Day two with Special Guest Author: Tish Hagee Tucker!
The Gift of Hope
Romans 5:1-4 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Everyone wants to have hope, but how do you get it? Hope, like everything else, has a price tag. Sometimes the price is too high (as in the parable with the Pearl of Great Price), and sometimes it is priceless. First, we have to remember to go to the source of great hope. If we hope in anything other than God, our efforts are in vain. And it is only through trials that we can develop this great hope. Hope is something anyone can obtain, and with hope comes great peace.
When I was 37 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive strain of cancer, leiomyosarcoma. I had great hope that God could heal me. I knew that I would need much perseverance to make it through the journey, as my patience was already wearing thin just waiting endless hours in doctor's offices. Each time I started wondering how my story would turn out (though I always believed God would heal me), I found encouragement in the most unlikely places.
Here is an excerpt from my book, "Hear my Cry: How Grace Conquered Cancer:"
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It is not at all unusual for complete strangers to approach me and call me by name. Many times they have seen me at church or watch my dad on TV, and occasionally they have attended school with one of my siblings or attended a conference with my mother. So when a blonde lady I had never met before approached me in the middle of my neighborhood Target, I thought nothing of it.
She said, “You don’t know me, but God told me to stop here and talk to you.” She had my attention. Normally when people tell me, “You don’t know me,” it is followed by them calling me by name and saying, “I have known you since you were this big,” as they hold their hand at their knee cap. But this obvious stranger hadn’t given any of the usual responses, which further intrigued me.
I knew the woman standing in front of me was either a total nut case having a manic moment, or this was absolute divine intervention in my life. I was looking for the store security guard just in case, and holding on tightly to my new purse.
She looked me straight in the eye and said, “I want you to know that you are totally healed. The Lion of Judah is roaring for you, and when the Lion of Judah speaks, everyone listens. I should not be here this morning, but God told me to come to this Target, completely out of my way, and talk to the first lady that came up on my right. I am late for work, but I felt this word was too important not to deliver. I don’t know you or your situation, but whatever you are going through, you must know that God is on your side.” And with that, she turned on her heels and went right out into the parking lot.
You could have knocked me over with a feather as cold chills began to spiral through my body. God had sent a total stranger to find me and deliver a healing message at Target (Matthew 28:20). I wasn’t in church or at a prayer meeting. I was at Target! God had sent his messenger to find me right where I was. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as I stood there in total shock, staring into space. My feet were made of stone, and I couldn’t move in any direction as the joy of the Lord flooded my soul (Psalm 67).
That morning gave whole new meaning to shopping being a religious experience. No specialist had even defined the scope of my illness, much less confirmed my healing; yet God used a total stranger to reiterate that he was totally in control. God had shown up, completely unexpected, and let me know that he was going to be the fourth man in my fire. In case I wasn’t listening when my friends and family told me, he grabbed an extra stranger off the highway to swing by Target and run the message by me one more time.
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Hope is a way of life. If you would like to read about more miracles and how God held my hand through cancer treatments, surgeries and ultimate healing, check out my book at: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-070-3
Blessings,
Tish
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Thank You Tish for sharing with us a glimpse into your journey!
That was such an amazing story regarding your divine encounter!
I am so grateful for people who walk in obedience - they become messengers of His love and word!
You in fact are one of those messenger's that many will be grateful for. Lives will be changed because of your obedience to speak and testify about the greatness and hope you have through Christ! May your testimony continue to inspire others to strengthen their grip and hope in God!
To those that are visiting the blog - I thank you for stopping by and for sharing this celebration with us!
We would be honored to pray for you or a loved one. Please click below on the word "Comment" and leave your request or comments. At the end of the week we will announce two winners that will receive a copy of Tish's book - "Hear My Cry": How Grace Conquered Cancer. (click on book title)
In closing I want to encourage you with this...
HOPE ~ a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.
For Christian's hope is a spiritual truth. It is one of the three theological virtues - Faith, Hope, and Love.
These truths are scattered throughout the Bible.
They give us strength, wisdom and light on our pathways.
When we hope - we desire and expect to receive a provision from our Lord.
When we hope - we do not hope like the world does and place selfish desires before the Lord.
When we hope - we do so knowing that in fact God is our hope and he is our desire.
Seeking Him and hoping in Him sustains us through trials, tragedies and overwhelming difficulties that would otherwise defeat us.
He is our salvation.
Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved.
He is our grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.
Spiritual grace gives us "unmerited favour" that is often described by theologians as "enabling power sufficient for progression".
Without it there are certain faults, weaknesses and situations we cannot overcome.
He is our anchor.
Hebrew 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
He is our strength.
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all who you hope in the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
He is our rest.
Psalm 62:5
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Be Inspired to be a messenger of hope!
Vern
Home Sweet Home! by The Pioneer Woman
4 years ago
