Friday, October 7, 2011

Never Alone

Firstly, praise the Lord and thank you all for your prayers yesterday. I had a WAY better experience with my endocscopy/ biopsy yesterday then last weeks procedure. I came out of it great, with no side affects and I am so thankful...so Yay for that!
As I was being situated in the procedure room, Ellen, the 40 year veteran anesthesiologist nurse, began to say to me, “I’ll be with you all the way, I’ll be right here with you.”
These were among the last words I remembered as I drifted off.......
Later that evening, I was watching a TV show, and the main character, (an ex -soldier), told someone who was trying to discourage his crippling tendency for solitude, “You see what you learn is - that in the end, we’re all alone and no one is coming to rescue you.”
This comment struck me and a huge “NO, not true!” resounded within me.
Both these contrasting experiences caused a huge torrent of truth to rise out of my innermost being:
Jesus’ empowering promise to those who are His. “I will never leave you or forsake you”
Never ever ever. Not through difficulties. Not in good times. Not in times that you think you are doing great on your own, not when you drift. Not in depression, anxiety ,joy laughter, grief, fear, fullness or want. Not when you’ve failed or when you have great success. Not when everyone else is gone.
Never.
You can walk away from Jesus but He will never be the One to step away from you.
“If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
Even if you don’t feel like this is true, (and few people feel God’s presence consistently) this is a promise you can take to the bank daily. Moment by moment. He is near.
So close, that if you turned around you would run into Him!
So, where are you today? Burdened? scared? running? Come or come back to the faithful One. Just begin talking to HIm. Tell Him everything.
He is right there. Right now. With you.
Let His presence and promise strengthen you. Comfort you. Encourage you and challenge you to make choices that magnify Him, by bringing His amazing presence clearer and more visible into the lives of those around you.
If you have a verse that has encouraged you as to God’s faithfulness, please share it with us in the comment box. We all need reminders of His presence in our lives!
And purpose to reject any thought that you are ever alone!
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”
Psalm 139:7-12
  • The preliminary biopsy done in the hospital yesterday showed the node they biopsied to be positive for cancer. The next step for me on this journey is to meet with my Oncologist on Tuesday. She should have ALL the formal tests results back then and we can discuss a treatment plan.
             Please pray for God’s direction and wisdom to be over all aspects of this appointment.
             Thank you!!

12 comments:

  1. Praying for you and for your family Lisa.

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  2. Hi Lisa thought I would share my daily devotional for today by Sarah Young in Jesus calling:In Order To hear My Voice, you must release all your worries into my care. Entrust to me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered. Let me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My presence, allowing my light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you. Accept each day just as it comes to you,remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made,trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank me in all circumstances. Trust me and don't be fearful; thank me and rest in My sovereignty. 1 Peter 5-7; Psalm 118: 24; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 praying for you Lisa love you Irma

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  3. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

    Praying that God is everyone of these things and more in your life.

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  4. Greetings Lisa,
    I am so glad to hear the Lord answered our prayers regarding your procedure yesterday. I am sorry to hear the results were positive; although, I am confident of God's work being ever so perfect, even through many tribulations. I am reminded of Paul to the Corinthians 1:3-7,"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation...v.9)Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver YOU! Fasting and praying for oh, so great a deliverance, that only God can bring! Love, Cathy T.

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  5. 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power,
    and he makes my way perfect.

    Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting those things which are behind...
    I press toward the goal.

    Praying with and for you every step of the way Lisa.
    Kath M.

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  6. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.". Psalm 55:22

    Praying now and always!

    Love you, Amy

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  7. Oh dearest Lisa, "positive" was not the word I wanted to hear. As I pray for you, I also grieve with you. God said that today the word is "positive" for cancer. I know, however, that God has you right where He wants you and He will be glorified through your pain and family's pain and the pain of the saints. I suffer when you suffer. I also know we serve a God of miracles and healing; just because today the word is "positive" does not mean that that is the word for the future. The other day I thought a lot about Louie Giglio's video describing God's painting on a canvas. I have tunnel vision and sometimes can see only directly ahead of me. When I look in the middle of the canvas at Christ hanging on the cross, beaten, disfigured, and bloody and dying for me, it is not a pretty picture and I want to cover my eyes. But, oh, it is beautiful! Because when the canvas is finished, I see that all Christ's suffering and humiliation and dying provided THE way for me, a sinner, to have salvation and eternity with Jesus. After watching Louie Giglio's video years ago, it greatly changed my perspective toward suffering. I have no choice but to walk with Him, trusting that the finished canvas will reveal such beauty that glorifies our Heavenly Father. Today as I prepare for my GriefShare support group I attend, I read Psalm 42:8. "By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me--a prayer to God of my life." He is with me and comforting me 24/7. I love you and your family and continue to walk through this with you, lifting you to our great Lord!

    Praising Him, Toni

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  8. You are not alone Lisa. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses - believers past and present. I understand everything you are going through. Cherrie

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  9. Philippians 4:6-7
    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let all your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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  10. Lisa,
    I spent another night of waking up all night praying scripture for you and this song going in my mind:
    You are my hiding place
    You always fill my heart
    With songs of deliverance
    Whenever I am afraid
    I will trust in You

    I will trust in You
    Let the weak say
    I am strong
    In the strength of the Lord

    You are my hiding place
    You always fill my heart
    With songs of deliverance
    Whenever I am afraid
    I will trust in You

    I will trust in You
    Let the weak say I am strong
    In the strength of the Lord
    I will trust in You

    God has raised up intercessors on your behalf praying around the clock! I am sure of it!
    Love and Blessings to you dear sister,
    Barbara

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  11. Isaiah 40:28-31
    28 Have you not known?
    Have you not heard?
    The everlasting God, the LORD,
    The Creator of the ends of the earth,
    Neither faints nor is weary.
    His understanding is unsearchable.
    29 He gives power to the weak,
    And to those who have no might He increases strength.
    30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
    And the young men shall utterly fall,
    31 But those who wait on the LORD
    Shall renew their strength;
    They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
    They shall run and not be weary,
    They shall walk and not faint.

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  12. Run Away Train!!!
    I can relate to your life at this time.Waiting for a full diagnoses, can feel like being on a run away train. There is comfort in knowing that God will carry you off this train.He knows that you are exhausted with this whole experience.Once you have complete direction on what will take place. You & Robert will have just a moment of tremendous weight on your hearts.God will have his arms open to take this burden from you.You will have an incredible amount of strength and endurance, once you have given this cancer to him.Your strong faith will prepare you for each day. Hope & peace will continue to grow within you.Romans 15:13 May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you Trust in him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Lisa, you have been such and encouragement to others. You are dearly loved by all of your brothers & sisters in Christ. You are truly a blessing for all of Calvary Chapel. It would be a Joy to all of us in serving you and your family at this time. We are holding you close to our hearts.
    In Christ Love, Debra

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