Inspiring Faith

2 Tim 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longer for his appearing."

On a night where the biggest news on ABC is focused around the 2 hour premiere of Dancing with the Stars, and the new season of The Bachelor, there is a young woman who is fighting for her life. I've had the privelage at work to just see a glimpse of her life, and how she has lived, and it inspires me. She has been sick for most of her life, and she has lived a life of suffering not many people go through and yet she has a steadfast faith in the Lord. As she fights for her life, her one desire is to get better so that she can once again teach her sunday school class where the children love her. Even though she has been in intense pain, her sweet countenance has never wavered. Her family has stood by her side day in and day out for not only the past two months during her hospital stay this time, but also during all her years of sickness and difficult times. Though she has been through so much, her faith shines through to all that are around her, piercing the darkness. A divine peace that calms her is evident, and her unfailing trust in the Lord is her encouragement despite the devastating news that the doctors deliver. She will be healed, whether here on earth or in heaven, she is in the Lord's hands. But no matter what, her testimony will live on, her testimony of faith in the One who has never failed her. We are to live also in such a way. Not allowing our faith, and trust in the Lord to waver to and fro depending on life's circumstances for "he will never leave us, nor forsake us." Our goal and passion of living each and every day should be that we will "have fought the good fight... have finished the race, ...have kept the faith." I ask that you please pray for her, that God will heal her quickly, and that her suffering will be over. Please pray for her family, that God will continue to give them the strength to carry on, and that he will give them peace and comfort. And let her testimony of faith encourage each and every one of us to trust in the Lord and to live a life of faith that is inspiring.

Promise of Peace

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I always love this verse, and no matter how many times I hear it, it is still a challenge for me, to not be anxious but to trust in the Lord. For in Proverbs 27:1 it is written “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” And how often are the things that we worry about in regards to what tomorrow may bring? But yet, we do not know what tomorrow may bring, only the Lord does.
But also reading it this time, a part of the verse became more illumined - it is where it is written - "will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" God's peace has a purpose - a purpose to guard our hearts and our minds - not in ourselves - not in our circumstances - but in Christ Jesus! The word “guard” is “as a garrison does a city” (John Wesley’s Explanatary Notes on the Whole Bible) – which was used for protection or to shield a city from harm. What a wonderful promise!

(Italics added for emphasis)