Tag: Promises

I’m Blessed

Today’s a new day! This morning God led me to read Psalm 63. What a beautiful and encouraging chapter. I encourage each of you to take the time to read over this amazing chapter.

In Psalm 63, we read about God’s love and David’s response. It is filled with some amazing lessons. Here is one that God brought to my mind.

Have you ever said or heard someone make the statement, “I’m Blessed.” Most of us have uttered those words at least once in our lives. I do not use this phrase much, but it came to me as I was studying the scriptures this morning. So how would you describe being “blessed?” I’m glad you asked.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I am blessed that God is present in my struggle. Knowing that I am not alone facing the uncertainties of this journey is a blessing. Feeling God’s love and kindness is a blessing. Living with the hope that my health issues are not the end of my story is a blessing.

Have you experienced God’s blessings in your own life? Think carefully. When have you felt alone, and a sudden thought or call reminded you of God’s presence? When have you been walking through a tough situation in your life and God reminded you that you’re not alone? When have you felt forgotten like nobody cares about you, and suddenly something happened that reminded you of God’s loving kindness? Each of those moments are blessings.

Remembering the ways that we have been blessed should give us a desire to give blessings. Remember in Psalm 63, we read that David chose a lifetime of singing God’s praises.

God’s blessings should transform us in such a way that they change our understanding of ourselves and of Him. Our lives should be filled with caring for others and passing on God’s blessings. Every time we take a breath, every time we speak and every time we serve.

So here is today’s challenge for each of us:

Take in a deep breath and give God praise. Allow him to remind you of all the ways he has blessed you in each area of your life. Carry those beautiful memories with you, as you go about your day and face the different challenges the day might bring. And take time to bless someone else today. ~OC

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Right to Left

Today’s a new day! The Challenge for the Day:

Hurry kills presence.

Worry kills peace.

Doubt kills faith.

Ego kills love.

Now read that right to left.

Have a great day! Look for an opportunity encourage someone today. ~OC

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No Limitations

Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I am using a walker these days to assist me getting around. The last two weeks were tough, as I went through multiple test and treatments at the hospital. As I was sitting here thinking about everything that’s been going on with my health the last few weeks, I had to stop and give God praise. You see, the enemy thought he got the best of me because of my limited ability to get around and having to deal with two weeks in the hospital. But the truth is, my limited ability to be get around does not effect my ability to continue serving God. Never allow the enemy or anyone else to shackle you with their limitations. Keep your eyes focused on God and finish strong. ~OC

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Waiting

Today’s a new day! As I continue this current hospital stay, there is a lot of waiting around. Waiting for the next test, bloodwork, having my vitals checked and for the doctors to come by. As I wait, I often lean into the words from Galatians 5:22-23 which tells us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This fruit of the Spirit comes from…the Spirit. It’s an obvious statement, but how easy is it to actually believe that joy, peace, and patience come solely from our circumstances or situations?

Throughout my times of waiting, I have learned that true peace is not just a feeling of being happy and calm. True peace does not come from the outcome of a test result, MRI scan, or new diagnosis. No, true peace comes from knowing God and knowing that nothing can separate us from Him and His love (Romans 8:35-39). True peace comes from knowing that God has known and loved me since the very beginning of time (Psalm 139). Sometimes late at night when the fear, anxiety, and what-ifs try creeping into my thoughts, I lean into the truth of God’s word and His promises. There have been times when I had to fight for peace and had to plead with God to help me trust Him. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phillippians 4:6) when we take our anxieties and burdens to God and trust in Him. Oh, what sweet peace it is to live in as I continue to wait. ~OC

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A Time of Reflection

Today’s a new day! As Christians, if we don’t love Judas do we really love Jesus? Because Jesus loved Judas. Spend some time reflecting on that today. ~OC

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Lessons Along the Journey

Today’s a new day! As I spend the week in the hospital receiving treatments and recovering, I have been reflecting on my long health journey and many hospital stays. The lessons learned over the years are many. Here is one that came to my mind this week. ~OC

As I have run this crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned to set myself free from impossible expectations. To let go of my own agenda and not allow anyone to force their agenda’s on me. I have learned to let God do His thing while I learn to rest in Him. To lean into His promises and asked, “God what do you want me to learn from this health journey and how can you use me as I travel this road?”

The life lessons that God wants to teach us through the storms of life can be life-changing. Learning to release my own agenda was only the first lesson for me. I thought my plan was a good, even a God-honoring plan, but it turns out that God had a different plan. A plan that included chronic health issues. A plan for me to be a missionary at medical appointments and hospital visits. A plan that I never would have chosen for myself. But even in the pain and struggles of this health journey, I have learned a second lesson that I believe we would all be better off by learning.

The lesson is this: God is working everything out for our good in life, even when might not believe it or cannot see it.

Now, let me just say that this lesson is a hard one to believe when your life is filled with medical appointments, hospital stays and a crazy amount of pain. If you’re having a hard time believing it today as you read this, let me encourage you with the following words from God’s own heart:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

I confess that in some areas it has taken me years to see the good that God can bring out of a situation. Sometimes our heads must choose to trust when our hearts cannot muster up the courage to do so. And that brings me to the next lesson I have learned.

Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for us. No matter how broken our lives feel, God has a purpose for each and every one of us. God can take broken people and use them for His greater purposes. All He needs from us is a willing heart.

Maybe you feel your life is too messed up for God to accept. The truth is, God desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our big old mess and lift our hearts and lives to Him.

As I continue to run this health journey, I have learned that all God needs is a willing heart. Because if you are willing, even though you may feel like you are a mess, God will honor whatever faith you can muster, and take your brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

So today, I pray the following for each of us:

Dear God, I pray that You will take our pain and brokenness and use it for Your good. I pray that You will use our “I can’t “ situations to show us what You can do and want to do in our lives. God, we thank you for hearing our prayers today. It’s in Your powerful and matchless name we pray. Amen.

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Grounded in Hope

Today’s a new day! I am temporarily ending my break from social media and my blog to share the following. ~OC

I was admitted into the hospital this past Monday. After not feeling well for the past few weeks, my medical team shared I was in the middle of a Myasthenic Crisis. This can be very dangerous and deadly for a patient with Myasthenia Gravis. So I am spending the week in the hospital receiving treatments. This week and everything leading up to it have not been easy, but I have found Hope in the midst of the storm. The following is what God has been sharing with me this week.

As we walk through this journey called life, we will face moments on the mountaintop and in the valleys.

We will experience moments of peace and days of trials and tribulations.

There are some things in life we can control, but there are a lot of things in life that are totally out of our control.

I cannot control that my body is being destroyed by multiple health issues, but I can choose to live with Hope as the waves crash around me.

I am not sure what kind of storm you’re currently experiencing, but it does not have the final say. Jesus does. Each day He gives up a Hope that will never fade.

This week as I sit in this hospital room, I am reminded of these beautiful words:

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the ‘whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

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Trust in God

Today’s a new day! Here is another writing from the vault. I pray it brings you some encouragement.

I am always amazed and saddened when I hear Christians teach the false doctrine that because we are children of the Most High, that makes us exempt from suffering. This is simply just not true.

Nowhere in scripture do we read where God promised any of us that this life would be easy. But God does make this promise: That He is bigger than any storm we will ever face in life. God does promise He is always working for our good, even during the raging storms when it can be hard to see Him. God does promise to never leave or forsake us, even during the biggest storms of our lives.

Each of our storms may look different, but they each have the opportunity to change us. To make us stronger. To help bring us closer to God. He is the only one that has the power to take the toughest moments of our lives and turn them around for the good. It usually never happens as quickly as we would like, but life lessons and blessing will come from it. The good will eventually shine through the darkest moments of our lives.

As I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned the power of praying God’s words back to Him. The words of God have the ability to soothe our souls and help us rise above the pain and challenges we might be facing.

And even if our circumstances are not immediately changed, God’s word reminds us to set our eyes on Him. To lay our burdens at the foot of the Cross. And believe me when I tell you, that’s the best place for them to be.

So as we walk through whatever storm we’re facing, we can be confident that God sees our pain. He has not forgotten us. God is still at work, through the most difficult moments of our lives. Today, lean into God and place your storms in His hands. Trust in Him. ~OC

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A Call

Today’s a new day! As I watch tv or scroll through social media, I see so such suffering and injustice. And sadly, I see so many Christians adding to that suffering and injustice. It breaks my heart. More importantly, it breaks God’s heart. During those moments I reflect on the following verse:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” ~Proverbs 31:8-9

As I reflect on those verses, I am thankful that God is different and He desires for those who call Him Father to be radically different.

God loves with a love far greater than any of us could truly ever imagine. He feels our pain and disappointments more deeply than we ever could. God will never force Himself on those who choose to live their lives without Him, even though He longs for those who are hurt and broken to take His hand. But He respects our choices.

But for those who choose to call on His name and call themselves Christians, God expects us to be a reflection of His character. To truly live out the words from Proverbs 31:8-9.

As I reflect on those words, am I truly living out those commands?

In a time where political power seems more important than the Gospel to so many American Christians, is the Christian community any different than the world so many of them like to judge?

As Christian, are we fighting against injustice? Are we speaking up for those with no voice? Are we taking the time to help the helpless? Are we truly seeking justice for those in need or just praying about it? Are we even attempting to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

As I pray and look around, I wonder why so many Christians appear to be just paying lip-service while ignoring the plight of those suffering in America and around the world. Why so many spend more time justifying ungodly prejudices against “others” than helping them. Why are so many American Christians so focused on what makes them comfortable and happy that they turn a blind eye to the suffering of those outside of their safe little bubble? Why are so many Christians walking through life ignoring the scriptures that command us to fight for justice and to love all of our neighbors?

Jesus shared the following warning in Matthew 7:21. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

I hope and pray that you do not see this as an attack on American Christianity, but instead a wake up call for Christians in America to step up and actually live out their faith and the scriptures that call us to be loving and radically different.

As I close, I want to pose the following question to my Christian brothers and sisters: Are you breaking God’s heart by calling yourself His child, but refusing to live a life of serving those in need and fighting for justice?

I know I for one, can and must do better. ~OC

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Hope and Joy

Today’s a new day! The following post is one that I have been writing and rewriting for months. I am not sure it’s exactly everything I want to say, but sometimes you just have to put it out there and not worry about the response.

What if I shared with you that when I look at this crazy beautiful health journey I am on, I do so with hope and joy in my heart?

In the midst of countless hospital visits, treatments, pain and surgeries there has been indescribable hope and joy that has surrounded my every step.

Let me share some truth with you. It has not been my health journey that has that brought me this hope and joy. Far from it. The hope and joy that I live with comes from someone else. You see, as I have experienced my health declining over the years, I have become intimately aware of how fragile life really is. I have become more aware of how short, and how painful our time can be on this journey called life. This has led me to crave for a life that God promised to those who would follow Him. A life where there is no more pain, no more suffering, and no more death. 

As I have run this grueling health journey, I found myself more desperate for God’s word and the peace of heaven. There were days I fixed my eyes on heaven just to get through the day. But then something amazing began to happen. The more I focused on God’s promises and heaven, the more I felt alive and renewed. Even though my body continues to decline, I have experienced more hope in the promises found in the Bible than ever before. I started leaning more into those promises because that’s where I find my hope, peace and strength. I have to make a daily choice to totally embrace God’s promises or allow this health journey to consume me. To become my identity.

I began to see the scriptures in a whole new way. Verses like the following:

“My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. And you must allow this strength to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.”~James 1:2-4

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” ~Romans 8:18

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I know as some of you read this post, you’re facing major storms in your life. Life seems overwhelming at times. So, when some guy is telling you to “think of it as pure joy”, it might bring out feelings of anger rather than joy. I get it. But just for a second asked yourself, “What if these verses are true?” What if even during the toughest moments of your journey, the cancer diagnosis, the Parkinson’s diagnosis or some other challenge is actually being used to make you perfect and complete, lacking in nothing? And that even the deepest hurt will someday be replaced with insurmountable love, peace, and joy.

The hope and joy I am writing about may not always look like happiness the way we understand it. The hope and joy that comes from following God and focusing on heaven is not the same as what the world defines as joy. I believe it’s far more rewarding.

The world connects joy to a moment, experience or circumstance. So, if life is currently full of sunshine, we have plenty of reasons to celebrate. But the amazing thing about God’s joy is that nothing in our life could be going right, but with God’s help, we can still find the strength within our soul to praise, to help others, and ultimately, still have hope and joy.

The darkest moments of my health journey are filled with hope and joy because I continue to cling to the beautiful promises of God. They are my lifeline. And as I continue to hold onto that hope, my head miraculously stays above the raging seas. The storms that surround me haven’t changed, but I know even the biggest battles in my life cannot take away my most precious gift in life, my relationship with God. And for that, I am forever grateful.

As I close out this post, I want you to hold onto the following truth: The hope and joy that comes from Heaven, far outweighs the trials we will face here on earth. ~OC

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