Mrs Amy Sapp / Joy in the Midst of Trials

Mrs Amy Sapp

Faith Music Radio

(pictured with my oncologist)

Joy in the Midst of Trials

To most people, I come off as an extremely fun, happy person!  I love having fun, and laughing HARD!  I am an extrovert, so I love being with people, put me in a room full of people, and I am totally recharged!  And in general I just love LIFE!  

I remember a couple of years ago, in between two major surgeries, I was spending quite a bit of time at physical therapy to get the range of motion back in my arms.  I worked with a  certain therapist each and every visit, but we were in an open room, so I was seeing many of the same people each visit.  One day one of the therapists asked me, "Why are you always so happy?"  I honestly had not really even thought much about it.   But, in reality, I was going through the start of one of the most difficult trials in my life.  A trial that doesn't end on this side of Heaven.  I didn't always feel 100% happy.   It was at that moment that I realized, I was happy on the outside, but deep inside I was in pain.  I had a plan for my life that I thought was the same plan that God had for my life.  And that plan did not include having the BRCA1 cancer gene. 

Every single one of us has trials, no one is exempt.  Our trials may all be different, but each of us will have those dark days of feeling alone and very sad.  The trial that the Lord has trusted me with is the BRCA1 cancer gene.  Your trial may be something totally different.  Even though our trials may be complete opposite, we each need to work through our hard times and give God the glory for them!  

Here is a list of several things that can help us find JOY in the midst of our trials.

1.  IT'S OKAY TO CRY:  I used to think crying was a weakness.  I thought that when I would cry it showed that I was not strong.  That is not the case!  Crying is healthy, it is actually good for you.  From time to time as women, we feel overwhelmed with everything we are juggling.  Every now and then a good cry is all you need.  And then it is easy to move on!
2. I know as women, many of us make "to do" lists.  Sometimes when you are going through particular struggles.  It may be a good idea just for a time, to get rid of the "to do" lists, and maybe if you need to make a list, make one at the end of each day with everything that you accomplished for that day, you will be surprised at how much you can get done!  
3. Realize that NOBODY'S life is perfect!  Do not compare yourself!  Do I like being at the doctor or hospital so much?  Do I like all the different medications, blood work, procedures?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  But would I change my life?  NOT FOR ANYTHING!  I am who I am because this is how the Lord made me and He trusts me to reach others through life's trials.
4. Smile / Laugh EVERY SINGLE DAY!  I decided I would make this goal part of my life many years ago.  This is something that helped me so many times through my trials.  Find a reason to smile.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Read a funny joke book, watch a funny skit, watch a crazy video clip.  Be around someone who makes you laugh!  When you smile, you are happier!  When you smile, your whole tone of changes.  If you smile at someone, just watch, they will smile right back at you.  Smiling and laughing are CONTAGIOUS!   Even if you are down, smile.  Smiling will make you feel that much better!
5. ASK FOR HELP:  After one of my surgeries I really struggled with this.  I tend to be very OCD on things, especially on organization.  I was down for 8 weeks at one period.  I had people coming into my home to help me with various things, which was a tremendous blessing.  But I felt so very useless.  There were so many things I could not do.  I had no physical strength.  It was hard for me to learn to let others do for me.  Learn to let others help you.  You know that if the role was reversed you would be willing to help.
6. YOU ARE NEVER ALONE:  This is so important to remember as we go through certain trials in our lives.  The Lord has put so many different people in our lives.  Every single one of them has a purpose.  We are here to help and support each other through every step of the way.  And if you do feel like there is no one there, there is always our Father in Heaven who will never leave us!  "The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers:  let him not leave us, nor forsake us:"  1 KIngs 8:57
7. CHOOSE TO HAVE JOY:  Last, but probably the most important.  Every single day we wake up we have a choice...  We have the opportunity to be sad or to be happy.  No matter the trial, no matter the heartache, we can choose to have JOY!  

   "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice." Phillipians 4:4

I have learned that life is not always easy, it is actually pretty hard sometimes!  I have learned things do not always go the way WE planned, but they ALWAYS go the way He has planned.  Patience is super important, unfortunately this is something I will always probably need to work on.  I have learned that when life is just too hard to stand,  kneel.  I know many nights I would cry myself to sleep.  My husband would remind me time and time again, "The Lord has something BIG for the Sapp Family, we just don't know what it is yet."  I have learned that trials can bring us closer to the ones we love so much.  I have learned not to take life for granted.  I have learned that everything happens for a reason.  If that reason is for one person to be saved, or if it be for me to be able to help one person with my testimony, or if it  is to draw me closer to the Lord, I am content with that.  I have learned that all of my prayers are answered.  They may not be answered immediately, or in the way I would think is best.  I have learned that I am not perfect, and I have a ton of things that I need to work on.  I have learned to have FUN even if things do not go my way!  Every single time I have a doctor appointment, I do my very best to pass out at least three gospel tracts, and I also wear some sort of silly costume or hat.  I have gotten several of my doctors to wear the hats also and take selfies with me!  Usually this results in smiles all around!  I have learned to never ever give up!  There have been times when I would hear of family members getting a negative result for the cancer gene.  I rejoice with them, but each time, without fail, it throws me for a loop back into that alone feeling.   Always keep going!  Never let someone tell you that you CAN'T do something.  

"Not that I speak in respect of want:  for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  Philippians 4:11

To sum it all up, and to answer the physical therapist's question.  I am happy, because I choose to be!  So while I am at physical therapy, I am going to cut up and laugh with others.  If you put me on a stretching machine for 30 minutes next to another patient who will also be stretching for 30 minutes.  I am going to do my best to give them the gospel.  Yes, while I am getting stretched in ways that hurt so bad, I am going to cry, but I am going to be OKAY!  I choose to have JOY!

Power Up! / Mrs Karen Caviness

Mrs Karen Caviness

Pastor's Wife

Victory Baptist Church

Roseburg, OR

Power Up!

This past Sunday was “Kid’s Super Sunday” at our church. Each child received a cape and a mask. We taught, “Jesus is my Super Hero”. People today seemed to be obsessed with power. Kids watch Power Rangers, we drink Powerade, there are coffee mugs, t-shirts and other products talking about super powers - I’m a grandma, what’s your super power? Yet, we look in the mirror or lie in bed in the darkness of night and feel anything but powerful! But that’s ok because I have good news for you. We serve an ALL-POWERFUL God!

*Ps. 147:5 – Great is our Lord and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

*Jer. 32:17 – Ah Lord God! Behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee!

I love the song that says: Is anything too hard for God? Whose got a problem beyond His power to solve? Are there situations that He’s not the master of? Is anything too hard for God? I say, there is not!

And there is more good news! Our All-Powerful God gives us power.

*II Tim. 1:7 – God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

1) He gives us power to be saved.

*Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

2) He gives us power to become the sons of God.

*John 1:2 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

If I saw someone in a burning car I would do everything in my power to save them from the flames. But if I could save them I wouldn’t bring them home with me to be part of my family! Often we fail to realize that at salvation we received much more than an escape from Hell. God in His love and mercy also adopted us and made us His child. With this adoption also comes all of the benefits of being God’s child.

*Heb. 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When my children were little if their daddy was in the church office and the door was open, they would run right in and climb up in his lap. Other church members children would stop at the door until they were invited in. As children of God we have the liberty to run right to the throne of grace and boldly seek God’s help in our time of need!

3) He gives us power to be a witness.

*Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

4)He gives us power to be strong.

*Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

How often have I had a lady who is facing great adversity say to me, “I just don’t think I’m strong enough to make it through this.” The wonderful truth is, you don’t have to be. It is the Lord’s strength that sees us through. It is in the power of His might we can endure the storms of life.

5) He gives us power in infirmities.

*II Cor. 12:9 – And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

How many times have you seen someone, or perhaps have been the one, with cancer or some other physical infirmity whose life exemplifies this verse? Even in their frailty and weakness you could see the grace of God in their life and His power resting upon them. Thank God we don’t have to depend on our own power!

6) He gives us power not to quit.

*Isaiah 40:29 – He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Sometimes we do get weary in well doing. In those times the devil starts to whisper in our ear, “You’ve been teaching that class or running that bus for a long time now. You’ve put in your time; you should step down and have someone else do it for a change. You deserve a break, besides, you’re not as young as you used to be.” If we listen to Satan it won’t be long until we are ready to quit. Instead, we need to look to the Lord for power not to faint. This is my new Sunday morning verse. I have been a bus captain for 18 years now. I must admit, it was a lot easier when I was 37! But when I claim this verse and seek His power and quit trying to do it by my own might, he does increase my strength and keep me going.

You may say, “Well, if God has all this power to give us, why do I feel like such a powerless Christian?” One woman can take a vacuum cleaner and vacuum the whole house and it look so much better. Another woman can take the same vacuum cleaner the next week and go over the whole house again and it did nothing but get her tired. The carpet is still a mess. So what was the difference? They both used the same machine. They both pushed it back and forth all over the carpet. But the second woman never plugged it in. She had no power! And that is how many Christians live their life. They are going through all the right motions but it all seems futile. They aren’t plugged in. They have no power. They are trying to live the Christian life in their own power. It is just a matter of time until they quit. So I say to you ladies, power up! Make sure you are plugged in to the power source. Abide in Christ, spend time in His word, spend time on your knees in prayer. Avoid the things that will break connection to your power source (quench not the spirit).

Our All-Powerful God has power waiting just for you, so POWER UP!

A Double Dose of Peace / Mrs Heidi McIntyre

Mrs Heidi McIntyre

Pastor's Wife

Victory Baptist Church

Richmond, IN

A Double Dose of Peace

Recently, my nine year old came home from church very perplexed about something that she had heard the teacher say in junior church that morning.  He had told the kids that worrying is a sin.  My daughter (who is quite a little thinker) just could not understand how something so natural to do would be wrong.  I love that she was listening in class and came home with something to think about!

I will admit that I tend to worry.  Just when it seems like I have life fairly figured out and things are going smoothly, it throws me for a loop, and I find myself worrying again.  We’ve all heard it said that worrying is a woman’s prerogative!  Sometimes it seems like we actually believe that!  My mom reminded my brother once about something important coming up that he needed to take care of.  Stephen is very even-keel and does not get worked up over much.  He teasingly told my mom that he would set a reminder on his phone to “start worrying” at a later date closer to the event coming up.  This made us laugh (and, truth be told, he maybe should have “worried” about it more than he did), but it got me thinking about how we so often allow our troubles and cares to weigh us down instead of giving them to God.

Is it possible for us to have inner peace during troubled times?  Can we really feel the true peace of God when it can seem that things are falling in around us and we feel overwhelmed?  Or should we just resign ourselves to living in worry and fear and defeat?  We worry about all kinds of things, big and small, don’t we!?  I will just briefly share with you what God has been teaching me recently.  I certainly have a lot to learn! 

Isaiah 26:3,4 says Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

The word “keep” is a military term, meaning to guard, protect, or maintain.  Nothing can hurt us with God as our protector!    

“Perfect peace” is literally translated “shalom, shalom” in Hebrew, meaning peace, peace.  When Isaiah repeated the word shalom, he was giving extra emphasis.  We often look for pleasant circumstances or possessions to bring us peace, but real peace is found internally, not externally.  

What is the condition for this promise of a double dose of peace? 

1.       Keeping our mind stayed on Jesus.  In other words, keeping our focus on God, not on circumstances.  

 

This reminds me of the apostle Peter sinking in the water.  Because he took his focus off of Jesus, He found himself in a place totally out of his control.  I can imagine his fear when he began sinking into the stormy waters.  For a moment he forgot the presence of His Lord and saw only the storm.  We, like Peter, prefer to feel in control of our own lives and become fearful when the situation is out of our power to change!  Satan loves to take our minds off of God and onto our problems.  That is how He can make us ineffective Christians.  How often could so much worry and fear be avoided by simply learning to focus on God and relying on His strength instead of our own! Only then will we find the perfect peace of God.  I love how the song writer wrote….”Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” 

 

2.       Trusting our future to Jesus. 

Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its troubles; it empties today of its strength.”  This was a lady who had experienced many trials in her life, yet she had true inner peace that only comes from knowing and trusting God.  We cannot fully enjoy the blessings God has for us when we are consumed with worry.  Give your health, your spouse, your children, your home, your job, your ministry, and everything you have to Jesus and trust Him to take care of it.  There is nothing He cannot handle and nothing gained from worrying.  The Bible says, “Take no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself: sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Give your worries to Jesus, keep your mind stayed on Him, and trust your future to God.  You can experience the double peace the Bible promises!

My Pledge to My H.U.S.B.A.N.D. / Mrs Linda Brown

Mrs Linda Brown 

Pastor's Wife

 Central Baptist Church 

Decatur, IL

1976-2018 

My Pledge to My H.U.S.B.A.N.D.

On August 22, 2018, my husband and I celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary! I dearly loved my husband on the day we were wed. However, I have grown to love him so much more and in so many more ways! To be a more godly wife, I have followed my mother’s example and God’s direction given in His Word, the Holy Bible. Yes, I have faltered many times, but I have sought God’s help and direction so that I could be the wife my husband needs and deserves. I would like to share several things I have focused on through these 49 years to be that Proverbs 31 Woman. The word “husband” will be used as an acrostic whereby each letter will stand for an important area of focus.

The H in husband stands for honor. Two verses that have guided me in this area are: Proverbs 31:26: “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Philippians 2:14: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings;” I have tried to use appropriate speech with my husband. For example, I have never ordered or made demands upon my husband. Questioning and suggestions were made instead. In public, my speech was never demeaning, correcting, or usurping authority over him, but it was one of admiration and respect. If I disagreed, I kept my mouth closed and refrained from adding my own opinion. In regard to his family, I have never been rude or mean to them. Even if I disagreed, I took the matter privately to my husband. We have never had arguments; yes, we have had disagreements privately I did not complain about his schedule while serving the Lord. You see, I wanted my children to grow up loving the Lord and having a desire to serve Him, also! When my husband would arrive home, I did not meet him at the door with all of the problems of the day and negative children’s behavior. My desire was for my husband to LOVE coming home and for my children to look forward to spending time with their father.

The U in husband stands for unified. Ephesians 5:31: “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Mark 3:25: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” The word unified means to become united or whole. God made Eve to be an help meet to Adam. They became one flesh. Your husband left his father and mother to cleave to you, his wife. What does becoming one mean? You and your husband are so united that you appear to be one. Therefore, you should treat him as you would treat yourself. You would not hurt your own flesh. Therefore, you should be kind and considerate and only do him good. His body is yours and your body is his. You don’t withhold yourself from him, and he should not withhold himself from you. You both, as parents, agree and stay united in regard to the children’s lives and decisions to be made regarding their welfare. It is as if there is only one person with one body, one heart, one mind, and one speech. When you are united and following the Lord, blessings will result in a stronger marriage

The S in husband stands for submission / subjection. Ephesians 5:22: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” I Peter 3:1: “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;…” Submit means to yield, accept, consent, or to comply. It is the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person. God’s word tells us that we ARE to be in subjection to our own husbands! The fact is, when we refuse to submit to our own husbands, we are refusing to submit to God’s word, the Bible! Therefore, we are being rebellious and a negative role model to our children, family, friends, Christians, and the lost world. Why don’t we submit? Could it be our pride? Perhaps you have more education, knowledge regarding subject matter, a higher job description, or you receive more salary. Perhaps, the devil has reminded you of these areas justifying your right to speak up or take the lead. Women can speak three times as many words as a man in one day! We definitely can out speak them. What about emotions? We have them beat there, also! We can definitely become drama queens describing our day or job description. Our husband wants to solve the problem. We really don’t want that; we just want sympathy! Our emotions often get in the way of us thinking correctly! Do I need to remind you that Eve wasn’t thinking correctly or following God when she listened to the serpent and ate of the fruit? Remember, Sarah wasn’t thinking correctly when she gave her handmaid to Abraham, and Ishmael was born. Perhaps, we just need to think of submission differently! Submission actually is a blessing and a protection from the Lord! Wave the white flag, ladies! Submission is an act of obedience and a safe place to be.

The B in husband stands for basic needs. Proverbs 31:1: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:…” The basic needs that should be met by you are: physical, mental, and intimate. Physical needs include: meals, clothing, care of the house, care for the children, spending time with him at home, and doing things together. Mental needs include: his trust in you, your faithfulness, your actions regarding appropriate dress / speech / and behavior both in and out of his presence, quality Biblical teaching and training of your children, appropriate behavior in regard to needs and finances, and a wise steward in all personal areas. Intimate needs include: loving, kissing, and sexual behavior. You should desire to have a special relationship that is a godly one. We are not to withhold ourselves from our husband. Go to bed with your husband, turn the phone off, and lock the door. Our focus, as a wife, should be meeting our husband’s basic physical, mental, and emotional needs

The A in husband stands for attitude. I Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Proverbs 21:19: “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” Attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflective in a person’s behavior. We can usually detect a person’s attitude by their behavior. When someone refuses to follow directions, we would say that they have a rebellious attitude. On the other hand, when someone sends a get-well card, we would say that they have a caring attitude. God tells us how a man feels when a woman has negative, nagging, or a complaining attitude; our husband would rather be in the wilderness than with us. Living and working in the world often result in negative attitudes and behavior. Let’s face it, dealing with the public can be very difficult whether it is in school, the work place, store, or at church. Today, women have many jobs: raising the children, teaching home-school, cleaning, washing, cooking, shopping, church attendance, ministries, and possibly a job to

provide extra income for the household operations. There seems to be never enough time to complete these jobs satisfactorily. Because of this, it is easy to become distraught and begin to have a negative attitude and complain to our husbands and children. Being content with the progress made at home will help us to have a more positive attitude as well as enlisting the help of both our children and husband. A positive attitude results when we: have faith in our husband’s decisions and leadership, accept situations and circumstances regarding schedules of school, church, and occupations, and we have a prayerful attitude regarding health and related family concerns. Learn to shrug off problems, laugh at mistakes, don’t take everything so seriously, and pray to the Lord for the grace to have a more positive attitude.

The N in husband stands for nurse. Proverbs 14:1: “Every wise woman buildeth her house;…” Job 2:9: “Then said his wife unto him, dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Yes, you are to be your husband’s private nurse! A nurse is to give medical and other attention to another person. It is a trained person to care for the sick or infirmed. You, through the Bible, have been received instructions and training on how to care for the needs of others. Who is more important than your husband?! The first area is one of mental and physical care. You are his cheerleader; you should brag on his muscles, handsome physique, intelligence, superior provisions for the family, and excellent leadership capabilities! Your job is also to encourage him when he is personally attacked whether it be at work, in the community, or even in the church. Nurse him so that discouragement and depression don’t set in. Perhaps, he will have a genuine health concern. Nurse him back to health with prayer, personal attention, nourishment, alternative supplements, and doctor appointments. Men are notorious for putting themselves last and neglecting to make doctor appointments. Another area of nursing is that of a spiritual one. We need to be a positive encourager instead of a negative nurse as was Job’s wife. Pray for your husband daily as you care for his personal and spiritual needs! Purpose to be led by the Holy Spirit and not the flesh during difficult times.

The D in husband stands for delight. Proverbs 27:1: “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” I Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Delight means great pleasure; synonyms are charm, enchant, captivate, entrance, thrill, happiness, and joy. The ring on the fourth finger of your left hand symbolizes the love and commitment you made to your husband on your wedding day. Let me remind you: “ I, ______, take thee, _____, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.” Pledge means a solemn promise! It is one to be taken seriously!! You pledged to love and cherish your husband regardless of the situation for the rest of your life here on earth! Remember, the devil would love to detour you as he has with many by way of divorce! We can’t do that; we made a promise. Today, purpose in your heart to delight in your husband. Appreciate him, love him, care for him, give him gifts, prepare his favorite meals, dedicate yourself to him, enjoy him, and delight in him!

Three years ago this past March, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. Reality hit; this cancer is treatable but not curable. Yes, I am in remission. However, I have no promise of the future here on earth. Wait, you don’t either. James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the

morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” I purposed in my heart, once again, to be that Proverbs 31 woman and wife to my husband. Next August 22, 2019, my husband and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary! This is the golden anniversary! Whether here on earth or in Heaven, I will be having a golden celebration. Here on earth, I will be able to celebrate with my husband and love of my life. In Heaven, I will be able to celebrate with my Lord and Saviour and walk on those streets of gold. You see, my two cancer buddies, Emma Burchard and Kelly Moncofsky, are there waiting for me. Either way, August 22, 2019 will be a golden celebration!!!

May I encourage you to keep that solemn pledge you made to your husband on the day you wed? You will keep your pledge to your husband if you do the following: show him Honor, become United, Submit to his authority, supply his Basic needs, have a positive Attitude, become his 24 hour around-the-clock Nurse, and Delight in him daily, while you have the time!