My Journey With Cancer Part 26, By David Maddox
Last week medically was a non-event (Praise God). Monday we went in for a blood test to confirm the magnesium issue had been resolved in the continuing blood chemistry battle – and we found out later in the week that it had when the results came in. This being the third week after chemo every day was a little bit better with only fatigue and some of the residual side effects that result from a buildup of the chemo in your body over time, but here it is – the beginning the tenth month after diagnosis at stage four and God has halted the spread of the cancer and enabled us to travel again. One can only stop and praise God for the miracles He has brought about.
We traveled to Baltimore to visit Seth, Meredith and their kids. What a blessing. We did not do anything radical but just had a wonderful time together doing the normal things families together love to do. We colored, made Legos, read books, went to the park, played outside, fixed meals and treats together, had a fire in the fire pit etc. Wonderful memories we are so thankful to have experienced. One of the highlights was going with them to the new church they found in the neighborhood. It is small but full and it is full of God’s people who care for each other and love the Lord. They started their worship service with a time of silence to focus on the Lord which was really special. The worship songs all were songs that honored God if all you did was read the words. The little church has been praying for me so people came up to me to acknowledge that and to ask how I am doing. I feel so blessed to have so many people I don’t even know praying for me. The love that has been poured out on me is really special and totally undeserved.
The week ended with travel to Tupelo, Mississippi to join up with the Time to Revive team for the first time since the discovery of the invader within in January. It has been like “old home week” seeing all our friends and being able to ministry together again. That will be the subject for part of the next update but suffice it to say that we are rejoicing while ignoring the cancer.
The Spiritual message continues to be leave the cancer in the garden and just go – so go we did. The Lord additionally showed me how we are to go and what we are to expect. The verses He used to focus us were Mark 16:19-20 and Acts 4:29-30 (yes that passage again). The Mark passage is eye opening. It reveals – “So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” Think about that – Jesus worked with them and He confirmed the word by the signs that followed. When that reality is before you it changes the way you approach your mission knowing that Jesus is not simply present, but He is there working with you and confirming the truth spoken. It creates a sense of expectation of the miraculous in the joy of His presence – and confidence that if He is working with you then you cannot fail.
The Acts 4 prayer is simply how the Apostles prayed that they be enabled to do what the Lord had set before them as their mission (Matthew 28:19-20) – the same mission we have been given – and how they wished for Him to work with them and to confirm the message and the messenger. It provides – “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” God affirmed that He was pleased with their prayer by shaking the place where they had gathered to pray and again filling them with the Holy Spirit – and went out speaking the word with great boldness (verse 31). As you read on into Chapter 5 you see the prayer answered with signs and wonders as multitudes of new Believers were being added to the Church.
What we expect is what we believe God will do. It is a measure of our faith. God has shown me that I expect too little so I see too little – and it is time to raise my sights to what He has shown in His word to be both His will and His way. That simple reality will change how I live and minister – and it can yours as well.
Pray the Acts 4 prayer for us as we go forth in obedience to minister this week in Tupelo. Thank you for your continued prayers
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
