Horses and Heros

Proverbs 21:31
 "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD."
 Everyone loves a victory! We love it when life seems to be going our way. You know what I'm talking about, all the appliances are working properly. Your car is in great condition, all the bills are being paid on time, every one in  your family is healthy. Home is great, church is great and our family is great. I love it when life is great! This very thought leads me to my next thought. What happens when life isn't so great? What do we do when things fall apart around us? What do we do when the car won't start or the washing machine breaks? How do we respond to tragedy or illness? My friends I write this devotional on the heels of a great trying time in the life of my family! I started this devotional three days ago before two of my most cherished family members, Greg and Jana Payne came to my house for breakfast. Its a tradition for us every monday morning. My wife Pamela makes pancakes, I make the coffee, Greg and Jana bring over the bacon and the rest is history! It was at this past monday's breakfast that we were having a great time visiting about Saturday and Sunday's worship service and how awesome our God is. When it seemed like out of nowhere Jana was hit with an attack of excruciating abdominal pain, We went from the breakfast table to the couch then from the couch to the car on our way to the ER  in less than four minutes! We arrived at our local small town hospital only for Jana to be x-rayed and careflighted to a larger more equipped facility. From there to make a long story short Jana was in surgery by two pm that day. Three hours later the doctor came from the surgery to report to us that he had removed three quarters of Jana's stomach and along with it a very large cancerous tumor! We were all absolutely floored! He went on to say that Jana had a long recovery ahead but encouraged us that given the proper care that Jana would be cured. My friends I write this to you because I want everyone who reads this to know that I have full confidence in My God who without fail loves His children. We never know what the day may bring? We can prepare and we can make ready, just like the horse is prepared for battle but I am here to testify to you that victory will always belong to God! Jana and Greg are true heros of the faith! They are my heros! I have had the privileged of seeing them grow in Jesus. I have literally watched them flesh out what real faith looks like! Wether it be a car that won't start or the rent coming due. I have watched them trust their God and in turn their God would provide! I watched my God deliver Greg and Jana from a terrible drug addiction, I watched my God restore their family from brokeness to radical Jesus following believers. I  stand in awe at the privilege that my God has allowed me to see and experience His mighty work! To some people cancer may sound like an impossible enemy but to my friends Greg and Jana it just means a closer walk with Jesus! This cancer is nothing compared to our God and Greg and Jana know this better than anyone!  Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Greg and Jana know this well! I would ask the reader, "How well do you know it?" What if one day you found yourself in the same shoes? The heros of our story are real people. They love Jesus with their whole heart and have learned to trust Him in their everyday activities as well as the big stuff, like cancer. It was not the tragedy that turned them to Jesus because they where already walking with Jesus when the tragedy came. Their horse was already prepared for battle which will make the victory all the more sweet! Is yours out to pasture or is he saddled up?  Thank You Jesus for my family! We are prepared for the fight and Jesus You hold the VICTORY!