A Journey in Faith Against Cancer - Part 5

This article is part of a series which might be better understood by starting at the first post.

The Victory That Overcometh the World

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5:3-5)

As I followed God's commands for treating my cancer with Protocel, the boundaries of my faith were tried. He showed me ways in which I was trusting the world and how this trust was limiting my faith in Him. Yet, as always, He proved Himself faithful.

Three months into my treatment with Protocel, I began my first round of follow-up monitoring. The cancer tumor marker tests for both types of cancer came back normal. There was no detectable evidence of any cancer in my blood! Even more surprising to my doctors, the secondary tumor they had found in my body was gone. A couple of months later, I had my first follow-up diagnostic mammogram. That also came back clean and the radiologist gave me a "clean bill of health".

In one year since diagnosis, there is still no detectable cancer in my body and my health remains strong. While I will continue to take the Protocel until Jesus tells me otherwise, I am resting in His work in my life and knowing that through this work, He has prepared me to be a better witness to Him in these end times.

I cannot say why God allowed me to have cancer. However, in His grace, God used this experience to instill in me the faith that I would need to endure during these end times. In His mercy, He provided me with more than just a professing belief in Him, but an ability to put that profession into practice so that it became a living testimony. While Satan intended to take my life, God used this to prepare me for the days to come.

Scripture indicates that the end times will be perilous times; these include times of great financial distress, continuous wars, globalization of world systems, major upheavals in nature, the existence of a 200,000,000 army in the East, resurrection of the Roman Empire, etc. We are told that the generation that sees the rebirth of Israel as a nation will not go away before the end has come (this happened in 1948). Another major sign of the end times is apostasy; there will be a great falling away from revealed truth. This is happening now!

I cannot expound on the evidences for these being the last days in one paragraph, but my point is that this world will soon face trials that have never been experienced before. There is no way that we can get through the end times with human will alone. We must have the undergirding of the supernatural faith of God through Jesus Christ that allows us to hear what to do and obey without delay or doubt. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith in Christ and obedience to His words.

You may be going through various trials, but God's purpose is in strengthening you to be overcomers. By leaning on your faith in Him, you WILL overcome the world. Whether you are facing financial pressures, health concerns, family tragedies...this is a critical time in the Body of Christ. We are told in Revelation that the Bride of Christ has made herself ready; now is the time for separation between the wise and foolish virgins. Where will you stand?

Do not be dismayed by light and momentary afflications (even though they sometimes do not appear to be either light or momentary)! Yes, the trials are hard and the pressure can be crushing, but the result is a precious gem that can radiate the glory of the Living God.

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (I Corinthians 4:16-18)

As I reflect on this experience, I can see how these lessons in faith will be critical for me in facing the end times:

1. Faith IN God is expressed by being faithful TO God's words.
2. Someone else's impression of what we should do - even brothers or sisters in the Lord - is NO substitute for being obedient to what God has said. We should never choose the word of man over the word of God.
3. When God gives direction, be strong enough to walk it out with Him alone if necessary.
4. Silence the voice of the devil. Do not entertain thoughts that sow doubt.
5. Do not fear death. Know that this life if temporal but that eternal life awaits those who love and serve the Lord.

So what is the purpose of these posts? I am not saying that chemo and radiation are ineffective treatments for cancer. Neither am I telling people to forsake conventional medicines or doctors. The point is that we must seek the Lord like never before. Do not be disheartened by the trials you endure, as they are preparing you to endure the hard times to come. Rather, keep your eye single and focused on the end of the matter; knowing Him in whom the end has been confirmed from the beginning.

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." I Peter 4:16-19

Here is also a great resource on cancer: Wisdom From Above...for Cancer

UPDATE: We received in the mail today a newsletter from the Times Square Church that I felt shared the heart of what God is telling us in regards to the need for strong faith in these end times. Please read and be blessed as you ponder these words from David Wilkerson "A Time to Weep and A Time to Fight." Remember to click on the "Proceed to Newsletter" link on that page to read the actual article.