Episode Transcript
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
CONSIDER THIS
Today, our Holy Spirit story comes from Kevin Adams of Amory, Mississippi. I felt compelled to sneak it in on a Sunday before we head into the forty days of Lent both as an encouragement to your faith and as a call to faith and prayer. Below, you will read the story in his words, and, if you listen, you will hear it in his own voice.
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” (Phil. 1:12)
At age sixty-one, I was enjoying a successful career traveling the world for my employer as a process improvement expert. The perks associated with my job allowed Darlin’, my wife of forty-one years, to plan fun vacations for us. As a musician, I was playing locally and was also the worship leader at Amory GMC in Mississippi, which remains one of the joys of my life. You might say that Darlin’ and I had things pretty well dialed in.
Beginning in early 2023 I began to have difficulty walking, which ultimately curtailed my ability to travel and do my job. I’d had back surgery in 2019 and just assumed that this was a recurrence of the disc problem, which could be fixed. After multiple tests, I was advised that there was no recurrence of the spinal issues, and was referred for an ALS test the next day.
l really didn’t know anything about ALS, so I began to search on Google and was surprised to see that almost every article described ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, as 100 percent fatal with no cure and a typical life expectancy of two to five years. The disease affects all voluntary muscles resulting in complete paralysis, including the inability to speak and eat. Still, I assumed that this was just another box to check off in my diagnosis.
After the ALS test was completed, Darlin’ and I were advised by the neurologist that the test was positive for ALS and we were told to get our affairs in order. We were completely torn down by this news and asked to be referred for a second opinion at the university hospital in our area. The subsequent test confirmed the first diagnosis, and a month later a third round of tests produced the same result. By this time, I was confined to a wheelchair and began to lose fine motor skills and diaphragm function, which affected my ability to sing and play guitar.
I was forced into early retirement, which greatly affected our income at what was to become a very expensive time in our lives. Darlin’ also quit working to be my full-time caregiver. Although we maintained our faith in God, it was difficult not to feel abandoned. Friends and family helped us in any way they could, building ramps at our doors, cleaning up storm damage in our yard, bringing food, raising funds, and coming by to visit. We decided that if we were to walk this road, we would seek to glorify God on our journey.
About a year after diagnosis, we were eating breakfast on our way to a Bible study at church when a stranger asked why I was in the wheelchair. After my brief explanation, he introduced himself as a Pentecostal preacher and asked if he could pray for us. He added that he had the gift of healing which had been passed to him from his now-deceased mentor. Although we were a bit taken aback, we stayed and prayed with our new friend in the restaurant, missing our Bible study. Brother W, as we’ll call him, then began to prophesy that when I returned to the hospital, the doctors would be “baffled” by my recovery! I suppose you could say that Darlin’ and I hid these words in our hearts.
On our next visit, the doctors were indeed surprised at how I seemed to be gaining strength and set up another round of the same test, which was scheduled for December 2024. We had been advised after the second test that we’d never need to repeat them because ALS never gets better.
After we arrived and were prepped for test number four, we were surprised to see that our doctor brought three more neurologists in to observe, which made us expect that something extraordinary was going on. As they progressed through the tests, which consisted of needles and electric shocks, we heard lots of whispers, with the words “normal” and “baffling” used more than once! The chief neurologist called us that evening with the results, advising us that although I still meet the criteria for ALS, I could begin strength-building and balance therapy. I was released to do anything I could!
Darlin’ and I continue to rejoice every day as God continues his healing work. I am able to walk short distances with a cane. My diaphragm has begun to recover, restoring my voice. Fine motor skills are improving enough to play guitar again.
Why would God choose me to perform a miracle when so many are never healed? We may never know on this side of heaven, but I want to live my life in accordance with Philippians 1:12, telling my story and using my increasing strength to “advance the gospel.” Thanks be to Jehovah Rapha, our Healer!
THE PRAYER
Father, Jehovah Rapha—the Lord our healer—how we thank you for this miracle in the making. Thank you for all you have done and are doing in Kevin's life and healing. We are astonished at the healing ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and through the humble and bold prayers of this preacher whom we ask you to bless as well. We want to add our prayers for sustained and progressive healing for Kevin. Would you let this be a sign of the kingdom that could "advance the gospel" as Kevin has noted? Praying in Jesus's name, amen.
