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May 18, 2012
The Holy Spirit spoke to me about faith as the worship service was in progress at our church. To me it sounded like one word, but in reality it was two words, “Prevailing Faith.” In a flash I was given the text of Galatians 6:9 that we are to reap in due season if we do not faint. When the music was over and it was time for me to preach, I spoke about this before I started my sermon. As I stood in the pulpit I did not know what to say, but opened my mouth and stated that I wanted to talk about prevailing faith. Here is what the Holy Spirit gave me as I spoke out in faith. God took me back in time and showed me the first kind of faith God manifested in me when I gave my life to Christ. Then I was given faith to be active in our church and share Christ with unbelievers outside the church. In time my wife and I left to attend seminary and suddenly my financial security was taken away. Working as a designer for the Right of Way Department of the Utah State Road Commission was secure, I got paid twice a month, and there was no question if I would be paid or not. It took me a little while to get the faith that God would be the supplier of my finances. In time I felt that I had arrived and had all the faith that I needed to finish my work on this earth.
The Holy Spirit was able to break through in the midst of all this turmoil and I thought about Job and the many other people who had suffered over the years. I turned to the Word of God and started to read the promises God has given us. I realized Jesus had been walking by my side the whole time; He had never left me or forsaken me. This was followed by a calm assurance that we are going to make it; it is just a matter of time until deliverance arrives just as Paul described it 1,900 years ago: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:7-9) Prevailing faith is only grown under the most severe conditions a human being can go through. God wants every believer in Christ to obtain prevailing faith before our departure from this earth. Is it worth the pain, agony and suffering? I would have told you “No” if you asked me while I was going through this trial, but in looking back I can say it is essential to obtain prevailing faith, which will help propel us to a higher level in eternity. Yours in Christ, Pastor John S. Torell
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Then my ship began to sink in December of 2011 as
Aina was diagnosed with cancer and the only remedy given to us by the medical
establishment was surgery and removal of her eye and part of the face. After
battling one issue after the other I began to cry out to God and tell Him that
nothing was working. “Where are you God?” I cried out. “Can’t you see
that I need you right now?” There were also problems in the church where
people had needs and were asking me for help. I wanted to scream to God,
