Miracle Testimony from Ted Shuttlesworth

[riverpastor]

I drove down to East Texas (Tyler) to attend a service in RW Shambach's "Winter Campmeeting" where Ted Shuttlesworth was ministering this past Wednesday night.

God uses him mightily in Word of Knowledge, Healings and Miracles.

In the service, he was speaking of how the Lord showed him that there would be an increase to the miraculous. Not just more miracles, but that the type of miracles would be greater than what has been seen... things such as creative miracles and the like.

In that context, he then gave a testimony to something that took place in one of his meetings this past year.

There were two other men in the service on Wednesday night that were there the night that this actual miracle took place.

While praying for people in a prayer line, he came across an elderly lady. He said as he was getting ready to pray for her, that she asked that he pray for the lady who brought her. She pointed this lady out who was still seated.

He approached her and the Lord spoke to him concerning her hearing. Her hair covered her ears but through the word of knowledge, he knew that she used a hearing aid for one ear and that she was deaf in the other. He spoke to this lady and told her that her hearing would be restored that night. He told her that he was going to pray for her and she shook her head "no" as tears welled-up in her eyes. He was commanded to pray for her and and he simply reached down to cover her ears with his hands and (as is his custom to do) put his fingers in her ears.

He reached for her left her and found the hearing aid which he took out. He reached for her right ear and found nothing but smooth skin!

He told us that he said to himself then, "Yeah, Lord, if this is her night, then let it be as YOU said!"

There was no ear at all. The convolutions of the ear, the skin of the ear, everything had been removed through surgeries to try to correct her hearing.

He simply put his finger where the ear hole should be.

He began to pray at that point, expecting her to hear, but not expecting what happened next.

He closed his eyes and began to pray.

As he was praying, he felt his left finger go into a hole in the right side of her head.

He stated at this point that he was thinking to himself, "Oh God, I poked a hole in the side of her head."

He kept praying and he felt the rest of the ear (the outer portion) form in his hand.

When he looked up at her, there was an ear on the right side of her head!

At this point, he said he saw something that he had never seen before... something that looked like a white piece of cloth began "cork-screwing" out of her ear.

He said, "I didn't even want to touch it. I wasn't the One pulling it out, so I let the One who was doing it, keep on doing it."

Eventutally it fell to the floor. It was packing that had been left in the ear hole and the skin had grown over it.

When it was all over, he said, she could hear whispers out of both ears. Her hearing had been completely restored!

 

[sparrow700]

Thanks for sharing this encouraging testimony. It will be great when America can recieve healing and even the creative ones and not just those in other countries! How exciting!

 

[KingZzub]

Wonderful.

This is how it should be.

Cheers,
|ZZ|

 

[TheMatman]

Let me preface my comments this way.

Six and 1/2 years ago, my nephew was in a terrible car accident. He was driving a bit too fast, flipped his truck, and he hit his head against the steering wheel. (Airbag did not deploy.)

Without going into any of the details, because this is not something my sister would want posted on an international message board, he came about as close to death as you can get. (In fact, the doctors believed he actually was brain dead, but beyond this I have no permission to speak.) As such, the fact that he is still alive and, for the very most part, functional is a miracle in its own right.

I say this to illustrate an important point about myself. I believe in miracles because my nephew is one. There is no doubt in my mind, at least not in the abstract, that God still does the miraculous--even creative miracles.

Nevertheless, this story illustrates what we have discussed on other forums.

I don't know Mr. Shuttlesworth from Adam, so don't misinterpret what I am about to say as being some derogatory remark about him or his ministry. Since I have never heard of him, much less heard him speak, much less met him, I have no idea whatsoever about his character (i.e., propensity to tell the truth) or his anointing. I know nothing whatsoever about this guy.

Since I know nothing about him, I have no independent way of knowing that this creative miracle happened (any more than you have any independent way of knowing whether my nephew even had a wreck.) Oh yes, I believe its possible--for I have been around miracles--but in this specific case, I have no independent evidence to corroborate the veracity of this testimony.

Given this lack of independent corroboration, [NOTICE MY CORRECTION IN THE BOTTOM POST]I could poke holes through this guy's story. Why? Because the declarant (i.e., Mr. Shuttlesworth) is not an objective, unbiased observer. He has something to gain by making this statement.

First of all, by telling this story, he validates his ministry. He gives the impression (whether correct or incorrect) that his ministry performs miracles.

Secondly, by validating his ministry before a campmeeting, where presumably an offering will be taken, he stands to make a sizeable windfall as the attendees--who are themselves predisposed to believe in miracles and who love these stories--drop money into the bucket.

NOW DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME. I am not attributing these motives to Mr. Shuttlesworth, personally. The story may be as true as the written Word of God, and his motivations may be as pure as the wind driven snow. BUT since I do not know for a fact that the story is true, and since I have no idea about his motivations, I must at least be open to the possibility that the story is false and/or the motives for telling the story are less than stellar.

Now, given that stories like these, if true, would certainly reinforce our belief in miracles, what can one do to proclaim these miracles in such a way that the veracity of the claims and/or the motivations of the declarant shall not be suspect?

Perhaps the best way to do this is to let the claims speak for themselves.

For example, what if Mr. Shuttlesworth had recounted this story in the third person? "Ya'll, I was in a meeting not too long ago where the evangelist prayed for a deaf girl and she was healed."

Then, what if he had the girl on the stage, with her medical records in tote, to give the testimony--leaving out the name of the evangelist?

I guess that where I am going with this is that charismatics in general, and WoF charismatics, in particular, are probably the least respected bunch of Christians in this country. Given our emphasis on the prosperity message, our words----our testimonies----have little credibility to a society that sees rich WoF preachers beg for money all the time.

So when a WoF minister gives uncorroborated testimonies of creative miracles in a forum where donations are encouraged, the cynic has no reason to consider, much less take to heart, the veracity of the statements.

However, if WoF ministers told these stories in fora where money is not a focus, where there is no temptation to accept the glory, and where corroboration is readily accessible, then the cynic is given less reason to dispute the veracity of the claims, and he must at least face the possibility that God is a miracle working God. The cynic would not be able to hide behind the possible hypocrisy of a WoF minister.

 

[PastorMike]

What an awesome testimony...What an awesome God...Mike.

 

[TheMatman]

Let me preface my comments this way.

Six and 1/2 years ago, my nephew was in a terrible car accident. He was driving a bit too fast, flipped his truck, and he hit his head against the steering wheel. (Airbag did not deploy.)

Without going into any of the details, because this is not something my sister would want posted on an international message board, he came about as close to death as you can get. (In fact, the doctors believed he actually was brain dead, but beyond this I have no permission to speak.) As such, the fact that he is still alive and, for the very most part, functional is a miracle in its own right.

I say this to illustrate an important point about myself. I believe in miracles because my nephew is one. There is no doubt in my mind, at least not in the abstract, that God still does the miraculous--even creative miracles.

Nevertheless, this story illustrates what we have discussed on other forums.

I don't know Mr. Shuttlesworth from Adam, so don't misinterpret what I am about to say as being some derogatory remark about him or his ministry. Since I have never heard of him, much less heard him speak, much less met him, I have no idea whatsoever about his character (i.e., propensity to tell the truth) or his anointing. I know nothing whatsoever about this guy.

Since I know nothing about him, I have no independent way of knowing that this creative miracle happened (any more than you have any independent way of knowing whether my nephew even had a wreck.) Oh yes, I believe its possible--for I have been around miracles--but in this specific case, I have no independent evidence to corroborate the veracity of this testimony.

Given this lack of independent corroboration, I could poke holes through this guy's story. Why? Because the declarant (i.e., Mr. Shuttlesworth) is not an objective, unbiased observer. He has something to gain by making this statement.

First of all, by telling this story, he validates his ministry. He gives the impression (whether correct or incorrect) that his ministry performs miracles.

Secondly, by validating his ministry before a campmeeting, where presumably an offering will be taken, he stands to make a sizeable windfall as the attendees--who are themselves predisposed to believe in miracles and who love these stories--drop money into the bucket.

NOW DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME. I am not attributing these motives to Mr. Shuttlesworth, personally. The story may be as true as the written Word of God, and his motivations may be as pure as the wind driven snow. BUT since I do not know for a fact that the story is true, and since I have no idea about his motivations, I must at least be open to the possibility that the story is false and/or the motives for telling the story are less than stellar.

Now, given that stories like these, if true, would certainly reinforce our belief in miracles, what can one do to proclaim these miracles in such a way that the veracity of the claims and/or the motivations of the declarant shall not be suspect?

Perhaps the best way to do this is to let the claims speak for themselves.

For example, what if Mr. Shuttlesworth had recounted this story in the third person? "Ya'll, I was in a meeting not too long ago where the evangelist prayed for a deaf girl and she was healed."

Then, what if he had the girl on the stage, with her medical records in tote, to give the testimony--leaving out the name of the evangelist?

I guess that where I am going with this is that charismatics in general, and WoF charismatics, in particular, are probably the least respected bunch of Christians in this country. Given our emphasis on the prosperity message, our words----our testimonies----have little credibility to a society that sees rich WoF preachers beg for money all the time.

So when a WoF minister gives uncorroborated testimonies of creative miracles in a forum where donations are encouraged, the cynic has no reason to consider, much less take to heart, the veracity of the statements.

However, if WoF ministers told these stories in fora where money is not a focus, where there is no temptation to accept the glory, and where corroboration is readily accessible, then the cynic is given less reason to dispute the veracity of the claims, and he must at least face the possibility that God is a miracle working God. The cynic would not be able to hide behind the possible hypocrisy of a WoF minister.

CORRECTION:

I misread the original post. Turns out that there was corroboration. (Witnesses.)

However, while my post may not apply as much to this particular story given the level of corroboration, I think you get the point. When we give testimony of God's power, we should do so with excellence, and not with even the hint of wrong motive.

 

[KingZzub]

I guess that is the difference between us Matman, I am willing to believe a story without corroboration. You start from a position of sceptism and need proof.

I think there is nothing wrong with me standing up and saying this girl was healed in my meeting. That is a statement of fact. I know I am nothing without Christ. That is obvious - I couldn't even heal an ant. However, in Christ, I can do all things.

We can go to far and focus so much on the "I can do all things" we forget about Christ. I have seen people do that... I want to punch them. Then I remember I am human.

But we can swing the pendulum too far the other way and focus so much on Christ, we forget it is us doing the works (as per John 14.12 and Mark 16.17). Miracles do not happen by themselves and unless we show the body of Christ how our humanity and God's divinity work together, they will never know and they will not work miracles.

I preached in a small AoG meeting a number of years back. Forgive me if I have shared this before, but it marked me as a person. A lady came forward with severe arthritis. I perceived she had faith to be healed.

I asked the church (about 40-50 adults) who believed Jesus was the healer. Lots of amens. Did they know Jesus could heal this woman? Lots of amens. Did they know that laying of hands could heal the sick. Lots of Amens.

Would anyone in the church get up on their feet and place their hands on her?

Not a person. I held the invitation open as long as I could without deflecting the dear ladies' faith, then I had to lay my hands on her, and she was healed instantly.

I then asked the Lord why no-one came forward. He was clear: "They believe God works through you and not them because they have lived with themselves all week, but have not lived with you. If they had lived with you, then they would not believe that God could flow through you either. They assume because you are preaching you are sinless."

I told the church this to smiles and acceptance. But I then spent some time teaching on how to work miracles. If I am teaching people how to work miracles, I have to show them that I am a miracle-worker, or else they will not have faith in me to accept my message and my God.

Just like I wouldn't accept financial advice from a hobo, or career advice from a burger flipper, I wouldn't accept advice on working miracles from someone who has never seen one.

In swinging the pendulum to the centre, then maybe I lay myself open to the accusations that you lay at the feet of many evangelists that it is ALL about self and not about Christ. And maybe times I get it wrong.

However, if I just say Christ did this, and Christ did that, the people do not learn themselves what I did so that they can imitate me as I imitate Christ. Some things are caught, not taught.

Cheers,
|ZZ|

 

[TheMatman]

I guess that is the difference between us Matman, I am willing to believe a story without corroboration. You start from a position of sceptism and need proof.

I think there is nothing wrong with me standing up and saying this girl was healed in my meeting. That is a statement of fact. I know I am nothing without Christ. That is obvious - I couldn't even heal an ant. However, in Christ, I can do all things.

We can go to far and focus so much on the "I can do all things" we forget about Christ. I have seen people do that... I want to punch them. Then I remember I am human.

But we can swing the pendulum too far the other way and focus so much on Christ, we forget it is us doing the works (as per John 14.12 and Mark 16.17). Miracles do not happen by themselves and unless we show the body of Christ how our humanity and God's divinity work together, they will never know and they will not work miracles.

I preached in a small AoG meeting a number of years back. Forgive me if I have shared this before, but it marked me as a person. A lady came forward with severe arthritis. I perceived she had faith to be healed.

I asked the church (about 40-50 adults) who believed Jesus was the healer. Lots of amens. Did they know Jesus could heal this woman? Lots of amens. Did they know that laying of hands could heal the sick. Lots of Amens.

Would anyone in the church get up on their feet and place their hands on her?

Not a person. I held the invitation open as long as I could without deflecting the dear ladies' faith, then I had to lay my hands on her, and she was healed instantly.

I then asked the Lord why no-one came forward. He was clear: "They believe God works through you and not them because they have lived with themselves all week, but have not lived with you. If they had lived with you, then they would not believe that God could flow through you either. They assume because you are preaching you are sinless."

I told the church this to smiles and acceptance. But I then spent some time teaching on how to work miracles. If I am teaching people how to work miracles, I have to show them that I am a miracle-worker, or else they will not have faith in me to accept my message and my God.

Just like I wouldn't accept financial advice from a hobo, or career advice from a burger flipper, I wouldn't accept advice on working miracles from someone who has never seen one.

In swinging the pendulum to the centre, then maybe I lay myself open to the accusations that you lay at the feet of many evangelists that it is ALL about self and not about Christ. And maybe times I get it wrong.

However, if I just say Christ did this, and Christ did that, the people do not learn themselves what I did so that they can imitate me as I imitate Christ. Some things are caught, not taught.

Cheers,
|ZZ|

Basically, then its risk versus reward.

You want to maximize the reward (i.e., glory to God) with the minimum amount of risk (i.e., temptation to glory seek, etc.)

No matter what you do, you cannot completely get rid of the risk, right?

 

[KingZzub]

I don't know if I would put it in those terms, but essentially yes.

There is always a risk unless I cut off my flesh...

Cheers,
|ZZ|

 

[J4Jesus]

I saw a small child a couple of weeks ago who told his mom during the service he could hear out of his ear which he never could before. Then when she brought him up to the front later I could see there was NO EAR. It was like skin grown over where the opening of the ear should be!

Along time ago I also personally was a man twice who did not have an eye ball but if you bandaged up the good eye he could see or read anything you gave to him. He also had a fake eye ball but even with it in he could still see ! I saw a woman who was in an accident and after surgery her bones were beyond repair. But each time she went to the Dr he saw it was changing and measured it and her leg is growing longer gradually every time.

Jesus is AWESOME!!

 

[KingZzub]

My last pastor had a man in his congregation who he prayed for and who grew a new lung. He had the before and after x-rays in his safe.

Cheers,
|ZZ|

 

[J4Jesus]

I have seen creative miracles. One man had a massive heart attack and 2/3 of his heart was dead. There was nothing anyone could do. He wanted us to pray for Him so we did. When the doctor check him he was shocked and said there was no problem with his heart and in fact looked like a brand new heart, not like the one in the first xray. Its documented.

 

[KingZzub]

My wife's heart was healed shortly after we moved from Scotland to England.

Rather than believe in a God of miracles, the doctor who did the examination (we didn't ask for an examination to prove she was healed, that was obvious - because she was pregnant they insisted on one) claimed that he had been sent the wrong medical file on my wife. I asked if that was a regular occurance... he said it had never happened in his time as a doctor. I asked why that was the option he chose to believe, he told me because there was no God.

Ah well... there's none so blind as them that won't listen...

Cheers,
|ZZ|