THE VOW THAT BROUGHT A BOY BACK FROM DEATH’S DOOR!

           In honor of a dear friend, Ralph Carroll, who went on to be with the Lord, I want to relate this dynamic story told me by his wife Ruth, that demonstrates the importance of faith among family.

            Ruth wrote, "I grew up around what was termed a "Classical Full Gospel background." I can recall we kids were raised very strict, especially when it came to what was termed, "outward adornment." Women did not cut their hair, wear makeup or any form of jewelry. Even though Christians, from other denominations, considered our church members odd the people were very humble, simple and very dedicated to the Lord. They would often make a "vow" to God and this vow would become a part of their daily walk with the Lord. A noted minister named Muncy made that same vow.  From the very beginning of his ministry, he told God that if He would take care of his family he, would always take care of God's business. Reverend Muncy trusted God completely to provide for him and his family and in return he dedicated his entire life each day to the work of the Lord.

            Reverend Muncy served his denomination (The Church of God) as an assistant State Overseer.  When the head Bishop became sick, Rev. Muncy was called upon to go out of town for a conference. While getting ready to leave he started the car and went back inside the house for a moment.  When he returned to the car later to leave he was unaware that his five-year old son, Jack, had been playing behind the car.  Jack had been overtaken by the car fumes and passed out. As Rev. Muncy backed the car up he accidently ran over Jack.  When he jumped out of the car his little son's head had been run over and his eyes were protruding out of his head.  He picked him up, took him into the house and laid him on the bed. Everyone was upset and crying out in prayer.

            At that moment, the preacher said and did something that his daughter Ruth (Ralph's wife) would never forget. He told his wife, "The Lord has told me that if I'd take care of His business that He would take care of mine!"  He then got in his car and headed to the conference. He was so dedicated to the church and the work of God that he trusted God to heal his son.  Ruth was a young girl and recalled the mother and all the children praying. She said, "Jack's face was swelled in a horrible condition and all out of proportion and he was completely unconscious."

            Later, the very minute the minister returned home and drove his car into the drive way, Ruth said, "It looked like someone stuck a pin in Jack's head.  His face began to go down. His eye and ear went back into place.  It was amazing to watch." She commented, "Jack looked up at mother and said, "You know I missed supper - I'm hungry."  He was instantly healed just like nothing every happened. He never had any side effects or scars to show it ever happened.  Dad always believed that if you ask God for anything (especially miracles pertaining to sickness) that God would always supernaturally come through."

Ralph and Ruth were some of the first people Pam and I met before moving to Cleveland.   Ralph has served from the start on our ministry Board of Directors. I recall Ruth telling this story many years ago, and believed God honored the vow of this man of God, saying, "God, if you will take care of my family I will always take care of your business." Ralph carried on that same spiritual legacy for his own family, in the same manner that his father-in-law, Rev. Muncy did his.

            This is very similar to the Mitzpah covenant. This covenant asked God to watch over your loved ones when you are away from them. Some may say, "I don't need to make a special covenant in order for God to see or watch over me or my family." This may be true in the sense that the "eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous," and the "footsteps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord" (Psalms 34:15; 37:23).  However, the Scriptures reveal the will and plan of God but the Almighty moves toward us and for us when we ask. We are told to ask in order to receive (Matt.7:7).  There are several reasons we must ask.

            First, when asking we are demonstrating that we believe what God has spoken.

            Second, there is a spiritual law that all promises of God are released by asking and believing

            Third, our faith is build and our joy is full when we ask and see God answer our prayers...

Keep the Faith

Perry Stone, Jr.