Believe

A few weeks ago, I think it was Sunday, 032507, I asked for prayer for Rick from a visiting minister friend, Ron Wood, of Pastor Byerly. He and his wife prayed for Rick and then he told me that he strongly felt that Rick’s healing would be gradual. But that I should not let anyone speak anything negative into Rick’s life. I really felt that God had spoken to Rick and me that morning.

So I have been looking for gradual little changes of improvement in Rick.

One morning we were getting onto the interstate. The redbud trees were lining the highway in all their splendor. I said to Rick, “Look at the redbud. Aren’t they pretty?” He said, “Yes.” Then shortly he said, “They are only here for a little while.” I said, “Yes, the blossoms go away very quickly but the trees themselves are always there.” In a few minutes he said, “I wish I had brought my camera.” I said, “I wish you had too.” A few more minutes elapsed and he said, “I don’t even know where it is.” I said, “Well, I expect we can find it.”

What a great conversation; the first of its kind in quite awhile. Since then there have been other occasions that have brought about complete sentences. I don’t remember them now. But it is only occasionally.

Last night, Saturday, 04/14/07, Rick and I went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday’s. We enjoyed sharing a meal and dessert. We came home and watched the Hallmark movie, “Iron Will”. Usually I put Rick to bed but he was awake and seemed to be enjoying the movie. He watched the entire show and responded to my comments about the show.

Then we went to bed. Rick immediately became very anxious. He couldn’t stay still in the bed. He kept getting up and I kept trying to get him to lay still. Finally, I got him in the bed and put my hand on his arm to try to keep him in the bed and started praying. I was praying God’s peace into Rick and claiming his healing. When I let up, Rich said, “Lord, Joyce just doesn’t understand.” I immediately asked God what I didn’t understand. And through praying and praising God, the following scriptures came to me.

“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:” Is 43:1-3 KJV

“10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 KJV

I started to realize that God is doing a great work in Rick. And even though I don’t understand what is happening or why, I know that in God’s time Rick will come forth at gold. And that God is going to use him greatly. What a revelation that God gave to me that night.

After a while, Rick was able to talk to me some and said, “This came on me and it kept getting worse and worse. I couldn’t do anything about it.” He was beginning to settle down. But he was still shaking with his teeth chattering. We rebuked Satan and reminded him that Jesus’ name is above all other names; including his and Alzheimer’s disease.

Then Rick was still in the bed and he looked at me and said, “I feel a calm. Do you feel it?” I said, “Yes I do.”

We praised God a little while longer and then were able to drift off to sleep. We slept the rest of the night. This episode lasted an hour.

God is a great God and He is greatly to be praised.

Pastor Byerly’s sermon today was on Believe, to trust in and have confidence in God. It was so pertinent to our situation. I will be spending much less time in front of the TV and much more time in the Word. I want to be in the right place for our miracle from God. I believe – know, trust, have confidence in – that it is happening! Thank you, Lord Jesus!