Psalms 139
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
My doctor has been trying to get me to take medication for pre-diabetes for several years now. I resisted because my highest level was 126.
Last month, I was at 145 with an A1C of 8.5. I started taking ONE of the pills, although she said take two a day.
About two weeks ago, I started having frequent bathroom trips, and was always thirsty. I figured it was a bug, and would pass.
Sunday night, my brother stopped by our church on his way home from the Smokies. I told him about my symptoms. He suggested I check my blood sugar.
I tested the next morning and I was at 388. I took my medicine, scheduled a Dr's appt, and went to work.
I told my employer about my appt, and they sent me home. They said I cannot drive until I get my blood sugar under control. They want to see an A1C under 8.
That means no income for my family. I get my last check on Friday.
I have no idea what to do. I'm not sure I can draw unemployment. My short-term disability doesn't start until the 15th day off work, and it will only be 45% of my usual pay, if I can even draw it for this reason.
So, my life is full of uncertainties, right now. But isn't it always?
I had an A1C done on Tuesday. The nurse couldn't tell me the results. I have to see the doctor to get them, but she did say it was higher than before.
I am eating better, taking my meds, and I even went walking, today. Although my fasting level was 252, my two hour after lunch level was 177. That 177 is the lowest I have seen it recently. I'm praying it remains that low.
My manager said he is trying to get the company doctor to let me return to work if my level is under 200 when I go to the Dr on Monday. This is what I need everyone to pray for.
God knew this was happening. I am very scared about what this will mean, financially, but I know God has a plan.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Is it sometimes God's will for us to be sick?
Is it sometimes God's will for us to be sick? I read something about this today in The Sword of the Lord paper. This began as a facebook post, then I went back and expounded on it a little.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul was inspired to write about 2/3 of the New Testament. I like to write, and for God to use me, and call my writings, scripture, is something I cannot even fathom. But Paul was used by God in such a way that we don't see today. Yet, he clearly declares that his illness, or deformity was not only God's will, but God-given.
One of the best passages on God-ordered troubles is in Isaiah 10.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
The Assyrians conquered the northern tribes, or Israel. God calls the Assyrians, "the rod of mine anger."
In II Samuel 12, we find God willing that a baby should die due to David's sin. And we fuss about such trivial things as depression, or headaches. God still loved David, and the baby is now in Heaven, so why do we start doubting God when something doesn't go our way?
How many souls can a Christian cancer patient affect through their treatment?
A friend's son was killed with several others in a fiery car crash while serving God several years ago. I have read of many salvations and surrenders to service that came of those young men's deaths.
So we have a choice: let our problems and imfirmities stop us from serving God, or see them as a VEHICLE to serve God. When others see us work through difficulty, it shows God's power. That is what Paul realized.
Moses complained to God about his speech problems, so God gave him Aaron as a help. Yet, who do we find boldly speaking to Pharaoh? Moses. I'm sure around the Israelites, he was still sometimes a stuttering fool, but when they saw how boldly he made God's demands to Pharaoh, they knew it was all God, not Moses. Moses worked through his difficulty, and let God's power shine through.
Paul nevers says we shouldn't ask for healing. God does still heal, and sometimes against His own perfect will.
But which would we rather have: a body free of infirmity, or a successful personal ministry?
After my original Facebook post, Bro Gerald Myers, Missionary to South Africa and a personal friend, preached on a similar topic tonight. I guess I really needed this.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul was inspired to write about 2/3 of the New Testament. I like to write, and for God to use me, and call my writings, scripture, is something I cannot even fathom. But Paul was used by God in such a way that we don't see today. Yet, he clearly declares that his illness, or deformity was not only God's will, but God-given.
One of the best passages on God-ordered troubles is in Isaiah 10.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
The Assyrians conquered the northern tribes, or Israel. God calls the Assyrians, "the rod of mine anger."
In II Samuel 12, we find God willing that a baby should die due to David's sin. And we fuss about such trivial things as depression, or headaches. God still loved David, and the baby is now in Heaven, so why do we start doubting God when something doesn't go our way?
How many souls can a Christian cancer patient affect through their treatment?
A friend's son was killed with several others in a fiery car crash while serving God several years ago. I have read of many salvations and surrenders to service that came of those young men's deaths.
So we have a choice: let our problems and imfirmities stop us from serving God, or see them as a VEHICLE to serve God. When others see us work through difficulty, it shows God's power. That is what Paul realized.
Moses complained to God about his speech problems, so God gave him Aaron as a help. Yet, who do we find boldly speaking to Pharaoh? Moses. I'm sure around the Israelites, he was still sometimes a stuttering fool, but when they saw how boldly he made God's demands to Pharaoh, they knew it was all God, not Moses. Moses worked through his difficulty, and let God's power shine through.
Paul nevers says we shouldn't ask for healing. God does still heal, and sometimes against His own perfect will.
But which would we rather have: a body free of infirmity, or a successful personal ministry?
After my original Facebook post, Bro Gerald Myers, Missionary to South Africa and a personal friend, preached on a similar topic tonight. I guess I really needed this.
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