March 13 Christ the Lord’s Love Read: Psalm 56:11 At the same time the request for devotion writers came to my inbox, I got the diagnosis that I have Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). My blood has three times as many white blood cells as normal. Yet, even with all those extra infection fighters, I am more susceptible to infection than normal, because the white blood cells are defective. At some point the faulty blood cells could so over-run my system that red cells and/or platelets could be supplanted and major complications could set in. So my heart pumps fouled up (unclean?) blood through my system, while I work with the doctors to find a way to clean it. On my side, prayer is a big part of my treatment plan. I’ve treasured the prayers of family and friends (and even strangers) since the initial concern was raised. But if God never answers those prayers for healing, even still will I praise him! I’ll praise God because the disease in my body now is nothing compared to the disease of sin that gripped my heart, mind, and soul from day one. And that disease has been washed away by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. No matter what the doctors see, God sees in me a clean heart and a right spirit because of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can CLL do to me? Prayer: God, I praise you for the cleansing blood of Jesus. Amen. ~Joseph Phipps Fairfield, IA Miss Pam
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 17:52:56 +0000