He Is Worthy
March 16, 2008
My first chemo treatment was on Jan. 8, 2007. My last (& 8th) chemo was April 18, 2007.
As I was reading through my journal last year, I was amazed at how God was working in me. A lot of the Scripture that He led me to read during my chemo treatments was from the book of Psalms. All throughout I was being reminded of His majesty, His steadfast love, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His power, His sovereignty, His grace, His mercy, His lovingkindness, His awesome glory.
It’s all clear to me now. He’s always been leading me to look up to Him - to focus on a God who encourages, a God who saves, a God who forgives, a God who understands, a God who never fails, and a God who never changes.
I would like to share with you some passages from Psalms that God continues to teach me even until now. And I hope and pray that its message will bless you as it blessed me.
Psalm 119:89-92,105 - “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands fast. By Your appointment they stand this day, for all things are Your servants. If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 121:1-3,5-8 - “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. THE LORD IS YOUR KEEPER; THE LORD IS YOUR SHADE ON YOUR RIGHT HAND. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; HE WILL KEEP YOUR LIFE. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR GOING OUT AND YOUR COMING IN FROM THIS TIME FORTH AND FOREVERMORE.”
Lord Jesus, You are so Worthy. I praise You Lord. Thank You for You are ever so faithful. Amen.
Grace When I Am Terminal
March 8, 2008
This is the last of the series by Pastor James McDonald. The text he used is found in 2 Kings 5:1-14.
This is the story of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great man, but was a leper. Towards the end of the story you will see how he experienced God’s wonderful grace and was healed.
Leprosy - an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, peripheral nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. It is a terminal condition.
Sin is likened to leprosy. In Ezekiel 18:20, it says, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Furthermore, Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
These are the obstacles that Naaman experienced during his sickness:
1. It can’t be this hopeless. 2 Kings 5:1.
- He was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. He felt hopeless inspite of all the fame and success.
2. It can’t be this hard. 2 Kings 5:2-7.
- He thought the process of him being healed was easy. He realized it was hard.
3. It can’t be this humbling. 2 Kings 5:8-12.
- Pride kept him from doing what he was instructed to do by the prophet Elisha. The same pride keeps us from coming to the Lord and doing what He wants us to do.
4. It can’t be this simple. 2 Kings 5:13-14.
- Verse 14 says, “So he (Naaman) went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
As soon as Naaman obeyed, he experienced God’s grace to its fullness. He was healed. He was made clean.
Whatever you are going through right now, there is power in believing the abundant grace and love that our Lord Jesus so freely gives. He is everything that you and I need.“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
May God’s Word bless you today and everyday.
You are loved.
Grace When I’m Compromised
March 2, 2008
This is the fourth of the “Grace” messages by Pastor James McDonald, which I will continue to share with you.
The Scripture reference is 2 Kings 21-23. Please read these chapters with me.
Compromise - “I know what is right but I don’t do it.”
- Compromise happens very slowly, it’s incremental. 2 Kings 21:1-2 tells us about Manasseh, who was twelve years old when he began to reign Judah. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, for 55 years.
- Compromise brings God’s discipline. 2 Kings 21:9-15.
- Compromise is contagious (something that affects people around you). 2 Kings 21:19-26. When Manasseh died, Amon his son, reigned in his place. Amon was 22 years old when he began to reign. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father had done. Amon abandoned the Lord.
When Amon died, his son Josiah reigned in his place. 2 Kings 22:1-2. Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 33 years. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Putting a stop to compromise:
1. Rebuild God’s places. 2 Kings 22:3-7. Josiah repairs the temple.
- Is God your priority in the home, in your schedule, in your life, in your walk, in your worship?
2. Reprioritize God’s Word. 2 Kings 22:8-13.
- God’s Word is food, nourishment, seed to grow my faith, and it anchors my life.
3. Repent over compromise. 2 Kings 22:18b-20. “…because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, …I have heard you, declares the Lord.”
- Is my heart penitent? (cross reference: Psalm 51:17, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
4. Remove God’s enemies. 2 Kings 23:1-20. Josiah destroyed all idolatry.
- Let your home be wholly for the Lord.
My prayer on this day:
O Lord, You are Worthy, Just, and True. You are the Everlasting God. You are full of glory. You are Great. Lord, I praise You.
May my life be for You today. Help me choose to do what is right and pleasing before You. Lord, I pray that You’ll be magnified. I love you O Lord, my God. Amen.
Grace When I’m Disappointed
February 17, 2008
Thank you for bearing with me for the last two weeks. As I have said, the Lord provided a way for me to be able to listen to these messages during my treatments. I used each of them as my devotions for the day. God gave me these encouraging messages to lift me up and to lead me to trust in His grace.
This is the third of the series, entitled, “Grace When I Am Disappointed,” by Pastor James McDonald.
Read 1 Kings 18:20-19:10 with me
In this passage, after a time of intense ministry output (1 Kings 18:20-46), after all relational conflicts and after pouring himself to people, after physical exhaustion (1 Kings 18:40-46), and after a major victory (1 Kings 19:1-3), Elijah who’s considered the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, went through depression.
Disappointments (caused by high expectations) - discontentment (results to anger, brooding) - despair (hopelessness) - despondency (”me only me” syndrome) = DEPRESSION.
Elijah chose to be depressed, a desperate place to be. Alone, he went to the wilderness (1 Kings 19:4-5). He focused on the negative (1 Kings 19:10,14) and he forgot God’s provision.
But God got hold of Elijah. He led him to the cure.
1. Let God confront you, He will pursue you. 1 Kings 19:9.
2. Let God reveal Himself to you, He is kind and tender. 1 Kings 19:11-13.
3. Receive God’s provision for you. 1 Kings 19:5-8.
4. Do what God says immediately. 1 Kings 19:15-18.
5. Get involved with people again. 1 Kings 19:19.
Elijah trusted God. He allowed God to work marvelously in and through him. 2 Kings 2:11 says, “…behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
O Lord, You are indeed Gracious and Tender. You are Kind and full of mercy. You are ever providing me with all the spiritual blessings that I need daily. Blessed be Your Name O Lord. You are Awesome, so Amazing.
O Lord, lead me today to count my blessings; to honor You, and to be faithful to You. You are my Joy and my Peace, my Salvation. Amen.
Grace When I’m Wavering
February 11, 2008
This is the second of the series that I had the chance of listening to. It’s entitled “Grace When I Am Wavering”, by Pastor James McDonald.
The passage he used this time is from 1 Kings 17:1-7; 18:1-46. Once again, I would like to invite you to open your Bible and read this with me.
Here are the key points:
1. When you know what is right, get off the fence right away. (1 Kings 18:20-21)
- There is no blessing in living your life in-between, yield to God - give Him your all, let your life be all about Him.
- Step up and make the decision to give God everything.
2. Flee Satan’s cruelty, run from it! (1 Kings 18:23-29)
- God doesn’t respond through sincerity, He responds through truth - His Word.
- cross reference: Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
3. Destroy all idolatry. (1 Kings 18:28-29)
- cross reference: 1 John 5:20-21 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
4. Honor God totally. (1 Kings 18:30-35)
- cross reference: Philippians 1:20-21 - As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be able at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
5. Hear God specifically. (1 Kings 18:36-39)
- cross reference: Proverbs 22:17-18 - Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to My (God’s) knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
Thank you Lord because You just keep on giving… Your bountiful grace…when I need it. You are so Faithful and You are ever so patient with me. Lord, please help me not to waver. Please lead me to live my life for You and You alone. It’s all about You Lord, never about me. Help me Lord to thirst for Your Word, honor it, and live by it. You are all that I need. Help me daily to hear You specifically. Lord, You are Great. Amen
Are You Hiding Your Gifts?
February 10, 2008
Gospel: Mark 4:21-25 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lamp stand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Are the gifts that God has given you meant to be kept for yourself (i.e., hidden)? The lamp in today’s Gospel passage is the light of Christ within you. Every good gift that you’ve received — your talents, your hard-earned money, your wisdom, your home, etc. — is a beam of the light of Christ shining outward from yourself.
Why do we sometimes hide our gifts? It’s because we think they’re not enough — not good enough, not ready enough, or not humble enough to show them to others and let them shine.
We are treasure chests full of gifts! To share these treasures requires exposing ourselves, opening up the basket lid and letting others look inside to pick up and use the gifts that could benefit them. We cannot do much for the kingdom of God without exposing that which we naturally want to protect. Jesus exposed his back to the scourging whips, his head to the thorns, and his body to the pain of the cross, because he loves YOU! Are you willing to expose his presence from within you, by sharing your gifts, so that others may discover that Jesus loves them, too?
Exposing the light in us means sharing our gifts even when it’s inconvenient. It means offering our gifts to others even when it results in rejection and ridicule. It means that when we get hurt for openly sharing ourselves, instead of closing up and running away, we choose to become stronger in our ability to love others unconditionally.
When we share our giftedness, we share Jesus. One of the greatest gifts we receive is the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and when we let others experience his true presence within us, we become Eucharist for them.
Jesus was not kidding when he said: “Listen carefully …. To those who have, more will be given; from those who have not, what little they have will be taken away.” We have gifts, but if we behave like we don’t, they become useless and ineffective; we lose them.
On the other hand, “In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides.” The more generous we are in sharing ourselves with others, the more we grow in our giftedness. However, no benefit to ourselves is as awesome as watching others receive God because of the gifts we share!
(This is a reflection shared by Mrs. Nancy Jutba)
Grace Like Rain
February 3, 2008
The day after my third chemo, God provided a way for me to listen to a series of messages by Pastor James McDonald. It was a great blessing because I was just too tired to do anything…
Please bear with me, because for the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you wonderful and valuable lessons that I learned and still continues to learn from God’s Word through these messages.
The first message was entitled, “Grace When I Am Overwhelmed” and his text was John 11. I encourage you to open your Bible and read the chapter with me.
These are the key points of the message:
1. It is not over until Jesus says it’s over. Verse 4 says, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
2. What appears unloving may be God’s greatest kindness. Verse 6, “So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”
3. As long as I or you are in the Light, nothing can hurt me/you. Verses 9-10, Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does now stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
4. Believe that Jesus is Eternal Life. Verses 17, 25-26, Now when Jesus came, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
5. Believe that Jesus cares. Verse 28 & 35, …The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” Jesus wept.
6. Believe that He keeps His promises. Verses 38-40, Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”This is God’s grace in action! In the life of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. And me.
Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me. Help me to live one day at a time, for You. And please lead me to fully trust in Your faithfulness.
Lord, You are Great; much, much greater than what I am going through right now. It is all about You Lord. You are Awesome. Amen.
( Photo by Garret Walker, from allposters.com )
Winter Trials
January 27, 2008
The day was as clearly remembered as yesterday to me. Jan. 22, 2007, almost a year ago today - my hair, my precious, long hair, started to fall off. In strands, and over the following days, in clumps. I felt so awful inside. But I was sure that God, in His Sovereignty, understood what I was going through. He led me to these verses:
Matthew 10:30 says, “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Psalm 34:8-10, 19-20 - “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”
You O Lord, are so amazing. You bring comfort. You bring joy.
In the midst of difficulties, thank You Lord because Your Word brings encouragement and nourishment to my soul. Thank You for Your promises and thank You because You are never slow in fulfilling them.
O Lord my God, I praise You. You are all that I need because You are all that I have. Amen.
Blessed
January 22, 2008
Psalm 41:1-3, “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless them in the land and not surrender him to the desires of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.”
The day after my first chemotherapy treatment, I was numb and strangely inarticulate. I did not feel like doing anything at all. Like I was at sea, and drifting. After a while, I realized I had one thing I did want to do. I simply sat down, opened my Bible, found the passage above. Eventually I found my quiet place, and penned the following lines on my journal:
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. I praise You because You are always true to Your promises. You never fail. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Your Word, Oh Lord, sustains me.
Oh Lord, You are Awesome, so Great, so full of mercy. You are my Everything, my Source of everlasting Joy.
I am feeling so tired right now, couldn’t understand what’s going on in my body - but Lord, You are in control, and I trust in You. You are my Strength and my Healer. I love You Lord. Amen.
There will always be everything else. But also, there is peace.