Life is filled with challenges. It’s just the way it is. I'm in the hospital with my brother-in-law Ivan at this very moment?! We weren't expecting him to get gravely sick, but he has. This is what I rest in:
You can’t know victory unless you have faced the challenge of defeat.
You won’t appreciate joy until you have endured heartache.
You will not understand compassion until you have needed it from another.
You don't appreciate life until you begin to lose it.
How we face the challenges of life will determine whether we are overcome by fear or become over-comers by faith. In Joshua 1:6 God commanded Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." As we face the challenges of life, God wants us to know that He has not left us to fend for ourselves. He is with us. We do not have to rely on our own strength, because God has given us His strength through the indwelling of His Spirit. The unfailing promise of God makes victory sure.
I know Ivan will come through and his body will heal wonderfully. But a greater lesson in the middle of all of this is that I know my Lord and Savior will not leave me nor forsake us during this trial. We only need to be strong and courageous. If you can, please pray for Ivan and his health!
9 comments:
We are praying in New York.
Ivan, you've got people in your corner. The best by your side, because he has Jesus in his corner. Get well.
Pastor Pancho,
I live by these words every day. I deal with life and death everyday. I spend time with people who have limited time left here on earth, before they make the final passage to hopefully, The Loving Arms of Christ. I try to make sure that each person I come in contact with knows Christ, I grieve when one passes from this life not accepting of Christ. I grieve for the families who choose not to know Christ. I am often asked "how do you do this everyday," my answer is, By the Grace of God, I can do all things because He gives me strength.
I will pray for Ivans healing. He is special to me. I love to see His smiling face every time I go to CCM. Please give him loving from us.
My name I will not put, but you know me as the Hospice Nurse.
AMEN! Thank you Pancho for these encouraging words! :) It's very true, we don't appreciate blessings, until we experience losses, often times. Praise God that He never leaves us! :) Hugs from the Rock! ;)
Oh we are praying for Ivan!!
Love You
Poppy
Pastor Pancho, thank you for your down to earth honesty, I appreciate it and encourage it. Thank you for not only teaching us the word, but also throwing lessons of everyday life in there too. "Hello, Knucklehead."
Love and God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Pastor Pancho,
I just wanted to let you know me and my huband are keeping Ivan in our prayers. Thank you for praying for our Emily and she also said a prayer for Ivan.
Laura
Laura:
Kids world servants are praying for Your family and Emily. Let her know that we all love her very much and cant wait to see her here again.
In the name of Christ,
Kids world servants
I read your entry Saturday night, never having read your blog before, and prayed for Ivan. The Lord is awesome, He only knows how much I (and I'm sure others) needed those words. I just found out my 59yr old father who had cancer in the stomach,which was removed, has now spread to his liver and the doctors have told him he has about two months left. Reading those very same words just seem to jump off the screen now. Thank you for allowing God to use you even in the difficult times. If you can, please pray for my father and his salvation and that God would use me during this difficult time.
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