Category: Faith & Trust

The Heroes of Faith

On By CarmenIn Bible Study, Faith & Trust1 Comment

It’s encouraging to know that God provides what we need and sometimes what we desire when we seek Him and call on Him.

And it is comforting to see God work in our lives when we cry out to Him while facing difficult circumstances.

What a privilege it must be to be considered a hero of faith–one who has stayed on the path walking with God despite inconvenience, setbacks, and heartbreak.

In this post, we will look at whom God considers a hero of faith.

The chapter of Hebrews names these heroes and shares what they went through in their lives on earth.

It sets a distinct image in our minds of what great faith looks like.

These heroes not only existed in the past, but continue to exist today, and I would like to share the story of one such hero of our time toward the end of this post.

So, what does is take to be a hero of faith?

Obeying God

Hebrews 11 starts by naming heroes who walked with God in faith and trusted Him even though the world was against them.

Noah is just one example.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:7

Noah built an ark for his family and for two of every animal (male and female) to save a remnant of earth for God’s purposes.

He built a very large boat when he had never experienced rain—and he had to withstand all the criticism of the world who were not living for God.

It says that God counted Noah’s faith as righteousness and worthy of God’s blessings.

However, it didn’t turn out the same for those who did not believe God and follow Him.

In Hebrews 6, we read that God had enough of mankind’s evil and was grieved for creating them. He sought to destroy the wickedness from the face of the earth and He called upon Noah to fulfill His plan.

Imagine the faith it took Noah to build an ark when he had no knowledge how or even when it was going to rain.

He didn’t need to know.

Many times, when we are called for God’s purpose, He doesn’t give us the how’s and when’s. He simply calls us and it is up to us to obey and trust first.

When we obey God without seeing or knowing how it will work out, He then provides what we need to carry out His plan.  

He gave Noah a detailed list of instructions of how to build the ark with the materials to use.

In Genesis 6:22, we are told Noah did everything God commanded him.

And then it started to rain!

I invite you to read Genesis 6-9 for the full story of Noah’s ark.

The author of Hebrews tells us so many were able to see God’s promises and achieve astounding feats while overcoming insurmountable odds—all because of their faith in Him.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection;

Hebrews 11:32-35a

These heroes were ordinary people just like you and me.

One was Rahab and the author made no attempt to hide the fact that she was a prostitute.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you come from, what matters to God is your faith and obedience to Him.

Trusting God No Matter the Circumstances

There were others who trusted God through intolerable circumstances and did not receive His promise during their earthly lives.

You may say that this is unfair and no way would you risk everything in this life for nothing.

Well, there are many who did—and still do today—because they trusted God for something better beyond this life.

and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:35b-40

To have such faith!

I hope I never have to go through such circumstances, but if I’m put to the test, I pray that I will trust God through it and be counted worthy in His eyes.

I’ve just started reading a book, i am n, published by The Voice of the Martyrs which details inspiring stories of Christians who endure persecution from Islamic Extremists.

In chapter 6 there is a story about Abdiwelli (Abdi) Ahmed from Kenya who was raised Islamic but converted to Christianity as a college student.

He had many questions about Islam and eventually came across a Bible which he read in secret.

Abdi read about Jesus Christ and was drawn to His message of peace, love, and promise of eternal life.

After spending time having his questions answered by a Christian friend, Abdi converted to Christianity and began living boldly for Jesus.

He wanted to share God’s love and promise of peace and eternal salvation with others where he lived.

Once it got out that Abdi had converted from Islam to Christianity, the persecution started. He was beaten and his life was in danger.

He fled to a family member who was a Christian pastor and was taken to a campus ministry center where he met other believers and his future wife Helen.

Helen was drawn to Abdi because of his commitment to Jesus and he told her, “I love the Lord, and I’m ready to die for Christ.”

I’m certain he wasn’t seeking death but was so committed to Christ that he understood he could be killed and decided that he would serve the LORD anyway.

As Abdi and Helen travelled around sharing the gospel, they encountered more persecution and death threats.

They prayed together and believed that God was with them. The anger toward them settled down for a while and they continued their ministry.

Abdi expanded his ministry to neighboring countries to reach Somali expatriates, because it is illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity in Somalia.

While in Garissa, Kenya, Abdi was shot to death in 2013, by assassins while talking to a pastor in the streets.

After Abdi’s death, Helen fled with their three sons to Nigeria, her home country, where God protected them and drew them closer to Him.

Abdi’s death was not in vain.

When Helen and her sons returned to Garissa in June 2020, they learned that their martyred husband and father was considered a hero and that countless Somalis around the world were led to Christ Jesus through his witness and sacrifice.

Abdi lost his personal life to teach others about truth, love, peace and a better life–eternal life.

This was God’s purpose for Abdiwelli Ahmed and he answered the call to serve Christ faithfully, intentionally, and wholly.

Believing God for a Better Outcome

Abdi’s wife Helen has continued to serve the LORD, and when questioned why after all the persecution and loss she has endured, she stated, “If I try to save my life, I will lose it.”

Abdi and Helen have given their all in surrendering to the LORD’s will for their lives, understanding that their reward will be great in Heaven into all eternity.

The apostle Paul tells us this in his first letter to the church in Corinth.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

God loves us as we are and He has a purpose for our lives.

His call is unique for each of us and many will realize His promises in this life while others will see them in eternity.

When we answer His call despite the consequences, we will be blessed beyond our imaginations.

I pray that we will all be bold enough to step out in faith toward God’s calling, no matter the cost.

God bless you and I hope you enjoy this song of surrender to our Heavenly Father.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

And Without Faith…

On By CarmenIn Christian Living, Faith & TrustLeave a comment

As I continue from my last post, The LORD Will Provide, I would like to address the question many of us have asked—What if God doesn’t answer my prayer?

I will attempt to explain by what God says from His Word, the Holy Bible.

Also, I will use examples from my life so that you know a little about at least one person’s faith journey with Almighty God.

First, let me write about what God thinks of faith in Him and then I’ll end with a reminder of God’s sovereignty.

Faith Pleases God

In Hebrews 11, we are told simply that God is pleased with our faith in Him and He is displeased if we don’t have faith in Him.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

I have personally experienced God answer prayers that came from much seeking and trust in Him alone.

I can even testify to a miracle that I witnessed in my family (see my first post, God Still Performs Miracles) when I was willing to accept God’s will, and lay mine at His feet. I still prayed and asked, but I was resigned to accept whatever He chose as best.

We are told that we only need faith in God the size of a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20)

This means that if we haven’t yet walked with God in faith, it’s okay to start with even an ounce of faith in Him.

Trusting God without knowing the outcome is blind faith. And we will have to walk with God not knowing but trusting.

Sometimes, our faith walk will be hard and we will have to go through difficult circumstances that we have no control over.

It is when we lay it all at the feet of Jesus, and trust Him blindly, that we position ourselves to see God’s blessings.

Then, as we see Him move and change our lives for the better, our faith increases.

By the way, God will continue to grow us up in faith with more challenges until we know that we know God is real and He loves us.   

God Gives Us His Best

Sometimes we don’t get the answer we are looking and praying for in our lives, but this does not mean that God has not heard our prayers or has abandoned us.

This may be a sign of Him wanting us to wait until we are ready to receive His blessing.

For His good reason, He has us wait until He has worked on us, somebody else, or even the situation so that there is no struggle or harm when He says yes.

When His answer is no, it is because He loves us and what we’re asking for will not be good for us.

I have seen God shut doors firmly to what I was praying and asking for.

One of them was a relationship that I wanted to turn into marriage and the other was a business that I had started and wanted it to grow to where I could provide for myself financially.

I held onto both of them and worked at them both for a while even though I didn’t see good results and was distraught over the idea of losing them.

Eventually, I couldn’t hold onto them any longer, and although painful, I knew I had to give them up and wait for God’s best.

I still believed that God loved me dearly, so I let go of what I wanted and trusted God for my future.

I didn’t know how or when God would provide, but I knew He was faithful to His word.

God’s goal was to first work a great transformation in my life. He started changing my thinking, my desires, as well as my behavior—to become more like Jesus.

I finally came to a point that I didn’t want anything in my life that was not a part of God’s will.

As I continued to seek after Him, read His word, and rely fully upon Him, I began to see that God had a better plan for me and resigned myself to wait for it.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

This scripture verse tells us that waiting upon the LORD for His best in our lives will bring us new strength, courage, and joy.

Today, I am happily married to a man who seeks after God, loves me dearly, and is absolutely my greatest love and best friend, besides God.

As for my vocation, I work from home (as I have wanted for many years) and I am free to serve God in various capacities, one of which is writing this blog.

I find great satisfaction in my life and I have not had to work so hard for it as I did in the past.

God has given me better than what I asked of Him, a lot of what I didn’t know I needed, and a life filled with deep joy, peace, and gratefulness to Him.

Thank You, my LORD Jesus.

God is Sovereign

God has always been and will always be LORD of all. He created all things for His own purposes.

He lovingly created mankind in His image and gave us dominion over all the earth.

This dominion does not mean that we are in charge or that we are capable of running things on our own.

Scripture tells us this very thing.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Therefore, it is wise for us to humble ourselves and submit our lives to our Creator.

If we cannot bring ourselves into existence, how can we be so bold to think that we have all the answers and ability to achieve our own desires and goals?   

How often have we…

made plans and changed our minds?

started something and could not finish it?

planned and executed precisely an idea only to see it fail?

I have done all of the above and I’m certain many would say the same.

We do not know what the future holds, only God does.

God has a purpose for everyone and everything He has created.

So, it is best to ask His will for our lives, follow Him completely, and be willing to make adjustments in our plans while we wait to see Him unfold His purpose for us.

It only requires our love for Him, our submission to Him, and faith in Him.

Let’s be thankful when He tells us yes, patient when He makes us wait, and submissive when He tells us no.

God makes all things (good and difficult, emphasis mine) work together for those who love Him and are called for His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

If we can’t look back and see God’s purpose and we still wonder why God allowed certain hardships in our lives, I am certain we will know one day when we follow Him and make it to Heaven.

I hope this message encourages you to keep faith in God and allow Him to work in your life no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Please join me for my next post, The Heroes of Faith.

May God bless you.

I’ve included a beautiful song by one of my favorite Christian groups.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

The LORD Will Provide

On By CarmenIn Faith & Trust, God's Character, Salvation & Relationship with God1 Comment

I feel compelled to write about how faithful our Heavenly Father is when we are affected by devastating news.

It could be any measure of disconcerting events that happen to us that leave us bewildered, angry, but most of all anxious about our future.

Lately, I have prayed for several people who have lost their jobs due to downsizing, poor economic conditions, or changes in company vision.

So, for this post, I’ll write about my similar experience of being laid off years ago along with where God has brought me to today.

I also want to share an inspiring story in the Bible of one of the most beloved kings chosen by God.

My Loss Led to Greater Faith in God

I want to share my experience of a layoff several years ago as a single woman, understanding what it is to overcome the fear of losing a consistent paycheck after many years of hard work, diligence, and settling into a certain lifestyle.

My first reaction apart from fear was “how unfair” and then “how will I make it?” Even with some savings and a severance package, I knew that I had to find another job that could pay the bills.

My second reaction was, “God, please help me!”

That should have been my first reaction.

God already knew what I would be facing at that moment in time, and He was working behind the scenes. I could not see it at the time, but I learned through this scary experience that He alone would help me.

My Jehovah Jireh. My Provider.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

As time passed, I saw God work to provide everything I needed.

I did not miss a meal and I was able to keep my apartment and pay all my bills on time. I am grateful that I had some savings and I adjusted my spending.

I took odd jobs while networking and sending out resumes, until a better opportunity opened up with better pay.

I do remember along the way that I promised God that I would do whatever work He provided for me—and I did.

I was already a Christian seeking after God and reading His word daily. I attended church and volunteered in different capacities that He led me to.

I was His child and I understood that He would provide. I just needed to learn it from experience!

It was the only way that I could know for sure that He is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do in His word.

This opportunity opened my eyes and helped my faith grow exponentially. It simply drew me nearer to God and prepared me for the next opportunity to grow in faith.

King David’s Experience of Faith in God

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77:11-12

This Psalm was written by Asaph, King David’s music director. I encourage you to read the Psalm in its entirety.

It encourages us to remember the good God has already done to and for us—to remember how we struggled before and God saw us through it.

If nothing else, we should realize that as we were each once a newborn baby, God has brought us this far and we’re still breathing, even if we’ve had to face difficulties.

In my studies of the Bible, I love the story of how David rose to King as a shepherd boy.

This is not just a story—it is historical fact about the life of King David whom God said was a man after His own heart.

Although David was anointed king as a teenager, he had to wait several years until he was crowned king.

He faced many hardships and had to flee for his life from King Saul. He became a great warrior and although he had the opportunity, he never wronged or attacked King Saul.

David’s rise to kingship was not just happenstance. Nor was it due to David’s human ability, but to God’s divine providence.

It was God who destined David to be king.

It was God who showed Himself mightily to David by giving him the ability to kill a lion and a bear as a shepherd boy.

It was God who made David a great warrior.

It was God who supported David and defeated his enemies before him.

It was God who caused the Israelites to love David and accept him as King.

It was all God!

David just had to believe in God and believe that He was for him.

David had to want God in his life, seek after Him, and follow His ways.  

If you’ve read about King David, you know that he was not a perfect man, but he loved God and relied upon Him for his very existence.

When he was brought to reckon with his sin, he repented before God and was willing to accept God’s consequences for his sin. He acknowledged his sin and sought God for forgiveness.

The Bible tells us that in the future King David will rule with his descendant, our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, during the Millennial Kingdom and throughout eternity.

My Life of Faith in God Today

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2

This psalm was written by King David and I have adopted it as my motto in life.

I will praise God continually for His goodness in my life. He has brought me from a struggling, seeking young woman of God to a seasoned, thankful servant of God.  

It’s been a few years since that layoff left me scared and falling on my knees before God, but I have chosen to continually walk in faith with Him.

There have been many blessings and lifestyle changes that give credence to God’s goodness in my life.  

One is the freedom to write this blog to tell of God’s goodness to any who is interested in reading it.

By freedom, I mean that this is my “job” now (I prefer to call it my service to the LORD Jesus), which was made possible by God’s blessing in my husband’s ability and work that provide an income that surpasses what he and I used to make together.

I remind myself and my husband daily that all our blessings come from God and that our security is in Him only.

We still have challenges along with goals that we’d like to achieve, but we keep our eyes on Jesus.

As my husband is now in sales, there is always the possibility of losing a customer that could upend our current living situation; so, the threat of a financial setback is consistent. But…  

We trust in God who has done great things for us.

We trust in His word and that He’ll do what He says He’ll do.

We trust that He is for us and not against us.

We trust that if He gave up His most prized possession, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us that there is no good thing that He will withhold from us.

We trust that we will be with Him in eternity because of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross.

We trust Him and submit to Him as our Savior.

He loves us and He loves you too!

I hope that this blog has and will continue to bless you as you seek after God and purpose to walk in His ways.

Enjoy this song below as you contemplate God’s goodness, power, and love for you.

It’s one of my favorites and has blessed me when walking through uncertain times.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

Welcoming the New in Your Life

On By CarmenIn Christian Living, Faith & Trust, God's CharacterLeave a comment

When we enter the New Year, we plan to make some changes for the better in our lives. Many of our resolutions are made based on what we want to achieve for ourselves, whether it be for health or lifestyle improvements.

I wonder though if we have prayed and sought what God would like for us to do differently or work toward that would not only be good for us personally but would benefit others as well.

As we start this new year, let’s make room for the new developments that await us when we graciously accept what God has planned for us.

Accepting the New

I met a lady yesterday while shopping at Walmart who had the sweetest baby girl sleeping in her cart with all kinds of groceries stuffed in the cart. I was in the checkout line behind this woman who I assumed was her grandmother.

The baby was very small, so I asked her how old the baby was and she said that she was twelve weeks old and they had adopted her when she was eleven days old. She continued to tell me that this was her 15th child that she has fostered.

All I could say was God bless you for being such a wonderful person to foster such a sweet little being. She responded, “It’s not for the faint of heart, but it has been very rewarding.”

All I could think was WOW! How selfless! And she feels “how rewarding!”

This little baby girl is most definitely blessed to have such a kind-hearted woman to give her a good and loving start in life that her biological mother for whatever reason most likely cannot.

I wonder how her love and attention to all of these children she’s fostered has changed their lives for the better.

She has two biological children and has adopted two of her foster children. Her grocery bill was certainly in line with this 7th member of her current household!

I didn’t ask, but I am sure that when she first felt the call to foster children she was concerned about whether she and her husband could do it, afford it, have time for it, etc.

She said to me that without God, she could have never done it because He has always provided what they needed.

God provides for His call on your life!

God has and is still using a surrendered soul to bless so many lives. And He does the same for anyone who is willing to answer His call for their lives.

Now I would like to share with you what I feel God is leading me to change in my life and to develop with others in my community.

It is to focus less on my likes and desires and to spend more time with some of the women that God has placed in my life getting to know them better and developing stronger relationships.

I have had the privilege of knowing these women from my neighborhood and my church, but I have not really invested quality time with any of them other than briefly speaking to them on occasion as the opportunity presented.

I look forward to this new idea, pledge, beginning, because I am eager to see what God will do in the future through my simple obedience to His plan.

I don’t have any preconceived notions other than understanding their current life situations as well as their past—and future goals.

I know that God will make the way for His plans to unfold this year in my life and the future as I step out in obedience to Him.

His word tells us this exactly.  

“Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

I know that I can put all my trust in God’s word, His truth written to and for us—because I have walked with Him in good times and bad.

God may be calling you to do something unique and different in your life this year. I encourage you to heed the call and submit to His plan for your life. I have a feeling that if you do, you too will feel far more rewarded than strained.

Letting Go of the Past

If you are experiencing difficult times now or have in the past, let me encourage you to let go and let God show you His love and His power in your life over all the adversities that you have gone through.

Simply trust Him and seek Him.

You may be saying to yourself, “Yes, but you don’t know what I have done to bring about all these terrible circumstances that I am suffering now.”

Friend, let me tell you that what you have done in your past is of no consequence to God’s love for you and His blessings over your future.

When we come to the end of ourselves and realize that nothing good comes from living our life without Him, our best option is to seek God and surrender to Him and His ways.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

A few years ago, I came to this same conclusion and I am a living example of how God can transform a life going in the wrong direction to a stable and joyful existence looking forward to what He has planned for a life surrendered in obedience.

Leaning on God

Read again the last two lines above in Isaiah 43:18-19.

I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

God promises us that He will bring the change in our wild, barren, fruitless lives while at the same time refreshing our souls with His living water that nourishes, heals, and restores us.  

His living water is Jesus, our Savior.

When we surrender to Him, we are given new life.

When we seek Him, we are given a new understanding of this life.

When we abide in Him, we are given new purpose for this life.

When we obey Him, we are given new victories in this life.

I encourage you to step out of your routine and walk with Jesus because He alone brings change.

Get ready for new purpose and a new outlook that will help you stand through any storm or adversity.

God is for you and He wants a relationship with you.

Trust Him and seek Him for a better year and a better life.

Here’s to new beginnings.

May God bless you.

Enjoy the song below as you consider making a change for the better—God’s will for your life.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

God Still Performs Miracles

On By CarmenIn Faith & Trust, God's Character2 Comments

Welcome!

My name is Carmen and my goal for this blog is to share stories in my life and the lives of others to praise our Lord and Savior and to encourage others who may be going through a difficult time that He is indeed almighty God and He is in control of all our situations.


Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

Psalm 105:1-2


Over the last couple of years, I have been seeking God’s will for my life, praying for and asking Him what’s next for this season of my life. It has recently become evident to me that I should start writing about the goodness of God after I witnessed a personal family miracle a little over a year ago.

I was called by my parents to inform me that my older brother was in the hospital in ICU and was severely brain impaired. My father told me that several doctors and nurses told him if my brother were to come out of the heavily sedated coma he was in, he would have less than 5% use of his brain. He would basically be a vegetable—he would not know who he was, who we were; he would not be able to speak or understand us; and he would not have control over bodily functions. He was basically brain dead. I immediately started clearing my schedule and trying to decide when I should leave to make the twelve-hour drive home. I called my nephew who is my brother’s only child and spoke with him about when I should go and what the doctors were saying about how much time he had to live. He told me that his dad was on life-support and he was going to sign a DNR for the medical team. He also told me that if I needed time to travel, he would hold off on disconnecting him from life support until I had a chance to see him.

I immediately began praying and contacted my prayer warrior friends all over the US to ask for prayer and God’s will (even though I understood it might not be what I personally wanted). Meanwhile, friends and family were praying here in the US and abroad.

I made the 12-hour trip in one day and went to see my brother the following morning with my father. He was intubated and hooked up to several monitors for his brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital functions. His eyes were closed and as I approached him in the ICU all I could do was pray. I prayed for his salvation mostly, but I also prayed that God would allow him to live as normal a life as possible. I knew that God could keep him from dying, but was not sure that He would. After all, my brother did this to himself.

While there, I spoke with the head nurse of the ICU and asked a lot of the same questions that my family had already asked. They wanted to give us hope, but their experience could only speak the hard facts that he would most likely not live or have a normal life. My nephew had signed the DNR and all we could do was pray and continue to visit him during visiting hours daily.

My mother came with us to see him that evening and I had already prepared to read him a scripture verse from the Bible. I asked God to show me which verse to read and I felt that Psalm 23 was the chosen one for that evening. I had predetermined that I didn’t care what my family thought of this as they are more private with their prayer and outward profession of faith. So, I read Psalm 23 at his bedside and we said goodnight telling him that we would be back in the morning. The next day we noticed that he was beginning to move his body some and trying to open his eyes. The nurses monitored him closely, and again we asked if there was any chance that he could come out of this. The nurse said yes, but most people in his condition don’t make it. My father told me that he spoke with a female nurse prior to me traveling there, and she said that she had seen a few people come back and get up and walk and talk again as if nothing had happened. She was telling him to not give up hope. Meanwhile, our family and friends kept praying and asking us how he was doing. We asked them to please keep praying.

     

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire, and it shall be
done for you.”

John 15:7

The third day, early in the morning around 6:00, the head nurse of the ICU called us and told us that my brother was staring at him intently as he was checking on him overnight. He went through a list of procedures of which I can’t recall now, but I do remember being filled with hope and praying to hear good news. I asked the nurse what he was trying to tell me and he replied that he wanted to give my brother more time. “It just so happened” that my nephew was ready to have the medical staff take him off life support this very day. We visited my brother as soon as visiting hours began and he was continuing to move and was opening his eyes a little. Later that evening, it seemed that he was trying to communicate with us, so I asked him to squeeze my hand if he understood me. I felt a slight motion and I told him that he needed to squeeze my hand harder—and he did! Not only was he starting to use his hands, he understood my requests! Thank you, Lord! Before we left, I led my family in prayer around him, holding his hands and asked God to heal him from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

I wrote “just so happened” because anyone who has experienced a miracle from God knows that it “didn’t just happen.”

It is God who brings the miracle and we should rightly give Him praise for it!



You are the God who works wonders; you have made
known your might among the peoples.

Psalm 77:14

We left the hospital that evening with renewed hope in our hearts and minds. The next morning, my father and I returned to the hospital ICU at the start of visiting hours and while we were walking in, the head nurse said to my father, “You are going to be very happy!” At the same time, I had glanced through the glass door into my brother’s room and he was reclining in his bed with most of the monitors taken off him. His eyes were open and he recognized me and started speaking faintly. He was his old cantankerous self! I am not much of a crier, but I can tell you that I shed some tears that morning. My father walked in with such a look of surprise on his face that was priceless. My nephew came in about five minutes later and his jaw had dropped in utter amazement. I texted my sister, “Your brother is back!” and she called immediately asking what I meant. I told her that he was alive and well. She was screaming and praising God so loudly that they had to close the door to his room. Soon after, a nephrologist came in to check on him and started asking him questions about who he was, and who my nephew, my dad, and I were. He answered all correctly! He even added that his other sister was on the phone with me. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! To God be the glory!

The rest of the story:

My brother was moved to a regular room and stayed there for a couple of weeks before he was released. The hospital staff on that floor was glad to see him go. Did I mention that he was difficult? True to his personality, he refused all therapy and rehabilitation offered to him and was adamant about going home. After he was seen by the neurologist, he was finally released and was taken home. My concern was that he would not be able to take care of himself because he wasn’t walking when I left to go back home. A month or so went by and he showed up at my parents’ house to pick up his mail. He was walking without any aid!

I have experienced the Lord’s faithfulness in my life over the years and I can truly say that I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good!

God gave my brother another chance to live his life. Please pray with me that he will allow God to work in his life to let go of what put him near death. My prayer is that he would be fired up about overcoming his struggles and use his story as a testimony for the Lord.

I would like to end this post by linking a beautiful song that praises God for his goodness and faithfulness. May you be blessed.

“Goodness of God” – Bethel Music

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.