Fear Not, He Stands Beside Us

In both 2018 and 2019 I had a cancer scare. Both turned out to be benign issues. However, during both of those times I was feeling almost exactly what I am feeling now in 2023 as I am faced with a third possibly of a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, I went through some of my older blogs and here are some excerpts from one I wrote in 2018 titled, "Fear Not" and one in 2019 titled, "He Stands Beside Us." May these words comfort and encourage you as they have me.

From May 2018:

I am writing this short blog not just for my readers, but for myself as well as I am facing a fearful situation.  I had a medical procedure last week that requires further tests, and I am worried about the next step.  I have to wait at least a month to have the next set of tests.  Ugh, it seems like such a long wait.  It is very difficult for someone like me who walks by sight much more often than I walk by faith to be expected to wait for anything.  It is far too easy to think of all the worst-case scenarios.  During such a time as this, I try to dwell on all the promises of God that He is in control of every situation of my life. 

My words are not enough to comfort me, but ONLY the scriptures can help keep me calm. Therefore, if you are going through a frightening situation right now, I want to encourage all of you also to dwell on all the same verses to which I am trying to cling.  May they bring you peace.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 2:1 

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:26-28

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord.  Jeremiah 29:11-14

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:28-41

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

From January 2019:

I have a tumor on my right ovary and am having surgery on the 25^th of this month.  The doctor insists the tumor does not look, as she says, “scary.”  Yet, I am afraid.   I have no control over whether this tumor is cancerous or not. (Note: Fastforward to now, April 2023, and 4 years later, I am facing the exact situation. This time the tumor is on the left ovary - because the doctor did not think it was necessary to remove both ovaries back then.  This time, my current doctor is not so confident that cancer can be ruled out quite so casually.)

However, through it all, I have a peace (mostly, some days I panic).  God is continually reminding me that He is always in control of every situation – even the scary ones.  He does not promise we will have a stress-free life, but He promises to be there with us.  There is no One better to be by my side!

It was waking up today, I was reminded that even though Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, God was with them.  Had these men merely been rebellious against authority and refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, I do not believe God would have saved them.  They were not simple anarchists; they were men full of conviction prompted to do the right thing as well as having faith in God’s power to protect them.   Jesus stood beside them because they were righteous men and because they had faith; that is the perfect combination!  They also knew that if they perished, that at least they stood up for the Truth.

Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Daniel 3:14-18

God sent Jesus to stand in the fire with them, not outside the fire to watch.  Jesus does not stand on the sidelines to watch us suffer; He is next to us, holding our hand.  We may not always come out unsinged as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but just knowing Jesus cares and is with us as a comforter makes even the hard and uncontrollable times more bearable.

"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."  Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. Daniel 3:26-27

Also, yesterday while Mel and I were listening to a book (read on the Kindle), the main character is asked to read aloud from the Bible.  The passage she is asked to read is from Isaiah 43.  As we got to that point in the story, Mel was astounded as he says to me, “I was just reading that exact same passage in my Bible a short while ago.” It was another clear sign from God that, no matter what happens, God loves us, He has called us by name, and He will walk beside us, no matter where we walk (as long as it is down a righteous path).

 I pray these verses encourage you as they have me.

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you… He who formed you… "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel…  Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…  Fear not, for I am with you;  Isaiah 43:1-5

The Power of Intercessory Prayer, Written by My Husband and Me

 The Power of Intercessory Prayer, Written by Both My Husband, Mel and me, Julie

Some of our favorite scriptures in the Bible are Romans 8:26 and 34. It is difficult to put into words just how amazing these verses are (as well as others below based on this same theme). We see here how the three, which are one, work together on our behalf. Jesus himself prays for us with the aid of the Holy Spirit based on God's will for our lives. Who knows better the perfect will for our lives than the Almighty Creator of the Universe? No one.

Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died , yea rather, that is risen again , who is even at the right hand of God , who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:26-28 & 34

Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Hebrews 7:25-26

He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he will divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured his soul until death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:11-12

Consider this example from Luke 22:31-32. In verse 31, Jesus tells Peter, "Satan has desired to sift you as wheat." Satan wants Peter's soul for hell. In verse 32 Jesus goes on to tell Peter, "But I have prayed for thee that you fail not; and when thou art converted, [you will] strengthen thy brethren." Jesus desires our souls as well as longs for us to be strong in our faith and minister to others. With God on our side, we will win the war and devote our souls/lives to God for all eternity

Let us then follow the example of Jesus and practice interceding for those we love.

Has anyone ever said to you, "I had the strong urge to pray for you yesterday," and it was at the exact same moment you desperately needed those prayers? The truth is, we will never know this side of eternity how often the prayers uttered by someone else saved us from serious harm or even death. The same can be said in the reverse. When we get a sudden burden for someone out of the blue, God could be prompting us to pray for him or her. I (Julie) had two dreams a week apart of a childhood friend.

In the first dream, this woman was asking for help and in the second, Mel and I were in a church praying for her. When I awoke from the second dream, I finally realized these were not random dreams my subconscious created, so I prayed for her before falling back to sleep. If you ever feel the need to pray for a specific person or need, please do not say you will do it later, because you will probably forget later. It is best to pray right then because you never know what that person may be facing. Even if turns out that person was perfectly safe at that moment, you never waste time praying for someone else. God knows our hearts and needs. There is no such thing as a simple prayer. When you call upon the power of heaven, there is nothing mundane about it! When you pray for someone, not only could you be calling on angels to save a life, but also for the person's conscience to be pricked. Your prayer could cause someone to remember the things of God and could stop an affair, suicide, and who knows what else.

Many people pray for their own desires or needs, but how many pray for the needs of others? When a person prays with a selfless heart, it moves the hand of God. There will be many people in heaven because of those who were willing to stand in the gap and intercede in prayer for them. The many prayers of parents, grandparents, friends, and acquaintances will lead to the salvation, as well as protection of many. There are times when a person will come strongly to my mind, and I will intercede in prayer for them. Later, I found out that they were sick, or in a dangerous situation.

When I (Mel) have experienced tragedy in my own life, on several occasions God led a spirit- filled friend of mine to call me. Prayer works, when it is made on the behalf of another. Many churches or home groups have a system put in place known as a prayer chain. When a person is in need of prayer, a designated person will notify everyone on the chain to intercede in prayer for them. I have known of people in the hospital, who showed a marked improvement, after prayer, was made for them.

I Timothy 2:1-3 Teaches us that prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks, should be made for all men. We are to pray for those who govern over us, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. When prayer is made for even wicked leaders, the Lord may move upon them to make wise decisions. When a nation repents of their sin, God will heal their land. Nineveh is an example of a city who repented of their sin in sackcloth and ashes after Jonah warned them. Because of their sincere repentance, God spared that city from destruction. However, the Book of Revelation tells us that the nations of the world will not repent, but rather will curse God when the judgments come. The Lord knows the future, since he is not bound by our timeline. The Lord knows that America will not repent, because this nation has gone the way of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, we are to still intercede for this nation, as well as our leaders until the time of judgment comes.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessors, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savoir. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth. I Timothy 2:1-3

Many believers keep a list of prayer requests either in a bible, on the refrigerator, or in a prayer notebook. It is a good reminder to pray for specific needs whenever they see the list, and/or to remember who and what to intercede for during prayer time. Some people even record the results of the prayers as God answers them.

If you have ever done this (writing this blog inspired us to start our own prayer book), I am certain you will see people's names on that list that always seem to have the same request. Maybe years have gone by and you are still praying for a specific situation to change. Do not be discouraged, or quit praying. Results are not your responsibility, but praying is. (Although we should help people in need as much as our resources will allow.) We do not know why God has not answered the petition. Some prayers cannot be answered while the person is living an ungodly lifestyle. Other times God may have different plans than what the person thinks he needs. On the other hand, maybe God will eventually grant the request, but not until His perfect timing says it is right. We may never understand the mind of God, but that does not mean we give up praying even for a situation that seems hopeless.

Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor. Job 16:21

Yes, God is capable of helping a soul in rebellion, but typically chooses not to, which is why it is so important for us to intercede for someone who will not pray for himself. Remember the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:20-19:30. In Genesis 18:20, the Lord decides to tell Abraham that He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Because Abraham's nephew Lot and Lot's family are living in Sodom, Abraham pled with the Lord to spare the city if even ten righteous are living there. The Lord does not become angry with Abraham and agrees, but there are not even ten people living for the Lord in the wicked cities. The Bible never says that God spares Lot because of Lot's righteousness, but clearly states, "God remembered Abraham" and his cries for Lot. It does not say he sent angels to assist Lot based on Lot's prayers. This is a wonderful example of God's mercy as well as showing the importance of intercessory prayer. It reminds us to always be faithful in praying for the safety and salvation of those we love.

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt. Genesis 19:29

Throughout the book of Exodus, we see God tell Moses on several different occasions that He is angry with the murmurings and sins of the Hebrews. God tells Moses He will destroy them all. However, each time Moses begs God to spare the lives of his people. He reminds God that their enemies will laugh at the death of the Hebrews if God smites them. Repeatedly, Moses' interceding saves the lives of his family and friends.

And the Lord said unto Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore, let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them..." And Moses besought the Lord His God and said, "Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou has brought forth out of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?" And the Lord relented which he had thought to do unto His people. Exodus 32:9-11 & 14

In Acts 12, King Herod had Peter arrested and thrown into prison. The church offered up constant prayer on his behalf and it moved the hand of God. The Lord’s angel caused the chains to fall off Peter, and Peter was escorted outside of the prison gates by the angel. This is a good example of the importance of intercessory prayer. I have known of several cases, where men came to the Lord in prison, and they were released early because prayer went up on their behalf. We must never stop praying for those who are sick, in prison, or in need of salvation.

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Acts 12:5-7

The above examples are just a few of the times one of God's servants intervened for a loved one. This shows God is tenderhearted, and very well may spare someone punishment or harm for the sake of sparing the believer pain. This does not mean God is insensitive to the offender deserving the rebuke, instead it shows how quick He is to show mercy. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to stand in the gap for another person in order for God to change His mind and forgo the chastisement. In other words, we need to ask for help in order to receive it.

And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 　Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

Also consider the below scriptures:

Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Treatment Plan

 

I originally wrote this in 2021, but with my upcoming surgery (on April 27), it seemed appropriate to post again.  I can easily apply it to my need for surgery, being a bit afraid to go through with it, and yet knowing the necessity and importance of having it done. Here is that blog from 2021:

I have been having difficulty breathing lately and I could tell from past asthma attacks that what I was experiencing was not typical asthma; I knew the sensation in my lungs was different, and possibly even worse.  Therefore, I knew I had to see a doctor in order to get help.  I was diagnosed with pulmonary hyperinflation, or in other words, lungs that are over-inflated. The doctor had prescribed medication and further testing. But what did I do? Did I thank the doctor for his help? Nope! I chose not to take the medication as prescribed because I do not like that type of medication, and I initially refused to let him refer me for pulmonary (lung function) testing.  After the doctor explained that I need to take the meds twice a day and not just once, and why the testing was so vital, I finally relented to taking the medicine, and let him send in the referral. 

The reason why I am sharing this information is that I can see how my stubbornness against medical treatment is a perfect illustration for how we respond to our spiritual doctor, God.  When we are suffering spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, or even financially, we beg for help.  We ask God to fix our circumstances.  We say we will do whatever He asks of us; take whatever medication He prescribes. Yet when God's treatment plan says we need to give up a particular sin or sins in order to be set free from bondage, we balk.  

We try to justify our actions.  Some might say, "I know if only I would give up pornography, You would heal my marriage. But God, find another way to help. I know Your word says that looking at another woman with lust is cheating on my wife, but my wife...  Well, God, You know." (But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28) 

Or some may try to bargain, "God, I know if I gave up the demonic influences of television and movies that my depression would decrease, and I would see more answers to my prayers.  But can you quit mentioning that 'touch not the unclean thing,' scripture verse? Surely that verse has nothing to do with modern day times anyway. If You can give me more proof, other than what the Bible says, that Hollywood is harmful to my soul, then I will give it up." (For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18) 

 Or some may just ignore God altogether, "God, you expect me to give up alcohol?  But then how will I cope with all the pains in my past? You need to help me deal with my problems another way; I will not give up drinking! If I quit going to the bars with my buddies, they will not understand." (Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1)

In essence we have all been guilty of saying, "God, You are not enough for me.  I know I am begging and crying for You to help me, but if you expect me to give up what the Bible says is unclean, then You don't love me at all, You just want me to be bored and miserable. I do not trust your treatment plan for health and healing in the Bible that tells me to give up my sins. If you love me, You will simply grant me a miracle."  (When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mark 2:17)

So what happens next?  Just as if I had first disregarded the doctor's orders and did not take my medication as prescribed, I found no relief from my symptoms, and they even became worse.  And if I had refused the further testing, I would not have the answers I am hoping to find to see just how far my lung disease has progressed and figure out if I need different treatments.  It is the same with sin.  If we refuse to repent and cast sin away, our lives will not improve and will have the potential to escalate to the point of non-repair.  If we do not allow God to test us and get to the bottom of why we sin and why we are so stubborn in giving it up, we will never get the relief for are begging for. (Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me. Psalm 139:23-24 & Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7)

Remember, I am writing this from the perspective of one who has asked God for help, and then refused His council. Whatever God is asking you to give up, be it pornography, Hollywood, alcohol, an affair, false religion, bad temper, argumentative attitude, etc. then you need to follow His will and let go of your own stubborn pride, or you will remain in darkness. (If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:6-8) 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

I feel as if there is more I could say, but I will end with a better writer than I am, and end with Paul's words from Romans 6. Prayerfully read his words and let them sink in and when you ask God to help you, truly mean it and give up whatever sin He asks of you (in doubt, read the Bible) you so you can be set free. (I suggest reading all of Romans chapter 8 as well.) 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein... 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him... For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness... 

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:1-23