Expect the unexpected (Part 3)
Filed in CCI, NHL |Journal,
Yesterday my doctor at MD Anderson gave me a clean and clear bill of health with regard to lymphoma and released me back to Cabrini. Once again I really appreciate Nathan making the trip to Houston with his mom and me. (A one day venture.)
Of course this carries in line with the Biblical principle of witnesses: “Every act is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Cf. 2Co13:1 nasb)
With that in mind here is Nathan’s report as sent to the Christian Challenge membership via our ministry email site:
“Yesterday I traveled w/Bro. Buddy & Sis. Betty to MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston for Bro. Buddy’s followup visit with Dr. Neelapu to go over the results of all the followup tests. As you recall back in August his tests from Cabrini showed the cancer was in the bone marrow but two weeks later the tests from MDAnderson showed no signs of cancer. They had wanted to do followup tests two months later and we were headed back to get the results of those tests that were done last week.
“GREAT NEWS - all tests came back clean!!! There are no signs of cancer, only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells. Dr. Neelapu has released Bro. Buddy back to Cabrini and suggests that he continue doing routine CT Scans just to keep an eye on things. Praise the Lord! Expect the Unexpected!”
Only scar tissue from the dead cancer cells…
The cancer was put to death. But this brings me back to what the Lord spoke to me during my morning devotion, Monday, August 6th. I was meditating in Isaiah 64:2,3, which reads:
“When you did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they had not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.” (Isa64:2,3 nasb)
In that moment of meditation was the divine presence. The Lord spoke to my heart with regard to MD Anderson, saying, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ He also spoke to me from the last part of verse 4, “Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.”
Words to live by…
My point in resharing a bit of this testimony is to show how the Lord gives us words to live by. It has been that way for me over my many years of walking with Him. But not to me only — This is how the kingdom of God’s beloved Son works.
For example, the three disciples heard these words on the mount of transfiguration, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt17:5)
Then we have this from the Lord Himself; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (Jn6:63)
Faith comes from hearing Christ speak to your heart …
If there was ever a lesson that God’s people need to learn over and over again, it is the lesson of learning to listen to Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is both the author and the finisher of our faith. This means much more than our initial salvation experience. It means that Jesus will be with us all the days of our lives, continually giving us words to live by.
This is what new covenant faith really about. It is about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in one setting, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk6:46)
When some of the people began to leave Jesus, the Lord asked the disciples if they wished to leave also. Peter’s response sets the tone for a believer’s walk with the Lord. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (Jn6:68)
Dreams, visions, and living words…
One day I wish to share how the Lord has often directed me through dreams, visions and living words. It would be without the purpose of drawing any attention to myself. My desire would simply be to rekindle the faith of God’s people with regard to what a ‘living faith’ involves.
Jesus did not come to give us dead orthodoxy or some formal form of religion to oversee our lives. Neither did He come to give us some charismatic leader to be our guide in life. Jesus came to give us a personal, vital connection with heaven and a way to walk with Him that is filled with life. This is why the new covenant is spoken of as “a new and living way.” (He10:20)
If you see your sister falling by the way…
When I was an evangelist one of the songs I use to sing was made popular by Glen Campbell. (In the 70s) It was entitled ‘Try a Little Kindness.’ Take a moment to listen to it here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMvMGCTxZwg
The reason I draw attention to this song is because of late one of our sister churches in this this area has been struggling under a great burden. It has been so grevious that the whole Christian community has been affected by it. Much prayer has been forthcoming.
Without speaking to detail of the struggle, I’ve said and I’ve heard a number of others say that there could be ‘no winners’ in this issue. But the more I thought about it, it seems the Lord put in my heart that many winners would come out of the struggle. In fact we’ve seen prayers being answered right and left.
But the keynote is found in the song. Listen to the lyrics and see if this song speaks to your heart –
Try a Little Kindness
If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and stay you’re going the wrong way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
Don’t walk around the town, down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
When I drove by our sister church this morning on my way to our weekly pastor’s prayer breakfast, I felt such a sense of love and compassion for them. Prayers flowed forth. Yet in all this I knew in my heart that they were going to be alright. The Lord would see to it.
With regard to kindness, I can add that the Lord was gracious is allowing a few of we local pastors to become part of the healing process in our sister’s struggle. The one thing we wanted was to remain incognito. The Lord granted us that privilege. Certainly it isn’t over, but the full victory will be seen in time. (For everyone.) Yes - There will be plenty of winners involved.
Nuff for now.
Many blessings,
Buddy
