Sunday, July 13, 2014

Relieved from the Sentence of Death

Roscoe had a great day yesterday (more details will be posted later today). I wanted to share the following passage which a friend sent me from his daily reading a while ago:
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1:8–11
In his email, he pointed out how Alisha and I had felt the sentence of death upon us, like Paul had. We still face that possibility still with Roscoe's dangerous heart surgery occurring next week. Just like God rescued Paul and has rescued us from death, we hope that God will rescue us once again. We are also joined in our struggle by many of you around the world in prayer, just like Paul was joined by fellow Christians in remote areas. Though this struggle isn't something we enjoy facing, it makes it easier knowing that there have been others who have walked a similar road and that God has walked alongside them as he walks with us.


For dramatic effect, I am including this picture which shows Roscoe
getting a blood transfusion yesterday. The syringe and looped cord
pumped 3oz of blood into Roscoe.

He closed the note to me with the following encouragement:
This is a dangerous, broken world, filled with sorrow and suffering. Its nature is not what it was, or what it will be, because it is now in bondage to the type of suffering and sorrow that you have seen in Roscoe and and have experienced yourselves. The fact that Jesus has been raised by God's faithful power, ushering in the final age and concluding with our resurrection by God's same faithful power, is the anchor that keeps you from casting adrift in this storm. Thank you for trusting God.

5 comments:

  1. That is fitfully said ! Just a beautiful reminder. I hope you , Alisha &:Roscoe are able to rest your minds and hearts and sleep some good sleep .. Dad & I love you three so much , and as much as any parents (including yourself ) wish yall didn't have to go thur this;
    We are very proud of you two and The love and your faith yall have demonstrated.. It seems to me Roscoe has thoses same attributes too ! Keep up the good fight of faith .we are all still Praying for yall !! And Thanking God for Him answering our prayers .

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  2. What an encouragement from your friend's email. God is certainly speaking to you and us. We spoke about Roscoe at church this morning during prayer time. Now another congregation is praying here in Nebraska. Blessings.

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  3. Soooo beautifully written and stated! We pray humbly and diligently with thankful hearts that God will bless Roscoe even more abundantly in the power of Jesus name. We love and pray for you and Roscoe's grandparents through this difficult time. Ben and Lanai

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  4. I just about plotzed when I read the title of this post. What a beautiful note from your friend! May such things continue to bolster your faith in our Father.

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