The Strongman's Gospel
Internet Mission Statement
A price has
been paid. It was a large price and cries out for you and me. It is
the precious blood of our Lord Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God who was
crucified on the cross for our sins and transgressions that hindered us
from full fellowship with our Heavenly Father. This blood is now on
the Mercy Seat, on the altar of God in Heaven, as an atonement for us
forever.
At first, it was only simple Wednesday Night Bible
studies, then in 2004 Eagle Way Ministries was brought online to the
internet. Over the past two years, there has been a lot of growth and
adjusting. Like a huge ship being led by a gentle sail across the
waters, Eagle Way Ministries has continued to slowly flow forward in the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Now, a greater wind of the Holy
Spirit is beginning to pick up. Our ship is beginning to heave forward
under this wonderful and powerful wind. A slight change of direction
has come about. His Holy Spirit is ascending down upon us to guide us
to the way He desires His ministry here to go.
Back in the year
2001, after a season of prayer and fasting, the Lord presented the
doctrine for Ealge Way Ministries, “The Strongman's Gospel.” This
“doctrine,” is exemplified in the life of Jesus in the New Testament,
and can be seen 'in part' in the life of John G. Lake.
Below is
a quote from the book put out about John G. Lake by the Copelands. You
find it in whole in the introduction. I have referenced this section
to help explain the “Strongman's Gospel.”
Quote:
God's Lightening Rod.
As a child, Lake had seen enough to know that he and his family needed a miracle. What he didn't know was how to get one.
In
the church where he grew up, miracles and supernatural healing never
seemed much of an option. If anything, the church people who whom he
looked for help spent a lot of time trying to convince him that God
meant life's traumas and tragedies for his good. Somehow, Lake could
never quite see the good for all the suffering around him. Se he kept
looking for his miracle.
At age 16, Lake moved with his family to
the Untied States and settled in northern Michigan. It was there that
he was saved as a result of the Salvation Army meeting and joined the
Methodist Church. But still, sickness would not loosed its death grip
on Lake and his family.
Finally, he could wait no
longer-something had to be done. And it looked like it would be up to
him to do it. He later wrote, “There was nobody to pray for me... As I
sat alone, I said,
'Lord, I am finished with the world and the flesh,
with the doctor and with the devil.
From today, I lean on the arm of God.'”
At
that moment, there was no evident sign of healing or any other
manifestation of God's power in his body. Yet, one thing was certain,
Lake had consecrated himself to God. And though it may not have looked
like it on the outside, he knew on the inside that the disease was gone
He was that determined.
But while the disease was gone, the struggle wasn't over.
As
Lake grew to be a young man, he suffered yet another ailment.
Rheumatism was causing his legs to grow out of shape and distort his
body.
Again, his church couldn't offer him the results that he
passionately sought. His paster told him, “Brother, you are glorifying
God.” Other church people said, “Brother, be patient and endure it.”
And for a while, Lake believed them - but he was still deformed. What
Good News was there in that? Where was the powerful gospel that had
been able to save him?
What Lake really wanted was another
miracle. So again, his heart stretched toward God. As he did, a flash
of truth pierced the deception of his mind, and in the light of God's
Word, Lake caught a glimpse of God's will.
“I discovered that
disease was not the will of God at all, but the will of the dirty,
crooked-legged devil that wanted to make me like himself. I laid down
everything and went to Chicago, to the only place I knew that a man
could get healed. I went to John Alexander Dowie's Divine Healing
Home.”
There in Chicago, the power of God surged though Lake's
body and straightened his legs. Lake caught hold of the power of God
and the fact that Christianity is “a strong man's gospel.”
For the first time he saw how God wanted a race of people who are bold,
strong, pure, good and blessed. He saw how the signs and wonders of
the New Testament were meant for his day-and everyday.
John Lake left Chicago healed. He also left with a bold gospel that declared healing for everyone - even the unsaved and the unchurched. This was the gospel that sparked astounding passion and boldness in his soul.
Though
Lake has been born a sickly child in the 19th century, he now stood
boldly at the threshold of the 20th century as a lightening rod
stretched between heaven and earth, just waiting to be struck by the
very “lightening of God,” as he later called it. And with each release
of God's power that eventually charged his life, Lake in turn
electrified the modern world. Time after time, he jolted Christians and
non Christians alike by showing them the true heart and power of God.
End Quote --------
Rising
into a 'strongman's gospel' does not happen over night. It begins with
a yearning in our hearts for our Lord. It continues as we grow in
understanding of what His will is, and then following in His steps. It
is a progressive walk that is fueled by each individual's own desire to
reach higher and deeper into our relationship with our Heavenly Father
and abide in Him deeper every day. We are not going to advocate that
you leave your doctor behind, throw you pills away, and walk in a faith
that does not spring up from within. This is something that must be
between you and your Heavenly Father. This is also one reason that we
must be able to hear Him, hear His voice directing us, growing us, and
prompting us onward and closer to Him.
The Internet Ministry
Is
the Internet a valid ministry? Can the Lord minister just as
powerfully as He can locally in a community building or in a home group
setting? Consider the example below:
Quote ----
One
night, Lake's phone rang - it was his mother. She was calling him to
let him know that his sister was nearly dead, and that if he wanted to
see her alive, he would have to hurry. When he arrived she was
unconscious and had no pulse. Now what could he do? Lake wrestled deep
within his soul.
Then it came to him.
He rushed a
telegram to Dowie in Chicago. The message read, “My sister has
apparently died, but my spirit will not let her go. I believe that if
you will pray God will heal her.”
Dowie's reply came: “Hold onto
God. I am praying. She will live.” And she did. Within the hour, the
whole family rejoiced - another Lake had been snatched from death.
Unquote ---
Just
as Dowie's Ministry was able to reach beyond the distance through a
telegram notice sent from miles away, so too can prayer offered over the
Internet flow across the nations bringing salvation, healing, and
deliverance from the oppression of the devil, if the Lord is with them.
(Acts 10:38)
Expect the Power of God to change your life.
