Episode Transcript
It is all too often said that there are no miracles performed these days. Well, I would like to challenge this idea with my story of God's amazing healing. Welcome to the miracles in the 21st century. I'm Nico Dumbrava. Now, Brian is a friend of mine who I got to know in the time when I used to live in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. He was a keen golfer, and I was not a golfer at the time. I didn't know how to play golf. Brian, the minute I met him, we became friends, we clicked, and, yeah, we used to play golf together. He was one of those guys who was a bit skeptical about religion and church and life was just cruising for him. He was just retired and just really enjoying life. But God was not really part of the picture. I had some opportunities to share with him what God has done for me because I was not always a Christian. But when I got to know God and his love for me, I couldn't help but share what God has done for me with Brian, and through many few months of friendship, Brian started to become interested in God. And we studied together. We learn about God through the Bible. And one day Brian decided. He told me, I have decided to be baptized. Would you like to baptize me? And it's been such a joyful time to be able to baptize Brian. And he became a follower of Jesus. And life was going on for a while, for a few months, but I think must have been a year or so after he got baptized. And one day I got the news from Brian that he was going to. He went for a test, for a regular test, and he. He was diagnosed with cancer. He was just shattered by that news. And I was there for him. I didn't know how to encourage him, but to pray for him. And I encouraged him to pray. Even though he became a Christian, he wasn't really that connected with God. And prayer was something that he was a bit hesitant about. But I said to him, brian, you just need to trust God. You just need to pray and just ask him. Just talk to God as to a friend, because this is what prayer is really talking to God about your struggles, about your challenges, and just really pour out your heart to him. Brian, you know, after praying for him, and he said, all right, I will give God a chance. I'll give God a chance and I'll pray. We prayed for healing and prayed to God. We anointed him with the Holy Spirit. There's a symbol of God's spirit beating upon him. And months passed. And he went for another check. And slowly by slowly, I can't remember exactly how it happened. But one day he comes and says, hey, you know what? The doctor, you know, find that everything is working. The chemo has been working, and I got no more cancer. And I know that doesn't happen in every case, but. But in Brian's case, that's almost 17 years later. I no longer live in Wagga. And I do connect with him from time to time. And last time I talked to him, he goes like, well, praise God for the miracle. You know, I'm still here today. And his expression, he says, well, I'm still above the grass, you know, I'm still walking on the right side of the grass. And I thank God for that. You know, prayer is a powerful thing, you know, and God works through it. Not that he wants us to come to him, but because we need God to allow him to work in our lives. And we need God more than he needs us. And it's such a powerful thing. I'm reminded so many promises in the Bible that we can just call upon God. And he says, call upon me and I will answer you. If my people, people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray, I'll open the heaven's door. And I don't know what your challenges are today. I don't know your. Your life, but we all go through up and downs in whatever we do. I encourage you to trust in God. Trust in him, be encouraged. Just talk to him. If you're going through some rough patches, he's there for you. You might not see him, but his hand is over you. If you call upon him and say, God, I need your help today. Help me to trust in you. Help me to put my faith in you. Look, my life is not perfect today. And I go through ups and downs. And this is what being a Christian doesn't mean that to me. We don't suffer, we don't have challenges. But it is because of God's grace, because he loves us so much and he is carrying us through it. I'd like to leave with you a promise today from the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 31. And it's a beautiful promise that I find it a blessing in my Life. It's Deuteronomy 31:7, 8. You know, this is Moses, one of God's people, leading, leading the Israelites to the promised land. And he's passing that button. He's passing that to, to. To the next leader, to Joshua. And he says, hey, be strong. Be courageous. Don't be dismayed. Don't be discouraged. You know, and this is. This is God speaking. You know his words. I don't know what you're facing today. The same words. I want to live with you. Be strong, be encouraged, and be courageous. The Lord himself goes before you, and he will be with you. May God be with you. May God be your strength and may you trust in Him. Whatever the circumstances, whatever joys or challenges you face, he's someone that you can rely on. Put your trust in him. May God bless you and be with you today. This is my encouragement for today
