What A Mighty God We Serve!

     Today's Christians try to talk to people about God's love as a reason for them to come to know Him. I was reading this morning and realized that this approach is not the one the Lord recommended.

     Here the Lord's word tells us to share about His glory, His power, His mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of His kingdom! 

      When people hear about the amazing God we serve it should be what causes them to seek Him with their whole hearts!

Thoughts about life with Chemo

      I'm not who I used to be. I'm not who I'm going to be~ the advantage of chemo is that I am one of the people that can easily see the changes that I have passed through. I don't know the changes I'll face in the future, but I don't have to worry about those today. People are changing all of the time but the changes for most people are gradual, for those on chemo they come at you in a rush! You may not remember things as clearly as you used to, your body may not cooperate with you the way it used to, people may respond to you differently. But it's all okay! Life goes on~ other people will face these changes but they will do it so gradually that they will not notice that things have even changed! We chemo patients can see the changes so we can appreciate each day and each capability. I read someone's post that said if you can walk today, then walk, I would add that if you can laugh today, laugh, if you can sing, sing!

     Each new day brings a "new normal", what may have been normal last year or even yesterday may be something you don't see again, enjoy today, find something to appreciate in this day, it may not be here tomorrow. 

     Be kind to those who are walking this path with you, you are climbing an incredibly tall mountain, but they are climbing that mountain also. They are just climbing the mountain from the other side. 

     I have seen people in this group that I have envied when they have their last chemo treatment, mine will last the rest of my life. At the same time, I have seen people that I can not even begin to imagine the courage and strength you have to climb your mountain. I cheer and pray for you! You can do this! One day at a time, one step at a time~ You are the victor because you are climbing!

 

New Image of God?

     Lately, Christians seem to have a new image of God that is very different from the one of previous generations. Previous generations saw God as Holy and Righteous, now we portray God as someone that will run over mountains and kick down doors to save His misunderstood and abused children. 

     I am reading through a year-long plan and in this reading, I see that God does not run over mountains to save His children from their own choices. When we are in right standing with Him He will protect us from our enemies, but He will not protect us from ourselves.

Steadfastness

     The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. Acts 28: 2-3

     I may have written about these verses before, but there are so many lessons shared in this example that I'm drawn to it this morning. Paul was on his way to be tried in a Roman court, this was not a pleasure trip for him! He is under arrest and guarded constantly, with no freedom! His life is not under his control, much like we feel at times in our own lives! Paul's guard books them on a ship that Paul tells him is going to crash but the guard does not listen to Paul and off they go on the ship to crash. Paul prays for the ship and the people on the ship. The Lord tells him via a messenger that the people will be spared. Paul gives wise counsel and all of the people are spared from drowning but are forced to swim or float on salvage to get to shore. You would think that once they got to shore that things would go more smoothly, but no! When they get to shore the natives are very friendly and minister to all of the refugees when out of the firewood comes a poisonous snake and latches onto Paul's hand! The snake doesn't just bite Paul and slither away, it actually "fastened itself on his hand".      

     By about now I would have been praying and asking the Lord, does all of this mean You don't want me to go to Rome? But even with so many things working against Paul, he knew he had an assignment and was to continue to Rome. Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire and went about his business! How many of us would be so steadfast? How many of us would shrug our shoulders and say "that door must be shut"? How many of us would start complaining and blaming the Lord? 

     I am trying to learn to be as steadfast as Paul, to not complain in trying situations, to trust the Lord and to keep moving forward in the assignments the Lord has given me. We all have assignments, please join me in growing in steadfastness and perseverance...the world needs to see the Lord's Kingdom and we are to be examples of it! Don't be put off by shipwrecks or poisonous snakes or whatever may inhabit your life, press on! We can do this!