My Journey With Cancer, Part 39 By David Maddox
A day late having come home last night from a wonderful time in the Northwest with our family there – the highlight of which was Joel’s baptism – that is the third of our seven grandkids. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness. The other four are really young – the oldest being four. We continue to pray that they all come to the Lord at a young age that they may know the joy of a life time of service to the Lord and eternity together when their days on earth are done. That is our prayer for you as well.
Medically last week was the third week after chemo which has almost always been “wonderful” – reasonably near normal. The fatigue you carry with you from the accumulation of a year of chemo is frustrating as are some other of the side effects, but having a near normal appetite – and food beginning to taste like food again is a delight. You have to accept the need for an occasional nap if you are going to be up late, but comparatively it is what you look forward to during the times you experience the harsher side effects of chemo. God did not disappoint last week – and because we have the 2016 Revive Arizona Kickoff banquet at our home this Friday we put off chemo for an additional week which means this week should also be great medically. It is re-evaluation time so on Wednesday we have blood work and a CT Scan on Thursday in preparation for a meeting with our cancer doctor on February 8th. At that meeting we will get an update on the cancer’s condition and whether there is a recommended change in treatment. Before the doctor meeting we will do chemo again starting next Monday. Please be praying for the cancer doctor to have wisdom – that God will reveal whatever needs to be revealed – and that in whatever is discovered God be glorified.
The emotional battles continue at night on occasion. Satan never gives up on seeking to discourage and lie – he is good at both. Fortunately God is faithful and the truth of Scripture always comes through to encourage and negate the lie. Jesus told us that, “the Holy Spirit . . . will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). That is so true as the “right” Scripture comes to mike to negate the attack. One word of caution, however – the Holy Spirit can only “bring to your remembrance” what is in the inventory of your mind. If you have not read Scripture then it cannot be recalled because it is not present in your mind. That is why my personal Bible study includes a continual read through the Bible so it is all fresh and available as need by the Holy Spirit. Abraham Lincoln left us some real wisdom when he said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” Amen.
Spiritually God continue to speak to me about signs, wonders and miracles. My focus verse continues to be the last verse in Mark which I have written about before. There we learn that the Apostles “went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed” (Mark 16:20). The reality that the Lord Jesus wants to work with us – and will confirm the truth of the word we speak by signs is overwhelming. Having just returned from a grandchild’s baptism God again confirmed that the greatest of His signs, wonders and miracles is the new birth (John 3:3-6) – what God does in the life of anyone who by faith confesses their sin, accepts Jesus’ sacrifice for their sin, believes in His resurrection – and who confesses Him as Lord and commits to seek to follow Him throughout their life (Romans 10:9-10). For that one the Lord writes His name in the Book of Life which guarantees eternal live with Him and with all others throughout all of history who have similarly been born again (Revelation 20:11-15). The prophets tell us that the new birth consists of God giving the new Believers “one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
Some seek for different signs, wonders and miracles whether it be for prosperity in this life or even health in this life. But use me as an example – if all God did in my life is heal me of this cancer or if I did not have this cancer and He made me prosperous – if I had not been born again – I would have nothing. I would be well and have money and possessions to “enjoy” for a time, but Scripture is clear, all “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). I might die later than I will with this cancer, but facing judgment without having been born again would mean my name would not be written in the Book of Life and I would face God’s eternal wrath for my sin without any defense. Eternity with God – forgiven – living in the presence of all the saints of all the ages is by far the most significant of the signs, wonders and miracles God does. It is the one miracle we should seek first for ourselves – and for all others. That is my prayer for you this day. Thank you for your prayers and your partnership in the journey.
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.
