Madam Secretary

am watching a sad episode tonight where Henry McCord's father committed suicide because he wouldn't ask his children for help when he found out he'd been swindled by a woman he'd met online...

this is a great quote that probably a lot of us who have dysfunctional family relationships can relate to...


Henry to Elizabeth:  "I never thought his pride would mean more to him than his family... more than watching our kids grow up..."

FEAR NOT for January 31, 2016

Joshua 10:8  "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee."

 

COMMENTARY by David Guzik @ blueletterbible.org: "Fear them not..." This is a command. Though Joshua has reason to fear because Israel faces a confederation of five kings, God commands Joshua to not fear his enemies. We can cripple our ability to fight God's battles through our fear. Though we might face strong enemies, we are commanded to not fear. 

 

"I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you..." The command is coupled with a promise. We can obey God's command to not fear because we have His promise of victory. We must therefore see fear for what it is -- unbelief. It is an unwillingness to believe what God has promised. 

 

We must NEVER give in to unbelief; we must BELIEVE that God will ALWAYS follow through with His promise to be with us always!!

FEAR NOT for January 30, 2016

Joshua 8:1 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land"

COMMENTARY & PRACTICAL APPLICATION from David Guzik @ blueletterbible.org: It is often the most difficult to regain lost ground such as [Joshua and the Israelites had at] Ai. When we have failed at some point in our Christian lives, we need to know how to get back on track. God tells Joshua, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed." This was the first key to regaining victory. They had to receive encouragement from God. Though Israel stumbled through Achan's sin as shown in Joshua 7, they dealt with the failure and now had to move on. What is past is past. We must deal with it before God in repentance and dying to self, and then look forward to what He has for us right now. God wants us to use our failures in a good way, to use them as a foundation for great victory in the LORD.

Remembering my father-in-law, Justino Tejada Lacanilao

17 years ago today, God called my father-in-law home to heaven. Dad, Justino Tejada Lacanilao, had just turned 73 in October 1998, but, unknown to us, he was suffering from liver cancer. He had also suffered a bad fall during one of his walks up and down Colorado Blvd in Pasadena and one of his ribs had punctured one of his lungs. 

It was early Monday morning that we got a frantic call from Dan’s Mom about his Dad. Dad was sitting in his green rocker in obvious pain and had trouble breathing. we made the call to take him to St Luke’s Hospital which is just a few blocks away from our home on Berkeley Avenue. St Luke’s has since closed down, but it was the hospital that was directly across from his doctor’s offices, so we thought that would be the best place for him. In hindsight, if we had known he had something as serious as cancer, we would have taken him to Huntington Hospital on the other side of town because they were a newer and more up-to-date facility.

I had to fly up to Oakland that day for 2 days of meetings and almost canceled, but the family thought what Dad had was minor, so I decided to go ahead with my trip. During my second day in Oakland, however, I received a phone call from my brother that I should return to Pasadena ASAP. I think he knew that Dan’s Dad wasn’t going to make it too much longer, but he didn’t tell me that. He only said I should come home.

I was gratified to see so many members of the Southern CA Lacanilao family in the waiting room when I arrived at the hospital. I know Dad was happy to see them, too. He seemed in good spirits at that time. The kids, Dan, his Mom and I stayed in the hospital until visiting hours were over. We sang his favorite hymns, talked to him, prayed for him, told stories to make him smile. With a few exceptions, he kept his eyes closed and we could see that he was having trouble breathing. When we said our goodbyes, the nurse told us that they would keep a close eye on him and let us know if anything changes.

Around 2am, we received that dreaded phone call. The hospital told us to come immediately because Dad was really struggling to breathe. Their exact words were, “He doesn’t have much time left.” Dan and I decided not to tell the kids and went with his Mom to the hospital. It was sad to see Dad doing so poorly. A few minutes later, however, our 3 kids came in to the room. Ashley, who was still only driving with a permit, had driven them over to see their grandfather one last time. Looking back, I’m just thankful that she wasn’t stopped by the police!! Once again, we sang Dad’s favorite songs, especially “God is the Strength of my heart” which is taken from his favorite Bible verse. We prayed for him. Then, one by one, we said our good-byes. It was very painful for us to realize that we had to let him go, but we didn’t want him to suffer anymore. He didn’t really respond, but a few times, we heard him grunt so we knew that he heard us. We were there until he took his last breath.

It was my first experience watching someone die and it was definitely my children’s first personal encounter with death. But, we know that death is the final enemy that we will face here on earth. It is SO sad to lose someone whom you love so dearly. I think it was hardest on Dan who was dealing with personal issues at the time and on Justin who was very close to his grandfather and is named after him. There’s nothing quite so tragic as knowing that you will never see that loved one again here on earth! But, as believers, we know that we will see Dad again someday when God calls us home to Himself. We are comforted knowing that Dad is enjoying his heavenly rewards, rewards given for his 73 years of service to The One he loved more than life itself. Dad left us a great and lasting legacy which we will continue to maintain while we are still here on earth. His faith and dedication in God were evident every day of his life. His unconditional love for every member of his family will serve as a guide to us to live the same way. He was a wonderful man, a Godly man whom we will always remember with great love. We look forward to being reunited with him again someday in that land where there are no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering; only peace, joy and love forevermore with God, our heavenly Father, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

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I’m hoping the other members of my family will share their memories of Dad’s last 3 days here on earth, so we will have a more comprehensive and complete account to share with the 4th generation in our family—Dad’s 9 GREAT-grandkids!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN, MOM!!

My Mom, Dr Marge Alcala Isidro, would have been 86 today...

FEAR NOT for January 29, 2016

FEAR NOT for January 28, 2016

Joshua 1:5 "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

COMMENTARY from David Guzik @ blueletterbible.org: "I will be with you: Victory is assured not because Joshua is a great leader, or because Israel is a great nation, but because God is a great God, and He says to Joshua, I will be with you. This is enough for any man seeking to do God's will."
COMMENTARY from Jamieson, Faussett and Brown @ blueletterbible.org: "Canaan was theirs by a divine grant; and the renewed confirmation of that grant to Joshua when about to lead the people into it, intimated not only a certain but an easy conquest. It is remarkable, however, that his courage and hope of victory were made to depend on his firm and inflexible adherence to the law of God, not only that regarding the extirpation of the Canaanites, but the whole divine code."

A PERSONAL OBSERVATION: This is another important verse that doesn't contain the words "Fear not," but it is definitely understood to be a FACT that Joshua has no need to fear what he might be coming up against because it is God, the God of the universe, the God who had performed many miracles on their behalf who was speaking those very comforting and encouraging words to him!!

FEAR NOT for January 27, 2016

Deuteronomy 31:23 "And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee."

A PERSONAL NOTE: When I read the words "I will be with thee," I find myself automatically adding, "therefore, FEAR NOT!" So, even though this verse doesn't say "Fear not," I'm including it in this study because I hear those words in my head and I think Joshua felt the same way...!!

FEAR NOT for January 26, 2016

Deuteronomy 31:8  "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

COMMENTARY by Robert Jamieson @ blueletterbible.org:  While taking a solemn leave of the people, Moses exhorted them not to be intimidated by the menacing opposition of enemies; to take encouragement from the continued presence of their covenanted God; and to rest assured that the same divine power, which had enabled them to discomfit their first assailants on the east of Jordan, would aid them not less effectually in the adventurous enterprise which they were about to undertake, and by which they would obtain possession of "the land which He had sworn unto their fathers to give them."

FEAR NOT for January 25, 2016

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
AMEN!!!

FEAR NOT for January 24, 2016

Deuteronomy 20:3 "And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them"

COMMENTARY from Dave Guzik @ blueletterbible.org: Verse 2 tells us, "So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people." At this critical time, it was the job of the priest to encourage the soldiers to trust in God. Though the priests were not normally to go into battle themselves (they were not numbered among the fighting men of Israel, Numbers 1:47-53), the priests still had an important job when Israel went to war - to spiritually teach and encourage the soldiers! Verse 3 was the reason for the soldiers' courage. When Israel was obedient, and trusting in God, they could never lose. But when they were disobedient, or not trusting, they could never win - even if they had superior forces.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: This is still true for us as it was for the nation of Israel. If we obey the Lord's commands to us and trust Him, we will never be losers. Obedience to God and not being fearful of what other men might do to us or what the outcome of our struggles might be will ALWAYS go hand in hand!!

FEAR NOT for January 23, 2016

Deuteronomy 20:1 "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."

COMMENTARY from David Guzik (blueletterbible.org):  In this verse, we read about the spiritual and practical preparation of the Israelite army. First is the command to trust in God.  Israel, a small nation surrounded by great empires, was rarely in a strategically superior position. In battle, they usually saw "horses and chariots and people more numerous than you." Despite the clear danger, they also had a clear command from God to not fear. Israel was commanded to not fear what any logical military man would fear: superior numbers, superior technology, and superior equipment. God did not deny that the enemies of Israel would usually have more horses, chariots, and people than Israel. But God asked them to recognize a greater fact: That "the LORD your God is with you." As Paul said it in Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" One with God makes an unbeatable majority.  Israel was also given evidence for faith. God didn't ask Israel to have a "blind" trust in Him. They could trust Him as they went into battle because He had proven Himself mighty and faithful before. He had a track record which could be trusted.

The Believer’s Valley Experiences (Rich Grout)

Psalm 23
Where there are mountains, there must also be valleys—it’s a simple fact of the created world. The same is true in our spiritual life. To reach the place where God is leading us, we must sometimes traverse “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4)

Spiritual mountaintops are wonderful spots to rest awhile. At such times, we feel close to God and sure of His love. But we get to those high places by toiling through the valley, where we discover His character, the truth of His promises, and our own weakness. There are aspects of the Lord that we see only as we journey though shadow.

God is a jealous shepherd—He wants His followers relying entirely upon Him. He draws us through valleys in order to remove every habit, thought pattern, or external crutch that we use instead of trusting Him. In the low places, those suddenly seem inadequate. We discover whether our faith, courage, and wisdom are self-created or from the Lord.

While walking in valleys is an inevitable part of life, believers aren’t left comfortless. Verse 5 is about having needs met, including the desire to be soothed. Here is the image of a tender shepherd rubbing oil onto an animal’s scraped skin. God promises assurance, healing, and safety, even in hardship.

Believers can shout, “I trust God,” from the mountain because they have learned to live by faith in the valley. Walking in the shadow of evil is difficult and frightening work. But when we surrender to whatever the Lord has to teach us in this dark place, our spirit is quieted and our faith is strengthened.

FEAR NOT for January 22, 2016

Deuteronomy 7:21 "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible."

 

The word “terrible” here should really mean “fearful” from the Hebrew word YARE, יָרֵא. This same word is used in Deuteronomy 10:21, Nehemiah 9:32, Psalm 99:3, to name a few verses, and its other meanings are "to be feared," "reverenced," "to be reverenced."

 

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Today, our family received word that several of our friends are going through some deep waters right now. I'm thankful that they are all believers and they're aware that God has known they would be going through this today. But, being fragile human beings, there is also fear and some questions, the answers to which we won't know right now.

 

I've been praying that the promise that God is on our side through ALL our circumstances will bring comfort and peace to these dear folks. May God continue to be their hope, their light, their strength and their song!

 

FEAR NOT for January 21, 2016

Deuteronomy 7:18 "Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt"

BACKGROUND: starting with verse 17 until verse 24, we read about how God will destroy these people who are mightier and stronger that Israel, if the Israelites will obey His commandments. They should remind themselves of what God did to Egypt (vs. 17-19). God destroyed Pharaoh and his mighty army; He can do it again with the armies that the Israelites found themselves facing. The book of Deuteronomy is filled with the words "Fear not," "Do not be afraid" because the people needed to hear it again and again as they went in to conquer the land that God had promised to them. God was with them and they will be victorious. The same is true with us today. God continues to remind us that He is our strong tower, our refuge. He is on our side; there is no need to fear!