Sharing Testimonies

Still Here, Still Grateful

By Lydia Davis

When a cancer diagnosis comes, your life changes. The possibility of death is no longer a far-away abstraction, it’s real and very possible, and possibly imminent. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2012, and it was stage 3, so I was in trouble. I had surgery to put a port in my chest for chemo, then surgery to remove the tumor and resect my colon, then a few weeks later, I started the 12 rounds of chemotherapy every other week for 6 months. I wasn’t afraid of dying, Jesus is my Saviour, I know I’m going to heaven. What I did fear was pain and suffering and worry for my family. So, I set out to try to get well from this cancer, and felt a sense of peace and positivity from the start that all would be well. 

Chemo is poison. It kills the cancer cells along with healthy ones, and does awful things to many parts of the body. Still, I was grateful to be able to take the needed chemo. Every week I got weaker and the side effects worsened, but I made it through. By God’s grace and healing, I survived, along with the guidance of my Oncologist who was a man of faith, and the love, strength, & prayers from my family, my church, and co-workers. Then after all the chemo, I began the long recovery to my new normal self, after cancer.

It’s now been 13 years since my last chemo. To the medical world, I’m not “cured”, I’m in remission. I have had a great life these years after cancer. I do my check-ups and preventive care, and the Lord keeps blessing me with health and happiness. I used to be a workaholic; cancer changed my outlook. It made me realize my job wasn’t the only thing in my life and helped me re-evaluate priorities. When I was offered the chance to retire early, I jumped at it. I am grateful for these extra years I’ve been given and try to truly enjoy life, and I look for joy on a daily basis. It can be the beauty of a sunset, my doggie doing something cute, travelling to a new destination, beautiful music; little things that add joy and meaning if you take the time to let them. The Lord healed me and has given me these bonus years, and I’m grateful every day. 

I encourage you also to look for joy each day. 

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

–– 0 ––

Debra Isenbletter – Springfield, Missouri

A short meditation I hope will be a blessing. Our faith is being tested every day in every way. But God is faithful and by His grace we are faithful. Lord Bless! 

I was meditating on the phrase “from faith to faith” in Romans 1:17. When I look at the phrase “from faith to faith” I see the completeness and fullness of faith in our lives. The word “from” denotes origin, it looks back to the beginning. We begin our lives with faith. The word “to” indicates a point reached, it looks forward to the destination. We begin our lives by faith and end our lives by faith and in-between we live our lives by faith. Faith is the link between the beginning and the end and is also the foundation. Faith is the “persuasion, conviction, assurance, and reliance” we have in all the promises in the gospel. It is how we live our lives each day. We go from one degree of faith to another. We grow in faith. We go from faith in salvation to faith in sanctification. 

Ryrie Bible: “from faith to faith.” Faith from start to finish. 

John Phillips: “from faith to faith.” The righteousness of God is received by faith and reproduced by faith. 

David Franklin: (Romans study) “from faith to faith.” From faithful God to faithful messengers. From faithful messengers to faithful listeners. 

–– 0 ––

Pastor Pani and team – Orissa, India

We thank God for His unfailing love, sustaining grace and His countless mercies that have carried us thus far. Each new month is a fresh reminder of God’s faithfulness and His goodness. Let us make use of this opportunity to grow deeper in our walk with Him.

We live in a crucial time. All over the world, there is a drastic change in the climate. Many western countries experience severe heat waves never known in history. In India, because of the El-Nino effect, longer and more intense heat is prevailing in many States with deficit of rainfall. Besides, we hear increasing incident about violence, hatred, war, bloodshed. All these clearly are the signs that we are living in the last days. There is an important thing that we, as God’s people, need to do at this time - that is to pray. II Chronicles 7:14, the Lord said to Israel, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, and forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Let us humble ourselves as “a little child” in the sight of the Lord, seeking God’s favor. As Christians we should be models of God’s righteousness - “salt” and “light” for a sinful and hurting society. Let us take inventory of our own personal lives. As we humbly seek God in prayer, changes take place in our lives. Our prayer is that we may encourage you to trust the Lord wholeheartedly, remain steadfast in prayer and experience His abiding presence in every circumstance.

–– 0 ––

Sharon Townsend – Michigan

Dear Sister, Just wanted to let you know how much your last letter meant to me. We were in II Corinthians 7 and I had been reading verse 6 “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

I remember being a little “Cast Down” and was thinking I really need a “Titus.” At that moment, someone brought in the Church mail and there was your letter. Your letter was a great comfort to me.

I had to laugh at how good our God is. I guess you could say your letter was “The Coming Of Titus.” Praying for you all.