Overwhelmed or an Overcomer?

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 

 Who is it that overcomes the world? 

Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

(1 John 5:4-5 NIV)

When we feel overwhelmed, we need to remember we are an overcomer.  When we made Jesus the Lord of our life, we became new creations in Christ, the Holy Spirit now resides in us and by faith we became children of God. This same spirit that rose Jesus from the dead now resides in us, is there any battle that we can fight that we wouldn't be victorious in?  If God would give His only Son as a perfect and blameless sacrifice, is there really any situation we could not endure? Jesus said it best himself... 

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33 NLT)

There are times when I look at my children and my heart feels like it could burst from the amount of love I have for them, and yet it's nothing compared to God's love for His children.  There's this amazing love that God has for us, that I can't even begin to imagine. I'm in so much awe of His love for me, one of a few billion people on this earth and yet the Creator of the Universe knows my name, He knows everything about me, He knows my thoughts, and He still loves me.  What I think of love cannot even be compared to God's love for us - I mean God IS love, He created it, He knows it and He doesn't withhold it.  

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son

into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

This is real love - not that we loved God,

but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

(1 John 4:9-10 NLT)

So this amazing, loving God - that sent His Son to take away my sins - He didn't do all this for me to be overwhelmed by life's challenges, to live in despair, or live fearfully.  No this awesome God, full of compassion, mercy and grace gave me everything I need to live as an overcomer: a life where battles may be fought, but the victory will always be mine, because I'm an overcomer!

 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; 

do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; 

yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

                                         (Isaiah 41:10 Amplified) 

Heathens get Miracles Too!

Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:28 ESV)

I love the story in Mark 7:24-30 & Matthew 15:21-28 about the Greek (Gentile woman) who fell at Jesus' feet for Him to heal her daughter. To give you some background: at this time, Gentiles were 'unclean heathens' according to Jewish ceremonial laws and beliefs - and women were considered property, so she is considered by the Jewish people to be an 'unclean heathen non-person'.

More background, in Mark 7:1-21, Jesus had just left the Pharisees and was trying to secretly get away and find some quiet when this woman approached him. Jesus had just been questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples didn't follow the ceremonial cleaning and washing of hands before eating. Jesus told them that Isaiah had prophesied about them (Pharisees) when he said:

"These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules." (Isaiah 29:13 NIV)

Jesus continued to explain to the disciples that the outside doesn't cause the unclean heart, it's from the inside that causes one to be unclean. These Pharisees were empty of God, but full of religious rituals that meant nothing because they were without an honest, thoughtful heartfelt praise to God.

In the Book of Matthew, the disciples just received this lesson from Jesus, but when this 'unclean' woman is crying out for help, the disciples still don't understand.

"And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him saying, "Send her away for she is crying out after us." (Matthew 15:22-23 ESV)

It's easy to be confused by Jesus' response, I believe He was testing this woman's faith and perhaps He knew His disciples still needed some lesson reinforcement.  Or maybe this would serve as an example after Jesus had ascended, for the disciples to recall that Salvation wasn't just for the Jew but for the Gentiles as well (Romans 11:17).

Here this 'unclean' woman is begging Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus tells her that he has come for the Jews - at this moment, Jesus is basically putting her in 'her place' (testing her faith, is she really willing to give her heart for her daughter?).  This doesn't stop her - she's not ashamed, she continues to beg for mercy for her daughter. As a parent, I can relate to this, there is nothing we wouldn't do for our children, we would risk humiliation and pride to do whatever is needed for our children.

He (Jesus) replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table" Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:26-28 NIV)

Jesus doesn't hold out on a miracle for a woman who wasn't accepted, a woman considered an unclean heathen - no Jesus saw her heart, Jesus saw the truth inside of her that the world could not see, Jesus accepted her and her faith. God wants everyone to know His love, to experience His mercy and grace, and to know that His salvation is freely given to all, it's a gift that only needs to be received, your faith is the key that opens the door.

"Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking.  If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door,  I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20 LIVING)

Don't Stop Believing

Jesus was the Son of God, but he still suffered, and through his sufferings he learned to obey whatever God says.
(Hebrews 5:8 ERV)

God doesn’t send the suffering we endure, we either bring it on ourselves - by our fleshly desires or by another person’s hand or even the enemies doing. Does the suffering we endure mean that we deserve it, not necessarily. Does the suffering mean that we have done something wrong, not necessarily. Does the suffering mean that God is angry with us and is punishing us, NEVER!

While Jesus lived on earth he prayed to God, asking for help from the one who could save him from death. He prayed to God with loud cries and tears. And his prayers were answered because of his great respect for God. 
(Hebrews 5:7 ERV)

I can’t imagine any Christians arguing that Jesus deserved the punishment and cross that he bore, Jesus is the only one who has ever been without sin - yet he suffered - so how could the argument that God punishes his children be effective here?  God didn’t put Jesus on the cross - man did, Jesus did everything God wanted him to and he was still punished. 

Don’t be tricked by the lies of the enemy into believing that if someone is going through some trial or storm - God must be teaching them a lesson and punishing them for their wrongdoings.  That’s not how God works, that’s how the enemy wants people to see God - as some cruel God who is always looking down on us disapprovingly.  And when people get caught up in that belief, they miss who God really is -  a loving, faithful Father with endless blessings of grace and mercy.

Jesus bore the cross, because he knew it was the only way to save us. We were incapable of fulfilling the law, the only way to make us right with God was with the one final perfect sacrifice. That’s the beauty of God’s grace - receiving the gift of righteousness when we haven’t done anything to deserve it. Yes, we deserved punishment, eternal death, but God is a loving God and didn’t want that for us - so He gave us His Son as mercy - instead of eternal death, the punishment we deserve, He has given us eternal life as His adopted children.

So when you’re going through the storms of life and instead of trying to justify whether you did something to deserve this, turn to God in prayer, pray for God's mercy and grace, and then ask God to show you how you can serve God through this trial.

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. (Romans 8:28 VOICE)


Don’t be fooled into thinking that your faith is lacking if your prayers aren’t answered either. God answers our prayers - not in our time, but in His time.  Remember, God answered Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane; in His perfect timing - three days after his crucifixion, Jesus was resurrected. 

God's Gifts of Grace and Mercy

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)

How can we not be joyful when it comes to God’s faithfulness, His never ending love and His new mercies for us every day! I can’t read these scriptures and not think that the Joy of the Lord is my strength! When we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we receive gifts that we would never be in position to receive otherwise.

God’s grace is a gift to His children, a gift he gives to those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior – we don’t do anything to receive this gift, it’s part of our inheritance.  

Just like the grace we extend to our own children when they haven’t done anything to deserve a reward. I’ve often given my sons gifts simply because they’ve asked – not that they have gone out of their way to do something for me – but simply because they asked and I was able to give them the gift they asked for.

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:7-11 NLT)

There is nothing that our God can’t do for us – He is able to do great and exceedingly wonderful things, He doesn’t put limitations or requirements on His gifts – He only tells us to ask Him and receive by faith.

Mercy another gift from God, given to us because we’ve either made a mistake or just because in this world, there will be trouble – isn’t it good to know that Jesus told us that, “…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33c NLT)  

Think of this: if you have told your child a thousand times to stop climbing and jumping out of a certain tree, yet he continues to do so and one day breaks their arm - are you going to stand there, shaking your finger at them and give them a lecture on listening to you? Heck no, you are a good parent – you are going to carry him to the ER, while trying to calm him and reassure him, lavishing all your love on him – not because he made a mistake, but because you love him no matter what and want to ease his suffering.

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT)

I’ve heard this said before, the difference between mercy and grace is – MERCY is NOT getting what you deserve and GRACE is getting what you DON’T deserve. There’s nothing more joyous to my heart than the love I have for my family and when I think of the love God has for his own Son Jesus, and the price Jesus willingly paid for us all; I can’t even imagine the extent of God and Jesus’ love for us.

I know when I give my children a gift, I love to see them use their gift, I don’t want to see it sitting on a shelf never to be used. This is how I see God’s mercy and grace for us. He wants us to be blessed, He wants us to use the gifts He’s already given us! Jesus already paid the price – so let’s not put it high upon a shelf to gather dust, thinking it’s too special for us! 

Don’t get caught in a trap thinking, “we’re not good enough for those gifts, you got this wrong God – there are just ‘some things’ that the blood of Jesus can’t clean”… don’t buy into those lies of the devil! The devil wants you to think that way because you become very dangerous to him when you accept God's gifts of mercy and grace! And when you receive all of the gifts God has for you THAT is when you can become WHO God called you to be!

Receive God’s gifts for you today, claim them with the blood of Jesus, stand on the promises you have been given and then give God all the honor and glory He deserves.

Day 12 of 40 Days of Prayer

2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.

    May your Kingdom come soon.

3 Give us each day the food we need,

4 and forgive us our sins,

    as we forgive those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

9“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:2-4, 9-10 NLT)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching your children how to pray, thank you for always guiding us, thank you for giving us your wisdom and discernment. We thank you for all that you have done for your children and our nation and we thank you for your Word that prepares us for things to come. We pray Lord that your name would be honored and lifted high, that you would be exalted and given the praise and glory you so richly deserve.  We pray for the day when in a twinkling of an eye, we will all be called home. We pray that every need be met, that every heart be satisfied and every soul filled by you. We ask for forgiveness of our sins, sins against you, our nation and each other – we ask that if there is any un-confessed sin among us, that it would be brought to our remembrance, so we could ask forgiveness and repent from that sin.  We pray dear Lord, for strength to resist any temptation and that we would encourage ourselves and each other with your Word. We pray that our leaders would hear your Word, turn from their wicked ways, and turn to you.  We pray for every heart to seek you, for every knee to bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord. We thank you that we can boldy come to your throne of grace and offer our praise and prayers.  We know that if we ask - we will receive, if we seek - we will find, and when we knock - the door will be opened; so thank you for answering our prayers, thank you for the lives that will be saved and that our nation will return to you. We give you all the honor and praise, we love you and we want to thank you for your mercy and grace, for your Holy Spirit’s comfort and guidance, for your Son, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross – for his redeeming blood that made us righteous, for the new creation we have become in Christ when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, thank you God, thank you! In Jesus’ name we pray ~ AMEN!

Freedom

Sometimes my heart feels such an overabundance of love and a freedom that I could never explain; that I know it can only come from GOD. He is so good to His children; His Word tells us that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)

So many times I allow myself to be pulled away by this life and to get caught up in this world. It’s that bondage that pulls us away from God, the only time we feel free from those chains is when we can turn it all over to God. He doesn’t want us burdened or beat down, He wants us free, and free from the chains we’ve built link by link - finances, relationships, and the things of this world. GOD loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us from this world and from the burdens we choose to carry.

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8:36 NLT)

Jesus broke the chains that had held us captive; His blood was a sacrifice for us, and through Him we gained His righteousness, that we could never earn, but only by believing in Him.  

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son…” (John 3:16-18 NLT)

So bring your burdens, bring your worry, your anxiety, your fears, your pain, your hurt, your sickness to the Cross, lay them at Jesus’ feet and leave them there – never to pick them back up again.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

Jesus sacrifice wasn’t about religion, isn’t about rules or condemnation; it’s about love and a relationship. He doesn’t want our guilt, He wants our love and our service, and He wants us to show others the Love of His Father. When we reach out to others and show them the Love of GOD, GOD can use us to bless, comfort and encourage others that need the Father’s love; and right there is where we find our own freedom, blessings, mercy and grace.

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 AMP)

I heard a saying recently, it said, “Live your life that you need never tell anyone you’re a Christian, because the way you live your life says it louder than your words could ever shout!” That’s the life I want to live, a life that brings GOD all the honor and glory HE deserves, a life that is about my GOD and not just about me.

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

You are Blessed, Not Cursed

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to forget God when everything is going good in our lives, but the second life gets some trouble we turn to God for help (or worst some people blame God for the trouble).  First thing we have to remember is GOD wants to bless us, HE has only good things for us, earthly fathers don’t bring calamity or disease on their children to teach them a lesson, so of course our Heavenly Father being perfect and the very essence of goodness, kindness, love, mercy and grace, wouldn't either!

Good fathers will try to warn their children when they see the wrong decisions their children are making and try to steer them in another direction. When we make a wrong choice, the Holy Spirit is in us warning us not to do or say what we are about to do; but so many times we ignore that leading and go ahead and do it anyways, only bringing trouble upon ourselves. Yet people are so quick to blame God when trouble befalls them, GOD tried to warn them but HE was ignored and then when the consequences come up to ‘bite them’ they blame God.

I tell both my sons, my teenager especially; you’re given the choice and when you make the wrong one, the consequences are yours to bear. Even our kids as toddlers, know right from wrong; they know they are told not to touch certain things in the house, but yet they want to and they’ll even look right at you when they’re about to do the ‘No No’ they’ve been warned about. Our bodies are flesh and of this world, but we have our spirit that has been made a new creation in Christ. Our spirit won’t sin, it wants only to honor and please God, but our flesh, it wants what it wants and it doesn’t like to be told no.  This creates the battle within us, our flesh can be screaming at us to do the wrong thing, while our spirit is nudging us to do the right thing – remember in Romans 12:2, this is why we have to read our Bible, our instruction guide, our manual for this life on earth.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Sometimes we aren’t the ones to blame for the bad things that happen to us, sometimes it’s another person’s carelessness, abuse or neglect – but that doesn’t mean GOD did that. GOD doesn’t put us in bad situations or relationships, we do that to ourselves.  Some people say, "well if GOD had prevented this from happening...", I’d be willing to wager that most people have been given little nudges from GOD telling them to avoid this road, avoid that person, this isn’t right, but sometimes we blow off or just miss those nudges as silly and move on. Unfortunately we've moved into a problem, road block, trouble or a tragic situation. Sometimes its not any of that, instead it's the enemy attacking a person. The devil comes only to steal, lie and destroy; so taking a loved one, causing an accident, giving a disease, these are all tricks used by the devil to tear us away from GOD.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

You see Jesus is the answer; HE’s the answer to our hurting and despair. Jesus is the answer to our pain and suffering, HE is the way the truth and the life and only HE can set us free. The enemy has deceived so many people (even Believers) into believing that GOD doesn’t love them, that GOD wants to punish them for what they’ve done, that when something bad happens it’s because GOD is teaching them a lesson, that famous saying, 'If GOD brings you to it, He'll bring you through it'. GOD doesn't bring you to it, either we did that ourselves, someone else did or the devil - but never did GOD bring you that!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

Not only does GOD want to protect us, HE wants to reward us!

After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." (Genesis 15:1 WEB)

GOD doesn’t want us to fear, HE doesn’t want us afraid of what might or could happen. HE wants us to know that HE is for us.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?  Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 NLT)

GOD wants us to know that when trouble does come, HE will never leave our side

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

When those trials do appear, GOD wants us to have his peace.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)

There was another popular saying, that if GOD had a fridge, your picture would be on it or if GOD carried a wallet, your picture would be in it.

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands (Isaiah 49:16a AMP)

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)

Parents love their children, no matter the wrong choices they make, you can’t stop loving your child and we as earthly parents cannot comprehend the love that the creator of the Universe has for us. HE is Love, HE is Mercy, HE is Grace, HE is and we will never be able to grasp the concept until we are with HIM in Heaven. No matter how far we stray, no matter the mistakes or the choices we make, that doesn’t change HIS love for HIS children and once we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior we have been forgiven of all wrongs; we are washed white as snow. GOD doesn’t hold grudges, if HE did HE never would have sent HIS Son to die for us so we could be set free – HE would have left us the way we were, but because of GOD’s infinite love and mercy, we have been given a chance to be righteous – not by anything we’ve done, but by what HIS Son did for us on the cross. Don’t live in the guilt, sin, despair and death that the devil wants to keep you held bondage in, choose life and the freedom that Christ has already paid the price for.

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:3, 16-17 NLT)

Healing Takes Faith and a Little Patience

   But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brougt us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)

That is just one of the many scriptures that refer to our healing, I have a list of over a 100 scriptures that show how healing is GOD's desire for us. I had spoken to others who have received miraculous healing, read about others and heard pastors talking about it. So what I haven’t been able to grasp, in groups that believe in healing, why some people are healed and some are not. I’ve wondered does that mean those that haven’t been healed didn’t have enough faith?  So I began looking at what we need for our faith:

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NLT)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—(Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." (Matthew 17:20 NLT)

So we grow our faith from reading GOD's Word, we are saved by grace through faith (believing that we can even be saved), and that with faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. So now I think I know what is required to have healing, but don't have a practical application, that is until....

Febuary 8th our vet gave us the prognosis of lymphoma and advanced kidney failure for our 'puppy' Jedi. The vet told me he had about 30 days - I immediately told her we believe in GOD's healing and that we won't have to worry about that. Three days after that prognosis we brought him back in and she was amazed at how wonderful he was doing, she said she knew we believed in healing and that she was impressed. We have been continously praying for Jedi and have only been speaking life over his diagnosis and not death, we have believed that he received healing and that maybe some symptoms are still showing, but everyday he is healthier and he is healed. 

I pray over a list of people every night, all for different requests, and there are a few for healing. I've often prayed the same way for these healings and now that I've been in a situation with a healing, I have been second guessing the way I've been praying, because I've learned from personal experience that our emotions, faith, and patience are constantly battling each other.

I read once a story that happened to Bro.Kenneth E. Hagin, he said he was visiting a friend at work in an oil field, he had just left that friend and the friend was in a terrible accident that he was maimed so badly, that he had died. While Brother Hagin was praying over his friend he was giving GOD all the reasons why this man needed to stay alive and couldn’t die; the man would later tell Brother Hagin he was in heaven and talking with Jesus, and Jesus told the friend, sorry you can’t stay, Brother Hagin won’t let you. The friend lived and continued to serve the Lord all because Bro. Hagin was praying over him and explaining why his friend needed to live! 

Well, last night (30 days past the original diagnosis), my dog was very near death and I was very afraid; crying and praying over him in the Spirit. You see I was so torn, I had believed we received healing, so why was this happening, my flesh (emotions) fighting with my faith (spirit) and my patience (my mind - soul). As I was praying in the Spirit, my mind began thinking of that story from Bro.Hagin, so I began to tell GOD why Jedi couldn’t die. His healing is going to lead others to salvation, there are too many people who are watching him to see if my miracle happens or not, there are too many people counting on this to make or break their faith. My Facebook friends are aware of the prognosis, many are praying, some I’m sure are skeptical and then some are probably needing this miracle as badly as we want it.  Our sons need to see this healing, so they can know first hand that healing is ours, that prayers do get answered and GOD cares about us, what matters to us, matters to GOD. My father hasn't been in church for years and I know how much he loves his ‘grand-dog', so I know he needs to see this miracle. Last but never least, my husband away in Afghanistan needs to be able to see his puppy of 6 and half years again. Their reunions are so sweet, there are a large number of ‘viewers’ who could see this as a miracle since I take video of our Boxers and Daddy’s reunions and upload to YouTube, we have gotten over 500k hits – think of how many people we could share and our miracle healing with.

So my point here, Jedi’s miraculous healing could very well lead to people turning to GOD for salvation. So this battle we’re in, is not just a battle for our dog’s life, but the battle for people’s salvation and restoration! Which makes sense why the devil would be attacking my family so hard right now, we’ve had more than just one fight on our hands, we’ve had several, and all at the same time. I know without a doubt, I could not have made it through this if it weren’t for the previous faith battles we’ve endured, that which doesn’t kill us, really does make us stronger!

I’m not going to lose this battle, I don’t care what the devil throws at me next, I’m standing on the solid rock and I will not be moved. It doesn’t matter how many times we get knocked down, it only matters how many times we get back up! So I’m fighting here for much more than our puppy beating cancer, I’m fighting for the lost and wayward; I have been praying that GOD would use me as HIS vessel and often I've thought of what Jesus said:

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38 NLT)

So I’ve learned a lot during this time, I’ve learned that I can never know what a person is going through when they are praying for healing. I’m only praying for our sweet puppy, I refuse to even imagine what it would be like if it were one of my sons or another family member. I use to wonder if continuing in medical treatments, surgeries, medications that seem to destroy the quality of people’s life to fight the disease was actually going against their faith – but I’ve learned personally, that I would do whatever I physically could, to fight for my Jedi.  I’ve learned that healing can be received immediately or the healing maybe present but we just might not see the immediate effects; that maybe GOD is working on our patience during this season of illness. I believe without a doubt that EVERY illness, accident, and injury are from the devil! And I know that whatever the devil means for harm, that GOD can turn to good. 

And we know that God causes everything to work together  for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

HE made the water into wine, HE made the blind see, the lame walk and the dead to live! The key to every miracle was faith and action. We have to have faith that we will receive the miracle and we have to put that miracle into action. In my situation, we prayed for healing for Jedi, then we made the action of telling everyone, "The Vet has given Jedi 30 or so days to live, but I'm claiming victory in the name of Jesus ~ if you've never seen a miracle before, watch closely, ones on its way!!!" You see that was a step of faith, proclaiming to everyone that we were going to receive a miracle, that step of faith was the action GOD needed for us to receive our miracle. 

Now like I said, I believe patience is a big part of faith, sometimes we have to grow in patience and personally I know I needed to work on my patience. So we might not see an immediate end to all the symptoms, but we know we've received the healing and we will see it in GOD's timing, not our own, because HE sees the big picture; HE knows what we need to get to where HE wants us to be in our faith.  

As I sit and watch the events unfolding around me, I can’t see GOD’s plan, but I trust that HIS plan for me is full of an abundance of goodness, mercy and grace. We don’t see the big picture, we only see a narrow view of what’s going on around us. The plan was that I was to be driving to Florida today, I had the perfect opportunity to stay with a friend, have a wonderful and practically free trip to Disney and the beach for our son's Spring Break. It's just that the devil threw a wrench in our plans this past week; he did a few things that would have totally knocked the wind out of our sails if they had happened a year ago, but we’ve grown enough in our faith walk that we’re able to take the punch and just roll with it now. This relapse happened late last night and I would have been on the road a few hours after - it wouldn't have been a good trip if I had known Jedi was sick. I would have been worried the whole time, because you know no one can take care of your sick 'child' like Momma.  Thanks to what the devil intended for our harm, I’m able to take care of our puppy and nurse him back to health promptly so he can be on the road to recovery and healed! Our family has also learned a valuable lesson, because Jedi received such fast healing when he was initially diagnosed, I believe we took that healing for granted - now more than ever we are united in fighting for Jedi, we’re joining in prayer, we’re taking this opportunity and using it to spread the Gospel to all those we know.  I know that if we stay on the path HE has for us, we will get to see the goodness of the Lord....

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness

      while I am here in the land of the living.

     Wait patiently for the LORD.

      Be brave and courageous.

      Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

(Psalm 27:13-14 NLT)

Grace

2 Peter 3:18

“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”

We are to grow in grace, we are to give grace to others if we are to receive it. The word ‘grace’ used here was the Greek word, ‘charis’ comes from the same root as ‘chara’ which means ‘joy’ and the ‘chairo’, ‘to rejoice’. Charis causes rejoicing. It is the word for God’s grace as extended to sinful man. It signifies unmerited favor, undeserved blessing, or a free gift.  Just as we benefit from GOD’s grace by giving us the gift of salvation, we are to bestow grace to others. We are to be Christ like here on earth, which means all the things Jesus did, we are to follow his example. We can extend grace to our family, friends, co-workers, acquaintences, and even strangers! So when someone says or does something to you, instead of giving them the deserved response; try responding with grace.

In reading 2 Corinthians 12, Paul, said he received wonderful revelations from GOD, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) The explanation my Bible gives to this is too great not to share: “His Grace is Sufficient- Godliness and Moral Purity; Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is that indeed a manifestation of His power exceeding what we could achieve or hope for by our own labors. And not only is it mightily in effect at our salvation, it is also a God-given resource that makes possible “holy living” when our life, circumstance, or character is under fire by the adversary.  God’s grace becomes His enablement or empowerment to achieve His plan, endure hardship, or access Him. His grace is powerful and all-enabling to the believer. His grace facilitates our abilities to conquer every weakness as we yield to an absolute trust or reliance upon God, trusting His heart even when we cannot trace His hand. Also the Greek ‘arkeo’ for ‘sufficient’ suggests the idea of ‘raising a barrier’ or ‘warding off’, God giving us the grace – the supernatural ability or miraculous faculty to sustain, endure, or maintain our call-for all He is enabling us to become in Christ.” (Jack W. Hayford, commentary, New Spirit Filled Life Bible )

Wasn’t that awesome, grace, is not only some gift we can bestow upon others, but it’s a way we can endure and sustain ourselves when we are under attack! GOD wants us to grow in grace, not just so we can be stronger Christians, but so we can lead others to Christ. HE wants us to share our experiences to encourage others. Some people don’t want to let anyone know that they have a weakness or struggles, but those very issues are what can bring people to Christ. Some people believe because we’re Christians, life is perfect and fair-weather. They need to know that yes we have struggles, BUT those issues don’t define us, we are strengthened through our trials, we still have joy regardless of our circumstances, because we have Jesus!