Have you ever thought what you would do if you had a disease that may take your life?
“CANCER” It is a scary word, a catch your breath word. A word you never thought you would be diagnosed with.
I work in an oncology office not as a nurse or doctor who patients want to see, but in the financial dept. No one wants to see us. Or should I say in the beginning patients do not want to visit with us. Not until they find out both of us are Christ followers (my friend Bonnie and myself).
A few stories I’d like to share:
A tall clean cut gentle looking man came in my office. After going over his
financial responsibility for the chemo therapy drugs he said to me, “I use to be
a bad person. I was very mean to my wife and six children. One day
I sat them down and asked them to tell me everything I’ve ever done to them and how I can be a better father and husband. It took everything I could to hold back my intense anger. And I did! Christ is in my life now. I now teach in the children’s ministry at a Baptist church. Christ has changed my life.”
Why did he tell me this? I prayed right then and there, “O Father in Heaven why did I need to hear this story.” I hear, “Go tell him, I (Christ) have forgiven you. Don’t you know that?” It took me a few moments and the same words came across my mind three times. I got up walked to the treatment room, he was already hooked up. “Brian,” I said, “Christ wants me to tell you that He has forgiven you. Do you know that?” He smiled at me and said “yes”.
Second story, same day as the prior one; I was on the phone with an insurance company (on hold) a patient came in and said, “I need to get right with the Lord.” With no hesitation I hung up the phone. I’m sorry can you please repeat that? “I need to get myself right with the Lord.” He continued with his
testimony. I prayed, “Father, what do you want me to do? No answer this time.
Many stories to tell; our patient’s know we are both Christ followers. We do not keep it a secret. We always ask if we can pray for them. The response is
always yes. Sometimes our patients come in just for a hug. We cry
with them, pray aloud with them and sometimes their anger comes out.
Not at us but at the disease they are fighting.
So much to pray for …”Oh Heavenly Father how great you are! Our patients need you so desperately. Heal their bodies Lord. Comfort, encourage them, and give them strength to endure another cycle of chemo therapy. I pray to you Father to show them your love and your grace. Heal their bodies Lord.
You say in your word that we have the power to heal. I pray and believe that now. I pray to prepare their hearts to receive your word. Comfort their families, you know the tears. They will be comforted. O father you are all powerful. Words do not even describe how awesome, powerful and loving you are.
I pray now Lord in Jesus name. Amen.
James 5:14-16 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
“CANCER” It is a scary word, a catch your breath word. A word you never thought you would be diagnosed with.
I work in an oncology office not as a nurse or doctor who patients want to see, but in the financial dept. No one wants to see us. Or should I say in the beginning patients do not want to visit with us. Not until they find out both of us are Christ followers (my friend Bonnie and myself).
A few stories I’d like to share:
A tall clean cut gentle looking man came in my office. After going over his
financial responsibility for the chemo therapy drugs he said to me, “I use to be
a bad person. I was very mean to my wife and six children. One day
I sat them down and asked them to tell me everything I’ve ever done to them and how I can be a better father and husband. It took everything I could to hold back my intense anger. And I did! Christ is in my life now. I now teach in the children’s ministry at a Baptist church. Christ has changed my life.”
Why did he tell me this? I prayed right then and there, “O Father in Heaven why did I need to hear this story.” I hear, “Go tell him, I (Christ) have forgiven you. Don’t you know that?” It took me a few moments and the same words came across my mind three times. I got up walked to the treatment room, he was already hooked up. “Brian,” I said, “Christ wants me to tell you that He has forgiven you. Do you know that?” He smiled at me and said “yes”.
Second story, same day as the prior one; I was on the phone with an insurance company (on hold) a patient came in and said, “I need to get right with the Lord.” With no hesitation I hung up the phone. I’m sorry can you please repeat that? “I need to get myself right with the Lord.” He continued with his
testimony. I prayed, “Father, what do you want me to do? No answer this time.
Many stories to tell; our patient’s know we are both Christ followers. We do not keep it a secret. We always ask if we can pray for them. The response is
always yes. Sometimes our patients come in just for a hug. We cry
with them, pray aloud with them and sometimes their anger comes out.
Not at us but at the disease they are fighting.
So much to pray for …”Oh Heavenly Father how great you are! Our patients need you so desperately. Heal their bodies Lord. Comfort, encourage them, and give them strength to endure another cycle of chemo therapy. I pray to you Father to show them your love and your grace. Heal their bodies Lord.
You say in your word that we have the power to heal. I pray and believe that now. I pray to prepare their hearts to receive your word. Comfort their families, you know the tears. They will be comforted. O father you are all powerful. Words do not even describe how awesome, powerful and loving you are.
I pray now Lord in Jesus name. Amen.
James 5:14-16 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Bill, he is a special man to me. His cancer is throughout his body. He is a disciple in every sense of the word. He was a minister in Ireland; you can hear that Irish
brogue accent when he speaks. Bill’s ministry is while he is waiting for his appointment he sits next to someone to talk to them about eternal life in Heaven. God has not healed him but has opened a door to the multitude. His daughter from out of state told him, “Dad, Our Father has many mansions and He’s prepared one for you”.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.”
brogue accent when he speaks. Bill’s ministry is while he is waiting for his appointment he sits next to someone to talk to them about eternal life in Heaven. God has not healed him but has opened a door to the multitude. His daughter from out of state told him, “Dad, Our Father has many mansions and He’s prepared one for you”.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.”
“Stop telling God how big your storm is Instead tell the storm how Big your God is”
This is what my co-worker (Bonnie) writes, “What would happen if I was diagnosed with a terminal disease? I would like to think I would give all my concerns to God – I would ask God to help me to “wear” my testimony to His Glory – When we are Christ followers we need to realize that we are closely watched by everyone around us – family – friends – seekers – unbelievers; watching us closely to see Him in our lives and in our situations. You actually “say” more with your actions than with your words! Make all your actions Christ-like. Be a reflection of His strength, His peace.
As for me, I don’t know what I would do. I only know what I should. I should radiate God’s Glory in all things.
This is what my co-worker (Bonnie) writes, “What would happen if I was diagnosed with a terminal disease? I would like to think I would give all my concerns to God – I would ask God to help me to “wear” my testimony to His Glory – When we are Christ followers we need to realize that we are closely watched by everyone around us – family – friends – seekers – unbelievers; watching us closely to see Him in our lives and in our situations. You actually “say” more with your actions than with your words! Make all your actions Christ-like. Be a reflection of His strength, His peace.
As for me, I don’t know what I would do. I only know what I should. I should radiate God’s Glory in all things.
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