Victory Before the Battle!

December 31, 2019 (Post #22)

(From Journal #1:  March 22, 2005)

Yesterday I had treatment #3.  The doctor said I’d be scanned again 6 weeks after the 4th treatment.  I’m praying for no more treatments needed! 

I read the book of Joshua and I continue to see the Matthew 11:12  “forceful men lay hold of it” revelation portrayed in the Bible.  When You told Joshua to cross the Jordan River, the river only parted AFTER they stepped into the water.  Action was required before the miracle.

At every battle, You told Joshua, “Today I have given unto you….” BEFORE the battle began.  It was spoken as a “done deal” BUT they still had to fight the battle in faith!  Lord, this is HUGE!  If we believe we have VICTORY BEFORE THE BATTLE, then we fight from faith and not from fear!!!  This is a game-changer for every battle we face in life.

This helps me so much in this battle against non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  I HAVE the victory.  You are with me, but the battle must still be fought.  I just have to fight from faith and not from fear.  Jesus!

Joshua 3:15-16: “…and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away…”

Joshua 6:2-3:   And the Lord said to Joshua:  “See!  I haven given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.  You shall march around the city all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once.  This you shall do six days.”

Joshua 8:1:  Now the Lord said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai.  See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.”

Action is Required

December 24, 2019 (Post #21)

(From Journal #1:  March 17, 2005)

I had my 2nd infusion a couple of days ago and it went well.  Thank You, Lord.  The biggest issue is lack of sleep.  It seems 3:00 a.m. is the “waking hour.”  As tired as I am, there’s something about the silence in the house in these early hours that helps me “hear” revelations from the Bible.  Matthew 11:12 is really speaking to me:

“From the days of John the Baptist until now:”  This time is Jesus’ life.  John (Elijah to pave the way for the Messiah) was 6 months older than Jesus.  Prophecy had stopped until John the Baptist and Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy!

“The Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing:”  Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven and He was “forcefully advancing” and fulfilling the Father’s will.  He suffered much violence and persecution, but His unwavering commitment to His mission forcefully advanced the Kingdom of Heaven through every obstacle.

“And forceful men lay hold of it:”  I believe the Word is saying “forceful” men will go after and pursue the Kingdom of Heaven, regardless of any persecution or opposition.  We should not be passive in our position or desire to be a part of the advancement of the Kingdom.  Go after the Kingdom.  Pursue the Kingdom.  Stand against the opposition and keep advancing.  I think of the woman with the issue of blood who pushed through the crowd just to touch the hem of His garment.  She did not let anything keep her from Jesus!

I relate this to my healing and fight against cancer.  Jesus paid the price for it. I will fight and stand firm in faith.  My study of Matthew shows action is required on my part:  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Matthew 7:7-8)

Faith is not just something we have, but something we do.  It’s both a noun and a verb!

Mark 5:25-28:  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Treatment, Trials, & Trust

December 15, 2019  (Post #20)

(From Journal #1:  March 8, 2005)

I had my first treatment today.  I had a scary allergic reaction early on but they got it under control and the rest of the infusion went well but slowly; it took about 6 hours!  I was so blessed to discover the treatments are once per week for 4 weeks, and not for months!  I’ll be done by the end of March.  

I am trusting and believing You that I will not need further treatments.  I am standing on Mark 16:18….and if they drink deadly poison, it will not harm them at all….  I am trusting this drug will only kill bad cells and leave the good cells alone!

I want to go back and continue to meditate on Matthew 11:12 and my study of Elijah and also Elisha.  I feel there is so much for me to learn.  Give me “ears to hear.”  I love You, Lord.  Thank you for being with me today and always.  Protect me from the evil one as Your Word promises.  I stand in faith that I am healed and no side effects of the treatment will come nigh me or harm me!

Psalm 91:9-11:  If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the LORD, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Hebrews 13:5-6  …because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 4:14-16:  I hold firmly to the faith I profess and boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in my time of need.

Psalm 27:13-14:  I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Laugh at the Attack!

October 1, 2019 (Post #12)

(Journal #1:  January 24, 2005)

The enemy is so predictable.  Yesterday after that great morning of journaling and catching up, here he comes again.  We had a conference dinner to attend.  It was almost time for me to start getting ready when the crown on one of the teeth in the front of my mouth came off!  I was mortified!  Here I am in Scottsdale, getting late in the afternoon, we have this big dinner, and I’m missing a tooth in the front!  In the midst of my drama, my husband smiled and said, “Well dear, you are from Alabama, so no one will think it’s that odd…”  I cracked up laughing, which immediately changed the atmosphere, and the enemy could not steal my joy!

You gave me the wisdom to contact the hotel to see if they have dentists on call as well as doctors.  They didn’t have one on call, but did give me the name of a good dentist only 1/2 mile away.  They graciously took me in immediately and cemented the crown back into place.  I took extra time to make sure I looked nice for that dinner and smiled big all night. Take that devil!

Psalm 17:22:  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 37:13:  …but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.

Psalm 126:2:  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Job 8:21  He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.