How He Fought Cancer With Faith

When I was diagnosed with cancer, When I was diagnosed with cancer, something changed in my prayer life something changed in my prayer life something changed in my prayer life where it wasn't enough to pray, Lord, if where it wasn't enough to pray, Lord, if where it wasn't enough to pray, Lord, if it's your will to heal me. I started it's your will to heal me. I started it's your will to heal me. I started saying, "By your stripes, by your saying, "By your stripes, by your saying, "By your stripes, by your wounds, I am healed." And I had to wounds, I am healed." And I had to wounds, I am healed." And I had to attack it as if I was the only person attack it as if I was the only person attack it as if I was the only person that God created or was in relationship that God created or was in relationship that God created or was in relationship with at the time. And it was just me and with at the time. And it was just me and with at the time. And it was just me and him. And it didn't matter who passed him. And it didn't matter who passed him. And it didn't matter who passed away. It didn't matter who was more away. It didn't matter who was more away. It didn't matter who was more righteous than me or prayed more than righteous than me or prayed more than righteous than me or prayed more than me. What mattered was at the time my me. What mattered was at the time my me. What mattered was at the time my three children, my wife, the team of three children, my wife, the team of three children, my wife, the team of people I was responsible for, my people I was responsible for, my people I was responsible for, my parents, my sister, my friends, and I parents, my sister, my friends, and I parents, my sister, my friends, and I would really encourage people to block would really encourage people to block would really encourage people to block out anything else. You don't need to out anything else. You don't need to out anything else. You don't need to know statistics. You don't The only know statistics. You don't The only know statistics. You don't The only statistic you should know is someone's statistic you should know is someone's statistic you should know is someone's been healed of the same condition you been healed of the same condition you been healed of the same condition you have. And the second one, and I wouldn't have. And the second one, and I wouldn't have. And the second one, and I wouldn't use it as a crutch, is he has overcome use it as a crutch, is he has overcome use it as a crutch, is he has overcome death. So, we don't lose in the end. But death. So, we don't lose in the end. But death. So, we don't lose in the end. But I don't encourage people who are I don't encourage people who are I don't encourage people who are battling a serious diagnosis to say, battling a serious diagnosis to say, battling a serious diagnosis to say, "I'm going to be healed whether this "I'm going to be healed whether this "I'm going to be healed whether this side of heaven or the other." I I say side of heaven or the other." I I say side of heaven or the other." I I say you fight for this side and worst case you fight for this side and worst case you fight for this side and worst case scenario, which is a best case scenario, scenario, which is a best case scenario, scenario, which is a best case scenario, you're with Jesus. But that's a hard you're with Jesus. But that's a hard you're with Jesus. But that's a hard one, pastor. and I counsel people and I one, pastor. and I counsel people and I one, pastor. and I counsel people and I coach people, but it's like an Olympic coach people, but it's like an Olympic coach people, but it's like an Olympic athlete or a professional athlete in one athlete or a professional athlete in one athlete or a professional athlete in one of the major sports. You're training.

of the major sports. You're training. of the major sports. You're training. You're swimming in a cold pool when You're swimming in a cold pool when You're swimming in a cold pool when everybody else is asleep. You're everybody else is asleep. You're everybody else is asleep. You're following a certain diet when everybody following a certain diet when everybody following a certain diet when everybody else is out having fun. Your summer else is out having fun. Your summer else is out having fun. Your summer vacations are in a pool or uh with a vacations are in a pool or uh with a vacations are in a pool or uh with a pole vaulting. And you just it's that pole vaulting. And you just it's that pole vaulting. And you just it's that miracle that one in a million that I miracle that one in a million that I miracle that one in a million that I hope becomes one in a 100 thousand, one hope becomes one in a 100 thousand, one hope becomes one in a 100 thousand, one in a 10,000,000. And one day I do in a 10,000,000. And one day I do in a 10,000,000. And one day I do believe, pastor, we're going to see a believe, pastor, we're going to see a believe, pastor, we're going to see a massive outbreak of healings and in this massive outbreak of healings and in this massive outbreak of healings and in this side of heaven. And that's what I pray side of heaven. And that's what I pray side of heaven. And that's what I pray for because uh I talked to you backstage for because uh I talked to you backstage for because uh I talked to you backstage just a couple of examples of people that just a couple of examples of people that just a couple of examples of people that I was asked to help with serious I was asked to help with serious I was asked to help with serious conditions and it was ended up being too conditions and it was ended up being too conditions and it was ended up being too late. But that's not what I told them late. But that's not what I told them late. But that's not what I told them because I I don't believe it's too late because I I don't believe it's too late because I I don't believe it's too late as long as you have breath in your as long as you have breath in your as long as you have breath in your lungs. And I also don't believe it's too lungs. And I also don't believe it's too lungs. And I also don't believe it's too late even after you've been buried. Why? late even after you've been buried. Why? late even after you've been buried. Why? Because we're told that we're going to Because we're told that we're going to Because we're told that we're going to do greater things than Jesus. So if do greater things than Jesus. So if do greater things than Jesus. So if Lazarus was able to be raised from the Lazarus was able to be raised from the Lazarus was able to be raised from the dead in four days, dead in four days, dead in four days, I have to believe we're going to see I have to believe we're going to see I have to believe we're going to see that, too.

that, too. that, too. >> I'm I'm all in on believing what Jesus >> I'm I'm all in on believing what Jesus >> I'm I'm all in on believing what Jesus said. But I think your said. But I think your said. But I think your your point it's not a comfortable your point it's not a comfortable your point it's not a comfortable conversation but it's important. conversation but it's important. conversation but it's important. >> Um and and to me there's a parallel >> Um and and to me there's a parallel >> Um and and to me there's a parallel I' we both have a bit of experience and I' we both have a bit of experience and I' we both have a bit of experience and you know I've prayed with a lot of you know I've prayed with a lot of you know I've prayed with a lot of people to make a profession of faith and people to make a profession of faith and people to make a profession of faith and some people are dramatically changed. I some people are dramatically changed. I some people are dramatically changed. I mean they get like 180 degree change mean they get like 180 degree change mean they get like 180 degree change now. They're delivered from addictions. now. They're delivered from addictions. now. They're delivered from addictions. They're delivered from habits. They're delivered from habits. They're delivered from habits. >> I mean everything. and other people. It >> I mean everything. and other people. It >> I mean everything. and other people. It seems like it's very incremental and seems like it's very incremental and seems like it's very incremental and there's a lot of drift. And I'm not there's a lot of drift. And I'm not there's a lot of drift. And I'm not saying one is more legitimate than the saying one is more legitimate than the saying one is more legitimate than the other. We how God works in our lives. We other. We how God works in our lives. We other. We how God works in our lives. We don't dictate. What we have to determine don't dictate. What we have to determine don't dictate. What we have to determine is to seek the Lord. And why I think is to seek the Lord. And why I think is to seek the Lord. And why I think your story is so significant and people your story is so significant and people your story is so significant and people will miss it if they're not paying will miss it if they're not paying will miss it if they're not paying attention. You didn't just pray. God attention. You didn't just pray. God attention. You didn't just pray. God showed you a a whole pattern of showed you a a whole pattern of showed you a a whole pattern of behaviors. I mean, emerged from behaviors. I mean, emerged from behaviors. I mean, emerged from scripture, but I mean, it was a a scripture, but I mean, it was a a scripture, but I mean, it was a a dramatic behavioral change. So, you dramatic behavioral change. So, you dramatic behavioral change. So, you didn't just pray and then expect God to didn't just pray and then expect God to didn't just pray and then expect God to do something while you kept eating do something while you kept eating do something while you kept eating fried chicken and whatever. God gave you fried chicken and whatever. God gave you fried chicken and whatever. God gave you a pattern that brought you a whole a pattern that brought you a whole a pattern that brought you a whole different kind of life. And in my different kind of life. And in my different kind of life. And in my experience, if we're willing to let God experience, if we're willing to let God experience, if we're willing to let God write a new future for us, it's write a new future for us, it's write a new future for us, it's phenomenal what he will do. But it isn't phenomenal what he will do. But it isn't phenomenal what he will do. But it isn't simple or easy or simple or easy or simple or easy or I want what um non wanted when he came I want what um non wanted when he came I want what um non wanted when he came to the prophet. Come out and you know to the prophet. Come out and you know to the prophet. Come out and you know clap your hands over my head and I'll be clap your hands over my head and I'll be clap your hands over my head and I'll be well.

well. well. >> And the prophet said, "No, you go dip >> And the prophet said, "No, you go dip >> And the prophet said, "No, you go dip yourself in the river." yourself in the river." yourself in the river." >> And he was furious with it. And I think >> And he was furious with it. And I think >> And he was furious with it. And I think we get mad at God when he doesn't bring we get mad at God when he doesn't bring we get mad at God when he doesn't bring us our instant answer. And I don't hear us our instant answer. And I don't hear us our instant answer. And I don't hear you selling instant answers. I hear you you selling instant answers. I hear you you selling instant answers. I hear you selling a change of lifestyle that selling a change of lifestyle that selling a change of lifestyle that includes a consistent invitation to God includes a consistent invitation to God includes a consistent invitation to God and prayers. and prayers. and prayers. >> I'm an advocate for that. >> I'm an advocate for that. >> I'm an advocate for that. >> And that's an interesting passage >> And that's an interesting passage >> And that's an interesting passage because I would love to tell you, guess because I would love to tell you, guess because I would love to tell you, guess what, pastor? I know exactly what was in what, pastor? I know exactly what was in what, pastor? I know exactly what was in the river that non went into uh because the river that non went into uh because the river that non went into uh because there were certain minerals, etc. But I there were certain minerals, etc. But I there were certain minerals, etc. But I think um in that case, humility goes a think um in that case, humility goes a think um in that case, humility goes a long way. And uh this is going to long way. And uh this is going to long way. And uh this is going to surprise people as I've traveled the surprise people as I've traveled the surprise people as I've traveled the world to cancer clinics and places where world to cancer clinics and places where world to cancer clinics and places where people go as a latch last ditch effort people go as a latch last ditch effort people go as a latch last ditch effort to get healed. And these people could be to get healed. And these people could be to get healed. And these people could be weeks away from dying according to a weeks away from dying according to a weeks away from dying according to a prognosis. But there's still a lot of prognosis. But there's still a lot of prognosis. But there's still a lot of pride there. Pride in they're arguing pride there. Pride in they're arguing pride there. Pride in they're arguing over what nutritional information is over what nutritional information is over what nutritional information is best or what supplements or what IVs to best or what supplements or what IVs to best or what supplements or what IVs to use. And I I think there's a lot to use. And I I think there's a lot to use. And I I think there's a lot to being humble. Um, I have said this many being humble. Um, I have said this many being humble. Um, I have said this many times and written about it in my own times and written about it in my own times and written about it in my own cancer journey. I believe that my first cancer journey. I believe that my first cancer journey. I believe that my first reaction to the prognosis that I had reaction to the prognosis that I had reaction to the prognosis that I had 100% chance of dying in 90 days set the 100% chance of dying in 90 days set the 100% chance of dying in 90 days set the miracle up. And what I did at the time, miracle up. And what I did at the time, miracle up. And what I did at the time, and I'm I'm in an oncologist office in and I'm I'm in an oncologist office in and I'm I'm in an oncologist office in West Palm Beach, Florida. My wife West Palm Beach, Florida. My wife West Palm Beach, Florida. My wife Nikki's with me. He drops down a folder

Nikki's with me. He drops down a folder Nikki's with me. He drops down a folder which were presumably my cat scan which were presumably my cat scan which were presumably my cat scan results and said there's more to discuss results and said there's more to discuss results and said there's more to discuss which means not good news because we which means not good news because we which means not good news because we weren't sure what the results would be weren't sure what the results would be weren't sure what the results would be and if it was clean he probably would and if it was clean he probably would and if it was clean he probably would have said something different and he have said something different and he have said something different and he walked out the door and I told Nikki I walked out the door and I told Nikki I walked out the door and I told Nikki I said can you guard the door? Now it was said can you guard the door? Now it was said can you guard the door? Now it was a little bit of a risk there that he a little bit of a risk there that he a little bit of a risk there that he walks in and you know knocks my wife walks in and you know knocks my wife walks in and you know knocks my wife over. But what I did as a grown man of over. But what I did as a grown man of over. But what I did as a grown man of 32, 33 years old, I put my face on the 32, 33 years old, I put my face on the 32, 33 years old, I put my face on the carpet and I don't say that carpet and I don't say that carpet and I don't say that euphemistically like my nose was on the euphemistically like my nose was on the euphemistically like my nose was on the carpet and I quoted Job chapter 1 verse carpet and I quoted Job chapter 1 verse carpet and I quoted Job chapter 1 verse 21 and I call it Job's prayer. And I 21 and I call it Job's prayer. And I 21 and I call it Job's prayer. And I said, "Naked I came into this earth, said, "Naked I came into this earth, said, "Naked I came into this earth, naked I shall return. It is the Lord who naked I shall return. It is the Lord who naked I shall return. It is the Lord who gives and the Lord who takes away. gives and the Lord who takes away. gives and the Lord who takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." And I Blessed be the name of the Lord." And I Blessed be the name of the Lord." And I had done that maybe five times earlier had done that maybe five times earlier had done that maybe five times earlier in my life when I was in my life when I was in my life when I was punched in the stomach. Not literally, punched in the stomach. Not literally, punched in the stomach. Not literally, figuratively. Like the air knocked out figuratively. Like the air knocked out figuratively. Like the air knocked out of me or something happened so of me or something happened so of me or something happened so traumatically that I couldn't even think traumatically that I couldn't even think traumatically that I couldn't even think to go fix it. And this was one of those to go fix it. And this was one of those to go fix it. And this was one of those moments where I was being in a way moments where I was being in a way moments where I was being in a way cursed. uh attempted to have my wife cursed. uh attempted to have my wife cursed. uh attempted to have my wife shaken so she could convince me in a shaken so she could convince me in a shaken so she could convince me in a week's time to go to the leading expert week's time to go to the leading expert week's time to go to the leading expert on that particular cancer diagnosis and on that particular cancer diagnosis and on that particular cancer diagnosis and begin what I would have considered begin what I would have considered begin what I would have considered excruciating treatments and God healed excruciating treatments and God healed excruciating treatments and God healed me but I don't think it was unrelated to

me but I don't think it was unrelated to me but I don't think it was unrelated to my my my humbling myself before him because we humbling myself before him because we humbling myself before him because we can pray quickly Lord forgive me for can pray quickly Lord forgive me for can pray quickly Lord forgive me for this or that but there's something this or that but there's something this or that but there's something different about what the Bible would different about what the Bible would different about what the Bible would call putting on sackcloth and ashes or call putting on sackcloth and ashes or call putting on sackcloth and ashes or putting our face getting on our face putting our face getting on our face putting our face getting on our face before the Lord like pastor I don't before the Lord like pastor I don't before the Lord like pastor I don't remember the last time I got on my face remember the last time I got on my face remember the last time I got on my face before the Lord after that I and this is before the Lord after that I and this is before the Lord after that I and this is convicting to me but I think there's convicting to me but I think there's convicting to me but I think there's more of a posture that we can offer for more of a posture that we can offer for more of a posture that we can offer for healing and the other thing I would say healing and the other thing I would say healing and the other thing I would say on the simplistic side on the simplistic side on the simplistic side an old mentor of mine said what will an old mentor of mine said what will an old mentor of mine said what will have prevented it will cure it and a lot have prevented it will cure it and a lot have prevented it will cure it and a lot of what we need to do to get well is of what we need to do to get well is of what we need to do to get well is what could have prevented an illness in what could have prevented an illness in what could have prevented an illness in the first place. I know there's question the first place. I know there's question the first place. I know there's question on what that is and there's even on what that is and there's even on what that is and there's even disagreement amongst health experts but disagreement amongst health experts but disagreement amongst health experts but there are certain things that we know there are certain things that we know there are certain things that we know are are are indelible truths for our our health. I indelible truths for our our health. I indelible truths for our our health. I remember being in South Africa remember being in South Africa remember being in South Africa ministering and the pastor said many ministering and the pastor said many ministering and the pastor said many people come for prayer and they'll say, people come for prayer and they'll say, people come for prayer and they'll say, "Pastor, pray for my healing." And they "Pastor, pray for my healing." And they "Pastor, pray for my healing." And they and then he'll say, "Well, how have you and then he'll say, "Well, how have you and then he'll say, "Well, how have you been sleeping?" "Well, I'm I'm not. I go been sleeping?" "Well, I'm I'm not. I go been sleeping?" "Well, I'm I'm not. I go to bed at 2 in the morning." Or, "Uh, to bed at 2 in the morning." Or, "Uh, to bed at 2 in the morning." Or, "Uh, are you fasting? Are you eating? Are you are you fasting? Are you eating? Are you are you fasting? Are you eating? Are you praying?" And he says, "You don't need praying?" And he says, "You don't need praying?" And he says, "You don't need my prayer. You need to go and do what my prayer. You need to go and do what my prayer. You need to go and do what God created your body to do, how to God created your body to do, how to God created your body to do, how to function. And then when you need God to function. And then when you need God to function. And then when you need God to heal, ask him to intervene." But people heal, ask him to intervene." But people heal, ask him to intervene." But people are simply are simply are simply doing the equivalent of stepping off of doing the equivalent of stepping off of doing the equivalent of stepping off of a building

a building a building that's 10 stories high and praying, that's 10 stories high and praying, that's 10 stories high and praying, "God, help me from falling and "God, help me from falling and "God, help me from falling and >> breaking bones or dying." The law of >> breaking bones or dying." The law of >> breaking bones or dying." The law of gravity is a law of gravity. And the way gravity is a law of gravity. And the way gravity is a law of gravity. And the way he created us has similarities. And we he created us has similarities. And we he created us has similarities. And we can't I'll use every analogy in the can't I'll use every analogy in the can't I'll use every analogy in the book. We can't put diesel fuel in an book. We can't put diesel fuel in an book. We can't put diesel fuel in an unleted engine. Something bad will unleted engine. Something bad will unleted engine. Something bad will happen. I'm not a car guy, but I know I happen. I'm not a car guy, but I know I happen. I'm not a car guy, but I know I was warned not to do that. was warned not to do that. was warned not to do that. >> Well, >> Well, >> Well, no, you're so right. You know, and no, you're so right. You know, and no, you're so right. You know, and people say, "Do you believe in prayer or people say, "Do you believe in prayer or people say, "Do you believe in prayer or do you believe in science?" Yes. I think do you believe in science?" Yes. I think do you believe in science?" Yes. I think the more I align myself with what God the more I align myself with what God the more I align myself with what God tells us is a healthy way to live, the tells us is a healthy way to live, the tells us is a healthy way to live, the healthier we get. It is not either or. healthier we get. It is not either or. healthier we get. It is not either or. I'm not afraid of science and I'm not afraid of science and I'm not afraid of science and technology. I just I you can't ignore technology. I just I you can't ignore technology. I just I you can't ignore it. And I think we've ignored it and it. And I think we've ignored it and it. And I think we've ignored it and wanted God to give us a a supernatural wanted God to give us a a supernatural wanted God to give us a a supernatural fix. is like I found I was much more fix. is like I found I was much more fix. is like I found I was much more successful when I studied and prayed for successful when I studied and prayed for successful when I studied and prayed for my exams than when I just prayed for my my exams than when I just prayed for my my exams than when I just prayed for my exams and didn't study. So exams and didn't study. So exams and didn't study. So >> or just studied and didn't pray. It's >> or just studied and didn't pray. It's >> or just studied and didn't pray. It's interesting. People ask me all the time, interesting. People ask me all the time, interesting. People ask me all the time, do you trust science or do you trust the do you trust science or do you trust the do you trust science or do you trust the word of God primarily? And it's the word word of God primarily? And it's the word word of God primarily? And it's the word of God then history then science because of God then history then science because of God then history then science because science is observational. And uh for science is observational. And uh for science is observational. And uh for example, I've been talking about as many example, I've been talking about as many example, I've been talking about as many have before me, the power of fasting have before me, the power of fasting have before me, the power of fasting because fasting is something that we are because fasting is something that we are because fasting is something that we are supposed to do and in fact everybody supposed to do and in fact everybody supposed to do and in fact everybody does it. No one eats for 24 hours a day does it. No one eats for 24 hours a day does it. No one eats for 24 hours a day or at least I don't think they do.

or at least I don't think they do. or at least I don't think they do. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] Um a recent study came out on Um a recent study came out on Um a recent study came out on inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease. And this is a great study disease. And this is a great study disease. And this is a great study because they looked at two groups with because they looked at two groups with because they looked at two groups with the same severity of condition and one the same severity of condition and one the same severity of condition and one ate for approximately 16 hours a day and ate for approximately 16 hours a day and ate for approximately 16 hours a day and one consumed food for eight hours a day one consumed food for eight hours a day one consumed food for eight hours a day and for the first time it was the same and for the first time it was the same and for the first time it was the same amount of food because there's been some amount of food because there's been some amount of food because there's been some speculation that intermittent fasting or speculation that intermittent fasting or speculation that intermittent fasting or however you want to call it however you want to call it however you want to call it timerestricted eating works because you timerestricted eating works because you timerestricted eating works because you eat less. But in this case they ate the eat less. But in this case they ate the eat less. But in this case they ate the same amount. Um, this group had a same amount. Um, this group had a same amount. Um, this group had a reduction in belly fat if they had belly reduction in belly fat if they had belly reduction in belly fat if they had belly fat to lose, lower inflammatory markers, fat to lose, lower inflammatory markers, fat to lose, lower inflammatory markers, better cardiovascular markers, and all better cardiovascular markers, and all better cardiovascular markers, and all they did was eat the same food in an they did was eat the same food in an they did was eat the same food in an eight hour window. That's brilliant. eight hour window. That's brilliant. eight hour window. That's brilliant. That proves what God already says in That proves what God already says in That proves what God already says in Isaiah 58 starting in verse 6 that this Isaiah 58 starting in verse 6 that this Isaiah 58 starting in verse 6 that this fast that I have chosen breaks the bonds fast that I have chosen breaks the bonds fast that I have chosen breaks the bonds of wickedness breaks every chain and of wickedness breaks every chain and of wickedness breaks every chain and healing will spring forth from doing so.

healing will spring forth from doing so. healing will spring forth from doing so. And I can list time and time again when And I can list time and time again when And I can list time and time again when studies come out. There are studies on studies come out. There are studies on studies come out. There are studies on people being prayed for from another people being prayed for from another people being prayed for from another state and having better outcomes. There state and having better outcomes. There state and having better outcomes. There are studies mostly case studies and are studies mostly case studies and are studies mostly case studies and patient reports on individuals who are patient reports on individuals who are patient reports on individuals who are able to forgive more easily uh that they able to forgive more easily uh that they able to forgive more easily uh that they had greater outcomes. They I even read had greater outcomes. They I even read had greater outcomes. They I even read about a man who died happy and in his about a man who died happy and in his about a man who died happy and in his old age and when they did an autopsy he old age and when they did an autopsy he old age and when they did an autopsy he was ridden with what we would call was ridden with what we would call was ridden with what we would call cancer. And I read about someone who cancer. And I read about someone who cancer. And I read about someone who died young and had an opto autopsy died young and had an opto autopsy died young and had an opto autopsy performed and had no physical maladies performed and had no physical maladies performed and had no physical maladies but was an angry bitter person. And we but was an angry bitter person. And we but was an angry bitter person. And we know that anxiety in the heart weighs a know that anxiety in the heart weighs a know that anxiety in the heart weighs a man down. A good word makes him glad. man down. A good word makes him glad. man down. A good word makes him glad. The list goes on and on. And so when you The list goes on and on. And so when you The list goes on and on. And so when you take the best of spiritual advice, take the best of spiritual advice, take the best of spiritual advice, emotional and physical, that's how you emotional and physical, that's how you emotional and physical, that's how you can be healthy and that's how you can be can be healthy and that's how you can be can be healthy and that's how you can be healed.