"out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..."
One of my dearest friends recently lost her mother to a long battle with cancer. She was prepared it could be any day and served her mother wholeheartedly - sacrificing social activities and time for herself - while still making strong efforts to volunteer with kids and invest in teen girls through a small group, and work and go to school. She praised God in the storm and gave Him the glory on her hardest days. She thanked Him when they would receive good health reports. Her mother was a believer but some other close relatives aren't, and it was/is our prayer that through this experience of sickness and suffering ~ and her mom's endurance and actual joy through it, for eyes, ears and hearts to be opened .. to have the faith to believe.
My friend's mom saw that though she was facing sickness and death she still had hope for eternity of being released from all the pain in this temporal life on earth.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away .. (Rev 21:4)
She fought the good fight, believing with faith the promise in the following verse:
"I am making everything new!"
My friend has had a hard time the last few days, yet what I felt would remain constant within her has - God's love and comfort. Through prayers .. her inner being strength. And her Faith. He is the Father of compassion and mercy.
Yesterday she told me about the encouragement she felt from reading Philippians 1:12 ~
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
And I am amazed once again by my sister's unshakable faith and thankful for her testimony.
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| Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverance and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28 |
Christ Fellowship Church is finishing up a series "Authentic Faith" (only 2 weeks left!) based on the book of James, which opens with:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything .. (it goes on to say) .. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
..and again, God's Word is living and active. I have seen so much strength and focus from the brothers and sisters God has put in my life who are facing many trials .. because they are holding on to the Lord's promises, they are not giving up in the face of adversity which will always come around .. they are standing firm, pressing on and finishing strong.
Thank you, Mayla, for your mountain-moving faith and inspirational pursuit of Christ. You are so loved!
May your mom's story live on and both of your testimonies continue to reach others around the world, glorifying our, as you put it, Majestic Father.
much love, hailey
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