Hope and Inspiration

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Comment by Leonora on November 5, 2009 at 5:45am

Hello Hope and Inspiration,

I pray all is well with you all!

Are you rejoicing today? I am because God is so good!!

Dad is still going through, the Doctors had put off the Operation
until Friday!

So keep us in your prayers!

I am rejoicing today and I pray that you all are in great
spirits to rejoice with me!

I love you and will check in soon.

Nora

Comment by Leonora on November 3, 2009 at 5:34am

First, I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and support!

I have an update on Dad,
The scheduled surgery for yesterday was cancelled.

The Special Doctors who came in to do the surgery notice
that the cancer was not just in the groin area, it was also showing positive
In the Kidneys as well. They are transferring him to Emory, a Hospital in Atlanta.

They stated that; they will have to remove that as well!

Even through it all, God is still God and I don’t have to worry or fret,
I pray that God’s will be done through this situation.

One thing for sure, If God wanted to get my attention, He did!

I have fully woke up to the fact that everyone’s life is not always going to stay here with us on earth, and we are to make every moment last.

I will not be in here as much as I like, as I will be staying in a Hotel in Atlanta after today.

I will check in here and there, please as always keep us in your prayers as I will you!

I love you all and don’t waist this day, use it for his glory!

Love always,

Nora

Comment by Leonora on November 1, 2009 at 6:06pm

Kelly Amen, and more Amen!

Thank you so much my sister, I thank God for another
encouraging word God sought to put forth through you.
What a God we serve!

I am excited and so content with everything God allows to come my way,
although at times I may feel a bit down, but I find having the Joy of the Lord is my strength. (Smile)

I was with Dad today laughing and kidding with him,
I told him "would you like me to grab all the sheets and
make a knot so that we can climb out of the Hospital window
together and run? He laughed so hard, and said No; I guess I better stay
He said, If I would have come here sooner maybe I would not have been in the spot I am in now!!!

We prayed and laughed some more, I asked him “Dad are you praying?”
He said I sure am, He said “I pray these nurses would stop coming in here
waking me up in the middle of the night”. Lol again we laughed so hard,
I guess everyone in the Nurses station thought we were nuts.
Boy, did we laugh.. lol

I will be leaving out around 7:00 AM to be at his side, so please keep us
In your prayers. He is to have his operation tomorrow.

I love you all so much, and please do not let life dampen your spirit
Keep love at all times, and live your life as if it was your last day!

Much love,
Nora

Comment by Kelly P on October 31, 2009 at 11:57pm

New Life Daily Devotion by Steve Auterburn
Using God's Gifts

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety
of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that
God's generosity can flow through you.
1 Peter 4:10 NLT

All men possess special gifts—bestowed from the Father above—and you are no exception. But, your gift is no guarantee of success; it must be cultivated and
nurtured; otherwise, it will go unused . . . and God's gift to you will be squandered.

Today, make a promise to yourself that you will earnestly seek to discover the talents that God has given you. Then, nourish those talents and make them grow. Finally, vow to share your gifts with the world for as long as God gives you the power to do so. After all, the best way to say "Thank You" for God's gifts is to use them.

When God crowns our merits, he is crowning nothing other than his gifts.
St. Augustine

God is still in the process of dispensing gifts, and He uses ordinary individuals like us to develop those gifts in other people.
Howard Hendricks

Almighty God created us, redeemed us, called us, endowed us with gifts and abilities and perceptions. To demean the gift is to insult the Giver.
Penelope Stokes

There's a unique sense of fulfillment that comes when we submit our gifts to God's use and ask him to energize them in a supernatural way—and then step back to watch what he does. It can be the difference between merely existing in black and white and living a life in full, brilliant color.
Lee Strobel

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, let me use my gifts, and let me help others discover theirs. Your gifts are priceless and eternal. May we, Your children, use them to the glory of Your kingdom, today and forever. Amen

Comment by Kelly P on October 31, 2009 at 11:54pm

Nora, look at this Daily Devotion I didn't have time to post here yesterday. What an awesome God we serve!

Encouragement for Today from Proverbs 31 Ministries


October 30, 2009

Calling the Great Physician
Tracie Miles

"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
Mark 2:17 (NIV)

Devotion:
Recently I came down with an infection. After ten days of misery, I finally went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. Feeling much better after a few days of antibiotics, I wished I had sought out a physician's help sooner, preventing all those days of unnecessary suffering!

As I considered my stubbornness in deciding to call on a doctor, I thought about how our walk with Christ is often just like that.

For example, we have problems in our lives, but we think we are qualified to handle them ourselves. We have burdens, but we assume we can carry the weight on our own. We have questions, but don't really trust God to supply the answers. We need help, but stubbornly refuse to ask.

Some people call God the "The Great Physician." Although we think of this in terms of physical healing, Jesus walked the earth to provide something more: spiritual healing.

In Mark 2:13-17, the Pharisees asked Jesus why He was eating with sinners and tax collectors. Jesus explained that He came so we would know Him, and be healed from the inside out. You see, if the world were a righteous place, there would have been no need for a Savior. But God knew just how much we needed a Great Physician. Out of compassion for us, He sent His Son to fill that role. In order to tap into His healing power, we simply have to seek Him. And the sooner, the better.

In another recent situation, I quickly and desperately sought God's intervention. A few days later, I happened to notice I felt a peace I could not explain. In fact, I was confused as to why I was so calm. I thought to myself, "Why am I not obsessing about that problem every second? Why am I not more distraught and worried?"

Then God quickened my heart and reminded me that I had turned that problem over to Him. He had taken the weight off of my shoulders. He had given me spiritual healing in the form of peace.

I had sought a cure from the Great Physician, and He had provided it. Not a cure for the problem, but a cure for my heart as I dealt with the problem under His care.

If you need a physician who knows your suffering, understands how you are feeling, and has the cure, make an appointment to spend time with God today.

Dear Lord, forgive me for sometimes coming to You for help only after I have exhausted all efforts to handle the problem on my own. Please fill me with a peace that surpasses all understanding in the situations I am facing. Grant me spiritual healing, and help me see You working in and through me. Thank You for always being available and on call. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby

Visit Tracie's blog - Seeking Peace in God's Will

Application Steps:
Put God on your virtual speed dial - make a commitment to call Him every morning.

Reflections:
Is my heart and spirit in need of some spiritual healing?

What specific sins in my life desperately require God's intervention? Have I asked Him recently to intervene?

Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV)

Philippians 4:7, "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)

Jeremiah 17:14, "Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." (NIV)


© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Comment by Kelly P on October 31, 2009 at 11:47pm

Nora, I want you to know that I jumped in here after your post just as I was heading out the door and I am and have been praying for your father, as well as all of you. I didn't have time to post, but I can pray anytime, anywhere. That is one thing that is so awesome about the God we serve.

It is so hard to face the kind of challenge your dad is facing. I also stand on His word that no matter what, he shall not leave you or forsake you.

Yes, God directs us to thank him in everything and this is one of those times that non-believers just don't understand, but I thank him also and ask that he be glorified.

I love you girl and pray that you and each member of your family feel our Holy and Mighty God's presence and peace. You know . . . that peace that surpasses all understanding.

Thank you Father for you are God.

Comment by Leonora on October 31, 2009 at 7:23pm

Jean and everyone,

I want to thank you for your prayers,
I just came back from the hospital and My dad
is in good spirits.

This is so hard when you are the one facing
this situation, but I serve a God who is able to
do exceeding abundantly above all I can even ask or
think.

I stand on His word that no matter what, he shall
not Leave me nor forsake me.

I thank God for even this time, because it only
draws me closer to Him.

Thank you all so much and keep us in your prayers
as I will you!

Love you all so much

Nora

Comment by jean heath on October 31, 2009 at 2:10pm

I am so sorry to hear that your father isn't doing well . I will pray for you , and your family .

Comment by Leonora on October 30, 2009 at 8:33pm

Family!

I need your prayers!!

I am a firm believer that God is able to make grace abound.

I was here this morning preparing to go to the Hospital to see my
Dad who was admitted last night, and before I got dress, the phone rings..

The Doctor said they were taking him in to do an emergency surgery!

They thought yesterday that He had a serious bladder infection,
so they put him on a catheter; come this morning they said "it's worst
than they thought, because they notice gain green infection.

I rushed to the Hospital and I had spoke with the doctors and they said that they needed to go in right away! My mom and I agreed and so they went.

After the Biopsy the doctors came out and said that it's Cancer, this is a cancer that has spread from his groins to the lower part of his belly.

They called in special Doctors who will come in Monday to do the surgery
of removing his private parts. I am devastated!

I don't know what to do, I feel helpless and all I can do is pray!

"But my God" who is able to make grace abound, shall once again
be called on, in the name of Jesus!

Because of Jesus and His stripes my dad will be healed, Father
If it’s thy will!

This is my prayer!

Comment by Leonora on October 29, 2009 at 8:55am

Kelly,

Thank you for the post!

I encourage each and everyone here to trust
in the Lord with all your heart and soul and lean
not to your own understanding.

Keep Faith in God and you will see great things
come to pass.

God has not given us the spirit of fear but that of a sound
mind.

If you keep your mind sound in Christ Jesus, fear will not set in.
You will be able to overcome any circumstance and situation
from the strength of the Lord, which gives you power to overcome!

Be blessed!

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