Pastor's Ponderings, December 7, 2015

It Is Not Over Until God Says It Is Over

On Sunday, December 6, 2015, the world was happy to hear that former President Jimmy Carter said that his cancer is gone! On August 14, 2015, Magic Johnson just hit a milestone many thought was impossible 24 years ago when he announced that he was HIV positive. It is so very good to know that these leaders did not leave us but are still around to give a living testimony that God truly has the last say about life and death. 

In the bible, King Hezekiah received the report that he would die shortly.  Nevertheless, he went to God, pleaded his case and God extended his life (2 Kings 20:1-7).  God is in the business of giving good news.  In God, the answer is “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). While we are constantly bombarded 24/7 with bad news, God wants us to turn away from the bad news and hear what He is saying about your life. 

We can decide that we will focus on the bad news or we can concentrate on the good word of God (Philippians 4:8). Let us choose to hear the good report from the Lord, think His thoughts, and say what He says about you.  In spite of whatever is going on in your life, let us adhere to the lyrics from Ron Kenoly’s song, “Whose Report Will You Believe?” Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord. His report says I am healed, His report says I am filled. His report says I am free, His report says victory!

2 Kings 20:1-7

New International Version (NIV)

1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,

3 “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him:
5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord.
6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

7 Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.

2 Corinthians 1:20
New International Version (NIV)

20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

 

Philippians 4:8
Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].