My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
(Prov. 4:20)
Before I entered the ministry I was a pharmaceutical salesman and called on physicians. One of the most important things I told the doctor was how often to tell his patient to take the medicine. “Two capsule three times a day for three days” or, “One tablet three times a day for a week,” etc.
Because the Word of God is medicine to our bodies, we must take the medicine often enough and long enough to do its work. When we pray and declare God’s Word for healing, it works like any medicine that we take.
After you swallow the medicine you don’t see it anymore. Even though it is no longer visible, because you swallowed it, it must be working.
In like fashion, the supernatural medicine of the Word of God begins to work in our body when we pray. Just as natural medicine’s power does its work in you, so the Word’s power does its work in you.
Remind yourself between doses that healing power is working in you. Every time you think about the power of God’s Word you take another dose of God’s medicine. Remember you cannot overdose on the healing power of God’s Word.
Take God’s medicine faithfully. Take it according to prescribed directions. Take it often enough and long enough to do its work. Just give it time—and faith!
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A lifelong Minnesotan, Phil graduated from North High in Minneapolis in 1963. At age 17, he enlisted in the National Guard and received his commission as an Army officer in 1966. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1970, he took a position a hospital representative for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The same year he married his college sweetheart Annie Haviland.
In 1980, Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and began serving in the ministry of helps at Living Word as department head over the usher ministry. Phil became licensed and ordained by Living Word in 1986. Two years later he left his position in the pharmaceutical industry and entered the ministry to serve as pastor of Triumphant Life Church in Willmar, Minnesota.
In 1994, Phil released pastoral oversight of Triumphant Life Church and began his own ophthalmic surgical supply business. Five years later, he joined the pastoral staff of Living Word where he lead the community outreach department.
Leadership has always been his passion. The experience Phil gained from U.S. Army Ranger School and numerous other leadership development courses has placed him in positions of mission responsibility throughout his military and civilian career.
The Winns have three grown children, Buddy who married Collette (Fearing) Winn, Matthew who married Lori (Johnson) Winn, and Monica who married Max Farrand. They have gifted Phil and Annie with eight grandchildren.