Today I am not writing about me. Today I am writing about a man that I have grown up with who is an inspiration to everyone in my family. To put it bluntly, this man is like a modern day Job. His faith is humbling, inspiring, and real.
I won't share much about his story simply because it is not my story to tell but I will ask that you all pray for him and his family right now. They are going through a very tough experience and throughout every update, throughout every text, every conversation, he says things like "Jesus is LORD of ALL! By His stripes! Our God is Greater! Jesus is there, He is Lord & He is mighty! I will never lose hope, trust or faith in our Lord." As I write those out it brings tears to my eyes to know what he and his family are going through but it also inspires me to know that this man would tell you right up front that it is not through his own strength that he is able to handle this but it through the strength of his Lord and Savior. No matter what kind of news he gives in his update he always ends it with hope.
This man is the type of person that when you meet him or walk away from a conversation with him, regardless of whether you are a Believer or not, you know you want whatever it is that he has. You know he truly believes what he is saying and he lives and breathes it. He will be the first to tell you that the reason he has an everlasting hope is because of JESUS CHRIST.
Larry, I commend you and I want you to know that we are praying for you. Not only are we praying for your family and your baby girl but we are praying for strength and encouragement throughout this experience.
Father, right now I lift up Larry and and his family and specifically his Princess. Father I know that you are the true healer and counselor. I know that you have strength beyond anything we can fathom and I know more than anything that you have a plan for this family. I know you have a plan for this Princess and Father throughout this struggle I pray strength and encouragement to her. Lord, we know that you can do anything and work miracles, Father we pray that your will is done and you are continually and forever glorified through this. Lord we lift up the Dean's and surround them with prayer and strength. May every one of them be fully suited in the whole armor of God today as they continue through this battle. We pray that the Devil releases his stronghold and any control he may think he has over this family. We rebuke this sickness and weakness. We rebuke failure and illness. Father, we pray that in all of this YOUR divine will is done. While we may not understand the reasoning behind any of this right now, we know that you planned this day and this journey for Princess and we know you are working RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Be with everyone struggling and do Your might work. In your name I pray, Amen.
PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS MAN AND HIS FAMILY RIGHT NOW. PLEASE LIFT
THEM UP. LET'S BE WARRIORS FOR CHRIST! OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN THIS!
Readers, today I challenge you to look at your life and see how you would respond in a time of crisis to your God. Would you ignore Him? Would you blame Him? Would you shun Him? Would you seek Him? Would you love Him? Would you praise Him? I hope in each of your lives you have the opportunity to meet someone like Larry and know that their hope comes from God up above. In fact, I challenge each of us instead of hoping to meet someone like Larry, to BE someone like Larry. Someone that loves God with every fiber of their being. Be the person that has that everlasting hope in Jesus Christ because you know what you believe is true! Be the person that others meet and wonder "What do they have that I don't?" Contribute to the reason that people seek God. It's time that we act out our faith, and instead of just having people like Larry be far and few between, we make it the norm!
Again, please join me in our brother and sisters struggle today and say some prayers. Let's carry each others burdens today because we all know that God put us here to help each other and love one another. Be grateful for where you are at right now and know that no matter what happens - GOD IS ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE.
