Christ our Only Hope

This past week - I have gone for my three monthly blood test and physical examination and I am very grateful for the results - CA125 6.3. Daniel has received the Part A of his examination results and he has passed. In the midst of so much going on, and even when we have paid due diligence in my physical exercise, my diet and his studying, we are acutely acutely aware that all this is not of ourselves but by the grace of God. 

Yesterday in church, I was blessed by the simplicity of coming together to worship God - in songs of adoration, in the feeding of God's word and in our prayers together as a people. Our church is less than perfect but I have in the past couple years been at peace in coming together in a midst of a people who speaks without presumption, without bragging, without taunting, without comparison, without antagonizing  - but who have in speech and demeanor ministered to me in their simple, quiet ways.  There are much religious strongholds accumulated from the past to demolish but we trust that God will do his work of blossoming His fruit through the faithful and accurate teaching of His word. 

Perhaps one thing that binds our church together is the presence of much illnesses within our midst. The consistent reminder that life is mortal as a result of the sin-cursed world we live in is very real and very sobering. Since two church camps ago, we have come to the 'alarming' realization, that God meant for suffering and affliction for the good of His own. That is God's way of removing our dependence upon ourselves and allowing us to seek and see His face. Sure, we have been given all spiritual blessings from above [Ephesians] but suffering and affliction is a blessing when we see where God is leading us eventually - towards the likeness of Christ and Himself. It's a tough truth to swallow especially since we have been taught that blessings are a measurement of our obedience to Christ. But strange that we have never once considered that Christ who was perfectly obedient to God, even to the death of the cross - was given a humble title of a man of sorrow and suffering.

Our church unites in thanksgiving and in these times, prayers for our brother in Christ and his family as they go through one of the most difficult times of their lives. Sometimes, I really wish [being disney indoctrinated] that it will all go away and we all live happily ever after. But sadly no, God wants us to know that All things work together for good to those who love Him and God wants us to cast all our hopes on Christ, our only Hope. Help us God...