It’s almost time for that annual gathering of friends and family as we all sit down to that gluttonous meal we all refer to as Thanksgiving!  As I have been pondering about all that I am thankful for through out this entire month I realize that my family and I have so much to be thankful for.  Overall, my family is healthy and physically/emotionally able to do most anything we would like to do.  Most importantly, we are also all spiritually healthy.  This is not a proclamation that we are all free from sin or that I feel as though we are where we need to be with the Lord; quite the contrary.

The Bible is clear that we are all sinners and each and everyone of us fall short of the glory of God on a daily basis.  The healthiness comes into place though, when we realize that truth and lean on the saving grace and forgiveness that only Jesus Christ offers.  Lynette and I would attest to the simple truth that we are walking closely with the Lord, however, we would like to be closer.  There are always areas in which we can improve or grow closer to the Lord – to become more and more like Him.  So, how does this tie into my title – “No News is Good News, Right?”  Well, I’m glad that you asked.

Many of you are already aware of our journey with LilyGrace and her bone tumors.  We have had the second MRI but are still waiting for conclusive results.  Her Doctor and his wife just had a baby and he has been out of the office the last couple of days, including the day that LilyGrace had her MRI, last Friday, November 13.  He is now back in the office and we are waiting.  Most people have heard, “No news is good news.” We wait, hoping and praying for a good prognosis as a result of this MRI.

The Bible tells us to in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Wow! This passage of Scripture either really encourages you or it really convicts you.  Some people would not use the word patient as a character description for me in a lot of areas.  I think they would consider me very patient when it comes to dealing with people in a pastoral since, but being patient on other things, such as a stop light, other drivers, the drive through line at any fast (slow) food chain…  I think you can see where I’m heading with this.

I have really made a concerted effort this past year to have patience in all things but this area of waiting is really trying me.  I have allowed Satan to have a small stronghold in this area because I have found myself anxiously awaiting the results of this MRI.  My mind has slipped into that realm of thinking, “what if…?”  What if this is cancer?  What if they say its inoperable? What if there isn’t anything they can do to relieve the intense and chronic pain she is experiencing?  Oh, now I see what the apostle Paul was talking about when he penned Philippians 4:6.

Becoming anxious invites the enemy into your mind.  Did you know that Satan does not have dominion or authority over your mind?  I mean, unless you invite him in and give him free reign.  God is the only being that is omniscient and omnipresent.  God is the only one that can read your mind.  Satan cannot know what you are thinking unless you tell him.  He can make a very educated prediction by observing your past behavior, but he cannot know your thoughts and mind, like our Heavenly Father knows.  I believe that is why Jesus verbalized, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”  Jesus also verbalized a command to the demons, who were possessing a man, to leave him and move into a heard of pigs.  There is a reason that the demons shudder at the very mention (sound) of the name of Jesus.  There is power in the name of Jesus.

I’ve started vocalizing more and more of my individual prayers, so that Satan hears who has authority in my home, over my children, over my marriage, over my health, over my mind and everything else that I am.  Jesus Christ.  It is Jesus Christ who has the authority over my life and my all.  It is in His name and in His power that I pray and beseech the Lord for intervention in my daughter’s medical issues, in all of my kids’ lives, in my marriage, in my home and in my search for gainful employment.  Don’t confuse what I’m trying to say – I am not saying or supporting a prosperity gospel or a name it and claim it gospel.  I don’t believe that if you just speak something it will come true.  What I am doing is reminding myself that it is through the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father, the work of Jesus Christ, and the moving of the Holy Spirit that I can have faith in a Great Physician, the Healer, the Author and Perfecter of my faith and the very One, who by His nature is the Creator of all things.  It is because of the name of Jesus that we can cast out demons and pray for miraculous healing.  That is what I am praying for this Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving, I am inviting my family and friends to join with me in praying that God Almighty would find favor with me and my family.  That He would put a hedge of protection around my family, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  That through the power of the Jesus Christ we would live in the forgiveness that only His blood purchased for anyone who would call upon His name.  That through the leading and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we would speak boldly to the enemy and tack back souls and property that belongs to the Kingdom of God.  Know that what He has done and is doing for our family He can and will do for you, too.  If you are ready to start over and leave your past discretions, lifestyle and sins in the past, simply ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins.  He will not only forgive you of your sins but He will make you new.  If you would like to know more about how to find peace with Christ I would love to talk with you.  Feel free to comment on my post and I will be happy to follow up.  You can also send me an email at hallockisaac@gmail.com.