Regarding the account of Philip and Nathanael, in the book of John, Jesus speaking to Nathanael; perceived that his heart was upright. Jesus said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile (deceit)!” What wonderful words declared to Nathanael integrity! He asked “how do you know me?” He may have thought; We have never met before, so how would you know my character? 

Jesus was gentle and loving in his response, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael’s heart rejoiced, only one with the spirit and power of God could know that, he had prayed in secret, hidden in the branches of the fig tree. Nathanael then said aloud, “Rabbi (Master), thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel!” As soon as Nathaniel confessed his faith in Jesus as King, Jesus said that Nathanael and all who see with the eyes of faith would behold “greater things than these” (John 1:47-51). Nathanael serves as a model for the true seekers who overcome initial skepticism and place belief in Christ. 

How about us? Do we want to behold greater things and miracles? Do we believe God through the eyes of faith; or are we only walking by sight and practicality? Do we accept only the advice of medical or professional authorities and what they pronounce? I’m not suggesting those who specialize do not have a professional opinion, but we are to take their instruction under advisement and seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit, who guides us onto all truth…..where all wisdom dwells. God can open doors and shut them, He can direct your steps, send spiritual counselors  and orchestrate situations that will convey godly wisdom for the way you should proceed. When we are confronted with life changing decisions, who do we turn to and wait to hear from? Is God pre-eminent in our life or is He only a “Sunday” God; scarcely consulted to intervene in our everyday life?  We all have to be careful and not act hastily with our choices. We must be patient; waiting on God for a confirmation of peace and a settled heart of conviction.  

In rabbinic literature, the proper place to study the Torah was under a fig tree. Jesus identified Nathanael’s devotion to the Torah with a heart that desired the things of God. Nathaniel lay under the fig tree searching the Law. When he finally met THE SON OF GOD he called Jesus the Messiah. God rewarded his faith by saying “greater things than these you will see” When we put our faith in God we will not be disappointed. God does not waste our hope. He will take us beyond ourselves and into the realm of the supernatural, where the heart cries out to know Him, where greater things happen and destiny is fulfilled. 

In April, I was in a battle for air. My ability to breathe on my own was seriously weakened by pneumonia, creating a further degree of stress on my already compromised health. My lung capacity to inhale air became so deficient that creating a force to clear phlegm in my airway was next to impossible, the mucus became the consistency of rubber cement. Choking and respiratory failure were 24 hour a day concerns. I could not function without my Bi-pap machine (external ventilation) on most of the day and all night. There was also the management of the cough assist, nebulizer and suction machines, herbal and prescription mucous thinners and fighters. When I didn’t have my mask on, my face would turn beat red, I had a continuing headache from lack of oxygen. My upper body became overheated (as in hot flashes). I needed fans and air conditioning to try to cope with the sensation of air hunger due to the rising carbon dioxide levels in my bloodstream. The inability to breathe precipitated an anxiety threat of its own. 

This pre-occupation with survival led me to think about the simplicity in my relationship with Christ. My thoughts were of His love for me, His trustworthiness and commitment to be with me where ever He leads.  Again, I am at a cross roads of accepting another medical intervention or peaceably allowing the natural course of events. Believe me, I related to those who wish to release their families from the increasing burdens of critical illness. At times, I would rather have given up and let go, enter heaven in anticipation of the face of Jesus and live in a perfected body forever.

After giving prayerful consideration to my decision, God, as He has in the past, compelled me to exhaust all possibilities as He leads the way. At this time, I was to pursue Him here in the land of the living expecting “greater things”. He asked me to trust Him that greater things ahead will glorify Him; in and through me. I take great comfort knowing that the suffering in this life is never in vain. 

It was at this time that I heard an inspiring message by Francis Frangipane who’s timely preaching concerning God’s purpose to leave us in the world, not to take us out (Jn 17:15). I knew I was in a grave situation and was willing to get a tracheotomy so that I would not suffocate. Who knows? God could extend my life another 20-30 years to be used by Him. God could miraculously heal my lungs at any moment or He could grant me His grace to enter into this new life change. I sought the Lord in prayer for wisdom as to whether or not my breath should be dependent on a ventilator.

The pulmonologist at the University of Washington informed my wife that 95% of the people in my condition would choose not to have a trach operation because of their bleak prognosis and continuing losses. Most would rather die naturally instead of the worst-case inability to communicate in anyway, trapped in the shell of their body to be kept alive in a trance by machinery. He also emphasized the financial strain imposed on families. It would cost $150,000/year minimum to maintain round the clock care for me and most insurance would not cover custodial care in the home.  

Was I willing to sacrifice the promise of my voice to proclaim the message God had given me to encourage people whose hope is fading?  My ability to speak and use my voice was always how I naturally assumed that I would one day be able to testify of the healing work of Jesus. Now I was faced with the decision to go forward with a laryngotracheal (separation) tracheotomy advised for persons with A.L.S. This type of operation is preferred for patients who’s recovery of voice and swallowing function is uncertain and the aspiration of salvia are life threatening. Laryngeal closure would eliminate my ability to speak but would protect my airway, preventing aspiration of secretions that brings about the leading cause of death for ALS patients…. pneumonia.  

What the pulmonologist reported to us was hard hitting, in-your-face reality, perhaps factual but void of inspiring faith or trust in the promises God. It may be his place to be so objective and present only the “evil report” but we have to take all things into consideration and let the Holy Spirit “weigh-in” as we seek to know God’s will. After absorbing the initial fears, and considering the impact on our daily lives and future, I continued to believe that God would make a way to confront all these obstacles as we were to walk through this valley. I was not deterred from going forward with the recommended Laryngectomy if God did not quickly turn my breathing situation around. 

On Friday of that week, I received an e-mail from a dear friend of Glennis and mine. Natalie Nichols sent a powerful prayer that inspired me to believe God would heal my lungs. Many other family and friends had also been praying which further encouraged my faith to trust and believe God for healing. I want to post Natalie’s prayer because I think it will encourage your faith (Insert your name where she has mine).

 “Scott, I’m asking and believing God to strengthen your lungs and enable you to breathe normally on your own.  Father, thank you for your love for Scott.  You care for him so tenderly and in you his health and wholeness consist.  Everything he is and has is in you.  You give Scott your joy, your peace, your wisdom, your energy, your life…and your breath!  I speak to Scott’s body, his lungs, his breath and say:  Be filled with the life-giving, creative breath of Jesus Christ.  I say to every cell: submit to the authority of Jesus Christ. I tell everything standing in opposition to God’s will – anything that is working against God’s plans for Scott – to go in Jesus name.  Every bacteria from the pneumonia be gone NOW in Jesus Name.  Every evil spirit effecting weakness and sickness, you must leave Scott’s body now.  We, Scott’s brothers and sisters in Christ, equipped with effective, powerful weapons of warfare, command you to leave.  Father, I claim lung health for Scott.  Your blood bought every amount of healing we experience on this earth.  By your wounds may Scott’s lungs be healed.  Father it only takes one word, one touch, one breath from you and we are healed.  Send that word, that touch, that breath this very moment and heal Scott. In Jesus Name.”

By that Saturday night my breathing had turned around, I had been off the bi-pap ventilator for 3 hours and I still had energy, it was obvious that something had changed, I told my wife in amazement how good I was doing, I had vitality and felt stronger. I knew right then that I was not to get the trach at this time. Supernaturally, I had received healing in my lungs. Sunday and Monday I kept improving. On Monday night about 3:30 am I awoke and started praising God for my healing, then I heard a voice in my spirit say, “you shall see greater things than this” these words greatly encouraged me as I am assured in God’s Word that nothing is impossible with God. No sickness, no terminal disease, no paralysis, no heartache, no tormented soul would not be able to be healed by the blood of the Lamb. God has overcome every sickness and heartache that we could ever face.

Many of us are like Nathanael, laying under the fig tree reading our Bibles “about” God but never personally believing and trusting in Him. Until such time that we have a supernatural encounter with Him, our faith will not increase. Jesus calls your name and leads the way to follow Him, by responding positively, your faith will explode. You will be like Nathanael, shown greater miracles and expecting greater things such as healings and awareness of God’s ministering angels; eventually to obtain resurrection from death to life. 

“Jesus glanced around at them and said, With men (it is) impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Mk 10:27

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm and is filed under Journal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.