2 Cor. 4 16-18

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18







Saturday 22 December 2012

Streams in the valley

As I walk through the valleys of life I cling to God and His promises. Those promises are; that He will be with me and I will not have to fear evil because His rod and staff will comfort in the times when the shadows of death appear. (Psalm 23) Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ even over death.

This week started with a visit to the hospital due to the continued pain in my left side. When X- rays revealed nothing a CT scan was made on Tuesday. The results were again different than what we had hoped and prayed for. It revealed that some areas like the adrenal showed a slight improvement of smaller size tumors but the tumors in both lungs showed an increase in size. The tumor in the spine showed an significant increase and is causing my vertebrae to deteriorate and be compressed, according to the doctor this is what causes the pain and discomfort.

As I was listening this week to some beautiful Christian music I was thinking about the message from the doctors I could not help but to let my tears flow. It was as if the bad news could not even penetrate my heart and mind but the glory and compassion of my Saviour Jesus Christ overwhelmed my heart with His love. I can only thank God for His great compassion over me. I always prayed that God would never take me suddenly from this life. He has given me that time for myself, my family and friends and maybe many more that I don’t know about. One day this text will be a reality, Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

As I walk through the valley of life I have also come to experience that in the valleys of life, as is the case in nature, is where the crystal clear streams flow, streams of God’s mercy, streams of water that yield fruit in its season, streams for thirsty souls and refreshing streams of God’s Grace. It is good to be able to quench ones thirst in these streams.

The following text speaks of Gods love and grace. Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I wish all the readers of my blog, family and friends Gods blessings to you and yours this Christmas season.  Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying , 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
John

JOHN NEWTON (1725- 1807) I dreamt that I was crossing a sea. It was narrow but very rough. After long struggling with winds and waves I entered a still and beautiful harbour. I landed, and meeting a man, I said, “What is the name of this port?” He replied, “The Harbour of Comfort.” “And what is that stormy sea which I have just crossed?” “The Bay of Care.” “I suppose this beautiful port can be reached sometimes without such trouble as I have had.” “Oh no; it is the will of the Master of the port that it shall be reached in no other way. Through much tribulation you must enter the kingdom.”

Saturday 15 December 2012

Life

The Bible describes life this way in Psalm 90: 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

The thought of life often keeps my mind occupied. At my age of 59 I reflect often on the joys and blessings of life, our children and grandchildren and the things we were and are still able to do. At the same time I often think of how brief life is. It says it so beautiful in James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

As I write this we are again confronted with the shortness of life when 26 people were gunned down at school in Connecticut or a friend who himself is dying of ALS just wrote how his mother in law passed away, you can read about it here. This week I also attended the funeral of an acquaintance who passed at the age of 72.

All these things point to life being a vapour,  that is the best way to describe it. Be it joyful or in sorrow, the fact remains that even at age 90, life is short and dying is not the end but only the beginning.

For most of us, after our departure, there will be very little left to show that we have walked the face of the earth. For many of us, nothing will be left to remind anyone of our existence on earth 100 years from now. It doesn’t take long to apply this principle to what we are doing today to appreciate what theologian Albert Barnes wrote many years ago:

“ Wholly disappears. Like the dissipated vapor, it is entirely gone. There is no remnant, no outline, nothing that reminds us that it ever was. So of life. Soon it disappears altogether. The works of art that man has made, the house that he has built, or the book that he has written, remain for a little time, but the life has gone. There is nothing of it remaining  any more than there is of the vapor which in the morning climbed silently up the mountain side. The animating principle has vanished forever. On such a frail and evanescent thing, who can build any substantial hopes?”

The concept of our lives being like a vapor may not be hugely encouraging. However, it seems to me that this 'principle of the mist-like life' can be an incentive to live each day with eternity in mind. Does our schedule have room for the things of eternity, i.e., activities that will impact others’ eternal destiny? Or is our schedule packed full of trivialities, i.e., things that will hardly matter a week from now, and for certain, will not matter in any way 100 years from now.

While it has been said millions of times, it remains true, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Beginning now, each of us can become more intentional about living our lives and impacting other people keeping their eternal destiny in mind. After all, there are only two eternal destinies and those are either Heaven or hell, and each is forever.

As for myself, I take life day by day. The pain I had earlier in the week has subsided quite a bit as long as I don’t over exert myself. The next CT scan is scheduled for January 9. I continue to lose some weight and I hope it’s due to my diet. Life has just become so different, so much more meaningful in many different aspects and God is becoming so much more real as each day goes by.

Although it is hard to do, I do thank God for my trials. Much good has come out of it for me and I pray for others too. It has taught me big lessons that I otherwise would not have learned. James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Please be sure not to forget the real reason why we will soon celebrate Christmas. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Thank you for your prayers and the many ways you show your care.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
John

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?
 
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
 
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night

Wednesday 12 December 2012

The charity of clarity

Dear Friends, last year I came across a posting on the blog of Dr. David Murray. I like to share it with you. I hope it gives you clarity.

By Dr. David Murray
No one likes to be confused. If a doctor or a mechanic or a teacher bamboozle and befuddle us, we get annoyed, frustrated, and even angry. We demand clarity: “Look, can you please explain that again, this time in plain English.”

No one likes to be confused – with one exception – and that’s in the most important matter of all – our eternal destiny.Let a salesman confuse us about a car and we get angry. But let a preacher confuse us about salvation and we’re quite happy.

When a lawyer clearly explains two possible options, we compliment him. When a preacher clearly explains the only two options – heaven or hell – we criticize him.Why is clarity in every area of life to be commended, but clarity in the greatest issues of life and death to be condemned as “uncharitable”?


Well we could never accuse Jesus of a lack of clarity or charity. Rather, it was His charity that produced His clarity. In fact, wherever there is charity in a heart, there will be clarity in the mouth! A compassion for souls will produce clear sermons, clear pastoral counsel, and clear parental instruction.

How can we say that charity produces clarity?

Consider Jesus’ first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. He packed a lot into that first sermon, so much that we are still unpacking it 2000 years later. But as he concluded it, he returns to the basics: there are only two gates, two roads, two types of traveler and two destinations. It’s as if he says, “Whatever else you take away from my sermon, take this: “There are only two options.”

A Third Way?
From the Garden of Eden onwards, humanity has been on a desperate search for a third option, a third way to be saved. We realize there is a wrong way, and we don’t want to be on it – I mean who wants to be with Hitler, and BinLaden, and Kim Jong-II? But we don’t like the only other way – bit too narrow, bit too demanding, bit too unpopular. So let’s make up a third way.

And many preachers cooperate with this desired confusion. By neglect, by design, by fear, or by whatever, they leave people in sufficient fog to give them some hope that there may well be a third option. And such preachers are often admired and praised: “So compassionate! So kind! So warm!”

Jesus hurricanes this deadly mist away: “Two gates, two roads, two travelers, two destinations, two trees, two fruits, two foundations, two houses…two, two, two. Never, ever three.” There is no third option for “nice” people. There is no third option for “covenant children.” There is no third option for “church attenders.” We are either dead or alive, dead in sin or born again, asleep or awake, darkness or light, against Christ or for Christ, a Pharisee or a Publican, a child of the devil or child of the living God.

There is no “in-between” category, there is no “miscellaneous,” there is no “and all the rest of us.” There is no third gate, no third road, no third kind of traveler, and no third destination.

THERE IS NO THIRD OPTION!

And it’s not love to suggest there might be. Not in sermons, not at funerals, not in counseling, not in books, not anywhere.
The more we clarify these matters, the more the hearts of lost sinners will be exposed, the more they will see the broad gate they have entered, the broad road they are on, and the deadly destination they are heading to.

And the more angry they will get – at least initially. Because, for some weird reason, confusion is comfortable and usually preferred in spiritual matters. “Keep your clarity. Give me the fog!”
But clarity also, eventually, provokes passionate prayer, earnest seeking, and fervent calling on the name of the Lord for ourselves and for our loved ones.

In these foggy and confusing days, may God give all of us far more of this compassionate Christ-like clarity in our hearts and minds, and in our words and in our walk.

The task

The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.


Saturday 8 December 2012

This world is not our home.

On Thursday we returned from our visit with the Russian Christian doctor. After a 90 minute checkup and analysis he gave us some good news. There appears to be some healing in certain areas but I was told again that other areas in the body are still very much affected by the cancer. I need to continue on my strict diet which is very difficult for me. He even took away some things I really enjoyed, that leaves me with even less things I enjoyed eating.

Did this news make me feel better? Yes, it did to some extent but I am coming more and more to the conclusion that I cannot put my trust in man, but only in God. He already knows the outcome. This Bible text came to mind; Psalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." I know that I will never and can never go wrong with trusting in God.

The CT and Bone scans that were planned for next week will not be happening. The pain in my left side is gone and I only have some discomfort from my spine. In consultation with the oncologist I am going to postpone these scans until the later part of January. I know that all these scans and nuclear medicine is not the best for my body and even after two months the effects of the chemo treatments are still very much present.

Contrary to what some people think, this world is not our home. At times we lay up treasures here on earth as if we are going to stay here forever; however every passing and funeral tells a completely different story. 1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Thank you to those who encourage me to go on and for your prayers.
God be with you and bless you.
John

Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.  

Monday 3 December 2012

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

As I cling to Gods promises, I know that God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan, often when we least expect it. This not only applies to healing but to everything in life. I see many of Gods means and blessings first hand; it strengthens our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

We visited several doctors last week, again we again stood amazed at Gods Grace and blessings. Doors of opportunity continue to open for us to share the Gospel with those in the medical field. Our own family doctor, who is a Christian, encouraged us to continue to look to Christ for needs and healing. To be surrounded with caring people and Gods care in such special ways is an amazing experience.

I recently came across this writing; something we all need to take to heart;
Hebrews 18:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
1. There are only-three days that we need to concern ourselves with.
2. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
3. Yesterday is gone and there is no need to fret about it because we cannot change it even if we tried to.
4. Tomorrow has not come, and may not come, so there is no reason to concern ourselves with it. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1
5. That only leaves one day and that is today: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118 : 24.

Last week was a good week and God blessed us so much in many different ways. I felt good most of the time, with the exception of the pain in my left side and that I can’t stand very long in one place, walking is fine which we do daily. Because the discomfort is persisting my Oncologist thought it to be wise to do a CT and Bone Scan. I hope to get these scans on December 14 and on December 17 I will get the results of these scans. It appears that the radiation treatments have helped ease the discomfort in my spine somewhat. We continue to pray for healing and I know that many of you do the same and thank you for your prayers.

This week a quote from JC Ryle (1816-1900) really struck me, he said, this is the lesson that is taught us by the expressions used in Scripture about prayer. It is called, “crying, knocking, wrestling, laboring, and striving.” This is the lesson taught us by Scriptures examples. Jacob is one. He said to the angel at Penuel, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

On December 5, we again hope to travel to Portland, OR to see the doctor that put me on a very strict diet. It was a blessing to meet up with this Christian doctor and I look forward to seeing him again this week.
Often I feel so blessed, maybe it is hard for you to understand that I can feel that way in my condition, yet it really is that way. Last week I received an unsettling message that a cousin died at the age of 56 after only one night of falling ill. How good that God is, He still gives me more time with my loved ones and I still get time to do the things that are on my heart. Those are blessings beyond words.

Thank you so much again for your tokens of love and care.
John

Psalm 118: 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!