12/07/2010 11:30

God Moment

ANSWERS TO PRAYER
I am very happy to share with you the wonderful blessings that I have received through the prayer ministry at St John's, as well as from the many wonderful people in our congregation who have fervently prayed for me over this last year.
My story begins with major back surgery this time last year for two slipped discs in my lumbar spine. I came through the surgery very well, but over the last year have battled with ongoing pain, especially after playing the organ, as this pulls on the sciatic nerve running down my left leg. In September last year I also had elective surgery to remove arthritic bone form my right thumb joint. This should have been a simple operation, but due to complications another two surgeries were necessary. Once again I was being held back from praising the Lord in my role as organist. My immune system was also being compromised, and after contracting the swine flu I was again admitted to hospital in December with pneumonia. All through these times the prayers and love of the people of St John's continued to flow through me. I made it to Sydney last Boxing Day to see my family for two weeks which was very healing!
This year however, the back and leg pain beacme unbearable at times, requiring a further investigation. Xrays about two weeks ago showed marked deterioration at the site of the last surgery plus a big problem above this area, and the surgeon felt that spinal fusion of the four veterbrae was my only option. He ordered an MRI scan to assist him with the surgery, which would be done fairly soon.
Would you believe it - when the scan came back there was no sign of any deterioration, and I was told that no surgery was necessary!
I firmly believe that this is due to the power of all the prayer from my wonderful church family, and I praise the Lord for this every day. Sue Munro.

Our Response

wow what a journey and what a truely amazing answer

16/05/2010 14:11

God Moment

An e mail I received from Murray Ellis entitled "Praise God" Murray was very happy to share this with the family of St John's.


This is my story - which I need to share - because of God's great love !


Since Dec last year I have not been well - having been diagnosed with Crohnes disease. In recent times I had more pain and difficulty eating. On 1st May, I ended up in the local hospital due to acute abdominal pains. I was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. After several days this eased - but I was still unable to eat much at all.


I visited my Gastroenterologist in Melbourne on Fri 7th May. He admitted me to Epworth hospital planning to do a dilatation of a restriction in the small bowel where my Crohnes disease had been diagnosed. There was also the possibility that if the dilatation could not be performed then surgery could be required - so a surgeon was also on standby.


Obviously these were trying circumstances for myself and family. However, many people were praying for this situation. I myself was trusting God - and some promises that had been in my mind. Phil 4:13 / Lam 3:22,23 / Psalm 23 / Rom 8:28. In the 24 hours before the planned procedure - I had many people pray with me - on the phone or in person. This provided me with an overwhelming sense of Gods peace.


To cut a long story short - when I woke from the anesthetic my specialist said to me "I couldn't find any restriction". Wow - I was praising God - how wonderful - a miracle !


My specialist wanted to do another test the next day - to check the whole small bowel - as he was concerned that the restriction was elsewhere. So again people were praying and I had to rest in Gods arms. The result came back all clear ! No restrictions found !


This amazing experience has changed my life - and opened my understanding of Gods grace. All this happened because God is good - and his grace is amazing. Nothing I've ever done could deserve this - but God just healed me. So I need to make sure that I always praise him for this miracle - and tell others how great and good He is.


While praising God in hospital I read some verses from Isaiah that I believe further confirm what has happened - and why I needed to share this experience with you.


Isaiah 42:5
I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations
Isaiah 42:9
Everything has happened just as I said it would, now I will announce what will happen next.
Isaiah 43:11
I alone am the Lord only I can rescue you, I promised to save you and I kept my promise
You are my witnesses that no other God did this. I the Lord have spoken
I am God now and forever. No one can snatch you from me or stand in my way.


Thank you to everyone who was involved in praying for me. Your faithfulness, love and sacrifice helped carry me through. May God richly bless you also - through what has happened.


I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how he could love me
A sinner condemned, unclean


How marvelous, how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous, how wonderful
Is my Saviours love for me


Gods rich blessings to you


Murray Ellis

Our Response

WOW that is awesome, "Praise God" is right. thanks so much for sharing your amazing story with us Murray. Our God is alive.

08/05/2010 12:19

God Moment

God has been nudging me to start up a women's group for several years. I have finally stepped out and started Blessed.
When I did the Bethel Series study several years ago, Gen 12:3 struck a chord with me - "We are blessed to be a blessing".
On Thurday morning when I looked up the study notes in my bible for Gen 12 it said. "God may be trying to lead you to a place of greater service and usefulness for Him. Don't let the comfort and security of your present position make you miss God's plan for you". Wow, what can I say. Marian

Our Response

wow that is great... its good to know you are doing what God wants you to be doing

08/05/2010 09:14

God Moment

my God moment
we are by no means young, when I was lying in my husband's arm holding his hand this morning,I thanked God for him.A wonderful
peace came,and I thought,this is my God moment.

Our Response

that is so nice to hear... thank you

06/05/2010 11:00

God Moment

E100 is great… we are reading it as a family at dinner time. The first night I started reading but when I stopped to breathe in, my son took over, then my daughter, and it has been a fight to get to read from then on. It has been the same every other night so far, long may it continue. :)

Our Response

it great isnt it

06/05/2010 10:24

God Moment

Good morning.reading In Gen 2-8 It says that God planted the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden.
Gen.23. 21.says What if they eat the fruit of the tree of life?Then they will live forever!
I did not know there were 2 trees in the garden.Were Adam and Eve forbidden to eat from the tree of life too?

Our Response

Yes there was two trees, the tree of life was not forbidden, but the consquences of sin and knowledge of it lead to death. hence they no longer experienced the fruit of eternal life.

21/04/2010 15:48

God Moment

I have suffered with gluten intolorence for over two years. Eating gluten was poison to my body and resulted in fatigue, low immune system (so I was also getting other illnesses such as the flu), and other yucky things which you probably don't want to read about. Last week I visited a prayer centre in Auckland and got prayer for healing. When praying for my stomach I literally felt the disease leave my body and come out my mouth and I knew I was healed. Since then I have eaten pizza (yum) sandwiches (yum) burgers (yum) cake (yum) etc. etc. and feel absolutely fine. After two years plus of constant sickness I am so thankful to Jesus for healing me, I have a much more positive outlook on life and will be grateful to Him forever.

Our Response

Wow thats amazing, great to see God at work

12/04/2010 14:12

God Moment

My family and I have recently moved to Rotorua, and it's been a bit difficult at times with two pre-school children and adjusting to a new city. But at key moments we have really felt the presence of the Holy Spirit & God's love looking after us. The first week we were in town, we were visiting Kuirau park on a day off and our two year old was playing under the big oak tree at the playground. My wife and I were both nearby, but not within arms reach. All of a sudden we heard a huge "crack!" and a big branch from the very top of the tree started falling straight towards our wee boy. It was all over before we could even react, but the branch crashed to ground less than a metre away from him. Looking back I can't help but be amazed that he wasn't badly hurt or killed. God's hand was really protecting us that day!

Our Response

Wow God is amazing, Thanks for sharing that