Hero, Anyone?

Not the sandwich ok? I’m referring to a real live person that we can look to for inspiration, encouragement,  and strength!

Now, of course, Jesus is THE Ultimate Superhero!

Looking unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith, Who, while fully God, became fully man, walked in our shoes, overcame sin and conquered death, is fully uplifting. Keeping our focus on Him who lives to intercede for us and is soon coming back to get us, provides loads of faith-boosting fire in the belly!

But, He gave us even more heroic examples to relate to. People who, just like you and I overcame enormous obstacles and endured immense suffering all because of their unwillingness to yield to doubt, fear and lies.

In Hebrews 11, there is a list of fellow followers of God and their stories:

Here are a few:

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child  when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”  19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, 

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in  Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 

33 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy.

Ok, seriously. Doesn’t that just get your heart pounding??

None of us really want to be nominal Christians do we? Slithering back from the battle lines? No. I believe inside each of God’s children lies the heart of a warrior.

When I shared with my closest friend’s the discovery of this new intruder in my body,

they asked me what they could do. They were pretty distraught ( I think they might really like me..:) I said, “Fight with me....We are not of those who shrink back. We are warrior princesses!”

The next day I got this picture from one of them and it made me laugh...a lot. 

( A merry heart does good like medicine. Prov. 17:22).

Then ....it made me want to me brave.

I know that on my own I am a weak wavering and wandering soul and that I can do NOTHING with out Him (John 15:5).

But I want to fight for His glory, by His power and for His purposes!

Like David asked his mocking discouraging brother, before he faced the giant Goliath, “Is there not a cause?’ 

The answer is a resounding “yes!” There is a purpose to all you and I encounter. We may not fully understand it. We may get mad, ...even really mad. But, when we let our faith be our compass, we find direction and a few modern day heroes along the way!

(In fact, I saw a couple of familiar heroes at the Cancer Center....:)

So, no matter what you are facing today, and I know you are facing stuff, 

remember.we have our swords up with you!

The Word of God, that two edged Sword of the Spirit, that will not fail or falter. 

And HE is our shield!

United in Him, with you.

*To update you all. Yesterday, the doctor ordered more tests before she could determine the best treatment course for me.

A brain MRI ( scheduled for Friday) a bronchoscopy with biopsy and an endoscopy with biopsy. There is a suspicious lymph node at the base of my esophagus where the bronchial tubes branch out. I would LOVE to have both those scopes and biopsies done at the same time..(I would already be knocked out and the doctors perform them in same suite). When I asked about that happening, they kinda thought that would be at the very least difficult, if not impossible due to coordinating doctors. I will submit, of course to God’s will and wisdom. But. will you stand with me in asking for this impossibility from our God with whom all things are possible?  I really want to get things rolling.....:) 

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;

Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler,

And stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear,

And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul,

“I am your salvation.” Psalm 35:1-3

Fellow warriors: If you want to, Post a scripture about God being our shield, fighting for us or encouraging us to be brave! Thanks!