Alive in Christ!
May 18, 2020
Dear Friends,
Six months ago I was diagnosed with Stage 1a high grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. What an adventure I've been on since November. I had surgery followed by four months of chemotherapy treatment which ended in March. The prognosis is very good with the surgery and treatment.
I praise my great God who has sustained me through the dark winter of life, into a hopeful spring. Grateful tears at the blessing of receiving prayers and support from wonderful saints like you! The words "thank you" just aren't enough, but what else can I say, except "Praise Jesus!" I have been safely protected Under the Shadow of the Almighty.* (*click to visit links)
Having been self-quarantined for about six months, I am not as antsy as some of you may be, in light of the current unpleasantness we now endure. I try to have the attitude of the apostle, Paul, when he wrote to the Church at Philippi, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11-13
I certainly have not felt physically or emotionally strong of late; especially when driving to Florida with the family, to say good-bye to my wonderful father - in -law, who crossed over into eternity on February 24, 2020.
Mike and I miss him so...He was one of the most supportive fathers in the world; always encouraging us in our calling, and having a positive, inspiring attitude. We are blessed that he is with his Lord and Savior, forevermore. We look forward to seeing him again one day, when we all get to heaven! As the hymn says, "What a day of rejoicing that will be!"*
But I am spiritually strong, as I keep my eyes fixed on JESUS, the author and perfecter of my faith*, who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross. Jesus chose suffering a horribly painful death, so that we could be reunited with our heavenly Father. Because of that sacrifice, we can repent and be saved from eternal damnation and separation from our Creator. Instead, those who believe, can have forgiveness, and freedom from sin, as well as life everlasting with the author of mystery*.
Praise Him OUT LOUD. Even when you feel weak, or especially when you feel weak. The demons hate this, because they know Spirit-filled Christians are not under their power.
I recently did a study of Colossians. I highly recommend this. I read through this letter from Paul, then wrote down all the answers to these questions from this one letter:
Who is God? What has God done?
Who is Christ? What has Christ done?
Who is the Church? What has the Church received?
What are Christ's instructions to the Church?
This is why we praise Him OUT LOUD: Christ is the HEAD of all principalities and powers. The Creator. In Christ, all fullness of the Father dwells. To us, the Church, are the mysteries of God revealed. What a privilege! We are no longer subject to worldly principalities and powers. The evil has no power over us, because we are set free by the blood of the Lamb, which takes away the power of sin.
Coach Dave Daubenmire talked about fear on his Coach Dave Live* show, today. We need not fear. Perfect love casts out fear, and God is that perfect love. Dwell in Him, today. Abide in Christ, and you will have no fear. Recently, even when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I feared no evil*.
Demons thrive on our fear. That fact alone, should make us want to NOT be afraid!
Paul, the Apostle* was unafraid. In fact, regarding death, he said, "to live is Christ, to die is gain."* He wasn't suicidal. He was simply surrendered and ready to go be with Jesus. But he was also very willing to stay on earth and fight evil, and encourage the saints in Christ to whom he ministered. God even used Paul's handkerchief to scare the disease and demons away!
"When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak with tongues and the inspiration of prophets...God gave most unusual demonstrations of power through Paul’s hands, so much so that people took to the sick any handkerchiefs or small-clothes which had been in contact with his body, and they were cured of their diseases and their evil spirits left them." Acts 19
Oh, may we have that kind of indwelling from God's Spirit today; so the world may know Jesus and be healed from the inside out! This is my prayer.
Be blessed,
Paulie
May 18, 2020
Dear Friends,
Six months ago I was diagnosed with Stage 1a high grade serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. What an adventure I've been on since November. I had surgery followed by four months of chemotherapy treatment which ended in March. The prognosis is very good with the surgery and treatment.
I praise my great God who has sustained me through the dark winter of life, into a hopeful spring. Grateful tears at the blessing of receiving prayers and support from wonderful saints like you! The words "thank you" just aren't enough, but what else can I say, except "Praise Jesus!" I have been safely protected Under the Shadow of the Almighty.* (*click to visit links)
Having been self-quarantined for about six months, I am not as antsy as some of you may be, in light of the current unpleasantness we now endure. I try to have the attitude of the apostle, Paul, when he wrote to the Church at Philippi, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11-13
I certainly have not felt physically or emotionally strong of late; especially when driving to Florida with the family, to say good-bye to my wonderful father - in -law, who crossed over into eternity on February 24, 2020.
Mike and I miss him so...He was one of the most supportive fathers in the world; always encouraging us in our calling, and having a positive, inspiring attitude. We are blessed that he is with his Lord and Savior, forevermore. We look forward to seeing him again one day, when we all get to heaven! As the hymn says, "What a day of rejoicing that will be!"*
But I am spiritually strong, as I keep my eyes fixed on JESUS, the author and perfecter of my faith*, who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross. Jesus chose suffering a horribly painful death, so that we could be reunited with our heavenly Father. Because of that sacrifice, we can repent and be saved from eternal damnation and separation from our Creator. Instead, those who believe, can have forgiveness, and freedom from sin, as well as life everlasting with the author of mystery*.
Praise Him OUT LOUD. Even when you feel weak, or especially when you feel weak. The demons hate this, because they know Spirit-filled Christians are not under their power.
I recently did a study of Colossians. I highly recommend this. I read through this letter from Paul, then wrote down all the answers to these questions from this one letter:
Who is God? What has God done?
Who is Christ? What has Christ done?
Who is the Church? What has the Church received?
What are Christ's instructions to the Church?
This is why we praise Him OUT LOUD: Christ is the HEAD of all principalities and powers. The Creator. In Christ, all fullness of the Father dwells. To us, the Church, are the mysteries of God revealed. What a privilege! We are no longer subject to worldly principalities and powers. The evil has no power over us, because we are set free by the blood of the Lamb, which takes away the power of sin.
Coach Dave Daubenmire talked about fear on his Coach Dave Live* show, today. We need not fear. Perfect love casts out fear, and God is that perfect love. Dwell in Him, today. Abide in Christ, and you will have no fear. Recently, even when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I feared no evil*.
Demons thrive on our fear. That fact alone, should make us want to NOT be afraid!
Paul, the Apostle* was unafraid. In fact, regarding death, he said, "to live is Christ, to die is gain."* He wasn't suicidal. He was simply surrendered and ready to go be with Jesus. But he was also very willing to stay on earth and fight evil, and encourage the saints in Christ to whom he ministered. God even used Paul's handkerchief to scare the disease and demons away!
"When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak with tongues and the inspiration of prophets...God gave most unusual demonstrations of power through Paul’s hands, so much so that people took to the sick any handkerchiefs or small-clothes which had been in contact with his body, and they were cured of their diseases and their evil spirits left them." Acts 19
Oh, may we have that kind of indwelling from God's Spirit today; so the world may know Jesus and be healed from the inside out! This is my prayer.
Be blessed,
Paulie