In recognition of the first anniversary of my husband’s passing; I lay before you my heartfelt thoughts and admiration of the character of my better half, Scott Brodie, and the gracious God he served. The Lord has used the last year to comfort me in the finality of losing my spouse who now lives beyond the veil. Scott’s gallant race to the finish in natural life has helped me to keep perspective on my grief. Feelings of having been denied have evolved to an ever increasing appreciation of the freedoms he must now enjoy in heaven.  

Initially, the overwhelming sense of loss was his physical presence, especially in view of the ways our lives were so interwoven. Life, as I formerly had known it, ceased to exist and my everyday reality was drastically changed. His absence affected every part of my being. Thirty years of inseparability didn’t ensure me another day or retrieve Scott’s soul back from the grave; I could do nothing but accept God’s decided Will. I’m sobered considering the fleetingness of time and brevity of life. Surely we need to redeem each day for our generation while we still have breath.

I’m mindful of Scott throughout my day and dismiss feelings of leaving him behind. I resist hesitations of the “great unknown” in my future and wrestle with a slight sense that moving on betrays the plans Scott and I had made together. In the coming days, I have determined all the more to allow peace to rule my heart and protect and confirm my steps. The Comfort of God will give me assurance of His guiding hand.

I empathize with all who have lost a loved one, especially those who have experienced the death of a spouse. We grieve two losses; one of our soul mate and one of our marriages. The unwilling separation by death ends the godly union of marriage; divorcing lives from one another.  My precious husband was the center of my world in so many ways; it’s foreign for me to live without his companionship. I am consoled with the thought that although Scott is no longer accessible in the land of the living he is partaking of an immortal, heavenly estate. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of him, miss our conversations and accept his absence. The memory of him continually abides in my heart and mind. My consolation and firm belief is in my faith that the Word of God is true and I will one day see him again. I rejoice in the spiritual hope of the splendor of heaven; a Hope that will not disappoint.

Despite new and persistent battles we had faced in Scott’s 16 year health crisis; I witnessed the Holy Spirit quicken his human spirit with renewed energy for each day’s challenges. Throughout the difficulties, when his natural capacity was tapped, he kept himself from feelings of bitterness and pity. He determined not to try to figure out life by his own reasoning and decided against accusing thoughts, projections and condemnations competing to discourage him. When exhausted from the all-day struggle of mind and body; Scott clung to the promise of sleeping peacefully (Ps 4:8). Notwithstanding constant interruptions, he rested in God’s faithfulness to equip him and looked forward to fresh mercies in the morning.

As the Lou Gehrig’s disease progressed, the Holy Spirit developed Scott into a gentle soul. Without the use of his voice and with little ability to breathe, he still found ways to express love and concern for others. The demands of critical health became increasingly difficult both physically and emotionally. What Scott lacked in his own willpower he went to God for enablement. He resolved not to battle against his own limitations but trust in Christ’s supply. Irrespective of Scott’s physical dependence he grew in selflessness and patience. He daily bore a cross of suffering and vulnerability and defeated many enemies by the power of Christ Jesus. I imagine angels desired to observe this marvel of faith in action.

Years went by and Scott’s nerve loss and muscle function continued to decline. This caused a type of progressive paralysis that robbed all aspects of his independence. In his great need, he came to a fuller recognition that God was searching his heart to apprehend his inner man (Prov 20:27). Scott’s outward man didn’t impress God anyway and often became an interference in the pursuit of Christ’s call. By prayer for others and in identification with his Savior, Scott shared in sufferings that remain for the sake of the Church (Col 1:24) anticipating God’s purposes would (and will) be revealed.

In the last years of his life, the intensive demands of physical care required concerted efforts day and night for me, our children, and the help of a few devoted caregivers. Scott had always wanted to give, and was greatly humbled to be the one constantly needing to receive. He appreciated all of our efforts and wished he wasn’t a burden. We never considered him a burden and saw how much he gave. There was nothing I would not do for him and still cherished the man I committed my life to in sickness and in health. Even now, I highly esteem the godly leadership and precious contributions he demonstrated.

Despite the adversity, the Holy Spirit continued to enlarge both our capacities. Scott began to recognize his value in the plan of God and he grew in purpose.  I assisted behind the scenes to help him fulfill his ministry of encouragement. In no small measure, the impartation working in Scott was profoundly worked into my family and me. With the passing of their dad, our children face a distinct loss of their own yet have received a great heritage of faith in the Lord. I am confident our posterity will preserve Scott’s legacy and the testimony of his utter dependence upon the provisions of God.

Scott had received newness of life, late in his teenage years, through the belief of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. Born to new life, his soul had been crucified with Christ in identification with the Son. Grasping the exchange of realities from natural to supernatural is paramount to rising above our challenges and overcoming evil. By of our invitation, God makes His home in us and we become the Temple of God. Our flesh no longer has jurisdiction to dominate us, God has legal reign! We choose to allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives and multiply the witness of Christ’s love to the world.

 Battle of our Soul

Scott had always trusted and sought the Lord for a healing miracle. I believe Jesus was well pleased in his faith. If the Father’s sovereign will was for his visible, miraculous healing in this life; He would not have been limited by doubt or unbelief in Scott’s expectancy.  In fact, many miracles were carried out to deliver Scott from an earlier death. God prolonged his life eight times the prognosis neurologists gave him in 1997. I’m persuaded that Scott was entrusted with a specialized assignment; one that might cause many others to become offended and confused. The Father knew he could take this godly man through fires of affliction and he would come through as gold. Disease did not prevail against Scott by slowly taking his life but instead, by divine design, Scott amplified Jesus in the earth. God healed him entirely; giving him everlasting life and the promise of a resurrected body at Christ’s Second Coming. Friends, the enemy has been defeated, no longer having dominion over a believer, we are to have already reckoned ourselves dead to our flesh. The battle that reconciled us to the Father has already been won and the grave has no victory. By the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Firstfruit of the Resurrection overcame death and the grave. Hallelujah!

By accepting Christ’s substitutionary death, Scott had already been spiritually resurrected from sin & death at the point of his salvation. Beyond his natural ability, through prayer and seeking God, he accessed the joy of the Lord for his inner strength. Scott’s spirit, soul and body had to align with the Will of God for his life and be daily sustained by His Grace. Scott sincerely wanted to be able to stand before his Maker with a pure heart and no regrets. He yearned to hear the Father say “well done, thou faithful servant”.

There is something for us to examine in one’s knowing their impending death that shakes them out of the slumber of the world. Even as a devote follower of Christ, upon hearing of his terminal prognosis, Scott desperately aspired to please God, no matter the cost. We should all be so alert knowing our days are short. I remember those early years and know our journey took us through a perilous and desolate wilderness of heart. Time and again, we were supernaturally equipped for our challenges by His mercy and grace. God’s Word tells us He does not refuse a broken and contrite heart and hears their plea (Ps 34:18).  In turn, we have opportunity to delight the Father’s heart by our acknowledgment and praise of His work in our lives. Scott had a lot of time to contemplate the Life of Christ that enabled him. He would want you to fight the fight of faith with everything within you, believing God for His Promises.

 “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant” Psalm 25:14

 An example of faith

 The Apostle Paul wittingly boasted in his infirmities to the Corinthian believers seeing they boasted in their flesh. (2 Cor 11:18, 30). Later the Lord told him “… my grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” therefore Paul was able to state “… I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (chap.12:9-10). We see in Paul’s example, although he was commissioned by God, he suffered many adversities. Consider the follow passage:

 “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—  always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.

…Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal”.                                                                                       2 Cor 4:8-12; 16-18

 My boast

In our private lives, I was a recipient and eyewitness to a particular outworking of inner strength and ability. By observing Scott’s personal fortitude and abundant life, my perception of reality has been altered in ways I cannot deny. I have come out from a wilderness leaning on my beloved Christ. I am passionately assured of God’s faithfulness regardless of how circumstances appear, and boast of the Lord’s delivering power through the Cross of Christ. Jesus will do more than you could ask or imagine when you commit your whole heart to Him. Believe for yourself, fellow traveler, God is the source of all life and an ever present help in the time of your need.

^“And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

(Galatians 6:9)

You’ve heard the expression “choose your battles” we have to consciously do that but sometimes our battles choose us, sometimes God has us enter into them. Some of life’s conflicts become a death defying fight of faith.

When God calls us into a season of difficulty, the trues which we had been learning of the character of God and His Word are to be appropriated to our circumstance. This applied knowledge will become powerfully alive as we trust and depend upon the Lord.  So often we find that we really don’t believe the Bible as sincerely as we thought.  We find ourselves doubting our beliefs and whether God can handle our troubles. This trying of our faith is valuable to God, it is more “precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 1:7).

Quarried nuggets of promise in The Book become very dear to us; as we cling to them in faith for outworking in our own life.  During our times of trial the Spirit of Christ can raise wellsprings of living water from the implanted Word within our soul. We are refreshed and assured as we call to mind God’s faithfulness. By resourcing ourselves from our earlier victories and answered prayer we have a greater capacity to develop a steadfast spirit by resisting the devil and his accusations against the goodness of God.  The Apostle Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that the comfort we received through our hardships may in turn comfort and encourage another in the midst of their challenge; thereby we become refreshment to others.

Just when we think we’ve got things figured out, God allows Satan to sift us as Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:32. Even this sifting is so that after we have gone through our trial we can “strengthen the brethren”. We will be able to strengthen others because we ourselves have become stronger in our inner man and stronger in the faith of God. The former doctrines we thought we had believed are tested and challenged and our minds become renewed to the mind of Christ. By patiently waiting and trusting God, we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us His way through our difficulty. Be confident that the Lord does this refining work within us to help us know Him intimately by changing us into His character and likeness. This transformation is the mystery of the Gospel “Christ in you, the hope of Glory” (Col 1:27).

Our path may not appear to be the way we imagined our loving God would lead us, it seldom does. Our greatest example is Jesus who lived a humble life, he wasn’t the Messiah and King the religious Jews anticipated; they were said to have missed the time of their visitation (Lk 19:44). The Cross led to Christ’s triumphant victory; tearing down the middle wall of partition that separated us from the Father. God’s justice was satisfied through the shed blood of His Son who made the atoning sacrifice for the fall of mankind. Jesus Christ purchased peace with God for those who will believe in Him. The battle has been won; the devil is after our faith to rest in His provision. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to keep and protect you when you face adversity. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7)

Each morning when I wake up, it’s very important for me to tap into the mind of Christ for everything I face. As a result of illness, I’m a guy whose voice cannot be heard, whose body is supported by a brace, having no ability to take care of myself; living in a world that champions and celebrates strength, perfection and achievement. Daily, the Holy Spirit reminds me that through my weakness God’s strength is perfected and my imperfections have the ability to put His Glory and His Grace on display. I’m tempted to think the weakness I have is a liability or a hindrance, but the Word of God constantly reminds me that my weakness may be my greatest asset because it causes me to access a strength beyond myself.

God desires us to remain dependent upon him in the humility of our weakness. The way we see our weaknesses are not the way God sees them. We want our shortcomings and limitations removed from us, but God wants us removed from them. It’s not the weakness we may have that is significant; it is what it can potentially produce in our soul that is of value. Prov 17:3 states “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts”. God is refining His children and producing gold, silver and precious stones in us through adversity, trials and weaknesses that we don’t want or like. I like to consider my backbrace as God’s golden treasure, my feeding tube as God’s silver cup, and my tracheostomy as His diamond. They each represent a time of difficulty, a season of seeking and God’s provision. Each scar, whether visible or not, can become an ornament of His Grace.

Beloved, God’s greatest work is done in secret during the darkest moments of our lives. Despite the hardship in trials; there is an unexpected beauty that can shine through in times of helplessness. God desires to use the difficult moments of your life to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful!

“And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name”. Is 45:2

Scott shared the following devotional thoughts at his 40^th birthday party; thirteen years ago. This birthday was a cause for great celebration since doctors gave him a projection of only two–five years to live. This was his second year following his diagnosis of ALS in 1997. We rejoiced as if Scott had broken a type of time barrier given to him; the first of many to follow.

Glennis and I were devastated by the news of my ALS diagnosis. The doctor gave us no hope; I couldn’t imagine how I could ever make it through this time. The neurologist tried to dash my hope in God’s promises with an accusation that I was “living in denial”. Did he think I foolishly believed in a God who doesn’t hear, listen or answer His promises or his children’s prayers? I’ve held onto one truth since that day “against hope, Abraham believed in hope” Romans 4:18. When questions came, I just kept holding onto hope. God has encouraged me to never lose my hope; to never lose faith in Him. He promises us “those that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

A few weeks ago, I fell on my face and I thought “I guess it’s all over” but as discouraged as I felt, I just started clinging onto little promises that God had given me. God spoke to my heart to stand in faith against the accusations of hopelessness. I can believe God does do miracles. I plan to face my trials by holding onto Gods’ promises in faith, little encouraging promises and thoughts of other faithful believers. I kept thinking of people in the Bible that have gone through battles, those that have been valiant in truth; valiant in the Word of God. I determined that I can’t go by what I see, I can’t go by sight, I have to go by God’s Word. I can believe in God’s promises, believe against all hope. Glennis and I keep clinging to God’s promises, greatly inspired by the warriors of faith that have gone on before us, both in written and living epistles.

When the world says the door is shut, we can still believe that there is an open door.  God will keep it open for you and for me. In Revelation 4, regarding the church of Philadelphia, there is mentioned a door that nobody can shut. The Lord personally encouraged me that this door of faith, God has given me, no one can shut. The doctors, the naysayers or the doubters can’t shut it; God’s going to keep it open because it is a door of faith. God’s going to keep it open and show great us great and mighty things.

God will do amazing things when we ask and pray. He will build faith fields in all of us, walls of faith in each person. Recognize answered prayer, write it down and hide it in your heart (Hab 4). By reminding ourselves of God’s goodness and faithfulness we can cooperate to build strong walls of faith in our souls. Build your walls with God’s promises and individual acts that He has done.

As we go forward in the work of God, look to those who have gone before, those who have been courageous; those who, no matter the circumstance, believe and hold onto God’s Word.  As believers and children of God, we can choose to believe all things in Christ, we can go forward in the call of God with valiant hearts of faith.

“Being valiant for the Lord, Valiant in truth, clinging to promises God had given them and they have run with these promises” Hebrews 11:34

When I think of healing and bravery in the midst of certain death, no other person stands out to me like Hezekiah. Hezekiah came to the throne of Judah nine years after the northern kingdom of Israel was carried away into captivity by the king of Assyria. Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign as Judah’s King (see 2 Kings 18:13).

Hezekiah’s Heart

Hezekiah had such an amazing heart to serve God. During his early years as King of Judah, he undertook sweeping religious reforms that Jerusalem hadn’t seen since the days of King Solomon. He removed idolatrous elements from worship, cleansed and sanctified the temple and restored the Levites back to their temple duties. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. (See 2 Chron. 31:21.)

Untimely Assault

But after these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria (who represents the devil), came against Hezekiah. Sennacherib, with his great Assyrian army (represents the demonic hordes of hell), destroyed and laid waste every city and nation in its path on its way to the ultimate goal of conquering Jerusalem. When the Assyrian force arrived outside the city walls, its field commander brought a message from Sennacherib himself.

In an attempt to demoralize the Jews, the field commander announced to the people on the city walls of Jerusalem that Hezekiah was deceiving them and that Yahweh could not deliver Jerusalem from the king of Assyria. He listed the gods of the people thus far swept away by Sennacherib then said:

“This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? Let not Hezekiah deceive you. For he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand…Nor let Hezekiah make you trust in and rely on the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of Assyria’s king” (2 Kings 18:19, 30).

Sending Lies

Hezekiah was doing all these great things for God and serving Him with all his heart—then Sennacherib came to attack Jerusalem. The first thing Sennacherib did before any physical assault was attempt to send lies over the city walls of Jerusalem — to try and promote fear and doubt in the people’s hearts and to question Gods power to deliver.

I can only imagine the lies the enemy directed at Hezekiah such as:

• “Where is your God now”
• “Your God has failed you”
• “You’re going to die”
• “I’ve taken down greater men than you”
• “You’re next Hezekiah because God sent me to tell you”

Dear friend, the devil will come after a believer with his biggest attacks when you display you are a threat to his kingdom and are showing others the way out of darkness. He sends lies over the walls of your mind attempting to shake your faith in Gods power to deliver again. Satan just wants you to believe one of his lies so that you will back down and surrender your faith in God.

Turning to God and His Word

Rather than surrender to the enemy, which appeared to be the only option for Hezekiah in this life or death scenario, he turned to God and His word for deliverance. Hezekiah understood the reality of the predicament in which he found himself. He did not deny it, but chose to believe God above it.

“Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their countries, and have cast their gods into the fire…..Now, therefore O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know, that Thou art the Lord, even Thou only” (Isaiah 37:18-20).

God was pleased that Hezekiah came to Him asking for help and He answered in dramatic fashion.

“Because you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria… Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow here or come before it with shield or cast up a siege mound against it…For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David. And the Angel of the Lord went forth, and slew 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when [the living] arose early in the morning, behold, all these were dead bodies.^” (Isaiah 37:21,33,35-36, AMP).

God Is Able

Hezekiah, when faced with death, turned to God in prayer and reminded God of his power, faithfulness, testimony and promises…and by the time he was done, God sent the prophet Isaiah with an answer.

God not only sent word of an answer, He was faithful to fulfill it!  He put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. “When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies” (Isaiah 37:36, NIV).

Are you facing a crisis of almost certain defeat? Rather than surrender to the enemy, go to God in prayer. He is able to answer in dramatic fashion and deliver you!

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:3-4a).

Scott’s most profound promise from God, years ago, impacted him greatly. He has always referred to his encounter of ’98 as his call from God encouraging him to share the gospel to thousands. In Scott’s visitation, his petition for healing was received, Scott heard the answer that “his healing had already begun” as if it was no big deal for Jesus. Scott was surprised that more time wasn’t spent talking about his healing since that was his weightiest burden. Instead the dialogue continued as to what else was on Scott’s heart.  He felt drawn to make other requests. We have always carried the conversation Scott had with Jesus during this night in our hearts. We desire to understand the depth of what was being communicated and imparted. God has continued to give greater revelation of  His Will as we have come to know Him through His Word.

“We are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Heb 6:9b, 11-12 NIV).

In the Halls of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11, not only those that believed the promises did mighty exploits for God but others that held the promises by faith; although they did not obtain them in this lifetime. It was still by faith they had the victory. By faith these heroes discovered the mind of God and were fully persuaded of Truth. They embraced the Word and confessed by their obedience and obtained a good testimony through faith.

The patriarchs, Jacob and Joseph, who requested their bones be carried out from the land of Egypt, saw something afar off and were assured of them (Gen 49:29-50:14). Also, Abraham and Sara were promised an innumerable inheritance born as the sand of the seashore (Heb 11:8-12). David saw faith accounted for in righteousness fulfilled centuries later through the New Covenant promise (Ro 4:6). He had a revelation of grace that was unparalleled in the Old Testament.  Whether, at a future time on this earth or in Eternity, the promises of God we cling to will be fulfilled.

By faith, Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27). We do well to “hold fast to our confidence which has great recompense of reward” (Heb 10:35). In the following verse we are exhorted that we have need of endurance, that after having done the will of God, we may receive the promise (vs.36). The race set before us is the analogy of our lives, we are reminded to run with endurance (Heb 12:1b) being mindful of the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We are to cast of every weight, looking to the finisher of our faith, Jesus!

In Hebrews 11, verses 30-39, we read of those that overcame. Some subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, escaped the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle.  Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance…mocked and scourged, in chains and imprisoned, being stoned, sawn in two, tempted and slain with the sword. Still others wandered about being destitute, afflicted, and tormented “of whom the world was not worthy” (vs.38a).  “…All of these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (vs. 39-40). This seems to be a mystery of our resurrected life to come; hard to comprehend the revelation that these overcomers lived and died by.

Some of these saints did not obtain their promise in this life but they laid hold of it by faith, without wavering. God’s promises never perish for the One who promises is faithful. These saints, having been made spectacles by reproaches and tribulations knew that they had a better and enduring possession for themselves in heaven. We also are not to cast away our confidence which has great reward but we need endurance, so that after we have done the will of God, may receive the promise (Heb 10:35-36).

 “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as  always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Phil 1:20-21

When a man or woman decides to become more like Christ they become the message!

Paul’s life had become the message of the Holy Spirit and power of what God could do in a heart; fully yielded to the plans and purposes of God. Paul spoke to the Corinthian believers, “We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings” (1Cor 4:9b). We are made by God a spectacle (qeatron). The word, like our theater, means the place of the show, and the spectacle shown at the theater is our lives exhibited before the whole world.

When we commit ourselves to fully following Christ, wanting our life to become a testimony, we say in our hearts to God; “I want to be used to reach the most souls for Christ! I’m tired of living for myself and only being satisfied with my own soul’s assurance of heaven. I want to follow you whatever the cost.”

You’re not on the backstage of the theater anymore; you step onto center stage before God, angels, demonic powers, men, and a great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). And Jesus speaks to your heart, “come follow me, I have the script to this drama of your life but you won’t be able to see it by sight but by faith. Trust me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge me, and I shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When you go through adversity, suffering and hardship, the world will be watching how you react. When everything comes against you, will the love of Christ shine through you during these times? Don’t give away the testimony of Christ to fear, but rather glorify God because of the joy set before you (Heb 12:2).

Sometimes, when I get too weary and exhausted, I just want to walk off the stage of life, but that’s when my Heavenly Father lovingly puts his arms around me and says, “you’re doing great, I’m going to breathe new life into you so that You can go back out there Scott and demonstrate to the whole world that I Am the God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. I know your dream of wanting to be with my Son so I am preparing you through trials and adversity to be His Bride.  Jesus has no other desires or attractions in this world except to be glorified through your life.  Believe me Scott, you are the one I love so rejoice because very soon you and all those who love me will be going as my bride to a great feast I have planned, The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).”

That’s why we endure, beloved friend, because of the joy set before us, looking forward to that day when we stand triumphantly with our King Jesus Christ as His Bride!

Special thanks to Lisa Buffaloe www.lisabuffaloe.blogspot.com and David Wikerson’s Sermon;”Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power” Oct 2, 2005.