Feb 7

Written by: glendajoy
2/7/2009 10:59 AM

A couple of weeks ago, my Dad had a standard CT scan as a result of treatments he has had over the last couple of years. When he returned to the doctor for the results, there was a negative report concerning something in his lungs. Since I was not present at the meeting with the doctor, I heard the report second hand. One word seemed larger than any other word in the report: significant. 

Such a simple word. But, weighty, very weighty.

A meeting with a lung specialist was arranged for a week later. Of course our family began to pray. We have seen the hand of the Lord move so many times in our family as a result of prayer. We come from a long line of people who have both believed for and seen miracles.

One of the obstacles to prayer for me was that little word, significant. I was amazed how powerful one word can be to invite discouragement or fear. For me this kind of prayer has to be active and militant. Words can also be our weapons to wreak havoc on the plans of our enemy.  Just like powerful words can seek to disarm and unnerve us, it is important to recognize that other powerful words can stir hidden strength and become a catalyst to ignite mighty, event-altering faith.

When we went to the specialist, none of us knew what to expect. Amazingly enough, it turned out to be a very positive experience.

The doctor listened to my Dad’s lungs. He also used a clip on a machine to check his oxygen level. His lungs sounded great. His oxygen level was 99%. The doctor made a comment that that percentage was probably higher than his level. It was at that point I knew something extraordinary was unfolding.

Next, he read the report from the CT scan. He said he could not give the final report until he had seen the actual scan itself, and not just the report. But, from what he read, he saw no cause for alarm. He said it sounded ‘pretty vanilla’ to him. He also added that he wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was completely gone in the next scan in April.

We left that office amazed with a kind of an awe. A grateful awe. The intense type of gratitude that makes me want to shout praises to God.

In situations like that, we have to use powerful words to come against powerful words. It is no time for passivity. I am always reminded of Joshua in times like this. In the Old Testament, God told him that He had given the children of Israel the promised land. But that gift did not mean they could just roll in there and set up housekeeping. Their would be obstacles. And enemies. The rest of what God told them was, to take possession of what He had given. What was rightfully theirs. No passive milksop stuff here. It was a time to gird their loins, put on their armor and weapons and resolve to fight any enemy, and destroy any obstacle that stood between them and what God had given them.

A few days after this happened with my Dad, I received an abnormal report from a test myself. And, I had a couple of powerful words that I had to contend with personally. In the week and a half between the call informing me there was a problem, and the time when I would return for additional scans and a verbal report, I had to choose which words to believe.

And, once again I found myself doing battle with powerful words, and the fear that they wanted to bring into the situation.

The next Sunday at church, I asked a woman of faith to pray with me. As a result of that prayer, I came away with a sentence of power that she spoke over me. It was just a portion of our prayer, but those words were containers of the power of God. ‘There is nothing wrong here’. They impacted me when she spoke them. I had to make a decision to believe them.

I also asked my sister, who is a woman of faith, to pray for me. I didn’t realize it until later, but she received a word as she prayed. That word seemed totally inappropriate for the sobering situation. It was in response to a question she posed to the Lord. Was she supposed to fast? No, came the answer, she was to ‘celebrate’.

She accompanied me to the appointment. I don’t remember a time in my life when I was in such a sobering situation. To be honest I prayed, and sweated in equal amounts.

When the follow up scans were done, I sat in the diagnostic room for what seemed like hours, but was probably only an hour. A very, long hour. Waiting for the final report.

Finally, I heard my name called. I entered a conference room along with the woman holding the report. She began speaking, and I was trying to listen to her and tune out the battle that was going on for my thoughts.

What came out of her mouth was a good report. An absolutely good report. The words ‘there is nothing wrong here’ would have been another way to express the words she spoke. And to ‘celebrate’ was the most appropriate of words as a response to what had just taken place. I was ready to celebrate!

Thankful?  That doesn't express how full my heart is.  To Him be glory, not only for what He has done, but for who He is.  And it was also a very good reminder to me.  Words have power.  They are like dynamite.  And, I think the very best use of these weapons is to do what Jesus did.  Aim carefully, prayerfully chosen powerful words in the specific direction of the work of the enemy.  

Jesus came to destroy all the work of the enemy.  Now, let's go and do likewise.

Tags: