TESTIMONIES of DIVINE HEALING
In April of 1944 I broke my arm jumping over a saw horse, (I was 10 at the time.) my parents took me to a DR, who set the bones and I wore a metal splint until it was healed. In Sept. that same year at the CA State camp meeting in Pasadena I broke it again while standing on the shoulders of Weldon Wilson who was standing on the shoulders of Ivan Forbes; I fell forward on the side walk and broke the same arm a little lower, the bone were offset, but not compound, They took me to our tent. My Mother Virginia Wittenborn said she felt we were being tested. Asked me if I was willing to trust God, and I said yes. Four ministers came and layed hands and prayed. The bones were reset by the Lord. My arm was sore, stiff and calcium built up around the break, but went away and I never saw a Dr., Those that prayed for me were Bros. Ira Stover, Ostis Wilson, Earl Forbes and I think Bro. Zinn.
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In Early Nov.1945 shortly after the End of WW II, Our whole family went to OR to visit my Grand Parents that had recently moved there, They had bought a farm together with my grand parents Bro and Sister which had 2 houses. My mothers sister and her husband and their 2 children were staying in one house With Aunt and Uncle and we ( 6 plus Grand Parents) were staying in the other house (a 2 room cabin. out house a pitcher pump in the kitchen wood heat) with my grand parents About 2 days after we got there my cousin came down with diphtheria, so all families were quarantined. A county nurse came every day checking on both families. A few days later two of my sisters were sick (3 and 2 year olds) with fever and sore throat; both tested positive. The Nurse said she was coming back with vaccinations the next day. In the mean time My father, Barney Wittenborn went to the country store at Brockway and phoned the saints for prayer, as no one in Olala Canyon had phones then. The next afternoon when the nurse showed up both girls were outside playing, laughing having a good time. When the nurse checked them there was no trace of the diphtheria or fever. The nurse could not believe as she had the results fro the throat swabs that showed positive for the diphtheria. My grand father said he saw the nurse get down on her knees and pray before she got in her car. My little cousin that had the diphtheria had a life long disability from this sickness. BTW: it was the second week in Jan. 1946 before the quarantine was up and we were able to go home to San Fernando CA.
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In 2011 Peggy started having trouble in her hands, they cramped up and it was hard for her to open them up, she had no grip and it took two hands to turn a door knob. This got worse and I had to put rubber grips on all of the knobs in the house, she couldn’t open jars or bottles it became very hard for her to do normal things. We had been praying and again we went to Guthrie and she was anointed and we came home with her hands healed.
About 2 years later Peggy helped me clean a unit in a triplex we owned. Unknown at the time the previous renter had cooked meth there. About 2 weeks later Peggy started getting sick and having many different symptoms, stomach problems pain all over, head aches; she had blood in her tears. We went to Neosho MO. on Sunday and stopped for Breakfast at Brahms. Some one had left a Sunday paper at the booth that we sat at and right there was an article about all of the symptoms of just being exposed to meth, 13 in all and Peggy had 7. Of course we asked for prayer at service, but she was still sick and getting worse. The next Sunday we went to Guthrie OK; she was anointed and healed that day.
Bro. Larry Wittenborn
Divine Healing
Prayer: “ O Lord; heal me.” Psa. 6:21). Answer: “I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears; behold, I will heal thee.” 2 Kings 20:5b.
We are thankful to Almighty God for the provision he has made in his plan for the healing of our bodies. Everyone who reads and believes the Bible knows that the Lord healed the people in olden times in answer to prayer. The Old Testament reveals to us that at different times and on different occasions men and women were healed by the direct power of God in answer to prayer. No doubt there were many that did not receive the divine touch because they did not seek the Lord for the same. We read in 2 Chron. 16:12-13, “And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.” Let us consider the case of another man who was sick unto death, and cried unto the Lord with a burdened heart and broken spirit.
“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death: and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which was good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the court, that the word of the Lord came unto him saying, Turn again and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: On the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.” 2 Kings 20:1-5. Not only did God heal Hezekiah, but He also added fifteen years more unto his life. Praise the Lord. God looked down from heaven and saw the miserable state and condition of man, reeling and tottering under the awful weight of sin, sickness, grief, and sorrow. He saw that there was none to help, no one to banish the gloom or drive away the shades of night. By the prophet, He said, “Mine own arm brought salvation down.” He sent his only Son Jesus into this world to be a Savior and Redeemer for lost and fallen humanity, and upon him was laid the iniquity of us all, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:4-5. Thank God, all this he did willingly because of the wonderful love he had for us. On one occasion when he was handed the book to read, he read the prophecy concerning himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:118
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those that were possessed with devils, and those that were lunatic, and those that had the palsy: and he healed them.” Matt. 4:23, 24. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he commanded his apostles, saying, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:15. He also said there would be certain signs that would follow the believers, among them was that they should lay hands on the sick and they (the sick) “shall recover.” And as they went preaching, the Lord was with them, confirming the Word with signs following. He gave them a promise, saying, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Mat 28:20 b. The world has not come to an end yet: the Lord has not withdrawn his presence from his ministers and workers, neither has he left off to do signs and wonders. The Lord still heals today.
The Lord wants to be glorified in the life of every one he heals. He told some, “sin no more.” That is still in force today. If you want to receive the blessed healing touch, make a firm decision that God shall have first place in your life, that from now on out to the end of the way your life shall be spent to the glory of God. God is looking right down into your heart; he can tell when you have struck bottom. Yes, there is where we contact God, down at the bottom. If there is anything that the Lord wants you to do and he reveals it to you or makes it known in some way, do not shrink, but step out in obedience to his will. He will say, “ Here I am,” “here am I,” when you have done all, and it seems that the answer is not forthcoming, just wait on the Lord, his design is perfect: then let patience have her perfect work. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Remember the parable in the 18th chapter of Luke to the end that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. O, that there were more looking unto God, and a greater longing to do his will, we would find that there is “ balm in Gilead,” and would hear that sweet tender voice saying, “I am the Lord that healeth thee. Ex 15:26 b”
When our work on earth has been finished, and the time has come that we must go as others have gone, and we can say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,”
2Ti 4:7-a. The angels of the Lord will bear our ransomed spirit away to be with the God who gave it. But Jesus still heals till the world shall end.
Divine Healing --- Who May Be Healed?
Who may be healed by divine power? This is a question that confronts a large number of people, also some who are afflicted in body and would like to receive the healing touch. They seem to think that the blessing is for others, but not for themselves. The only way that we can come to a satisfactory conclusion of the matter is to consult the Word of God. The Word of God is the source of information that has been given to us by the Lord himself, who has said by the voice of inspiration: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Ex 15:26-b We read in the book Mathew, “And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among e people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him ALL sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them”. Matt. 4:23, 24.
We also find the following statement in Luke 4:40, “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” It does not say in either of these passages that the Lord refused to heal any that came unto him or that were brought unto him; but he healed them all, regardless of what the disease or affliction was, he healed them. “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him. And saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” Mark 1:40-42. The leprosy was one of those dreaded diseases whose victims were shunned by the masses, and were many times quarantined and shut out of society, because of its loathsomeness and contagiousness, especially in certain stages. But Jesus touched the man and cleansed, or healed him.
Some times the question is asked, “Will the Lord heal anyone who does not have faith, or is not capable of exercising faith in the promises of God?” We know that when we come to God for help on any line, we must have faith if we are to receive the help we desire. But there are times when some one is in need, or distress, and is not able to exercise faith himself on account of tender age or some other condition, yet if there are those that are enough interested in his case to bring him by faith to Jesus, He will heal him, as in the case of Jairus in Mark 5:22, 23. “And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, Come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live.” And Jesus went with him: and as they were on their way there was an interruption caused by a woman who had longed to be healed, and had suffered many things by the hand of physicians and grew no better, believing that if she could but touch the hem of Christ’s garment she would be healed. So she pressed her way through the crowd, by faith reached forth her hand and touched the hem of His garment, and was made whole. In the meantime, some one from the home of Jairus came with the message, “Thy daughter is dead.” Jesus heard what was said, and said to Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe.” When Jesus came to the house, he put out all curiosity seekers and funmakers, raised the child, and commanded that something be given her to eat.
We find in the case of the Syrophenician woman who came to Jesus in behalf of her daughter who was grievously tormented that she received the desired help on account of the wonderful faith she had in the Lord. The Lord never turned faith down. He said to one man who sought healing for his son, “If thou canst believe.”The father answered, “Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” (Found in Mark 9:23-24) God always honors faith, because faith honors God. There may be obstacles to overcome at times, or long delays, but to encourage men to hold faith, Jesus gave the parable of the widow and unjust judge, to the end that men ought always to pray and not to faint.
There are some who question as to whether the Lord will heal sinners. This is a question worthy of deep consideration. If we will search the scriptures closely, we will find that many were healed who were at the time of their healing yet in their sins, and to some he said, “Sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee.” Jon 5:14-b. By this we know that the Lord wants to be glorified in the life of every one that receives the healing touch. In the 28th chapter of the Acts we read of where Paul healed the father of Publius, who was the chief man of the island of some barbarians, after which others who had diseases came and were healed. Now the scriptures do not say that they were saved, but they do show that Publius and his house were very courteous, and also the others were appreciative, as they honored Paul and his company with many honors and things that were necessary.
No doubt there are some today likened unto the nine lepers that were cleansed. Ten were healed, but only one turned to give glory to God. Jesus asked, were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? They did not seem to show any appreciation for what had been done for them.
God healed Abimelech, king of Gera, and his subjects when Abraham had prayed for them. God also healed the Philistines of a sore and destructive plague after they had complied with divine order. A certain nobleman came to Jesus in behalf of his son who was at the point of death, and earnestly besought him that he would come and heal him. Jesus said,“Go thy way, thy son liveth.” The nobleman believed Jesus’ word, and his son was made whole. Joh 4:50 Jesus put Malchus’ ear back in its place and healed it after it had been cut off the night of his betrayal. To some he said, “according to your faith be it unto you.”
So we conclude that any one may be healed who exercises the necessary faith and complies with divine instructions. God will not turn faith down. “Have faith in God.” (Found in Mark 11:22)
WHY SOME DO NOT GET HEALED
“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Jer. 8:22. “Go up into Gilead and take balm, O Virgin, the daughter of Egypt. In vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.” Jer. 46:11.
There are varied reasons why the Lord withholds healing. We can not name them all, but judging from the above scriptures, the Lord withheld his blessings from the children of his people because they had not walked in his ways, nor kept his statutes and judgments, but had served idol gods, and worshiped the hosts of heaven. Though God had sent prophets from time to time to plead with them to walk in the ways of righteousness, yet they turned a deaf ear, and walked in the ways of the heathen nations, and in the imagination of their evil hearts, and went backward instead of forward. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Seest thou what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, and they provoke me to anger.” Jer. 7:17,18. “For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.” 30 th verse. How could they expect the Lord to bless their land and heal them under these conditions? (Jer 7:30) For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
He said also in Hosea 7:1-a, “When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered.” Isa. 59:1- 2 reads, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear:”
Ofttimes sin and slackness in the lives of men have caused God to withhold healing. Some are not healed because they do not seek God for healing, as in the case of Asa, 2 Chron. 16:12-13
And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
James 4:2c, 3, “Ye have not, because ye ask not, ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” This would also include healing, the same as other things that God would withhold, because he would receive no glory in granting to any one whose heart had not been softened, or inclined to render honor to Him. David said on one occasion, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Psa. 119:67.
Sometimes the Lord allows some one to be sick, or afflicted, not on account of any sin or carelessness in their lives, but that he might be glorified in them, as in the case of Job. We know that God is all-wise, and that he is righteous and just. He always knows what is best and what will be most to his glory. Many of Job’s friends thought he had failed God, and they did not hesitate to bring many sore and grievous accusations against him, but Job held on to his integrity and said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 15:13 a “He knoweth the way that I take.” “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10. We find that in due time the Lord turned the captivity of Job, healed his body, and gave him double the amount of goods and possessions the devil had destroyed. And James says in the same chapter in which he gives instructions for healing, “Take my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:10, 11. The Lord permits some to suffer long, and endure, that they may be an example to others. Or that he might work out something in their lives according to his will. Jesus has taught us to say, “Not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:42 b. If one is pliable in the hand of God, as clay in the hands of the potter, all will be well according to his design.
A lack of faith in the promises of God has caused some to fail to receive healing for their bodies. “He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6. And James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”. will also apply in this case. (Mat 17:19) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? After cast him out?” Jesus answered, “Because of your unbelief.” Mat 17:20 c. He went on further to say, “Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matt 17:21. In Matt. 18:21. We find that it takes much importuning in prayer, and pleading before God with fastings and a vehement desire to obtain results, more so in some cases than in others.
Remember the widow and the unjust judge. Sometimes healing is not received because of a lack of earnestness in prayer, mingled with a lack of faith. We can not put too much stress on the need of faith in God to bring the desired blessing of healing. Any one that comes to the Lord to be healed, and at the same time having in mind that if they are not healed they will try something else, need not think that they will receive healing, because such ones are wavery minded and beset with doubts and unbelief, which have no promise of reward. Faith will bring results. Just as Peter walked on the water when Jesus bade him come, but when he saw the waves boisterous he began to sink, no doubt, many times some do not receive their healing because they look at symptoms of the disease rather than at the promises of God. Even though the prayer of faith has been prayed, it sometimes calls for a real fight of faith to hold on to the promise when pains and symptoms stubbornly insist, but they must be resisted if one would gain the victory, otherwise the healing will be delayed, or may not come at all. May the faithful and true God give faith and courage to all who look to him for healing. It pleases God for his people to trust in him. We understand that it is a divine appointment that we must at some time die or demise, either by natural causes or otherwise; and when that time has arrived the Lord sometimes makes it definitely clear that he will take the ill, or ailing, one to himself, and there is no use to pray against the will of God. It has been revealed that the sickness is unto death, and God will have his way in the matter. Nevertheless, God has, and will give rest and relief from pain and suffering in answer to prayer. He will “make all his bed in his sickness.” But he has purposed to take such one to himself, and he will not be healed.
If the Lord has not made it known that the sickness is unto death, even though at times it may seem that the loved one is very near death’s door, he is able and will raise him (or her) up again, as has been proven many times by those who have trusted in his mercy. The Lord has saved many from the very jaws of death.
God was so real to Job, and his confidence so firm that he decided, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 13:15. Many have fought a good fight, and died triumphantly in the faith. “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”Num 23:10-b
Divine Healing A Part Of The Eternal Plan:
“And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom: to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecies; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Cor. 12:6-11. According to the foregoing scripture, we find that healing is a part of God’s divine plan set in operation, in harmony with, and included in the working and operation of all the other spiritual gifts bestowed upon his servants in accordance to his own will; or as it reads, “dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1Cor 12:11-b. But it is the same Spirit that performs in each one to the glory of God and to the profit and benefit of the church and the awakening and convincing of the lost, that they might be brought to God. The power of the Spirit working in each member of the body of Christ as he sees fit.
Eph. 3:20 reads, “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” And Phil. 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” And we find according to the Word of God that it is his will to heal those who come to him by faith. We read in 3 John 2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” And to this end the Lord has given gifts unto his people to be used to the profit and edification of all. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended upon high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.” Eph. 4 :7, 8. And one of the gifts was the gift of healing, as we read in 1 Cor. 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church: first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues,” etc.
This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that God intended for people to be healed by divine power, and has made adequate provisions for the carrying out of his plan; and has not become obsolete only to those who will not believe.
The question arises in the minds of some: “Is it possible for any one to be healed by divine power if there is no one present who has the special gift of healing?” While it is true that God has given the gift of healing to some in a very definite way; yet every child of God has access to the throne of grace through faith and prayer. We are instructed in James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We find in Matt. 21:22 a precious promise which has been a source of encouragement and consolation to thousands. It reads, “And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” This would include also the healing of our bodies. Prayer is the medium through which we receive the blessings of the Lord. Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given you.” Luke 11:9.
Dear reader, that means you. It is your privilege to ask the Lord to heal you, even though you be alone or surrounded by those who do not believe. If you believe He was wounded for your transgressions, and was bruised for your iniquities, if you believe the chastisement of your peace was upon him, why not believe that with his stripes you are healed? When Jesus was stripped of his raiment and scourged, and when the crown of thorns was placed upon his tender brow, there was healing in those wounds for you and me. The prophet Isaiah, looking down the annals of time about seven hundred years before the Saviour was born, spoke by the Holy Spirit and said. “With His stripes we are healed. ISA 53:” These words were not spoken only for the people that lived in the days while Jesus was upon the earth; but he is a Saviour and healer for all who will believe and accept him as such until his second coming, or to the end of the world.
The divine plan has not been changed. Just as the Lord spoke unto the Children of Israel in the days gone by, he is still saying today, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exod. 15:26c.
Again, to show that the Lord is interested in the health of his people, he said, “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Exod. 23:25.
The prophet Malachi prophesied nearly four hundred years before the birth of Christ, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” Malachi 4:2. Jesus, the Son of God did come forth healing all manner of sickness. It is for us today. Amen. —Ulysses Phillips. Faith and Victory – Nov. & Dec. ‘52 –Jan. Feb. ‘53.
Divine Healing
Ulysses Phillips. Faith and Victory – Nov. & Dec. ‘52 –Jan. Feb. ‘53.
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“With His stripes we are healed." ISA 53