as a result of the broadcast.

- T.L OSBORN (LEGACY OF FAITH).

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William James Roop

Friday, March 7, 2025

Revivals In Scandinavia

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

REVIVALS IN SCANDINAVIA

Here is an article by Smith Wigglesworth ( Ever Increase Faith ). Enjoy.

The writer had the privilege for three months one year of being in the center of Mr. Smith Wigglesworth’s meetings in both Sweden and Denmark. It was a time of visitation from on high. I dare to say that hundreds of people received Jesus as their Saviour, thousands were healed from all kinds of diseases, also thousands of believers awoke to a new life, and many, many received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost. For all thus we give glory to Jesus. Here are a few examples of miracles my eyes have seen.

It was in Orebro (Sweden) where at that time there was held a Pentecostal Convention. I came to seek help myself, being worn out with long, unbroken service in the Lord’s work. The next day there was a meeting for healing. After the preaching service I went forward into the other hall and I was surprised to find in a few minutes a crowd following. The hall was soon full with hundreds of men and women patiently waiting for a touch of God through His servant, and, glory to God, we were not disappointed. As hands were laid upon me the power of God went through me in a mighty way. I was immediately well.

It was wonderful to notice, as the ministry continued, the effect upon the people as the power of the Lord came over them. Some lifted their hands, crying, “I am healed! I am healed!” Some fell on the platform under the power of the Spirit, having to be helped down. Others walked away as in a dream; others as drunk with new wine, lost to everything but God; but all had faces as transfigured with the glory of the Lord and magnifying Jesus. A young blind girl, as she was ministered to, cried out, “Oh, how many windows there are in this hall!” During the three weeks the meeting continued the great chapel was crowded daily, multitudes being healed and many saved. The testimony meetings were wonderful. One said, “I was deaf, they prayed, and Jesus healed me.” Another, “I had consumption, and I am free.” And so on.

At Skofde, in the smaller hall, set apart for those seeking the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, I shall never forget the sight, how the people with eyes closed and hearts uplifted to God waited. Did the Holy Spirit fall upon them? Of course He did. Here also many were healed. At another place there was a young man whose body was spoiled because of sin, but the Lord is merciful with sinners. He was anointed, and when hands were laid on, the power of God went mightily over him. He said, “I am healed,” but being broken down, he cried as a little child, confessing his sin; at the same moment the Lord saved him. Glory to God! He went into the large hall and testified to salvation and healing.

At Stockholm, long queues waited for hours to get in. The hall held 1,800 people. At nearly every meeting crowds were unable to enter the building, but they waited on, often hours and hours, for the chance, if any left the building to step into the place. Here a man with two crutches, his whole body shaking with palsy, is lifted onto the platform. (Behind him five or six hundred more are waiting for help.) This man is anointed and hands laid upon him in the Name of Jesus. He is still shaking. Then he drops one crutch, and after a short time the other one. His body is still shaking, but he takes the first step out IN FAITH. Will it be? He lifts one foot and then the other, walks round the platform. The onlookers rejoice with him. Now he walks around the auditorium. Hallelujah!

During this meeting a woman began to shout and shout. The preacher told her to be quiet, but instead she jumped up on a chair, flourishing her arms about, and crying, “I am healed! I am healed! I had cancer in my mouth, and I was unsaved; but during the meeting, as I listened to the Word of God, the Lord has saved me and healed me of cancer in my mouth.” She shouts again, “I am saved! I am saved! I am healed of cancer l” She was quite beside herself. The people laughed and cried together.

Here was another woman unable to walk, sitting on a chair as she was ministered to. Her experience was the same as hundreds of others. She rose up, looking around, wondering if after all it was a dream. Suddenly she laughed and said, “My leg is healed.” Afterwards she said, “I am not saved,” and streams of tears ran down her face. They prayed for her, and later she left the meeting healed and saved and full of joy. We have a wonderful Saviour; glory to His Holy Name!

Out of many many miracles in Norway, I quote two taken from Pastor Barratt’s paper, “Korsets Seir” (the Victory of the Cross). A man and his son came in a taxi to the meeting. Both had crutches. The father had been in bed two years and was unable to put his leg to the ground. He was ministered to. He dropped both crutches, walking and praising God. When the son saw this he cried out, “Help me too,” and after a little while the father and son, without crutches and without taxi, walked away from the hall together. That word again is manifested; the same Jesus, the wonder-working Jesus is just the same today.

Now Copenhagen, my homeland! During three weeks thousands daily attended the meetings. Each morning two or three hundred were ministered to for healing. Each evening the platform was surrounded. Again and again, as each throng retired another company came forward seeking salvation. Here many were baptized in the Holy Ghost. The testimony meetings were wonderful.

Now I will close with a vision a brother had who attended these meetings. He was lost in intercession for the hundreds of sick waiting to be ministered to for healing. He saw an opening from the platform, where the sick were, right into the glory. He saw wonderful beings in the form of men resting who, with interest, looked on. Again he looked at the platform and saw a heavenly Being clothed in white, who all the time was more active than any other in helping the sick, and when HE touched them the effect was wonderful. Bent forms were made straight, their eyes shone, they began to glorify and praise the Lord. A Voice said: “Healings are the smallest of the gifts; it is but a drop in the bucket in view of what God has in store for His children. Ye shall do greater works than these.”Anna Lewini in “Confidence.”

- Smith Wigglesworth ( Ever Increase Faith )

William James Roop

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Beyond Head Knowledge And Traditions

Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!

BEYOND HEAD KNOWLEDGE AND TRADITIONS.

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“Prayer is ‘the breathing of a soul inflamed for God, and inflamed for humanity.’” E.M. Bounds.

True prayer must be from the heart. It is not just the words or phrases a person repeats as a mere routine or formality. It involves coming before God, as our Father, with our hearts our entire beings in an attitude of humble submission. God requires our whole heart! In His dealings with the children of Israel, He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).

Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and religious tradition of those who prayed in the synagogues and street corners to be seen of men. He called the Pharisees hypocrites. He said: …Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:7-9 NASB).

We must be careful not to become bound by religion or the traditions taught by men. There are many Christians sitting in our churches who pray on a regular basis. The words coming out of their mouths are what they have learned, but the words are empty and hollow because they are coming from their heads and not from their hearts.

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To go beyond ordinary prayer, we cannot be content with head knowledge or religious tradition. The cry of our hearts must be, “Lord Jesus, break through the dead, dry tradition and formalism and teach us how to pray as You prayed!” The Pharisees were committed to and preoccupied with strict adherence to the Law and the oral tradition, with its rules for interpreting the Law, purification rites, and man-made laws handed down by their fathers.

With minute attention to detail they observed all the sacred times laid down by God. They gave tithes of all they possessed and fasted twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. They were doing all the right things, but they were so bound by tradition that they did not really know God and could not receive the truths Christ spoke to them.

Their understanding of God was primarily as the Law-giver and their preoccupation with fulfilling His commands exactly became an end in itself. When they went to the Temple to pray, their prayers were formal and legalistic. And they went there to be seen and heard of men, not to meet with God.

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Public prayers were offered daily in the synagogue. These prayers included the Shema, which consisted of three passages from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy

11:13-21; and Numbers 15:37-41. The Shema was repeated both morning and evening with benedictions. In addition, the Tephillah, or Eighteen Benedictions, was repeated three times a day. Much of this was incorporated into the Hebrew Prayer Book that is still used in Jewish synagogues today.

In sharp contrast to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Jesus broke through the rigid, formal tradition of man’s religious forms, rituals, and concepts of prayer and established it upon a relationship with the Father! He taught the people the importance of shutting themselves away in a secret place to pray.

Jesus said:

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6 NIV).

- Dr. Morris Cerullo ( How To Pray )

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William James Roop