Cancer Testimony

You've Already Got It!

Like the dog on the cover, most Christians spend their entire lives chasing something they already have. They’re always asking the Lord to do something—to bless, heal, deliver, or prosper them—when in truth, they are seeking what they’ve already been given. They believe God can do anything, but not that He has (past tense) done very much.

However, the book of Ephesians was written from an entirely different perspective: Everything has already been accomplished in Christ and given to the born-again believer. It’s both already done and already ours!

A victorious Christian isn’t seeking victory but rather enforces the victory already won through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We aren’t trying to win a battle. We’re coming from a battle that has already been won! Jesus has conquered, and we’re enforcing His conquest. (Rom. 8:37.)

As believers, we aren’t trying to get something from God; we’re fighting to receive the full manifestation of what’s already ours in Christ. We aren’t trying to get healed; we’re fighting because we’ve already been healed, and the devil is trying to steal it. We aren’t begging God to prosper us financially; we’re fighting the good fight of faith to see the prosperity that’s already been given to us manifest. We aren’t asking God to bless us, because He’s already commanded His blessing upon us. Through believing we’ve already got it, talking like we’ve already got it, and acting like we’ve already got it—we appropriate what the Lord has provided.

It’s Already Done!

Understanding that God has already blessed, healed, and pros-pered you removes the legalistic performance mentality. You won’t struggle under feelings of condemnation and unworthiness anymore, because you’ll recognize that everything has already been given. In fact, it was supplied long before you ever came along. And since it’s a gift (not based on your performance), your worthiness—or lack thereof—has nothing to do with it!

How can you doubt that God would give you something that you know He’s already supplied? You can’t! The knowledge that He’s already done it eliminates all doubt. No more will you pray, “O God, I know You can, but will You please do it for me?” You’ll know that it’s already done. The question is: Will you receive?

If you understand and embrace these truths, you’ll be ruined for much of what’s being called Christianity today. The proclamation that “God can heal, bless, deliver, and prosper you” sounds good on the surface but is just a profession of what can happen. The Word declares, “God has already healed, blessed, delivered, and prospered you.” Can you see the difference?

- Andrew Womack

Confrontation

 Grace doesn't mean there is never a time for confrontation and correction. Grace guides us to always act in the most loving way toward others. When someone you know loves you offers correction, don't instantly react. Take time to reflect and perhaps even repent. One proverb says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." The degree of depth of a relationship determines the right of another to correct you so if it's somebody does, listen. That's often how we grow. That is the grace walk experience.

- Steve McVey

Compliments

 When you receive a compliment, graciously accept it. Deflecting affirmation is not a sign of humility. Sometimes, it is a sign of insecurity. A compliment is an expression of love that can elevate both the one receiving it and the one giving it. To deflect a compliment is to reject the kindness being given. 

Graciously accept what is said and, in doing that, you're lifting up the one who complements as they are lifting you up. Don't let false humility short-circuit the beautiful moment. A simple "thank you" is sufficient. That is a healthy interaction between people. That is the grace walk experience.

- Steve McVey

Weaknesses

 The dark threads in the tapestry contribute to the beauty of the pattern. The lard in the cake is a necessary component of the taste. The worn look of the antique gives its beauty. So is it true in your own life. Weaknesses are the platform on which many beautiful things emerge. Recognize weakness and yield it to the process of your own growth. Divine strength shows up best in your weakness. You may discover it's actually a thing of beauty. That is the grace walk experience.

- Steve McVey

House-Going Minister

 

Discontent

 

Ease up on Self Judgement

 Think you don't qualify to be called "spiritual" or "a person of faith?"  There's a chapter in the Bible that would suggest otherwise. It's Hebrews 11, a chapter that lists great people of faith. People like Abraham, who gave his wife to another man because he was scared of what might happen if he didn't. Then there's Jacob, a man who until this day is remembered as a sneaky and conniving man for much of his lifetime. Moses is mentioned despite the fact that he killed a man. Samson and David both made the list even though their record of adultery is sill remembered all these centuries later. In fact, David had the woman's husband killed. Hebrews 11:31 refers to "Rehab the harlot." No glossing over it there.

So ease up on self judgement. Faith doesn't mean people haven't messed up. People of faith have messed up but also "fessed up" to the fact that they haven't been and still aren't perfect. What they are is real. They don't pretend they have a perfect track record. They simply offer them selves to God and to others with all the good, the bad and the ugly they bring to the table. Stop worrying about your failures. Just trust and be who you are at this moment. That is the grace walk experience.

- Steve McVey

Feelings

 It's not uncommon to hear it said, "I can't help how I feel." The truth is that we can help it. We aren't helplessly caught up in feelings we can't change. Feelings are caused by thoughts. If you want to change how you feel, change the way you think. Feelings don't always instantly change but they do respond to thought. It may require reframing how you look at the situation. It may require sustained intention. It may require time. You are not a slave to your feelings but are the master of how you feel.  Take control over your thoughts. Then give it time and watch what happens. That's how the science of it works. That's how faith works. That is the grace walk experience.

- Steve McVey

Hold on

 If you got distracted from your relationship with Jesus by the angst and anger of the politics of our time, now would be a good time to return to the Lord. We can freely participate in politics as citizens of the U.S., but we dare not put our hope there. Please don't get caught up in the Biden hatred; it will only further crush your soul. All that is still humanity's kingdom. We're part of a more powerful kingdom that, even now, is infiltrating every corner of the globe. That kingdom transcends politics and spreads not as we fight each other but as we love our neighbor and, yes, even our enemies.

Remember, God’s salvation for Israel was not found in resisting Babylon but seeing him in their disappointed hopes and expectations. We can, too.  There may be rough times ahead, but one day a trumpet will blast from heaven, and voices will call out,

"The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)

Until then, we have only to remain faithful to him, to love as we are being loved, and to watch the hand of God move in the earth.  These are great days!

- Wayne Jacobsen

Heal not Disgrace