Thoughts for Life: DON'T LOSE HEART

~ Cindy Hess Kasper- I don't remember a time when my mom Dorothy was in good health. For many years as a brittle diabetic, her blood sugar was wildly erratic. Complicatiions developed and her damaged kidneys necessitated permanent dialysis. Neuropathy and broken bones resulted in the use of a wheelchair. Her eyesight began to regress toward blindness. (Google image, Don't Lose Heart)

But as her body failed her, Mom's prayer life grew more vigorous. She spent hours praying for others to know and experience the love of God. Precious words of Scripture grew sweeter to her. Before her eyesight faded, she wrote a letter to her sister Marjorie including words from 2 Corinthians 4: "We do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (v16).

The apostle Paul knew how easy it is to "lose heart." He describes his life as one of danger, pain, and deprivation (2 corinthians 11:23-29). Yet he viewed those "troubles" as temporary. And he encouraged us to think not only about what we see but also about what we can't see—that which is eternal. (4:17-18).

Despite what's happening to us, our loving Father is continuing our inner renewal every day. His presence with us is sure. Through the gift of prayer, He's only a breath away. And His promises to strengthen us and give us hope and joy remain true.

Let's pray-

Father, we may know folks who haven't been in good health for a long itme, and as compications developed, their faith seemed to grow stronger! Their bodies grew weaker, but Your Word seemed sweeter to them.

In 2 Cor. 4:16, we are encouraged to "not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." The apostle Paul knew what it was to have pain, be in danger, and in deprivication, but he encouraged us to think not only about what we see but also about what we can't see—that which is eternal (4:17-18).

Despite what's happening in our lives, we can depend on You to keep Your promises to us that are found in Your Word. With the gift of continuing prayer, Your presence is with us continually to give us hope and joy through life.

We thank You, and pray for Your help and guidance that glorifies the Lord Jesus and prove to be good for us too. In His name we ask this. Amen.

Give Us Tears in Our Eyes (composed from Dr. Wesley L. Duewel's poem)

#25 Testimony- Audrey (part one)

My older sister had a hereditary blood disease acute intermittent porphyria. She needed a liver transplant to have a chance to live as her treatments were no longer working. Once on the waiting list, she got the call within a month on exactly our fathers birthday. Our dad had just passed away the year before.

My parents (mother and step dad) went to be her caregiving team at this time, by the grace of God I was able to fill in for my parents on their homestead for the entire time while having a steady income still coming in for all 3 weeks they were gone.

Amazingly my job had provision with vacation pay and bonus for Christmas. My mother was the main caregiver for my small niece and we had worried who would ever be able to fill all mom’s responsibilities. God abundantly and exceedingly fulfilled every need we had in that time. It was like a glorious symphony of provisions.

My sister was 2nd on the list to receive a liver, the person above her on the list was a small child so they were able to split the next one they got to save two people!

As small children, my father would receive gifts from my sister and me that were of bald eagles, unique to us three. The day my sister got the call to come immediately they had a liver for her, I got the call as well. Everyone sprung into action; she lives in Virginia. My job was to go to my mother's to take the reins.

Their house runs on sustainable energy, with wood heat and is a farm that needs a tender at all times. The house is a mile down a dirt road with a big hill overlooking a marsh land. As I approached the hill that day, an adult bald eagle with its adolescent offspring flew across the road right in front of me.

Surely God knows how to melt our hearts in His great love. This was Dad’s first birthday that he was gone from us, and now the eagles and the promised liver. It made me cry with great gratitude. My mother's chicken hatched out a batch of chicks while I was watching the farm. One night I went to the coop to check them and found to my great delight and amazement, that the mother hen was on the top roost six feet off the ground with all her babies under her wings!

I had just read psalm 91 that night. God's words were right in front of me:

Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Recommended Reading-

TEN YEARS INSIDE SHELTON PRISON By Rrobert L. Segress, Ph. D

"Ten years inside Shelton Prison is a moving picture that captivates what happens inside a prison. Shocking evil and joyful healings live together side by side where the Gospel goes successfully.

The controlling purpose of Ten Years is to present the four biblical steps to freedom from incarceration, whether inside a prison or addicted outside of a prison. The four parts of this graphic book are: imprisoned, instruction, health and freedom."

1151-1055 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
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1151- Ecc. 3:7b "A time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

1152- Ecc. 10:12a "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious."

1153- Ps. 33:3a "Sing unto him a new song."

1154- Is. 64:8a "But now, O LORD, thou art our father, we are the clay."

1155- Ps. 69:13b "In an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me."

#25 Hymn- Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.

“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” was written in 1885, by William Henry Parker. He was a member of the Chelsea Street Baptist Church, in Nottingham, England, where he was active in the work of the Sunday School. When Parker’s Sunday School class requested Parker to “tell us another story,” he was inspired to write a six-verse song, titled, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.”

The music for the song was composed by Frederic A. Challinor.

Some encouraging words-

~ God walks along side of you, picks you up and looks deep within you. He can see a person of great worth! Learn to find God’s presence in the out-of-ordinary things. He has a habit of showing up when we least expect it and in forms we might not imagine.

~ We can take heart that when God does answer our prayers, it will be right and good and beautiful! You are blessed to be a blessing. Count your gifts and give them back to God. You can never thank Him enough for His provisions!

Crosswalk Presents - Connect With Your Spouce

Upcoming posts:

3/2nd-SURRENDERING TO GOD- Marvin Williams

9th- GOD'S BUFFET - Tom Scott

16th- PERSISTENT PIZZA- Patricia Raybon