My Life is In His Hands

1-15-10
My Life is In His Hands
Joyce sat quietly as the doctor began to speak. “The test results reveal Stage II breast cancer…” Those were all the words Joyce heard as all kinds of thoughts quickly ran through her mind. Yet a strange feeling had come over her. She didn’t want to have cancer, but for some reason she was not scared or upset. She simply smiled at the doctor and said, “Well praise the Lord.” At those words the doctor’s face twisted with confusion. “What are you saying Joyce? How can you praise the Lord for cancer?” As Joyce began to reply to the doctor’s question, she was amazed by the words that came from her mouth.
“It’s simple”, Joyce began, “the Lord tells us to give thanks in all things. If you had told me the lump was not cancerous we both would have smiled and said, praise the Lord. Why? Because it was the result we both wanted to hear, that’s why. However, if the Lord tells me to give thanks in all things, than I must praise Him even when the hard and painful things come my way. I am sure that by thanking Him and praising Him for this I will be given the strength and courage to finish the journey. Besides, I think this cancer is really just a tool for God’s glory.”
The doctor sat is awe as she listened to Joyce’s soft, confident voice. “How could this woman really believe that cancer could be a tool for God’s glory?” she thought to herself. “Joyce, listen to me. Cancer is not a simple little cold that will run its course and be gone. It is a deadly disease that has taken many lives and left families overwhelmed with grief. How on earth can you think this is good?” questioned the doctor. “Well, it’s like this. I have come to learn that God is my life. He is sovereign and He alone can choose life and death. Look, somewhere out there is a woman God loves so much that He is sending me to her through my cancer. This is how it becomes a tool for His glory. Now I will be able to share His hope and love, bringing Life to her as she is dieing of cancer. What an awesome opportunity to be a light in her very dark world.” The doctor just sat silently as Joyce continued to share her heart.
“I am excited about this. It brings me an incredible peace that takes away fear. In fact I don’t believe this cancer is going to kill me at all. Instead it is going to enable me to help another hurting soul by understanding her pain. I know she will listen if I have been through what she has. And to think the Lord would chose me for such a task humbles and honors me. It causes me to look forward to what is ahead. I know I will be facing pain, unbelievable tiredness, perhaps a feeling of loneliness and helplessness, yet I am convinced that my God, who called me to this mission field, will also equip and provide for me all the strength, power, endurance, and faith it will take to finish the course. Besides, there is no pain I could ever endure that would equal to the pain my Savior endured for me on the cross. I will go wherever He sends me and trust Him with my life. His arms of love are opened wide. My life is in His hands.” *
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After reading the story above, do you wonder if any one could really handle the news of cancer that way? Do you think it is possible to thank the Lord through every situation in your life, good and bad? According to the word of God it is possible.
All week we have been studying in the first chapter of John. We will continue where we left off on Monday, but today we are going to go to the one verse in John that is the main theme of the entire book. Let’s go there now.

John 11:40 “Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’”

Say this verse out loud as you write it down three times.
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Now to understand how powerful this statement is that Jesus made, go to John 11 and read verses 1- 45.
Can you see how hard it might have been for the disciples, Mary and Martha to believe that things weren’t hopeless? To them it was too late for Jesus to heal their brother, but to Jesus it was just what He wanted so that they would all believe in Him.
Each of our lives is filled with situations that have, are, or will feel hopeless to us. But it is not hopeless when you have Jesus as your Savior and His Spirit living within you. This is His promise.
Write down one situation that is going on in your life right now, one that is so painful, so emotionally and physically challenging or overwhelming that you have wondered if it will ever change. Be honest with yourself and God, He already knows any way.
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Now dear beloved, listen to God’s reply to you concerning your situation, here it is:
“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Beloved God has every intention to take what you are dealing with and use it to His glory; therefore, He will bring you victory over that temptation, healing from that illness, restoration in that relationship, freedom from that bondage, etc. He will! There should be absolutely no doubt in our hearts or our mind, God is faithful to do what He said He would do!
Memorize this verse and keep it tucked into your heart to treasure because it is the core of what we are here for and the power in your walk with Him. After all, your life is in His hands.


THESE STORIES SHOW THAT AS WE TRUST GOD WITH OUR LIVES AND ARE WILLING TO GO TO WHATEVER MISSION FIELD HE WANTS US ON, THEN WE WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS INCREDIBLE PEACE THAT SURRPASSING ALL UNDERSTANDING.
MAY THIS PEACE BE YOURS TODAY AS OUR LORD HOLDS YOU IN HIS HANDS!