Greetings, it is such a privilege to know you. We pray that God will bless you, keep you healthy and give you peace of mind at all times while growing in knowledge of Him.
This past Saturday I received a note which simply said, "Pray for me!" A special request always gets special attention, so I called the man who sent it and found that cancer was the enemy. I prayed for him and will continue to pray. Will you join me in this fight for Ray Vining's health. This simple note made me think about how many of God's people are in some kind of trouble. Therefore, it is important for members of the body of Christ to protect one another in prayer and love, always believing and speaking what Jesus said. We must at no time take any other mind and speak negative things about our brothers and sisters in the LORD.
The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, said, I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony, and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you; but that you be perfectly united in common understanding and in your opinions and judgements. (1 Cor. 1:10, Amplified Bible). Today this is more important than ever.
Several years ago I was called to a North Mississippi hospital and asked to pray for the recovery of a very sick man. While praying I overheard his family, outside the room, making funeral plans. The Lord gave me the above scripture and I read it to them. Then I asked, "Why did you call me when you are not in agreement?" Their unbelief overcame faith. That day I drew a circle around this scripture in a Bible that is now tattered, but it is still as important as it was then. God is positive and we must be in agreement with Him, saying the same thing which Jesus said, believing the words spoken by Him.
Recently the LORD was showing me how the story of Elijah and Elisha related to the New Testament. Elijah represented Jesus and Elisha represented the Church, the body of Christ. When Elijah was caught up into the heavens he dropped his mantle on Elisha and he received a double portion of Elijah's spiritual power. (2 Kings, Chapter 2). Jesus said, Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do [the double portion], because I go to the father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the father may be glorified in the Son; If you ask anything in my name I will do it. If you love me, and keep my commandments. And I will pray the father, and He will give you another Comforter [the Holy Spirit], that he may abide with you forever; (John 14:12-16).
After Jesus ascended to the Father He made a double portion of his mantle available to those who believe on Him and love Him. Therefore, the body of Christ should be operating in greater power than Jesus Himself. Isn't this what He said? Even so, it has not been in man's understanding. People who call themselves children of God are being robbed by disunity and unbelief. It is time for change! We must believe what Jesus said and not what some people think that He intended to say. "He is the same yesterday, today and forever." If we can all say the same thing, God will respond.
Personal: In our June 1993, letter I asked that you pray for my wife, JoAnn. Your prayers are being answered. We asked that you pray for a crack in the retina of JoAnn's right eye. In last week's eye exam it was not there. She had been having severe headaches. They still come, but not as often and do not last as long. We asked that you pray for God to remove the lump in her left breast. The work which He started He will finish. Now, I ask that on August 8, 1993, you and your friends agree in prayer with us that the mallignant lump is completely removed by the power of the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 8:11). Pray that both of us will minister in perfect health until God is through with us.
We Love You,
Dean Hubbard
P.S. Thank you for praying on August 8, 1993. You have approvial to copy and redistribute this letter.