Inconceivable

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
      he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.   Psalm 34:18 NLT

Ever watch the old movie The Princess Bride?  The villain continuously repeats the word "inconceivable" basically because his thinking is so small that he cannot wrap himself around new possibilities that he has never before experienced.

During traumatic times in our lives when events and circumstances hit us right and left we find ourselves thinking "inconceivable".  What will happen next?  How much more can I take?  I seem to have a series of 24 hour pockets of traumatic events.  For instance, one Wednesday evening my (X) husband arrogantly confessed his adultery. A couple hours later I found out my son was busted with a MCA (minor consuming alcohol).  By midnight I found myself in a hotel room with my close friend whose husband just tried to commit suicide and was rushed to the hospital. Lord, how much more?

Yet when I look back during those times of tremendous suffering I find God is so close I can feel a thickness around me.  Angels pressing into me?  He's there to rescue me.  Jesus rescued me that night.  He’s close to all the brokenhearted.  He is close to you, too.  Jesus will never leave you, ever.

I'm willing to walk with You, God, through places dark and difficult.

 Use every hardship and place of suffering to make me more like You.

The Survivor

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10

As I was sitting at the most famous crowded beech in the world: Waikiki, in Hawaii, I watched a lady emerge into the ocean waves.  I was intrigued because she was bald, obviously a cancer survivor.  She had no hat or wig to hide under.  Nothing hindered her to live her life and have fun with her granddaughter.  There was no shame.  Her presence screamed, “I am a survivor!”

That scene made me think how many times I want to hide after I’ve gone through a battle – maybe mine wasn’t physical, as the bald lady, but more emotional and spiritual.  The Lord didn’t create us to just exist, but to live life abundantly.  Enjoy life and enjoy worshiping the Creator of the Universe.

This is the day the Lord has made.  I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!!!

No matter what happens today, Jesus, I know you are with me and I will enjoy this day.

Taking the Higher Road Part 3

Based on Deuteronomy 30 (MSG, NLT, CEV)

In part 1 I listed the blessings given to every person who loves and serves the Lord with a pure heart.  Whoo Hoo!

Part 2 listed the curses of the person who walks away from the Love of the Lord and serves the evil one.  Booo!

Today we will see what happens to the person when he or she decides to love and serve the Lord again with a sincere heart in absolute devotion.

J     The Lord promises to give him back his freedom!

J     Jesus will feel sorry for him and restore him!

J     The repentant person will have success, favor and blessings!
      (Read part 1)

J     He will love God with his whole being and live.  God will put all the curses on his enemies who are cruel to him.

J     The Lord will be happy with this person who whole heartily clings to the Spirit of the living God!

J     The Word of God is very near to his heart and mouth.

It boils down to two choices, according to this passage:

1. Choose life and blessings or
2. Choose death and curses

The Lord commands the wayward person to turn and love the Lord, keep His commands, obey His Word, and then the Lord will bless him.  If he chooses death, the Lord will turn away from him and all the curses will come upon him.  He will be destroyed.  Today, Jesus is offering this person life or death, blessings or curses.

CHOOSE LIFE! (Deut 30:19) To choose life is to love the Lord, our God, obey him and stay close to him (30:20).  He is your life.  He will let you live many years.  It’s your choice.  What will you choose?

I choose life, Lord.  Help me to serve only You, not the world or myself.

Taking the Higher Road Part 2

The Low Road

Based on Deut 28:15-48 (MSG, NLT, CEV)

What if someone decides the high road is too hard?  What if he decides to take a wide, crowded, easy road that leads to destruction?

"Taking the high road is usually not the easy one to take or the most popular. The low road seems to offer instant satisfaction. It may seem better for the moment, but if you compromise your principles and your integrity, it will always end up costing you far more in the long run."
- Billy Cox

 

The Lord speaks about the damage that would fall on someone if they decide to turn away from God and follow their own selfish interests.  Deuteronomy 28 lists these curses for Israel, but can be personalized for the individual (male or female):

N       Everywhere he goes he is cursed, whether he is in the city or the country.

N       He will have lack of food.

N       The Lord sends confusion and punishment in everything he does.

N       He will be destroyed and suddenly ruined because he left the Lord and chose a life of sin with an unrepentant heart.

N       He will have terrible diseases. Fever, swelling, bad growths, open sores & itches that can’t be cured.

N       He will feel the heat, lack of rain, drought, dehydration, blight and mildew until he dies.  Everything the person does will be hard.

N       Enemies will defeat the person who chooses sin.  He will try to attack his enemy from one direction but he will flee in seven directions.

N       He will be a thing of horror to others.

N       Madness, blindness (natural and spiritual) and a confused mind will possess this person. It will make him crazy and he’ll grope around in the middle of the day like a blind person feeling his way through a lifetime of darkness; he will never get to where he’s going.

N       He will fail in everything he does.  People will hurt and steal from him everyday.  No one will be there to help him.

N       He will build a house and not live in it.  The woman he is engaged to will have sex with someone else.

N       He will lose everything and no one will come to his rescue.

N       Other people will reap the benefits of this cursed person’s hard work that he has produced.

N       He will be tired of looking for things he can’t quite grasp.  What he sees will drive him crazy because he can’t quite reach it.

N       He will be mistreated.

N       This person who hates God will in turn be hated everywhere the Lord sends him.  People will laugh at him and make fun of him.

N       Children will be estranged from him.

N       Others around this person will grow stronger while he gets weaker and weaker.

N       He will go into debt because of the things taken and stolen from him.  He will be the “tail”.

N       He will be hungry, thirsty, naked and poor.

N       All these curses will come upon the person who deliberately turns away from the Lord.  These curses will chase him down and catch him because he did not serve the Lord with joy and a pure heart.  This is someone who is unrepentant and as long as they live that way these evil things will sweep over him.

N       All the curses will be signs and miracles to him to lead him back to the road of repentance (the higher road) and right standing with God again.

 

These things will happen to someone who decides to turn his back on loving and serving the Lord with a pure heart.  It is a deliberate act of disobedience and rebellion against the Lord and His commandments.

But wait…There is Hope!   

What if that person repents and turns back to the Lord?  Read Deuteronomy 30 and part 3 of “Taking the Higher Road”. 

 

Lord, help me to always follow you and keep my eyes open to any areas of

compromise that would cause me to turn toward the wrong path.

Taking the Higher Road Part 1

The High Road
Based on Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (MSG, NLT, CEV)

High road refers to a higher moral ground. "Taking the high road" expression refers to one being a "class act" during a very difficult time. Those who take the high road, are demonstrating being honest, fair, and selfless while not being completely defenseless.

– Urban dictionary

You are taking the “high road” when you choose to rebel against the evil in the culture especially when people around you sin and deliberately walk toward wickedness. Scripture refers to a straight and narrow path that is not very crowded.  Abundant blessings are promised to you for taking that narrow “high” road, as we see in Deuteronomy 28.  This scripture lists blessings promised to the nation of Israel, but we can personalize it and see the blessings for us if we whole heartily live for the Lord.  Here are the blessings promised for you, His faithful one, in this passage:

©      The Lord will make you great. God will chase you down and overtake you with His blessings.

©      You are blessed in the city and the country and anywhere you go or live.

©      Your children have many blessings bestowed upon them.

©      You will have favor in your business or place of employment.

©      Your kitchen will be blessed with lots of food.  There will be plenty for you and your family and enough to share or give away.

©      You are blessed coming and going.  Everywhere you go you are highly favored.

©      The Lord will defeat all your enemies that come against you.  The enemy will come and try to attack from one direction but will scatter in defeat in seven different directions.

©      The Lord blesses everything you do. 

©      He causes the land to be abundantly fruitful and produce good crops.

©      Father God calls you Holy.  You are his Holy child and He promises you all good things.

©      You are raised up and exalted in the community and among the people of earth.  God is glorified in your life by raising you up.  People will hold you in respectful awe because of the Lord in you, as you set your heart and mind on obeying His commandments.

©      The Lord will make you rich.  You will have success in family, ministry, business, and work.

©      You will have successful children (natural and spiritual).

©      Jesus will do all that He promised you and your ancestors.  He will give it ALL to you!

©      The Lord will open the flood gates of heaven and will rain down favor and blessings at the perfect time.  He will lavish on you all good things.  You will have more money than you need so that you can give it away and never need to borrow from others.

©      God will make you the leader (the head) not a follower (the tail).  You are FREE!

All these blessings belong to you because you love the Lord and carefully follow His commandments.  It is simply out of complete LOVE for Jesus that you don’t swerve an inch to the right or left from His words.

 I claim all the promises You have said in Your Word, Lord Jesus,

because I love You so much and desire to do everything You say to do.

Lord, turn Your face to me and bless me and my family.

The Lion

You are my hiding place;
   you will protect me from trouble
   and surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalm 32:7

 Imagine this.

 You are standing in a desolate place, perhaps a desert.  What do you see?  Envision a stream running through the barren land.  The stream of living water was put there to refresh you. Drink deeply.  It is life, hope and beauty.

Do you see Jesus?  Set your eyes on a Lion by the stream resting by the one and only flourishing tree.  It's the Lion King of Kings.  The Lion of Peace to you today. In Alaska, His name would be Denali, “The Great One.”   He is bidding you to come to him.  He is asking you to bury your face in his mane.  As you approach Him, you realize how large He is.  You can be completely engulfed in His mane.  It is a warm place of peace and rest.  There is absolutely no fear, no worry, just perfect love.  Hear his heart beat?  Listen to him purr.  Does a lion purr? No...  Could He be humming, singing over you? Most likely.  You are protected, hidden away from the enemy.

Peek out of His mane for a moment.  What do you notice?  Far off in the distance there is evil, watching, waiting and laying traps for you. You hear the Lion King give a short low growl under His breath.  The enemy flees!  Vanishes!  Darkness is forbidden to come near.  Even the slightest growl sends the enemy retreating.

Watch out! The Lion is getting ready to ROAR! When the Lion roars the enemy will be obliterated.

Jesus,  I hide myself in You.

“Denali,” annihilate the enemy in my life with Your ROAR!

I hear your ROAR setting all things right in my life.

The Scarlet Letter

No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,
   Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
   What God has arranged for those who love him.  I Corinthians  2:9

What you have experienced so far in your life has probably not fully prepared you for the amazing things God has in store for you.  A life filled with hope and incredible adventures.

There are two ways to divide up people in the world: those who let their past define their future and those who are able to conceive a future much bigger and broader than their past.  I want to be counted in a group of people in the world who are able to conceive a future much bigger and broader than the past. I won’t let my past define my future!

B  Remember the movie The Scarlet Letter? The woman in the movie who committed adultery had to wear a red "A" on her front to display her shame.  When one is divorced we theoretically feel we are wearing a scarlet "D" for all to see.  Will this define my future?  Hardly.  My spirit-filled friend I visit for encouragement said, "We don't wear a "D".  Strip it off.  God puts on us a large "B" for Beloved or an "R" for Redeemed!"  What great wisdom and insight.  Sounds like a T-shirt idea.

The hope that is given to us as a beloved, redeemed individual is hardly imaginable.  What great thing does God have in store for you?  Hope takes risk! Face the risks with courage.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t try to figure everything out on your own.  In everything you do give God the glory and He will guide and direct everywhere you go! (Proverbs 3:5-6) Your future is bright. I pray this prayer everyday:

 

Lord, Amaze me today!

A Prayer for Victory in Court Cases

Some of us need to rise up and take a stand against the enemy forces that take the Children of God to court. Others of us need to stand and face a judge for the sake of righteousness and justice for children and the innocent.  My friends and family have been praying and fasting for my upcoming court case on May 25. A dear friend of mine had a court case this morning regarding an innocent child’s living conditions.  This is a part of the New Rebellion.  Let’s rise up as one army and believe Jesus will show up in our court cases for our favor and vindication and for His Glory.  He was with the Apostle Paul when he stood before judges.  Jesus will be with us, too.  Here is a prayer for the Children of God in the New Rebellion regarding Victory in Court Cases.  This was taken from Prayers that Avail Much by Germaine Copeland.  It is completely out of scripture, mostly the amplified version.  I have kept it in first person for those who need to pray for themselves or other innocent friends facing trial.

Please pray for me (and my attorney) as my family and I approach an extensive trial on May 25, 2012:

Father, in the name of Jesus, it is written in Your Word to call on You, and You will answer me and show me great and mighty things.  I put You in remembrance of Your Word and thank You that You watch over it to perform it.

I say that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and any tongue that rises against me in judgment I shall show to be in the wrong.  This peace, righteousness, security and triumph over opposition is my inheritance as Your child. This is the righteousness or vindication I obtain from You, Father, which You impart to me as my justification.  I am far from even the thought of destruction; for I shall not fear, and terror shall not come near me.

Father, You say You will establish me to the end – keep me steadfast, give me strength, and guarantee my vindication; that is, be my warrant against all accusation or indictment.  Father, You contend with those who contend with me, and You perfect that which concerns me.  I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and this secret place hides me from the strife of tongues, for a false witness who breathes out lies is an abomination to You.

I am a true witness, and all my words are upright and in right standing with You, Father.  My long forbearing and calmness of spirit persuade the judge, and my soft speech breaks down the most bone-like resistance.  Therefore, I am not anxious beforehand how I shall reply in defense or what I am to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach me in the very hour and moment what I ought to say to those in the outside world.  My speech is seasoned with salt.

As a child of the light, I enforce the triumphant victory of my Lord Jesus Christ in this situation, knowing that all heaven is backing me.  I am strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might.  Thank You for the shield of faith that quenches every fiery dart of the enemy.  I am increasing in wisdom and in stature and in years, and in favor with You, Father, and with man.  Praise the Lord! Amen.

Scripture References:

Jer. 33:3         Proverbs 6:17,19          Isaiah 43:26     Proverbs 14:25

Jer. 1:12         Proverbs 8:8                Isaiah 54:17     Proverbs 25:15
Isaiah 54:14     Luke 12:11,12            I Cor. 1:8          Colossians 4:6
Isaiah 49:25     Matt. 18:18               Psalm 138:8       Eph. 6:10, 16
Psalm 91:1       Luke 2:52                  Psalm 31:20

A Psalm for Me

A psalm of David written just for me! I couldn’t have written this prayer any better!  Thanks, Dave.  You are a man after God’s own heart… and mine, too.  Who knew you would write this prayer for me 3,000 years before I was born?

¹ O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
    Fight those who fight against me.
² Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
    Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
³ Lift up your spear and javelin
    against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say,
    “I will give you victory!”
⁴ Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
    turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.
⁵ Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
    a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
⁶ Make their path dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
⁷ I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
    I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
⁸ So let sudden ruin come upon them!
    Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
    Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

⁹ Then I will rejoice in the Lord.
    I will be glad because he rescues me.
¹⁰ With every bone in my body I will praise him:
    “Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
    Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

¹¹ Malicious witnesses testify against me.
    They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
¹² They repay me evil for good.
    I am sick with despair.
¹³ Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
    I denied myself by fasting for them,
    but my prayers returned unanswered.
¹⁴ I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
    as if I were grieving for my own mother.
¹⁵ But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
    they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don’t even know;
    they slander me constantly.
¹⁶ They mock me and call me names;
    they snarl at me.

¹⁷ How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
    Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
    Protect my life from these lions!
¹⁸ Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
    I will praise you before all the people.
¹⁹ Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.
    Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.
²⁰ They don’t talk of peace;
    they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
²¹ They shout, “Aha! Aha!
    With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

²² O Lord, you know all about this.
    Do not stay silent.
    Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
²³ Wake up! Rise to my defense!
    Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
²⁴ Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice.
    Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
²⁵ Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted!
    Now we will eat him alive!”

²⁶ May those who rejoice at my troubles
    be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over me
    be covered with shame and dishonor.
²⁷ But give great joy to those who came to my defense.
    Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord,
    who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
²⁸ Then I will proclaim your justice,
    and I will praise you all day long.

Psalm 35 NLT

My Letter to Jesus

Have you written a letter to Jesus?  I have on occasions.  Here is one of them.

Dearest Lord Jesus,

        I can't express in words how much I love you. There is not enough English to tell you.  You have loved me more than any person on earth.  Thank you for walking through this traumatic time with me.  You have never left me for even a second!  I know You will always be with me and will always love me to my core.

        You are the God of the Universe, the Holy One, Majestic King, yet you call me friend, child, lover.  You are my Daddy God, Abba Father.  I can come into Your throne room and sit on your lap and You hold me until I stop crying and I can move on.  I can sit on your lap and laugh uproariously with You because You give me so much joy.  I can sit and just be quiet and listen to your heartbeat so I can clearly hear what You want me to do next.  You are my journey.  You are my adventure.  You have a wild plan for me and I look forward to the next stage, step, chapter of my life.  I look forward to what plans you have laid out for me in 2012 the "Year of Fulfillment" or others call it the "Year of Breakthrough". This is my year!  I claim it and all the promises You have made to me!

        Your dreams are grand, they are outrageous for me.  I open up my heart completely and let you in.  I trust you and desire to obey You.  I love you more than words can express.  Thank You for Your provision and unfailing love.  Wow! Lord! Wow!

Your child, friend and lover,

Shelly

Guard Your Heart

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do you feel disappointed or deserted by God?  During the time when your hearts is broken you are very vulnerable.  You need to be on guard and carefully watch what is in your heart.  Your heart can be soft and pliable or hardened toward God and the things of God.  There is a strong temptation to harden your heart toward God when in deep pain. 

If you have a broken heart and are willing to allow hurt to soften it you become more aware of God, more alive to His purposes in your life and more sensitive to His Spirit at work within you.  But if you harden your heart you will no longer hear his Word, accept rebuke or receive mercy.

Paul has an antidote to keep us from a hard heart.  Refuse to surrender to worry.  Tell Him your pain and your need and thank Him for allowing you to suffer for His cause.  Peace comes to guard your heart and mind.  This gift of God will nurture a soft heart as we keep talking to God.  Gratitude plows up the ground for the seeds of peace to grow.  A supernatural peace in the midst of pain is foreign and unintelligible to the world.

Be determined to emerge from sorrow with a heart softened to the Spirit of God.  Don't give into the temptation to allow a heart to be hardened by bitterness and resentment toward God and reject peace and grace.  It is a very dark place far away from the loving embrace of God as it describes in His Word: "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts." (Eph. 4:18)

Keep my heart soft toward You, Lord,  during this incredibly hard time.

Don't Trust Everything You Think

I weep with sorrow; encourage me by Your Word.
Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing Your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; 

I have determined to live by Your regulations.

Psalm 119:28-30 NLT

Sometimes I hear my inside voice say, "I will never be happy again" or "life is over".  "I will be alone forever" or "Where's God?"  "Failure!" "Does God really love me?" or sometimes just questioning, "Why? Lord, why?"

David (the Psalmist) recognizes this voice and realizes we can't trust those thoughts.  He pens, "keep me from lying to myself."  We can be so deep in personal pain and so desperate to hear the truth we need to be on guard not to trust our negative thoughts.  We can lie to ourselves and these lies need to be refuted. I was following a jeep the other day that had a bumper sticker that stated, "Don’t trust everything you think."

Not only do we have to watch our own thoughts but well-meaning friends and family can mislead us.  When a loved one is hurting our natural tendency is to fix it and make it better. The free flowing advice of our friends can leave us confused. God's Word is the truth we so desperately long for through our weeping and grief.  We can be encouraged by the Word of Truth.

How do I keep from lying to myself?  Will I believe the negative voice in me or believe God's Word of truth?  The truth is Jesus loves me deeply.  He heals the broken hearted and binds up wounds (Ps. 147:3).  Do I deny my real feeling by quoting quips and clichés? Hardly! Honestly, I resent when someone quotes Bible verses and pats my back in a way that devalues my genuine heart and dismisses my deep questions.  I will confront my very real fears and my changes of feelings.  I will dig deep into the Word to find the truth to sooth my pain. I will choose to believe the Word of Truth! I will choose to be faithful and determine to live according to Truth.

Silence the voice of lies within me, Spirit of Truth, and heal my brokenness through the truth of your Word.  I choose to live and believe the Scriptures.  Thank you Lord, that you are constant during my roller coaster emotions!

Bottled Tears

You keep track of all my sorrows
      You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
      You have recorded each one in your book.  Psalm 56:8 NLT

I was in the cosmetic department of Fred Meyers searching for some black mascara and reading all the labels looking for one that doesn't run when I cry.  Many packages say "waterproof" but don't say tear proof.  No guarantees that I will not see black streaks dripping off my cheeks.

I never really cried much but now the tears always seem to be at the surface ready to release the pressure of pain.  There is relief in the tears but also uncomfortable loss of control.  Often times little thoughts run through my mind and out flows the tears. My tears are a close companion during these days of suffering.  Tears are what make us human.  Jesus said there will be no more tears in heaven. He will wipe them all away.  It is something we experience on earth in our human bodies.  Sometimes we think that if our faith was big enough we wouldn't be so sad. Tears don't show a lack of faith.  You've lost something or someone who is valuable to you or you were forced to let go of a dream or maybe you are living in a nightmare.  That is something to be sad about.  Let yourself be sad.  It is a cleansing of your soul.

God doesn't dismiss your tears.  He bottles them up in heaven. I like to think they are stored in sealed diamond cordials.  They are precious to Him.  You are precious.  Isaiah 25:8 says that God will wipe away every tear and remove our disgrace.  Picture God reaching His loving hand out to you and gently wiping away your tears.  He doesn't ignore them or tell you if you had enough faith you wouldn't cry. He not only wipes the tears away but all the sorrow that caused them (Rev. 21:4).  God's plan is that He will destroy all evil that has caused all pain for you and live forever in a place lovingly prepared for you where there are no more tears. Jeremy Camp has a song that really touched my heart.  It's called "There Will be a Day". Here is a link to the youtube video.

There will be a Day by Jeremy Camp 

Dear Tear Collector, remind me that my tears are precious to you

and you will wipe away every tear and destroy the very evil that

has caused my suffering and pain.

Miraculous Healing

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved,
   for you are the one I praise.  Jeremiah 17:14 NIV

        Thursday morning started the same as the other 150 days of school.  My third graders arrived in my classroom and were engaged in their morning procedures.  What was unusual was my cell phone rang.  “Hello, Mrs. Blocker, this is the nurse from Houston High School, I have Valerie in my office.”  Nurse Nancy informed me that my 17 year old daughter, Valerie, had severe stomach pain and she was getting worse by the minute.  After I got off the phone I called a friend close to the High School to pick Valerie up and bring her into the hospital.  While our friend was on his way, Valerie’s condition worsened and we decided to call 911 and have her transported by Ambulance.  Nurse Nancy thought the pain was either appendicitis or an ovarian cyst.

        Nurse Nancy was correct in her diagnosis.  After several tests a doctor determined Valerie had a cyst on her left ovary that had probably ruptured.  The cyst was just under 4 cm and there was a possibility that her body could absorb it and life would resume pain free.  I believe God made our incredible body to heal itself, so this is how I prayed.

        However, two months later Valerie had another painful episode.  The ultrasound showed the cyst had almost doubled.  She was in great pain.  The doctor called me at 8:30 p.m. (not always a good sign when a Doctor calls late).  She informed me that the cyst had infected her left ovary and Valerie would need surgery to remove her ovary.  The Doctor referred us off to a specialized surgeon.

        I immediately sent out a group email asking people to stand with me in prayer. It is a comfort to know there is such a caring group of friends.  Many pastors put Valerie on their church prayer lists. 

        Valerie went in for her pre-op ultrasound at the hospital.  She was admitted in case there was a need for emergency surgery after the results of the ultrasound. A procedure that normally took about 10 minutes dragged out to about 3 hours and 3 ultrasounds later.  The technician had a difficult time finding her ovaries.  This had me a little perplexed, but I trusted that God knew this and it was in his plan.

        Valerie and I saw the surgeon the next morning.  The doctor explained that the cyst should have shown up, especially as big as it was.  There was nothing there!  No cyst!  It had vanished!  God had healed my daughter’s body and she did not have to go through surgery.  Praise the Lord!   Prayers had moved the hand of God in the miraculous healing of my 17 year old daughter. She is healed to this day, 4 years later.

I am so grateful for your miraculous healing power, Lord!

Compassion's Price Tag

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Can you care for those who hurt you? Can you look beyond people’s selfishness or obnoxiousness and see their needs?  Can you see where they have been hurt?  Now, can you see the grace of God that cuts the root of sin and alienation and brings healing to wounded people?

If you can see these things then you are beginning to look at the world through the Father’s eyes.  You are most like Christ when you overlook personal injury and offense, resist the invitation to anger, then reach out in grace and compassion to heal. Christ’s price tag for this kind of compassion was his life.  He sacrificed His life on the cross for your sin and mine and, yes, the people who have hurt you.  We have hope of eternal life through his resurrection.

As a Kingdom Rebel, it’s not enough to know the truth.  People can be bludgeoned by truth, but that was not the way Jesus moved throughout the earth.  Jesus’ ministry was consistently marked by love and compassion…and yours must be as well. As the old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!”

This was our motto in ministry.  Every person that came to our church’s Community Café, Kid’s Cafe, food bank, free clothing give-away, Family Fun Nights, small home groups, Youth group activities or outreach community events was to know they were cared for and we had compassion on them.  They were made to feel important and feel valued.  It was then we were able to share the gospel with them and see their lives change for the Kingdom of heaven. Many people submitted their lives to Christ because of our team's compassion followed by loving actions.

God intends you to be a channel of comfort and compassion.  Receiving deeply for your own needs first and then giving out generously to others. What qualifies you to minister to others is having received the same ministry from Jesus yourself.  It may flow directly from His Spirit or it may come to you through other Kingdom Rebels.  Trouble is guaranteed in our fallen world, so you will have unending opportunity to care for others with compassion.

Thank You for Your kindness and compassion toward me, God. Now, give me Your perspective and help me to see others as You do

and be a source of Your care to them.

Letter from Jesus

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

   Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10

What do you want to say to me today, Jesus?  Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.

Dearest Beloved,

        I have loved you with an everlasting love.  A love that never fails, never gives up and never runs out.  We are walking this journey together.  I have never left your side. I will never leave you or abandon you.   You are precious.  You are being refined in this fiery trial and are coming out pure.  I've made you to endure this refining fire.  You are strong, courageous and have praised and worshipped Me through it all.  I am so pleased with you, my love.

        You are being persecuted because you bear my name.  Be truly glad. I live in you and I am being put on trial.  I have the strength to stand against this evil.  Rest in Me, rest in my strength.  The joy I give you will be your strength.  You have passed many tests and there are more yet to come.  Have NO FEAR! What can man do to you?  Remember I, the Lord, am on trial and I, your King, will WIN! You've asked Me to amaze you, my child.  I will do more than that! Abundantly more than you can ask or even think!

        You are my chosen one.  You will come out of this trial shining like a precious gem.  I am carrying you through this.  When you feel hard pressed, cry out to me.  I, the Lord, will bring you into a spacious place.  I am with you constantly, always and forever.  Do not be afraid. Again, I ask what can mere man do to you?

        This battle is Mine. No weapon formed against you will succeed.   You will not need to fight.  Stand firm, hold your position, and see Me deliver you.  Do not be afraid.  Go out against the enemy and I, the Lord, will be with you. I will tell you what to say. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.  This is what you can expect Me to do. Begin to expect Me to show up in everything you do and everywhere you go so I can support you, endorse you, assist you, and make things easier, provide you with advantages and grant special privileges. I'll see to it that everything works out for the best.  I, the Lord, promise to bless you with victory!  I will be glorified.  My name will be exalted.  I, the Lord, have spoken!

Love Everlasting,

Your Beloved Lord Jesus

(Psalm 118:5-6, Isaiah 54:17, 2 Chronicles 20:17, 1 Peter 1:6, Jeremiah 31:3, Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 5:10, Romans 8:28)