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A Letter From Pastor Joe Porter
Joe and Emy Porter are family friends from the old country. They are now in Virginia, USA as missionaries, albeit of a different faith, but godly people and friends still the same.

  Emy had just been diagnosed with a certain type of aggressive cancer that is currently threatening her life. She is receiving experimental treatment and needs your prayers.

We have been receiving updates, almost daily at times, from Joe about Emy's condition. The following is an excerpt of one of his letters that talks about how faith calms and of letting go and letting God do His work. The letter begins with the update on Emy and ends as follows:
 
 

… I cannot rush things. I am learning a lot from our journey. You let God open the doors for you. When you try to kick doors open, you hurt your foot and end up limping; sometimes foot in a cast. I've learned to cast my burdens upon my Father in heaven. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." When you learn to cast your cares upon God who loves you and who will never forsake you, you learn to trust and let Him take your hand on journey. Some have observed that Emy and I have not lost composure. I am surprised at myself. When you cast your burdens upon God, do not attempt to take it back. Why carry something you can't.

Reading the gospels I've noted that Jesus always responded to faith; whether that of the afflicted who drew near to Him and or the faith of the friends or relatives who carried the sick or tormented to Him. In Mark 5:34, Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction." In the same chapter, Jairus came to Jesus in behalf of his daughter. When news came that his daughter already had died, Jesus said, "Do not be afraid; only believe." Again have faith. To many people who do not read God's Word, it is hard for them to have faith. When the doctor has bad news, "Cancer!", it is like, "Your daughter is already dead." However let Jesus have the last say, " Do not be afraid; only believe." Fear and faith cannot coexist. If you are filled with fear, faith ebbs. It's again a see-saw phenomenon. When faith soars, fear sinks; when you let fear rise, your faith fades. It's a choice. It's one or the other.

Pastor Joe DiSarno said in his message, "God is not moved by the conditions of the people alone. He is moved by the faith of people who has conditions. Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Let us continue to run the race of faith "fixing our eyes upon Jesus (not on the symptoms or diagnosis), the author and finisher of our faith… Hebrews 12:1-2. Numbers 23:19, "God is not man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?"

God bless you all.

  Please pray for Emy and Joe.
 
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