And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Paul knew that if his ministry was to be effective for God he could not rely on human resources but on the supernatural power of God. Paul also realized that sharing the Gospel should not be taken lightly. Paul also knew his inadequacy for his God given work. He said in 2 Cor. 2:16 But who is adequate for such a task?

I experienced myself this past week how helpless we can feel when sharing the Gospel to people. I would like to come back to my visit with my Oncologist last week. I do have to tell you that certain important details of the story are left out due to confidentiality.

On October 5 we had an appointment to visit my oncologist and to receive my Chemo pills for the next 4 weeks. A month earlier when we visited him I really felt the need to share the Gospel with him. This Oncologist is a very caring, soft spoken and friendly doctor. First the Oncologist gave me the news that the cancer had advanced during the two months of no Chemo treatments and that I could possibly grow immune to the Chemo that is being used. I may have to switch to another kind of Chemo or clinical trials. I told him that I believed with all my heart that God could heal me, if that was His will, and that I believed in prayer.

 I asked the Oncologist if he would accept a gift from me, he said he would. So I presented him with a story of a man that grew up in a non Christian home, yet through Gods directed circumstances he was saved. It is a touching story, the same story I have given to many other people. So we left him with this gift with the promise that we would talk again next time we visit.

As we walked out of his office and into the general reception area a woman that I have known for many years walked up to me. She has suffered from cancer for 6 years and was somewhat down from the latest news she received, that her cancer had spread further. She can also speak of God’s Grace in her life. As we were talking a nurse walked up to our small group, she knew the woman that I was speaking to, so she encouraged us to continue to look to Christ in our difficult circumstances. As we talked I asked all of those in our small group if they would pray for my Oncologist. As I was speaking, a medical person, some 20 feet away, stood up from behind a counter and walked up to our small group. He said, “I heard you speaking about sharing the Gospel with your doctor, I want to let you know that I pray daily for your Oncologist to be saved.” This man was so encouraged to hear that we shared the Gospel and we were all encouraged to hear that he was doing the same through prayer.

The precious time we spent in the hospital was such a great blessing that Henrietta and I left the hospital rejoicing, overshadowing the less than good news we received ourselves with His Grace. It was as if God said, don’t look at your circumstances, look at Me.

Many times we see Gods hand in so many beautiful ways and feel blessed beyond words. I ask that you will also remember this doctor in your prayers. Jesus said himself “without me you can do nothing.” I can often feel that inability and realize that we can only bring the word of God to peoples ears, it is God who opens eyes, ears and heart to save sinners by His Grace. Mark 1:15 Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

In regards to my treatments, I am 6 days into my 4 week round of Chemo and still feel pretty good. The side effects so far have been minimal, what a blessing it is to be able to eat, sleep, and walk. We continue to pray for complete healing and believe that God can do this. We read in the Bible that Jesus called Lazarus out of his grave after he was dead for 3 days and many other such miracles, it would only take a few words from Jesus to heal me. He can still perform these same miracles today.

Thank you again for your prayers and many other ways of showing your care. May God’s blessings go with you each day.
John