Facing reality while remaining in faith!

I mentioned last week about my spinal cord damage and leukemia.  That is a real life situation I have to face every day. Many times throughout the day I am faced with the real life complications of that damage. It is real. It is true.  I have to deal with it.  So, how does that fit into a faith-filled life?   How do I remain positive, in hope, and trusting my Lord Jesus for total health and healing? It takes work on my part.
I truly believe Jesus has had His hand on my life.  I truly believe He has healed me and will continue to do so until He has completely healed me. With that said, I’m sure some of you are thinking how can I be in faith, yet say I am not totally healed. I can say this because I believe in the promises of Jesus.  I believe what it says in Isaiah that we are healed by His stripes.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.”
‭‭ISAIAH‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭AMP‬‬
I believe the Word of God is the spoken Word of God, and is truth. This is why I can have faith when I face reality.  The reality is my body is still broken.  There are parts of it that do not function at all. There are parts that only function part way.  There are parts that try to function in spite of the nerve damage, but causes horrific pain.  Yes this is reality. BUT THIS DOES NOT DEFINE ME.
I pray everyday that my faith in Jesus defines me.  I do not want my broken body to rule my attitude or my perseverance. I know the Holy Spirit resides in me and gives me the strength to move forward, and the strength to hang on to faith and trust in my Jesus.
This is a choice on my part. I choose to be active in my faith.  I choose to read the Word of God and allow it to fill me with peace, love, perseverance, hope and faith. Jesus knew we would need help to stay in a faith-filled life.  So He gave us His Holy Spirit and His written Word. He gave us what we need to help us be victorious over our circumstances. Even though we face reality, He gives us the hope and faith we need everyday.
I pray for you faithful readers, that no matter what you are facing, what you are in the midst of, that you find that strength to walk in faith in the midst of reality. He promises us healing. I know I will receive healing. When? I don’t know.  I cannot dwell on that. For me, I need to dwell on what He has already done and the promises I have in Him.
Jesus is faithful. His Word is true and brings life. I pray you are able to walk in that victory He has given you as you wait for the rest of your healing.

Let Freedom Ring!

Today in the United States we celebrate the birth of our country and the freedom it brought to many. Those 242 years ago many came across the ocean from other countries to obtain religious freedom. They sought free enterprise.  And they longed for a better life for their families. Most of those people prayed to our loving Lord Jesus Christ to guide them, provide for them, and protect them. They trusted in our Lord Jesus, but they also worked hard to help secure a future for themselves and their families.  Many of those men and women and children suffered the greatest loss, losing loved ones to disease and sickness. But they continued to trust in God. They persevered, they didn’t give up. They were full of hope, faith, and trust in God.
As I thought about this today I wondered if many still believe in that freedom our ancestors fought for. That freedom they spoke of comes to us in only one way, through our Lord Jesus. The Bible tells us this.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].”
‭‭2 CORINTHIANS‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭AMP‬‬
That is the freedom our ancestors desired more than anything. To follow our Lord, to have the freedom to worship our Lord. That is true freedom.
They did not want to come here to this land to harm anyone or harm our land. They wanted to come and be free to serve and worship our Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter what crisis comes our way, no matter what health need or financial need we may be facing,  our Lord Jesus is in control. Just reach down inside with all you have and pull out that tiny grain of faith, grab ahold of that and trust that Jesus will get you through whatever you are facing.
It was exactly 7 years ago, I had surgeries #2 and 3 on my spinal cord.  I could not walk. I had excruciating pain.  In all of that, I knew Jesus was in control. I knew I would be ok. I spent 2 months in the hospital. In the middle of that I was diagnosed with the leukemia.  But I still knew I would be ok. I held on to that grain of faith. I knew Jesus had more than that for me. I pushed through and persevered. I am able to walk. It may be less than before, but I can.  The leukemia is controlled with the chemo I take. I consider this freedom. The freedom only my Lord Jesus can give.
Whatever you are going through, grab ahold of Jesus, let Him help you through it. He has freedom for you.