But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 1 Thessalonians 3:6

Comfort Authority

Notice the power of a good report. Yesterday I wrote that a testimony begets another testimony. The encouragement we receive from another person relating when God works on their behalf brings hope. This was especially true for me yesterday as Pam and I would be praying later that night for a friend’s husband who is desperate for a healing from cancer.

At lunch I heard my friend, Jerrell, relate how he (and a lot of others) prayed for a mom which everyone considered gone. They had been planning her funeral and preparing their hearts for mom to pass away. BUT then she got better and better. Now the family are making plans for an alive and well, mom.

We also discussed how God has raised up another husband who was in a medically induced coma on a ventilator. Ministers prayed, his church came down to the altar at the end of the service and prayed, and his wife clung to prayers and speaking life over his body for his healing. The day the church prayed, he squeezed her hand and spoke. He is now up and walking.

My brother in law shared how God gave him the opportunity to preach. He spoke of God’s goodness and the fact that He is our Jehovah-Rophe (the God who heals). His mother was present and was touched by the knowledge that we can know God as healer. She talked with God and asked Him to make Himself real to her for healing of her shoulders. It was painful to raise her hands above shoulder height. After she prayed, she was able to rotate both arms in a full circle. It’s a big deal when healing like this happens to someone who has lost range of motion.

As we met with the couple we shared the Principle of Comfort Authority. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 The Principle of Comfort Authority – When God brings hope and help to your life, you have the authority and passion to help others dealing with similar pain.

Pam has received healing on multiple occasions. She shared how Tommy Combs had prayed for her lungs to be made whole. God gave two years from that prayer with no colds, flu or other respiratory issues. I believe that Pam carries Comfort Authority to pray for the healings of others.

Lastly we shared the audacity and authority of Jesus to tell everyone that  a dead Lazarus will rise again. His condition had NO visible signs of any life. Mary reminded Jesus that her brother had been dead four days and his decomposing body would smell horrible. YET, Jesus commanded Lazarus to come back to life and rise up out of the cave tomb. Lazarus came forth.

If God can raise a dead man, he can cure cancer in another’s body. Jesus has comfort authority. He bore our sins and sorrows so we can experience His life and hope. Even now, today, He has authority to help you in your struggle in life.

Will you agree with me for my friend’s healing? As we were praying, I spoke what I felt I saw God doing inside him, “I see the cancer shrinking and the pain receding.” I could easily reason why this could be impossible. I could see how this could be creating false hope. Yet,In prayer this is the image that I was receiving. I was emboldened in prayer by the last impression of Jesus raising up Lazarus. Jesus can heal this man’s body.

Pam prayed the BUT God prayer. This is important when you receive discouraging information. Test reports come back showing things getting worse or the doctor gives his best analysis of the current situation. BUT what is God saying? When God enters the conversation things change!!! She also prayed like the man “I believe, help my unbelief.” God knows our frailty. He takes us when we are uncertain and afraid, and helps us in our most vulnerable state. God is always tender toward honesty in our feelings as we dialogue with him.

Paul was encouraged by the report Timothy brought to him of his friends in Thessalonica. As witnesses of God’s salvation in our own lives, we have the privilege to share the wonders and work of our awesome God and Savior.

May you receive good reports today and often share the goodness of our God. He is always at work and invites us to join Him. May you walk boldly in your Comfort Authority.

Blessings Love y’all