Jesus Lives: A Prayer of Praise and Proclamation

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

Good News Pix 1 “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6, NIV

Thank You, Lord, for reminding us that we serve a Living God.

When life’s circumstances challenge us, we can trust You to work all things out for the good of those who love You.

We can do nothing apart from You, our risen King.

When discouragement and doubt threaten to paralyze us, Your strength and Your truth empower us to persevere in bold faith.

We praise You, Jesus, our risen King.

When we forget Your love is complete, Your grace is sufficient, and Your Spirit dwells within us, You clear our vision and fill us with peace and courage.

We worship You alone, our risen King.

Thank You for reminding us You sympathize with our weaknesses. You shower us with mercy to help us in our time of need. Nothing in all creation is hidden from Your sight.

You hear our voices, O LORD. We lay our requests before You and wait in expectation. You are not slow in keeping Your promises.

We lie down and sleep; we wake again, because You, O LORD, sustain us.

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, NIV)

We love You, Jesus, our mighty and risen King!

Hallelujah!

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Which verse in the Bible reminds you of the constant love and presence of our risen King in your daily life?

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Previously Published on Inspire Christian Writers as a Prayer Post for April 8, 2012

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God is Always Right on Time

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

Karen O'Connor - When God Answers Your Prayers - Book Cover When I was at the Christian Writers Seminar, I discovered Karen O’Connor’s When God Answers Your Prayers: Inspiring Stories of How God Comes Through in the Nick of Time.

I wanted the book because I needed it. But my husband, who has been unemployed since June 2012, reminded me of our budget. We had agreed on a one book limit and had already purchased the 2013 Writer’s Market Guide. Bummer!

I couldn’t really complain, though. After all, we had received full scholarships to attend the conference. I was thankful God provided and was reminded that we had no idea how we were going to pay our rent in March.

Over the last eight months, we prayed for peace. God gave it to us in abundance. We prayed God would provide a job for Alan. The crickets kept singing as my husband received one ‘no’ after another.

But, we keep right on believing that our Heavenly Father is in control. We’re praying He will continue to open and close doors as He sees fit.

Even though we have faith, our flesh struggles. “We’re trusting You in the job search, Lord, but we could use a miracle to help us pay the rent that’s due in a couple of days.”

On Monday we reviewed our options. Could we borrow against our retirement? That would mean in April we’d have a brand new bill to pay back, praying Alan would have a job by then.

“If only the insurance company would send back the $1,500.00 they owe us!”

Yes. If only.

On January 1st, COBRA took out $1,700.00 from our bank account even though we had cancelled our account. My husband called weekly to find out why our refund had not come in the mail. Every week he was given the run around.

But on Monday, the woman on the phone promised she would get us the check, possibly overnighted. We’d heard that before, so we asked God to help us not to give in to worry and doubt.

He knows our needs. He’s in control. And He’s always right on time! “Lord, help me to believe these words that are coming out of my mouth!”

At 9:30am on Tuesday, our doorbell rang. As soon as my husband walked upstairs, check in hand, we thanked God for His perfect timing. Although we don’t know how we’ll be able to cover our other bills, our rent will be paid on time! Hallelujah!

Scripture says: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

The Apostle Peter is talking about salvation in this passage. He’s reminding his listeners that God understands us and is patient with us. He’s affirming God’s mercy and love, reminding them that the Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish. God’s gift of salvation is offered to everyone who will believe in and love Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Peter was declaring the Day of the Lord, asserting that God will return according to His perfect timing. And he’s telling us to be ready, to be on our guard, living in righteousness and growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 318, NIV).

But this verse also reminds me that if God, the Maker of the Universe, is patient with us, how can I be impatient with Him?

I believe the Lord hears our prayers and cares about the details of our lives. He is good, faithful, and always working for the good of all who love Him.

God is always right on time, even when His watch isn’t synchronized with mine!

Hallelujah!

When we’re waiting on God to answer a prayer, we can be sure that He will show up in the nick of time!

I’ll be buying Karen O’Connor’s book with a Kindle Fire gift certificate I received last Christmas. I’m ready to be inspired and encouraged as I wait expectantly for God to move in our situation.

How about you? What verses help strengthen your resolve when you’re waiting on God to answer a prayer or entrusting Him with your longsuffering?

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A Week of Joy Wrapped-Up in a Box

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

Surprised by Joy Feb 2013 I was surprised by a Joy Box on Saturday, February 16th and had to wait until Monday, February 18th to open the first gift. I didn’t think it would be this exciting, or this difficult to only open one small gift at a time!

Feb 2013 includes Engagement 003 On Monday, I unwrapped this amazing cup and encouragement devotional. The handwritten card melted my heart as I read the words: “Trust Him with all your needs.” Hallelujah! I needed that word to start my week off.

Joy Box and Misc to Feb 20 2013 003 Tuesday, I was overjoyed when I opened this precious pink, porcelain shoe! The notepad says: “Walk in the footsteps of faith! (Romans 4:12)”

Yes, Lord! Yes, You know exactly what I am needing to hear during this time of affliction and transition in our family.

I could hardly wait until Wednesday morning to open the next gift. In fact, late Tuesday night I actually pulled Wednesday’s present out of the box twice, asking God if it would be bad if I didn’t wait until the morning to open the tiny wrapped square. With a smile, I placed the wrapped package back in the Joy Box and decided it would be more fun if I stuck to the rules of the game.

I’m so glad I waited!

On Wednesday, I opened the card and read: “With God, everything is possible (Matthew 19:26)” Inside the card, someone had written the following: “Praying God will grant you the gift of provision, reminding you His love and care are never far away.”

With my husband laid off in June 2012 and still searching for a job, this gentle reminder overwhelmed me with peace.

Joy Box and Misc to Feb 20 2013 005 Then, I unwrapped this simple frame with Jeremiah 29:11 inscribed on the front. “For I know the plans I have for you . . .”

In big bold letters across the top of the frame is the word, JOURNEY. And that is exactly what I am trying to embrace, the journey. The journey of longsuffering, perseverance, and victory. The journey of love, healing, and courageous faith.

This Joy Box was sent to me by an anonymous lover of God. Every gift has been a reminder of the Lord’s constant care and amazing love for me.

If there is someone you know who needs a little encouragement, I pray you will consider using this FREE service provided by The Joy Box Ministry.

I am itching to see what message of hope tomorrow’s gift will tuck into my heart.

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Is God Parked in Your First-Level Friend Zone?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

I had an “in-your-face” moment with God, as I was driving my son to school. I took the freeway exit and grimaced when a big rig pulled in front of me. My view of the cars lined up ahead of me was obstructed.

With the back of a semi trailer “in-my-face,” I couldn’t count how many more carloads were keeping me from my turn at the stop sign. I couldn’t tap my thigh, counting how many seconds it took for each driver to make the left turn that would lead us straight to the school. All I could see, as the minutes inched by, was the back of the huge truck.

Then, I notice this small sign: “Caution: This vehicle makes wide right turns. Please give way.”

There it was. Clear as day. The image of what can happen when we keep God in the first-level-friend zone.

First-level friends are the ones we call when no one else is available. These friends are perfect when we need something, or when we want to vent. These are the friends we’re happy to chat with while we’re en route, but the minute we get to where we’re going, we can’t hang up fast enough.

We don’t invest time in our first-level friend relationships. We certainly wouldn’t commit to meeting them for coffee every day just so we could get to know them better.

No, first-level friends are the ones that might come to mind throughout the day, might bring a smile to our face, but they aren’t really on the top of our priority list.

We’ll gladly dump our problems on their lap, but we won’t waste time sitting still long enough to listen to what they have to say about our situation.

We might pretend we’re listening as we multi-task. We might even try to convince ourselves that it’s okay to keep them parked in the first-level friend zone.

After all, who has time to spend hours with them? True friends forgive us we neglect them, right?

The sign on the big rig trailer got me to thinking about the consequences of when we keep God in the first-level friend zone.

The Lord, in His sovereignty, makes wide right turns all the time. His way is always right. And He takes His sweet time turning safely and according to His mapped out plan.

So, when we’re too busy zipping through the day, too anxious to go our own way, we can miss His signals and end up causing our own collision.

God doesn’t ask us to fit into a mold that attempts to determine what quiet time with Him should look like. He does, however, invite us into intimate relationship. And if our relationship with Christ is truly important to us, it will be evident in our actions.

Intimacy is two-sided and requires sacrifice and commitment.

We don’t need to spend hours upon hours a day reading the Bible. But if we’re not even making time to consistently nurture our relationship with God through the study of His Word, then we’re only cheating ourselves.

I can only imagine how much it grieves God’s heart when we treat the Bible like a vending machine. We snack on what we’re in the mood for, instead of eating healthy, balanced meals of his truth daily.

When we keep God in the first-level friend zone, we might say we love him with our words, but our deeds demonstrate He’s not worth our time or effort.

First-level friends are fine when we’re in a pinch, but they aren’t the ones we want to live for, the ones we just can’t seem to spend enough time with, the ones that make us hang on their every word.

Are you treating God like a first-level friend?

If so, what will you do today, to bring Him out of the friend zone and place Him on the throne of your heart, where He belongs?

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Surprised by a Joy Box

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)

Last week, when Alan and I went to check our post office box, we were surprised to find a strange package addressed to him. The plain box looked innocent enough. But, neither of us were expecting a package. So, quite frankly, we were just a little bit wary about opening the box.

After a while, I took a closer look at the address label: Joy Box Ministries.

“Hey! I got one of these boxes years ago.” I took the package out of my husband’s hands and held it in front of me. “It was during one of the toughest times in our marriage. I remember someone sending me a Joy Box to encourage my heart.”

“Well, who sent this box?”

I shrugged. “It wasn’t me!”

As we drove home, I explained that Joy Box Ministries ships anonymous boxes filled with gifts, and cards with hand-written messages. Each gift is marked for the recipient to open on a specific day of the week. The program was designed so that the receiver wouldn’t know who requested the Joy Box on their behalf.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4, NIV)

Since Alan was laid off in June 2012 and has been searching for a job while working on his dissertation, this small affirmation of God’s sovereign care was timely and impactful.

As my husband opened the last of his gifts and read Friday’s card, he expressed great appreciation for the prayers and thoughtful encouragement.

“It was surprising and exciting when I picked up the box at the post office. I didn’t know what it was. Each gift that I opened refreshed my spirit.” (Alan Dixon, Sr.)

Joy Box Ministries Feb 2013 001 I was overwhelmed with gratitude, praising God as I watched my husband opening his gifts and reading the cards out loud. So, you can imagine my surprise and excitement when he came home on Saturday after running errands with our son, Xavier.

He walked into the house with a smile, carrying a Joy Box addressed to me!

Joy Box Ministries Feb 2013 003 According to the note, I’m not supposed to open the first gift until Monday. I’ll be sharing my week of Joy Gifts and messages of hope through my blog.

If you’d like to find out more about Joy Box Ministries, or if you’d like to send an anonymous package of encouragement to someone who could use a reminder of God’s lovingkindness, check out their website.

You can help spread the word about this heart-touching ministry by liking the Making a Difference Foundation Facebook Page and sharing this post with your friends and family.

And you can bless someone’s heart by sending them a Joy Box to remind them that God has not forgotten them.

I can hardly contain my excitement as I look at the simple box of encouragement God has in store for me next week! I look forward to sharing the experience with you.

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Have you ever received a Joy Box, or another surprising form of anonymous encouragement that God used to lift your spirits and refresh your heart during a difficult time?

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No Matter What the Tide Brings In

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

“Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.”

(Psalm 42:8, NLT)

As I read this verse, my eyes kept falling on the word ‘through.”

Through each day. Through each night.

No matter what the tide brings in, God keeps pouring His unfailing love upon us.

Because God won’t stop saturating us with His perfect and unconditional love, we can sing, even if only in a whisper.

We can pray, even if only with our sobs.

And we can count on the Lord to give us life, an abundant life of peace and joy that relies on Who He is and what He’s done.

Even when we’re feeling unlovable, unforgiveable, or unredeemable, God declares that the measure of His love for us doesn’t depend on us.

Lord, please help us feel Your endless adoration for us. Help us trust that Your love is as constant and sure as waves rolling onto sandy shores. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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Photo by X. E. Dixon – Cabo San Lucas 2006

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The Hand That Made the Heavens

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

(Psalm 19, NIV)

Yes! God, who paints each sky beautifully different every morning, created each one of us.

He desires to polish us, often through refining fires, until we radiate Christ-like character.

This doesn’t mean He wants to change us into someone we are not, or were never meant to be. God wants to mold us into the amazing women of God that He made us to be.

He wants to use every aspect of our personality and every moment of our life experiences, even those we may not be so proud of, to sculpt us into a unique reflection of His power and amazing grace.

Nothing is wasted in the hands of the One who made the glorious heavens!

You are valuable, a precious jewel in the treasure chest of the King of kings. He doesn’t want to hide you, or let you collect dust. He wants to show off His priceless diamond. You!

Mountain Landscape by XE Dixon 2010 He does that by using you to minister to the body of Christ. In His power, you can use the skills and talents and testimony that He’s blessed You with for His glory.

Only you can share what God has given you to offer His people. And what you have to offer does make a difference.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

(1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)

Is there a ministry the Lord has placed on your heart that you have been hesitant to begin? How can God use your unique design and special talents or skills to build up others?

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God’s Grace in a Pot of Gumbo

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Xochi E. Dixon

Misc Pix January 2013 070

Misc Pix January 2013 034 One of my favorite New Year traditions is helping my husband prepare Gumbo. It’s tedious work. Dicing okra, slicing hotlinks, chopping scallops, and deveining shrimp.

As the crab boils, the unique stench of each ingredient wafts into every corner of our home. Onions sting my eyes. The oil in the roux sizzles in the skillet, inevitably popping onto exposed skin.

Misc Pix January 2013 062 Once the prep work is completed, these ingredients, and a few secret additions, are combined into a big boiling pot. A few hours later, we’re enjoying a tantalizing concoction.

Gumbo.

This year, I’m recovering from surgery on my left shoulder. My hubby did all the prep work by himself. As he busied himself in the kitchen, I considered the amount of work put into this traditional dish. I wrinkled my nose at the not-so-pleasant-scents associated with the fishy ingredients.

The smell seemed worse as I sat on the sidelines.

Are the tedious prep work and the lingering stench of seafood worth the effort for a few days of taste bud indulgence?

How does this mixture of stinky ingredients meld into such a scrumptious dish?

It’s amazing where my mind wanders when I’m idle.

Guilt weighed down my heart on New Year’s Day. I was laid out on the recliner as my husband bore the whole load to preserve our yearly tradition.

Misc Pix January 2013 095 Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful the Lord provided so we could keep this twenty year tradition alive. I enjoyed every spoonful and was blessed that we were able to share this tasty treat with a few friends and family.

Misc Pix January 2013 020 I’m thankful my husband was willing to carry the full load of preparing the meal as I healed. And, as we ate the last bowl of leftovers, God’s grace was evident in this year’s pot of Gumbo, as well as the year we were leaving behind us.

In 2012, our eyes stung with tears from grief, heartache and loss.

We’ve suffered the stench of sinful attitudes being boiled out of our lives through conflict.

Our days were spiced with joy and peace that transcended our circumstances and our understanding.

We lost our home of seventeen years in 2012, but were blessed with a smooth short-sale process and a new house that felt like home from the very first day.

My husband lost his job due to a restructure in June 2012, but he is well on his way to completing his Phd in Organizational Leadership. God has been providing for us in ways we could never even begin to imagine!

Misc Pix January 2013 073 We lost our oldest son, but God reconciled our relationship with him and his fiance when my husband went in for an emergency appendectomy. It was a blessing to have them enjoying Gumbo with us this year.

God carried us through the refining fire, melting our hardened hearts and helping us release resentments and unforgiveness for the sake of relationships.

We suffered physical pain and embraced God’s goodness, trusting Him in the healing journey.

Misc Pix January 2013 060 Each moment of our lives, the good and the bad, have been tossed into a pot of God’s grace and mixed by His loving hand. He sprinkles in a dash of forgiveness, a pinch of humility, and the irreplaceable roux of His truth.

In Romans 8:28, the Apostle Paul wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

It’s easy to forget that he is not talking about us as individuals, but as a whole body. He’s referring to every beloved child of God.

Our lives are masterpieces weaved into God’s perfect plan, which is all inclusive and not all about me!

Every choice we make, when placed in the Masters sovereign hands, melds into a journey we can savor. A journey never meant to be taken alone.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can taste the Lord’s peace as each one of us serves the Body of Christ through our unique giftedness.

We can practice the selflessness required in nurturing godly relationships as we get off the sidelines and do our part to build up the body of Christ.

One day at a time, as we simmer in the midst of God’s mercy and love, we will begin to look and sound more and more like our Savior.

We can praise God when the stench of our circumstances is sour and stinky.

And we can praise Him as He slices and dices our character, boiling out the sin that so easily entangles us, until we rise us and spread the sweet fragrance of His grace wherever He has us for today.

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In what situation can you offer grace for the sake of relationship and for the betterment of building up the body of Christ?

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What Can You Do When Healing Hurts?

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Xochi E. Dixon

It’s been twenty-eight days of back, shoulder, and neck pain since my last post. I was pouting, just like my cute little nephew, Emmett.

But I wasn’t pouting for very long. I couldn’t help but feel hopeful when I thought about how I’d been living with chronic upper thoracic pain for over twenty years. And now, God has blessed me with two doctors who are adamant about fixing the root of my pain rather than medicating the symptoms.

During my initial exam, they prodded every inch around my upper spine and ribcage, which was excruciating, until they correctly diagnosed my injury and began a treatment plan on October 3rd. Thank You, Lord!

Step one of my healing journey included multiple cortisone shots in my upper back. Step two, a shot on my right shoulder. Step three, an unexpected steroid flare up on my shoulder. Step four, a daily regimen of muscle relaxers, pain pills, and anti-inflammatory medication.

I had an allergic reaction to the meds, which included swollen eyelids, burning, itching, and welts all over my body. One visit to my family practitioner later, fear and discouragement seeped into my thoughts as I realized I wouldn’t be allowed to take the necessary meds for pain.

All I could do was fall powerless into the arms of my amazing Savior.

Today, my pain is sporadic and my hives are clearing. Praise the Lord! To top it off, my MRI, which is required before I can consider the next step of my treatment, was approved this morning. I’ll schedule an appointment for next week so I can move forward with the final steps of my treatment plan, which could include more shots or surgery. Can I get an amen?

I love how God gives us glimpses of hope through dark clouds!

Yet, while my hope is secured in Christ, I’ve learned that sometimes healing hurts. Whether dealing with physical or emotional pain, it’s vital to identify the root of our pain as soon as possible, rather than masking the issue with unhealthy habits or settling for treating the symptoms.

Years ago I went through Celebrate Recovery, twice. The study, a twelve-step program toward healing and wholeness in Christ, is designed for anyone who has ever experienced pain or has caused pain in the lives of others.

Step four of the study offers an opportunity to take an inventory of your life, to prayerfully identify every person and situation that has hurt you and admit how you have hurt others.

It was hard to face my past during the inventory process. It was even harder to face my shortcomings.

Filled with fear, anger, resentment, discouragement, despair and grief, I skimmed through step four, the first time around. A year later, God helped me accept that healing is a journey that requires His supernatural strength, one step at a time.

I embraced my helplessness, asked God to help me surrender to Him, and actually ‘worked’ the steps. That’s another testimony in itself. Praise the Lord!

As I wait for doctors to treat my current physical injuries, I can’t help but remember that it was only after I acknowledged my total dependence on God during my Celebrate Recovery process that He helped me discover the root of my emotional pain.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, I moved toward healing and wholeness in Christ by committing to release my brokenness into the healing hands of The Great Physician, one baby step at a time.

Hallelujah!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power, his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:3-5)

So, what can we do when healing hurts more than we expected or healing doesn’t seem to be happening on this side of eternity?

Reach up then reach out.

There are so many people around us who are hurting, even more who are hiding their hurts. Focused on our own pain, we risk missing the chance to be a light of encouragement and a testimony of God’s power and sacrificial love in the lives of others.

Our pain should not be minimized. But neither should our God.

He is our strength, our comfort, our refuge, and the Giver of all good things. He is able to do more than we ask, including igniting us with joy and peace that don’t depend on our circumstances.

As the Lord carries us through our personal healing process, He wants us to be transparent with one another so He can use us to shine for His glory. With the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can support one another as God works for the good of all those who love Him.

Prayer is not the least you can offer someone in need. Intercessory prayer is a powerful and priceless gift!

So, when healing hurts, let’s ask God to help us surrender to His will and reach out to His people, serving and being served within the body of Christ, just as He always intended.

Lord, please give us eyes to see beyond ourselves. Help us avoid isolation and be transparent with one another. Be our strength through the healing process on this side of eternity. And help us trust You as we wait for complete healing, found in Your loving embrace when You come again or finally call us home. In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

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As I trust the Lord in my own healing journey, I’ve had the privilege of praying for some courageous people of God. I’d love for you to post prayer requests under this post. Intercessory prayer is a wonderful healing balm for the one who is praying for others.

I’d also like to ask you to pray for my nephew, Emmett. He’ll be having surgery on November 5, 2012.

Thank you for joining me as we call upon our amazing Savior and trust Him on our individual journeys toward healing and wholeness in Christ.

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Baby Photos by Natalia Mungia

Landscape Photos by X. E. Dixon

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Hope in a Diagnosis

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Xochi E. Dixon

Rejoicing in the pain? Absolutely! But only because the power of the Holy Spirit is drawing my focus beyond myself. Hallelujah!

God has been using an old injury to remind me of the command to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). As I lay bedridden for several days last week, I realized I had stopped seeking the help of doctors because I was tired of hearing that nothing could be done to relieve my pain.

I stopped seeking the help of the Great Physician because I believed nothing could be done.

As I considered my husband’s request for me to make an appointment with a new doctor, I admitted I wasn’t really content with living with the pain. I was merely tired of asking for help and discouraged from being let down time after time after time.

Even though I didn’t blame God, or live in negativity as I sucked up the daily pain, I still hid behind a curtain of contentment. I cried out to Him on the real bad days. But, I reasoned that if I continued praying for healing and seeking new doctors I wasn’t accepting God’s will for me.

I truly thought this suffering was a thorn in my side intended to keep me humble and dependent on the Lord.

It wasn’t until I wrote the previous sentence that I realized how ridiculous it is to try to figure out what God is up to. But, praise the Lord for His endless grace.

Last week, I wrote “What’s Hiding Behind Your Curtain of Contentment.” And last week, I fell at the mercy of God’s throne. Well, I was actually laid out and unable to move so I didn’t really have to fall. The point is I committed to praying without ceasing!

I poured out my heart before the Lord, not worrying about how impossible the situation seemed, and scheduled my appointment with the specialist. I marched into his office with hope, armored with prayers as twenty years of discouragement tried to seep back into my mind.

Instead of giving into hopelessness, I experienced a revival in my heart.

I prayed through the entire appointment, even as the doctor contemplated my symptoms in silence.

The doctor gave me a preliminary diagnosis and referred me to a Thoracic specialist. If the diagnosis is confirmed, we’ll discuss the surgical procedure that could finally bring me relief.

Regardless of what happens now, I’m praising the Lord for the glimpse of hope and the reminder that giving up, especially in the ministry of prayer, is never the answer.

Praying continually is an expression of our trust in God. I’m not talking about the name it and claim it game, which is not supported by Scripture in any way. I’m talking about allowing the Spirit to transform our wills with God’s and laying all of our requests before Him.

Prayers that surrender to God’s will prove we believe He knows what’s best for us.

He cares about the big things and the little things in our lives. When we share our heart’s deepest desires with Him through prayer, we’re demonstrating confidence in His ability and goodness. We’re living in obedience to His Word!

We can’t come to the altar with the intent of manipulating God. “Lord, if you just say ‘yes,’ I’ll do whatever you want.” What God wants is a heart fully surrendered to Him, complete devotion and obedience to His Word.

I continue to ask the Lord to show me what else I’ve stopped praying about because of unbelief concealed behind a curtain of surface contentment? A prodigal? A need for healing? A dying relationship? A lost loved one?

God blesses us with every day miracles!

God is mighty and in control!

God is faithful and good!

Consistency and boldness in prayer displays the depth of our trust in Who God is!

“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3, NIV)

I don’t know what to expect from my next doctor’s visit, which is today. I don’t know if I’m going to have surgery or if it will be ruled out as an option.

But I do know I’m going to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to remain relentless in prayer and courageous in obedience to God’s nudging.

Not my will but Yours be done, Lord!

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What longstanding prayer, which you may have given up on, are you willing to surrender into God’s capable hands?

Please share your requests so we can join you in grateful praise and expectant prayer.

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Christian Fish Symbol

“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that

the grace of God is with you no matter what happens.”

1 Peter 5:12b (NLT)