www.bible.com/116/psa.40.2.nlt
“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”
Psalms 40:2 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/psa.40.2.nlt
Author: garry.c.stewart
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Tattoos
Test driving a new tattoo today.
Sun, mountains, water & forest This was a bit of a random pic but I like the way it represents the sun, mountains, oceans/lakes, and trees/forests all things I like and enjoy, the outdoor life.
Next week we will revive the prime candidate for a real tattoo that has a lot of significance to Shirley and I.
The Anchor Holds A few others I’ve taken for a test drive.
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A Reminder
With COVID in general and especially after being on a 14 day lockdown after traveling to Toronto there is a lot of isolation, not seeing the family and more texting!
So, made a few a few adjustments to my phone to “see” the ones I love more often. ?
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A Smile
I’m reading this devotional and this picture comes up every day.
It always brings a smile to my face. ? What is she thinking?
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Me and CAR-T
As some readers will know I’m about to get CAR-T therapy for the lymphoma cancer. In short, this involved extracting some of my T-cells, genetically modifying them into CAR-T cells, growing more of these special cells and infusing the new CAR-T cells back into my body.
Yeah, that’s right I’ll be genetically re-engineered and there is no turning back. Once they are in my body they will replicate and become “the new normal” a “living medicine”.
How do I feel about that? Well, at this point it’s the only currently available shot at a cure so I’m doing it. Unlike other treatments like chemotherapy the drugs do their work and leave your system hopefully without any lasting negative side effects. This is different. The new cells will be a part of me, a “living” medication that will hunt down and destroy the lymphoma cancer cells. I was feeling a little so so about all this, until this morning.
My day starts out with devotions using the youversion app. The first thing I read every day is “The Story” which is an introduction, the verse of the day, a video of someone explaining the verse of the day, and a prayer. Today’s verse was Isaiah 43:19 and it was explained by Levi Lusko.
Right at the end of the explanation Levi says “… your (my) good God is seeking to do something new inside of you (me)”.
Do something new inside of me?!?! Something like new T-cells? Like CAR-T cells? It just struck me hard in a very literal sense. I made a note of the thought in my journal and moved on to the next devotion.
I really should not have been reading this next devotion today. I’d gotten behind and I should have read it yesterday. But, here I am reading this.
“then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 4:7 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/php.4.7.tptThere are coincidences and then there are God arranged circumstances. To me this was a God thing. These two insights, back to back, it was like God speaking to me. God is making a path in the wilderness, a river in the desert, a way where there seems to be no way for me to receive this treatment and He is doing something new inside of me, literally and making the answers known to me.
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/isa.43.19.nltThe result? I’m at peace with the treatment that is coming up in a few weeks. God is it it, He is with me, He is a good God.
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Thoughts for the Day
Perhaps, every day.
A shameless copy of a devotion that really resonated with me.
Joshua summoned all Israel, “…you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” – Joshua 23:14
Joshua spent most of his life enduring adversity, setbacks, and disappointment. And yet, he never stopped believing that God would keep His promises. By the end of his life, Joshua saw God’s faithfulness come to pass, which is why he told the Israelites to recognize and remember God’s promises.
The thoughts you fill your mind with are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview.
If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Plus, trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting.
As you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think:
God will sustain you.
God’s peace will guard your heart.
God delights over you with singing.
God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need.
In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you.
God will never leave you or forsake you.
God’s perfect love casts out all your fear.
Nothing can separate you from God’s love.
God’s not done with you. God’s notdone with you. God’s not done with you.
Pray God’s Promises:
God, I’m so thankful that the Scriptures are filled with Your promises. Help me to cling to what I know is true. Remind me of Your faithfulness. When I am tempted to forget what You’ve done or how You’ve shown Yourself faithful, cause my heart to remember. Keep me steadfast. Amen.
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A future and a hope
Plans for the New Year? New Years resolutions? Not too many, perhaps just one main one. Follow the Lord.
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The Prince of Peace on Christmas Day
From today’s devotion…
Peace is hard to find. Trouble tears apart our lives. Doubt delivers us to our fears. Worry warps our sense of reality. Before we know it we’re trapped in the chaos of day to day life and panic takes over. Yet Christ came to be our peace. Everything—our hopes, worries, fears, doubts, dreams—are met by him and found in him. He can put our worries to rest and surround us with an everlasting peace that calms the raging storm in our lives.
Christmas is a busy time of year and it’s easy to get caught up in all the chaos. This holiday season, let’s make time in our schedules to experience the peace that Christ brings. Let’s set aside quiet time with our family and more importantly ourselves to reflect on God’s promises and let his peace wash over us. Through the good and bad, through times of laughter and tears, Christ came to be our peace.
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Hope
Our hope is in a Person, not in an event.
So though we might experience disappointment and setbacks, our hope is not defined by that, but by the word of God. Hope can be a quiet confidence, while we are waiting, while we take one step after another.
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalms 130:5 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/psa.130.5.niv
