Increase comes with opposition

I have noticed in my life that before there is increase, I can experience opposition. We may expect increase to come when everything is going well. However, most of the time this is not the case. Increase comes during some of our greatest struggles. At times  we don’t notice the increase because we focus too much on our troubles. Therefore, if we focus on the increase, we won’t feel the opposition as much.

In the town where we do ministry, we began to see great breakthrough. We see healings in every service and God’s Power is manifesting.  It’s amazing to be a part of what’s going on. However, don’t think that it’s been easy, there has been a price to pay.

Our first bit of opposition was that there was lack of water in the city. The people became upset because they couldn’t shower, wash clothes or do dishes. They had to live without water in a hot area. There was also a lot of sickness in the area. Many people believed that water could have been the cause of many kidney failure as many people had kidney trouble.

That opposition subsided after we prayed for the wells of the city. We went with the city’s authorities to each of the seven wells in the city. We prayed and believed God healed the waters. After that opposition, we lost electricity in the whole town for three days. There was talk that it would last longer and people were forced to close their businesses. People who couldn’t afford a generator to provide light to their businesses made the people who could afford one shut down their businesses.

Testimonies of increase during opposition

Supposedly, this opposition would go on much longer. So one Thursday night we began to pray. We felt a breakthrough as we pushed through the spiritual darkness and declared that God’s light would shine. The next day they turned the electricity back on. Coincidence? I think not.

The night the electricity was shut off was also the night of House of Refuge’s 14th anniversary. Pastor Eric Johns preached that night. As in every meeting we believed for healing and some very notable healings took place. First a young girl with a hernia received complete healing. The hernia disappeared. Others received deliverance. One boy who was deaf mute began to hear and say ‘mama’ for the first time.

It seemed as if the devil wanted to stop the ministry that night. First, the electricity went out. Then our generators weren’t working. After great struggle, we started an hour later than announced,  but God showed up!

Opposition to God’s Will has always been the devil’s strategy. He wants to stop what God is doing. The problem is he can’t. Whatever he tries to do to oppose God’s Will backfires on him. He tried to afflict the Israelites but the more he did, the more they prospered. (Exodus 1:8)

In time of opposition we should pray for increase

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31

The disciples prayed this prayer when they were in intense opposition. They had just received threats to not speak in the Name of Jesus anymore (Acts 4:18). Instead of backing away, the disciples got bolder. They prayed for boldness. What were they going to be bold in? Signs, wonders and healings! They wanted to see an increase in the miraculous.

The more miracles we see the bolder we become. At first, we just hope that God could do a miracle through us. Then we begin to see results. This causes us to hunger for more. As we see more, we continue to believe for more. Then as we see things, we believe without a doubt that God can and will heal people. For example, I have seen God fix back & neck problems through growing out people’s uneven length legs. I no longer doubt and plead. I simply command the legs to grow out in the Name of Jesus. Often, I see the legs grow the same length. I don’t boast of this, I’m just saying I’ve seen it enough that it’s easier for me to believe.

God wants to increase through us

Why not believe God for greater miracles? He wants to do miracles through us. He said He would. Just one example is Mark 16:17, 18. Here we see that it’s God’s will so we can pray this prayer. We can ask God for miracles because He wants to do them through us.

There is coming an increase of anointing, healings, His Presence, the knowledge of His Love, prosperity, restoration of marriages, etc. God has so much more to give! He already gave us the best He will give us everything else. You name it, if it’s good, He wants to give it to you!

Get ready for the new wave of God’s Presence. Allow God to use you in times of opposition. If you are going through a difficult time right now, ask God for increase. If there’s opposition, you can almost guarantee that there is great increase around the corner.

Stop looking at your circumstances. Instead, face all opposition through prayer. You will see the results! God is on your side! He will back you up!

 

Steven Stoffelsen

Author of Trusting God’s Timing

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