Yesterday Karen and I spent the better part of the day in the doctor's office and the imaging department at Summit hospital. Thankfully, there was nothing found in the lung X-rays that would indicate pneumonia. I have a follow-up on Saturday to get results of blood work. Having gone through two major cancers and several surgeries, these tests tend to cause some uneasiness. But I leave these things in the Lord's hands and know He is mindful and cares. It is also comforting to know friends are praying. The sufferings of this earthly body won't compare with the glorious heavenly body. (Romans 8:18) Please, when I'm gone no accolades or pithy comments about how much he (I) suffered. Just look into the heavenlies and join me in praising the Lord. Give Christ all the glory and look at the prophets and the many throughout history who have been persecuted and martyred.
Today is day twelve of tha Season of Seeking. Being sick and having health problems most of my adult life brought to mind an account in the Apostle Paul's writings. Epaphroditus was one of Paul's colleagues in the faith. The interesting thing about the passage in Philippians 2:25-30 was that "he was sick nigh unto death..." v27 "for the work of Christ...not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me." v30 "but God..." v27
Epaphroditus went to bring Paul needed supplies. Paul was in the Roman prison far from the church in Philippi. This church had met Paul's needs on many occasions (ch. 4:15). This time Epaphroditus brought their gifts on a long journey (there were no airplanes or Greyhound buses). Becoming sick somewhere in the journey Epaphroditus almost died but Paul said, "God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow." (2:27)
God gives mercy to those who love and serve Him. Bodies may be sick, wracked with pain and become so weak they cannot stand or even get up from sickness but God's MERCY moves in and brings healing. I think of three requests of fellow servants 1. The Overseer's wife in Russia, 2 the Overseer's wife of Greece and a fellow Pastor's wife of Big Sandy church, Sister Kirby. God's mercy can raise them up. HALLELUJAH!!
On this journey there will be times of sickness until at last we draw the final breath in this land and breath in that heavenly air in a new body that never feels pain, sickness, sorrow or crying. This journey with Christ has been 44 plus years and it gets sweeter as the days go by no matter how much suffering. Our Savior suffered the greatest leaving us a heritage that does not end in these earthly bodies. I'm reminded of a song. Some of the words are, "this journey with Jesus will end my sorrows, heal my afflictions, no more I'll cry...
Are you on this journey with Jesus? Epaphroditus was on this journey when he experienced the great mercy of God. Mercy, mercy GOD'S loving mercy....
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