Brave

   I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking, "Man, she's brave."  Then I got to thinking, "What is brave?" According to the dictionary it's possessing or exhibiting courage.  So what is courage?  Again, according to the dictionary it is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain etc.without fear.   

Who was I thinking is brave? My sister Debbie. This past few weeks, she has had to face incredible fear, and still pressed on. Then just a couple of days ago, she willingly submitted to open heart surgery, knowing full well what it entails, but did it to pursue the outcome of being alive on the other side, and being able to breath again, and for her, most of all, to be able to sing again. Her heart was failing, and her lungs had been filling with fluid from her failing heart. Now with her heart fixed by the hands of a skilled surgeon, guided by God Himself (I know this to be true, because we prayed), she will again be able to sing and live healthy and whole. She's brave.

   I thought of the scripture that said of Jesus, ..." who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..."  Jesus knew what was ahead of him, what he had to suffer physically, to obey His Father's command.  What was the joy?  We were.  The redeeming of all mankind.  He took on all that pain and suffering because that was what was required to redeem us.  He kept His eyes on the goal, and off the pain, just like my sister is now having to keep her eyes on the goal of a healthy fixed heart, so she can sing and live.  She holds on to knowing God is with her through the pain of recovery, and the outcome will be worth it.

A scripture given to Debbie on the day of her surgery is, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody." Psalms 57:7 When we shared that scripture with her following her surgery, she had a huge smile. She even said, "This is the first smile I've had in quite a while." We were smiling with her! Her heart is fixed! She WILL sing and make melody!!!

   

Who's Report? Fact vs. Truth

 I woke up this morning with the old song running through my head. 

"Whose report will you believe? (We shall believe the report of the Lord)

Now tell me, Whose report will you believe? (We shall believe the report of the Lord)

His report says I am healed

His report says I am filled

His report says I am free

His report says victory!"

   How can one believe the report of the Lord, which, by the way, is the Word of God. How can you believe what the Word says over what you're feeling, your checkbook, or the doctor's report? It comes down to Fact versus Truth.

The fact may be that your checking account is almost empty, and there is not going to be enough to make a looming bill. But the 'Truth' is that God is your source and He will supply. So, if you believe what He says, things can and will turn around, and an unexpected provision can and will happen when you trust what He has to say. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, so he can certainly sell a few head and provide for you! 😉

How about our health. Our bodies feel sick and show every sign that they are not well. The doctor's report confirms those signs. Those are facts. But remember facts can always change, but truth can not change. That's why we can confidently trust in the truth. It's not denying the facts; it's believing that the truth is truth, and that's what will be the guiding force in your life. We can believe that by the stripes of Jesus, we were healed! If we were, then we are! Jesus already paid for our healing. That is truth, and truth does not, and can not change. 

So who's report will you believe? Choose to believe the report of the Lord! If you don't know what God says about your situation, look into the Bible for the truth. His Word is truth!!

Signed, Sealed, Sold, but Not delivered yet...

 The last almost three years, has been a constant roller coaster ride trying to sell my house in Kenmare. From the initial immediate buyer three years ago, and their failed contract, to the next five contracts that failed, to the final closing yesterday. Yes, I know I should be jumping up and down, it finally sold, but so far, I haven't seen a penny due to the late time of the closing appointment yesterday. Today, I hope to see some final paper work and money in my bank account. Did I get what I wanted? NO! I actually didn't even break even. Plus add to the expenses; three weeks ago, my furnace quitting due to a dead battery in the thermostat and the temperatures outside being about -25. The house froze up, including the pipes, and a couple of other things in the house. The last three weeks, has been constant phone calls, and repair men, lots of money spent, trying to get the house back in a livable condition. All the while I was in California seeing my new granddaughter, so all of this was done long distant. Thank God for wonderful neighbors, that opened up my house for repair men, etc. 

   Then I returned home last night, to find my new house here in Bismarck, the garage had totally flooded with the snow melt while I was gone. That would be ok, except, I had emptied my storage unit after Christmas, and everything that hasn't made it into the house, yet, is still in the garage. Anything touching the floor of the garage, is now soaked and water damaged. Today, I will head out there to assess the mess.

    Frankly, I've been extremely discouraged, angry, and just down right upset. Like what else is gonna happen? Someone told me this was only a test? Well, I "feel" like I've been failing a VERY long test. 

   

   Then this morning, I had a song stuck in my head. So I searched for it on YouTube, and found the lyrics online, and sat down and started to play and sing along with it. "I'm so Blessed" by Cain. As I sang this song, I was reminded, it doesn't matter about this mess, because I am blessed, because of Jesus. I'm still alive, my heart is still beating, and there will be better days.

   So forgive me, if you've been one of the ones that heard me complaining, crying or just being discouraged lately. Know, that on my worst days, I'm still a child of God, and my best days I'm a child of God, Every day is a good day, and Jesus is the reason why!!