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Listen while you read: "Are You Washed In The Blood"1 (Lyrics) |
Luke 13:11-13,17b – Behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability." And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. And all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. (ESV)
I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a severe form of arthritis that causes inflammation in my spine, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and hands.
I could not shave or even look into a mirror because my neck was locked in a downward position. The pain, at times, was so unbearable that I felt like I was losing my mind. Sleep came in short intervals as I spent most of my time in my recliner day and night.
Numerous medical appointments took up most of my waking hours, including a mini-stroke and several calls to 911 resulting in ambulance rides to the hospital.
To make a very long story short, however, just a few days ago, I received the news that I am now in remission, which means that signs and symptoms are reduced. The drastically reduced pain is still there, the stiffness is a constant companion, and the medication continues, but I am blessed! More than blessed!
- I have been blessed again and again by my loving wife, who babied me and prayed for me as she nursed me through the most difficult five months of our 55 years together.
- I have been blessed with a wonderful family who prayed for me and kept in touch on a daily basis.
- I have been blessed with wonderful friends from various denominations who prayed for me, sent cards, and even delivered meals.
- I have been blessed with wonderful doctors: my family doctor, my rheumatologist, my neurologist, and my cardiologist.
- And I have been blessed by the Great Physician, Who orchestrated all this from even before I was born. To God be the glory!
Perhaps, you have suffered with unbearable pain and the uncertainty of your future. Please remember that there are those, including the Great Physician, who are willing to help in time of need. For that reason, I, too, glorify God, as the woman in today's opening story did.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name for all that You have done for us, even though we don't deserve it. You have surrounded us with people who always look out for us: our family, our friends, our doctors. Your grace is definitely sufficient, for which we sincerely thank You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!
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Thank you, Stephen. Blessings.
Amen, Stephen. Prayers for you.
I ask our Lord to keep on healing you and blessing you.
We all have moments of sadness, depression – remembering our blessings makes us smile again.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. May God’s mercy and care continue to strengthen and heal you. Blessings.
Thank you, Stephen, for your awesome testimony that encourages us to glorify God in all our times of trouble. And welcome to Presbycan!
Hello Stephen, thank you for your message. All praise, honour, and glory to our God.
(QC, CANADA)
Thanks, Stephen, for sharing your experience and story and it is so good to know that you have received some relief. And that you have been cared for by many. Blessings and thanks.
Dear Stephen, your testimony of praise to God through all that you have gone through and continue to go through causes my heart to soar! A testimony of a true overcomer. Amen.
Thank you for sharing your story today. I can relate to being in pain. Although not quite as bad as yours, it often disrupts my daily living and my sleep. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your story and inspiring us to count our blessings in all circumstances and to give all the glory to the Great Physician. We hope to hear from you again.
Thank you for sharing your story today, Stephen. God is glorified and l am encouraged.
I will add you and your wife to my prayers.
Blessings.
Praise the Lord for His grace sufficient and His enduring love. I praise the Lord for your testimony, and we pray that you will continue to overcome and keep on praising the Lord. I am amazed at Ephesians 3:20-21 over and over again.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. My husband of 54 years is in remission but has many painful days and nights. Two out of our five daughters has it now. It seems to be a thorn in the side for many. All along as you we have trusted our Lord as you have.
We are all so sorry for the time you have come through. Thank you, thank you for sharing your story. So well written. It gives the rest of us dealing with things a reminder of the hope we have in Him.
God bless you journey forward.
Stephen, what a remarkable and happy result you have shared about your life. Thank God indeed for such a turnaround and for all the concerned and loving family, friends, and specialists who have been part of this.
May your recovery be swift and full.
Good morning, Stephen.
Thank you for sharing a part of your journey. It is heartwarming to hear of the care of your wife, family, neighbors, and the Great Physician.
I pray that you will continue to find relief from the pain.
Dear Stephen, Thank you for your special devotional. Even though you have had such terrible pain, you list all for which you are thankful. We should all follow your example. The Lord helps all of us in so many ways, and we often forget to say thank you. God Bless you and may he continue to be your Saviour.
Oh my!! Praise God for the relief you have experienced, and for all who have comforted and helped you. May the Lord Himself give you His comfort and May He touch you and your wonderful wife with His healing power. Thank you for sharing your painful experience and your faithfulness in praising God for all He does when we call upon His Name. God bless.
Many thanks for your positive and encouraging devotional today. You certainly have dealt with some extreme discomfort in past time, but the Lord sure has had His hand upon you and given you the strength and desire to keep going forward. Our loving Lord is certainly there to help us through circumstances that arise in our daily lives. Blessings for writing and I pray much comfort for your time ahead.
Hello Stephen~
Thank you for your devotion today. I am glad to hear that your pain is greatly reduced and that God ministered to your needs during the worse of your trial. He indeed knows our every need and desire.
I will pray for you that the rest of your symptoms could abate.
Blessings.
Good morning, Stephen…. thank you for your uplifting devotional, and your wonderful attitude.
I pray that God will continue to keep your major discomfort at bay. We will then, also, be blessed by reading more touching messages and praises for our dear Lord God that you might share with us.
Blessings
(On)
Oh Stephen!
Your touching devotional really opened up my heart today. We all need someone to help us, don’t we? And we thank God, our great physician, for not giving us more than we can handle. I am so glad that your wonderful wife, your first responder, and everyone else who God strategically placed in your life is there for you throughout this painfully long journey. Keep well.
Blessings!
Good morning, Stephen,
What a positive and encouraging devotional and truly “we all need each other”. When people share their story, we all benefit from knowing we are not alone, from knowing that God is with us, from knowing that miracles happen, from knowing that others are grateful for our prayers and from knowing that God is walking with us through every day.
I am pleased to know that your condition is in remission and that you have been blessed in so many ways and you are aware of it and not bitter.
Thanks for sharing a piece of your story. Blessings and prayers.
Dear Mr. French,
Thank you for the devotional today. I was diagnosed with FMS AND CF many years ago and have had other medical conditions since. I now have daily headaches and have suffered with migraines since I was 18. I am now 70 yrs old. For the last three days, I have been in bed with pain that is out of control … arthritis in my neck and spine. I met my beloved in high school, and we have been married for 50 yrs. My husband is such a loving blessing. Your list of blessings reminded me of my own list of blessings and how God is always there in the little things that brighten my life. Your devotional touched me today and I just wanted you to know that I so appreciate hearing how you deal with your struggles through pain.
God is our strength and comfort and today I thank Him for your sharing your story. May you be blessed today with joy and inner peace and hope.
What a great witness to the loving care of the community that God has provided to bring you through the deep valleys of pain and discomfort, as well as the presence of His Son, the great healer!
Bless you on “the Way” of Faith!
(BC Canada)
Dear Stephen,
What a journey you have been on! Thank you for sharing.
And, reminding us whatever one is going through to be aware of our blessings!
Your beautiful wife is truly a blessing to so many.
God has brought many blessings to myself and others through your testimony. Blessings.