Our service opened with strong worship and praise songs. We then had a fine message from a healing missionary. DE has had his own journey of faith over the past year after he returned from a ministry trip in great pain that didn’t let up. When he had his blood work done, his PSA was at 380 when is should be no more than 5.When he got to see a doctor four weeks later the level was 800. After another few weeks when he got to the specialist, urologist the PSA was at 1100 and he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer throughout his body tissues and bones. DE stated there are specific things he recommends for such a health journey.
1. Establish a firm foundation, focus point, sure anchor. Philippians 3:12-14 – press on to the goal; Matthew 7: 24-27 build your house on rock for a firm foundation. When he first got sick, DE went to the Bible and was given the verse in Exodus 15:26 where God reminded that He is the “I Am” who is our healer, Jehovah-Rapha.
2. Once you have established an anchor point, be prepared to return daily to the sweet spot, refuge. Cry out and seek the higher rock, my refuge and strong tower. Psalm 61:2-3. Take refuge in the shadow of His wings. Psalm 57:1. Refuel your spirit regularly before you are empty. Find verses that speak to you and soak in God’s word. Part of being a Disciple includes discipline. By staying in the Word, you can know that you have a faithful God who never changes.
3. Face the fear. When you get past your fear, you can do anything.
DE was given no hope of cure since the cancer had spread throughout his body. The doctors questioned why he waited so long but he never had any earlier symptoms. When bad reports keep coming, refocus on your anchor. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You Psalm 56:3. Find strength in the God you know, the God who has never changed.
God knows our worries and pain. He records our misery and tears. Psalm 56:8.
When you push beyond your fear, you will find He gives you peace. When you move past your fear, anything is possible.
Don't expect the fear to go away. Don't be deceived. Satan is ready to defeat you and pull you away from God. There are levels – we grow from Faith to faith. You may have to break through levels of fear.
The apostles were in the room “with the doors locked for fear”. Jesus came and said “Peace be with you.”. John 20:19. Jesus comes in the place of our fear.
God can turn our fear to joy. Unlock the doors and windows and go to another level.
Although there was no medical plan for his treatment, DE did go through weekly treatment in Arizona. The cost was completely covered by donations. Ten months later there is now no evidence of cancer in his tissues and 25% is gone from his bones.
I like this song video for today because it speaks of God as our covering.
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Exodus 15:26 NIV
26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
I am thankful that I have a firm foundation in GOD, in whom I trust.
