Testimony from Lakewood church

Testimony of a lady from Lakewood Church

I certainly learned how to fight and keep focused by Dodie Osteen's teachings. I am grateful for her and also for Gloria Copeland's teachings. I had never listened to Gloria's teaching until a stranger contacted me and gave me her teaching CD's. He heard about me and wanted to pray for me. I am so grateful I "met" these teachings through him. Prosperity teachings? I hear criticisms but I am definitely grateful for their belief in healing. They caused me to look into the Scriptures more intently.

I am also grateful for the people at my church, The River, who keep standing with me.

I am also grateful for the teachings of The Bethel in Redding, California.

I am also grateful for the prayers of many different denominations. We are one in Christ Jesus.

Cancer is not mine. It does not belong to me.

December 23, 2011 - new lesions

The result of the scan showed some new lesions, but everything else was stable.
The doctor seems to think it is possible that the lesions may not be cancer. My husband and I are glad to hear that! We'll have to have more test and see.

God is happy when we have faith when there seems to be no hope.

Jesus came to the world to give us hope and life.
Faith in Jesus is not just a "beautiful thing" to have. It is life or death.

Jesus, I still trust in you.

PET scan

Today I had an appointment for a PET scan.
I was praying and thinking about something to say to the scan tech person. Something that honors God and something that encourages me and hopefully him. I wanted to see God's glory.  This was my 5th time to see him. I ended up saying, "My body will not suck up any of the radioactive nuclear medicine you are about to inject in my blood." He smiled and said, "That's good!" It turned out to be more for me than anything else.  I think I was hoping that would be a prophetic word over myself. I prayed hard while I was waiting for the medicine to go through my body - for 90 minutes. I prayed, then fell asleep, then I prayed. I felt like I was ready when the tech came to get me.

On my way out, I saw somebody I knew. Her doctor found a spot in her lung. Without hesitation I reached out to her and whispered a prayer for her. I forgot how shy I was. When love is first, fear (due to shyness) disappears! I believe she will be okay.

The person I got to know through my brother-in-law texted me the other day. We haven't met each other yet, but we talk on the phone and pray for each other. She was also diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. When I talked to her about a month ago, she was coughing so much that she could not continue talking. Well, in her text the other day she said that her PET scan showed that the tumor had not only stopped growing but it has shrunk to almost nothing! I called her and she was not coughing at all this time. 

God does not change. I want to brag about Him.

25th anniversary

We have disagreements in many areas, but praise God we celebrated our early 25th anniversary last weekend. The grass becomes green where we water. God loves us in every area of our lives. He makes a new way even when we felt like there wasn't going to be any. The enemy must flee when we resist. God is so faithful. We wait, and he comes.

During our celebration, we rode bicycles, hiked, and walked in one day. I felt great! Being able to do all those itself is a miracle for me.

Last week I went to my oncologist's office. He had skipped my maintenance med. twice due to my dental procedures (root canals) so I was naturally a bit nervous. I meditated on the scriptures of God's healing promises more than usual the night before. And God faithfully revealed his power in the result of my blood test and the blood pressure. They were perfectly normal!

I am thankful.

Cleaving to God - I Samuel 30:6

David found strength from God.

I Samuel 30:6b

(KJV) ...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
(NAS) ...but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
(NLT)...but David found strehgth in the LORD his God.

וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֣ק  (Strong's #2388) is the word for "encouraged" or "found strength."

It has meanings like fasten upon, seize, be strong, to bind, cleave, hold faｓt, lean, etc...

How did David become encouraged and strong? We don't have to imagine or guess what he did or how he did it because it is indicated in the original word! He cleaved to the LORD his God. That is how we stay encouraged and gain strength, too, because the word of God gives strength and life to those who find them. (proverbs)

I was greatly encouraged by the following words from Deuteronomy 4:4.  The word for "cleave" is a different word from #2388 (it is #1695),  but "cleave" part is the same. : )

(KJV) ...but ye that did cleave upon the LORD your God are alive every one of you today.

I once asked the LORD, "What was I doing then, when I was reading the Bible and studying the Bible, before I was diagnosed with cancer? Wasn't I reading your word?" I felt a soft small voice in my heart immediately after I said it. "These words are giving you life." This was a moment when I understood what he meant. He doesn't answer my "why" questions, but he gives me peace. Our God's kindness is great. I keep trusting Him. He is my hope.　Cleaving to/clinging to/adhering to God is the best place to be.

Thanksgiving - Psalm 30

Psalm 30

¹ I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
      You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
 ² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
      and you restored my health.
 ³ You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.
      You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

That is exactly what God is doing in my life!
I am full of gratitude.
Thank you, Father.

Today I got together with some of my relatives, and I connected with some of my friends via texting. My heart was full of joy.

 ¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
 ¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

I don't want to forget what you have done.
I keep praising you, Lord.

Spoken words - Deuteromony 4:9

Deuteronomy 4:9 (my own words, acquired from different translations)

Only take heed, hedge about, attend to , and protect your life/breath/soul diligently so that you don't forget what God has said (= and done!) which your eyes have seen, and so that the word of God, which was accomplished by His deeds, will not leave your heart all the way till the end.

Instruct your children and grandchildren.

In Dodie Osteen's book, I read that the word for "God has said (=and done)" is translated as "miracle" in her devotional. In other translations it is "word" or "things." It caught my eyes.

I found that the original word is Strong's Hebrew 1697    דָּבָר (dabar).

It can be word, spoken, matter, or thing. 

Dabar is also the Hebrew title of Deuteronomy. 

Personally this word is saying that the word of God equals things/matter because God does what he says. That the spoken words are always done is hidden in this small word. When God's spoken words or promises come true in front of our eyes, it is a miracle.

Joshua 21:45 (my own words acquired from different translations)

Not one good thing/promise/word (Strong's 1697) which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel failed; all came to pass/go/bring forth/cause.

It is written that God's word will not return to him void. In this case the word even causes things. I sense the importance of the spoken words.

Jesus told the disciples that "These signs will accompany those who believe; They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new language; they will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them."

Then later the Bible says that ".. the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the LORD worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."

I don't know how to compare Greek words to Hebrew, but somehow I think these scriptures go together.

I thank God for His life-giving words. Lord, I pray that your word keeps being alive in my life and those who need life in their bodies. 

In Jesus,

"You saved my soul"

Be blessed by Bryan and Katie Torwalt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zouu_88-ZV8



"....I'm healed now, cause you made me whole."

This makes me smile.

change in treatment plan

My oncologist has always said that the treatment plan will remain the same, but he is changing it.

Me "Could you remind me the reason why I was inoperable? People are asking me and I can't remember the reason."
Doctor "Well, the cancer was all over you."
Me "But it is in one place in the upper lung."
Doctor "Mmmm. If it stays the same for one year, we can have a surgeon to take it out."
Me "It is staying the same since April."
Then the doctor wrote down that he may send me to a surgeon in April. (or something similar)

Just like that?
Compared to what it was a year ago, it is amazing!

God is still watching how his words are accomplishing their purposes. His words never fails.
I am just standing in awe.

I am sorry but I have to confess here that I still don't have courage to be a part of a support group. Maybe I should be there and encourage people, but I don't feel strong enough to do it. I encourage myself through God's words but I may be discouraged easily. I want to keep looking up. When the medical world says there is not hope, God is my only hope. No man can save me. I just stand in awe and praise him. :)

Can we pray for other sick people while you are not yet healed?

Yes.

Dodie Osteen went out to pray for the sick while she was still suffering from cancer. Some people encouraged me to pray for other people, but I haven't done it consistently.


In Genesis Abraham and Sarah were told by God's messengers that Sarah was going to have a baby a year later. They were too old to have a baby in human's eyes. After this Abraham still lied to Abimelek and told him Sarah was his sister. Abimelek took Sarah in, but was warned in his dream not to touch her. Then Abraham prayed for Abimelek and his household, and the wombs were opened and they could have babies again!

Abraham prayed for others so that they could have children while he was still childless!

I am learning that sometimes testimonies causes others to receive healing.

Let's have more confidence in God and pray for others.