(Jesus said) “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
If you read Annie’s post last week entitled, “Diabetes and God’s Faithfulness,” then you probably have come to the realization that our tight-knit family has been deeply affected by our daughter’s new diagnosis of diabetes and keto asidosis. Annie was gravely ill. Today she is much improved and is gaining in healing and strength. We thank God for answered prayers and we thank you, our readers, for the many ways you have shown care.
There is so much we want to do to help Annie, Shane and their 5 children. The distance from Iowa to California doesn’t allow us to be present, yet there are a few things we can do. The biggest and best help is PRAYER. Just doesn’t matter how close or how far away you are in this world, God is always waiting to help through our prayers. And boy did I see the hand of God move, through the wonderful tool of prayer, to help our sick girl and her family while I was out in southern California.
After the heart-wrenching psunami of illness, pain, disbelief, fear and despair, we know this: Our God does not allow us to get to the edge of the cliff and just let us stay in your desperate situation. He gives solutions, options, choices, Hope. He has not given us more than we can handle. At Life group last night, sitting on the couch listening to our leader, he said, “As believers through Jesus Christ, we are God’s children. He is a good Father. We are not walking this journey on our own. His indwelling Holy Spirit guides us, counsels us and comforts us. He promises to never leave us. He promises to give us His wisdom, knowledge, understanding and HOPE.
All we have to do is ask.
All we have to do is ask.
All we have to do is ask.
***I John 5:4,5 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
***I Peter 5:8b says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experience by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
***John 10:10,11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The world is full of desperation. Let us live as overcomers.
Do you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? Not sure? Forget about the pulls of this world, your ideological world view; focus on this one thing. We’re not always going to be here. No, not one of us. We will stand before our Maker. Each one of us. Will you say, “But I’ve done so many good works in my life. His reply to that will be that all your works are as filthy rags.
Before I FINALLY made the decision to surrender my life, my whole life (this time) at the feet of Jesus, it took about seven years from first hearing about God’s plan of salvation. 7 years! Oh, what a waste of time….of fear, of doubt, of thinking, I will be the very best person I can possibly be. I will be kind and caring and I, I , I and ……. Well, friend, there are a lot of people in this world, from past, present and future. Each individual’s ideology. Who is right? Who is wrong? We are humans. We are created. We have our high ideologies. The Creator made a plan before the beginning of time because He new mankind would fall and need to be Rescued. That’s where Christmas comes in. Christmas. 🙂 God sent His Son.
His Plan is THE plan. It’s the key that unlocks the lock. The plan is John 14:6.
I love to hear our AWANA kids recite it:
“And Jesus said unto them, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
I love how Annie and Shane’s pastor put it so simply but eloquently the other day, “I am only the messenger. My job is to deliver the mail (the word of God).”
The great commission is a command Jesus gave to all believers: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Yesterday morning in Sunday School, the question was asked, “When you heard the gospel for the first time, that invitation to have a personal relationship with Jesus, what was it that drew you in? My answer:
The woman who showed me love, kindness, acceptance, hospitality, and respect, invited me to sit at her table as she shared the powerful message of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I struggled and fought with that message, those words…. for oh so long. Way to long. When the fight was finally over one late night back in March of 76, I surrendered all. The 1,000 pound weight burdening my shoulders finally lifted, just like in John Bunyan’s book of Pilgrim’s Progress of how little Christian’s burden finally slipped off.
Sidenote: I was reading this book to the the grand kids, out in California last week. My how they enjoyed that exciting and treacherous adventure book.
Today is the day of salvation. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ, I urge you to let today be your day. I assure you, you will NEVER regret it. Just click below:
A new and hard chapter has opened up for our family, but especially for Annie, Shane—and their precious family……dealing with the disease of diabetes. Friends and family have flocked in around them to pray, encourage, give gifts and extend love and empathy. Thank you readers who have stepped up to the plate to help. Being cared for through prayer and encouragement with kindness fuels the journeymen for the unknown road ahead. The prayers, the care, the meals, the errands run; I can go on and on–oh man—I’m seeing the tremendous difference this makes in our lives. And what a blessing it has been to see the body of Christ in action. Incredible.
Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. I certainly want to be the Aaron to his brother Moses, the cheerleader, the determined one who will say, “Oh yes, we can. We can do this together. I’m beside you all the way.”
And always remember dear friends, “In this world we will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.” Jesus.
I think this encouraging video was filmed in southern California when the traffic was light…………..just sayin’ 🙂
We are continuing to pray for Annie and the entire family. We miss them so much but are happy and relieved to know they have such wonderful support in their new community. Annie is a beacon of light and she will get through this. I have no doubts that God will see to it.
Blessings,
Theresia Welch
Theresia,
Thank you so much for reading and responding. This means so much to all of us. And thank you for your continued support.
Annie, Shane and crew have certainly missed your family so very much—they think the world of you and pray for you often. We look to God for help–big help and little help. He cares! Yes, they will will get through it.
Love, Denise