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THE GIFT OF SUFFERING (06.27.04)

(Philippians 1:21-25)

I’M AMAZED AT ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR ME; WHO AM I THAT YOU’D BLESS ME SO? I STAND IN AWE OF ALL YOUR WONDROUS DEEDS; YOU’VE DEALT WITH ME SO GRACIOUSLY.

YOU’VE BLESSED ME WITH MORE THAN I DESERVE, MERCY AND LOVE AT EVERY TURN; ALL THAT YOU GIVE FLOWS OUT OF WHO YOU ARE, AND I THANK YOU, LORD, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

How many of you believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer? How many of you realize you need to be careful what you pray for?

It wasn’t too many years ago that our church, probably this church, as well as churches around the world were challenged by Bruce Wilkinson’s The Prayer of Jabez:

1 Chronicles 4:10 NLT
[Jabez] was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request.
How many of you, as I do and did, pray(ed) that prayer?

“O God and King, please expand my opportunities and my impact in such a way that I touch more lives for Your glory. Let me do more for You!”
(The Prayer of Jabez, p.32)

There are consequences of praying a prayer like that:

1. God will answer; He always does.
2. God may answer in ways we weren’t expecting.
3. God may answer in ways we don’t necessarily like.

For those of you familiar with The Purpose Driven Life, you know that life is not about us:

“The purpose of your life is far greater than your personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or happiness. It’s far greater than your family, career, or your wildest dreams and ambitions…You were born by [God’s] purpose and for His purpose.” (The Purpose Driven Life, p.17)

You know what I’ve discovered? It’s much easier to say we’re willing to follow the Lord, and want to be used by the Lord no matter what,
than it is to actually do so when the cruelties of life hit us below the belt.
~~~~~~~
I was honored when Pastor Tim asked if I’d speak for him today while he’s on vacation. And I know he asked me to speak because of the circumstances God has allowed to come into my life and the life of my family.

I also believe I have the privilege of standing before you today because God answered the prayer I prayed about increasing my influence for Him and His Kingdom.

Having lived with a stage IV cancer diagnosis now for nearly two years, I’ve learned a lot.
– I wouldn’t wish the things I’ve gone through in my battle with cancer on my worst enemy. Nor would I trade those experiences for anything.
– I sincerely feel I’ve been blessed by the gift of suffering God has allowed me to possess.

Preparing for today I went back and looked at some of the things I shared with our congregation right after I was diagnosed (August 2002).

“No, I wouldn’t have chosen to have colon cancer, and I don’t look forward to any of it; I’m not a masochist who in some strange way enjoys pain. But, knowing this is the path the Lord has me on at this point in my life, I’m truly looking forward to the things He’ll be teaching me about life and death, pain and suffering, hospital humility and the lack thereof.”
(“Nevertheless” ~ 9/8/02)

I’ve mentioned several times in funeral services I’ve done how I can’t relate to the loss being experienced by family members since I’ve never lost a spouse, a parent, a child.
– Those of you who have are the ones the Lord can use better than anyone else to help those who are going through similar loss.
– Likewise, I can now empathize more fully with people who are facing life-threatening illnesses. And for that, for however long I may live, I’m grateful.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort.

Many times I’ve prayed for God to do whatever it takes to open the eyes of the spiritually lost to their need for Jesus. I’ve prayed that God would, if need be, knock people down, in whatever ways, to get their attention so that they’ll surrender their lives to His salvation and His control; both in time and eternity.
– I remember one time being rebuked by someone who thought it inappropriate for me to pray for harm to come to somebody. But, my reasoning is simple:

Temporary harm leading someone to eternal salvation, versus no harm allowing them to go on living in the myth of continuity and miss heaven; what would you choose for that loved one or friend?

I’ve even prayed the Lord would take my life if that’s what it would take for my girls, other family members, and others to be eternally saved from a devil’s hell; an eternity apart from God.
– I’d much rather people mourn my loss now and be saved, than for me to go on living and them be forever lost.

Has God answered that prayer in my life? I don’t know.
– Do I want to die? No. Although I know heaven is going to be far better than life on earth, I’m enjoying the “ride” here and now.

Early on I received an email from my brother-in-law Lonnie who pastors a church in Bryan, Texas. Having called his people to pray for me, one of his members sent him a rather lengthy dissertation on the perspective God’s children can have during dark hours. Lonnie shared this with me:

“The most profound yet basic and elemental decision of every human who ever lives is the all important question: what think ye of Christ?

from the wonderous majesty of the heavens, in the placement of stars and galaxies and constellations, down to the smallest insect and the manner in which every minute particle of creation fits together in the chain of ecology, with its' own purpose (His Pleasure) and season, we are directed to enjoy a childlike peace at knowing that our God controls history. All of creation reaches up to Praise Him while we have the privilege to bow down before Him, because of His Son and because He is mindful of us.

the sheer beauty and perfection of design of each and every aspect of creation, even the function and existence of bacteria invisible to the naked eye, which exists for His purpose is a living tribute of praise to our Creator who knows our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts.

He knew everything we would ever care about before we were born to care about it, and has made provision for each concern. That provision is His Son in us and with us and the freedom He purchased for us in His body on the tree giving us the opportunity to find Him as The
Way and The Truth and The Life. This presence outweighs all…

Be there for him if you can, Lonnie. Do whatever it takes to keep him focused on Christ who overcame death as a demonstration of what we should expect. Just be where God needs you to be for your job, and remind him and his family that their needs are in the prayers of other of God's kids. He never forsakes us.”

(grammar, spelling, etc. original by author, Tim Coones – Bryan Church of the Nazarene)

I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My name is I am.” He paused. I waited. He continued:
“When you live in the past with it’s mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I was.
When you live in the future, with it’s problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I will be.
When you live in this moment it is not hard, I am here. My name is I am.”

Since my diagnosis I’ve heard a number of survival from people who have had friends and loved ones with conditions worse than mine, but who have survived. Two things comes to mind:
1. Ruth Anne Ohlsen and Jean Johanson. Both of these ladies, like myself, were in there early to mid 40’s. Both were good, godly women with children still at home. Both had hundreds, probably thousands of people praying for them, even as I do. But, both died.
2. While it’s great to hear the survival stories of others, my hope is not, nor ever will be, in the stories of others. And similarly, my hope is not, nor ever will be, in the number of people I hear that are praying for me. Don’t get me wrong, I find comfort knowing people are praying for my family and me. And, without a doubt I will be healed. But, it may be the Lord’s will that my healing take place in heaven.
– My hope, as well as the hope of all God’s children, is in the will of a heavenly Father Who loves me, Who loves my family, Who loves you, and Who knows what’s best for all of us in the eternal scheme of things.
– That’s why you and I can have undeniable peace.

I’d be less than honest if I didn’t tell you that there have been many times I’ve prayed as Jesus did in Gethsemane:

Matthew 26:39 ESV
My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

My family and I have learned, and are learning, how God always provides for whatever and wherever He calls us to.

2 Corinthians 12:9a BBE
And [Jesus] said to me, My grace is enough for you, for my power is made complete in what is feeble.

Philippians 1:20-25 NLT
20 For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.
21 For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. 23 I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, 24 but it is better for you that I live.
25 I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith.