"And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth, we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable, and He who is searching the hearts hath known what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because according to God he doth intercede for saints."

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed."

I went to the doctor and it turned out that I have an ear infection and was prescribed medicated ear drops. I wasn't in a hurry to go to the doctor, so the infection caused problems in the surrounding areas. I'll have to go off the Methotrexate till the infection clears up, so my body can fight it.

I would appreciate continued prayers (if God places me upon your heart). The Rheumatoid Arthritis has disfigured my hands, arms, ankles, toes etc. My left hip has been replaced and both of my knees. My arms are so disabled I am not able to dress myself or wash my own hair. I am very dependant on others.

Thank you all for your encouragement and prayer support!

Yet no matter what I eat, I still do not seem to be able to maintain my health. I am asking for praying, as I have been quite ill since Saturday. I am on the chemotherapy drug methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis — and I went to a harvest type fair last Friday and visited with a lot of chickens and rabbits in a large barn. That night my eyes were really watering and I have been sick with recurring eye, ear, and neck pain and a headache since then. Last night the left side of my head was burning and I was in agony.

I have an appointment with my doctor today, please pray for me!

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

John UK wrote:
Greetings to you too, sister Jessica.
I wish I understood more about prayer. I read of Praying Hyde, and George Mueller, and plenty of others, but there seems to be very few sermons I've heard over the years which deal with praying in faith, and believing the words of our Lord Jesus concerning asking.
Your creative mind is very evident, and I wish you well as you learn more about writing and painting. I reckon God does give some of us creativity, and this needs to be used and expressed. It is one of God's gifts to us. And it always thrills me when someone comes back and tells me that one of my paintings they bought is still bringing pleasure, even years later. God's blessings to you.

I have a Facebook page called Biblical Prayers where I post Scriptures about prayer, this is to encourage myself as well as others. Learning about prayer for me is a life long pursuit how to communicate with our Father in Heaven. It is a matter of the heart of which I of which I endeavour to grow in friendship with God and His righteousness. I long to have a close relationship with God and to hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

John UK wrote:
[...]I was greatly humbled this week through answered prayer, despite having a poor week. Normally I might expect to sell a small painting on a Tuesday at market, and that's it. But this week I asked the Lord I might sell four. Never happened before. But I prayed in the name of Jesus, claiming only his righteousness and blood, and not for mine own deservings which was nil. The market progressed, and I had a lot of people looking, and giving good comments, but not buying. Then there was a mad half hour when, sure enough, I sold four small paintings. I was astonished. The Lord sure is exact, as I sold no more afterwards. Maybe he's encouraging me to pray more.

Thank you for your kindness and encouragement!

I have been thinking about your post and wondering what my prayer life should be like? I am an aspiring poet and writer and after reading your post I realize that I need to pray about the talents God has given me.

I take one Universities Studies course a semester and am always looking to improve my writing — I would also like to improve my artistic skills. Yet I'm wondering what God's will is in these matters?

Aaron Michael wrote:
When an ISIS spokesman was questioned as to whether the would help the Gazans in the recent war with Israel. They replied no, not now but central to our plan is to capture Jerusalem and destroy Israel but first we will consolidate what we have and surround Israel and attack them from a position of strength. So there is no doubt they will be coming for the Jewish people.

"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

This reminds me of Nazi Germany, in that the world already had a negative world-view of Jewish people. And, business ownership was eliminated for Jewish people before the Concentration Camps were implemented.

The hateful and biased writings against Jewish people were written by both Martin Luther (1543), and by Henry Ford (1920's)and had influenced people's perceptions. If the world didn't already have hate and prejudice against the Jewish population, perhaps the Holocaust would have not happened?

Now, there is a genocide against Christians in Islamic Nations, yet there is such apathy and hate in the Western nations against Christianity it makes me wonder if there is apathy towards the Christians who are being displaced and slain?

Christopher000 wrote:
I won't say how I'm doing because I think most are getting naucious over the spilling of my guts. I can tell by the lack of replys, but then again, this isn't the place for the personal things I dump on these poor souls...

I wasn't sure if you read my message on this thread from 5 days ago? Your quote above was from another thread, but I used it as an opportunity to make sure you received my message from 8/18/14 1:01 PM on this thread. I am still struggling myself, and need help from God to undo the damage from adults in my childhood who gave me a very skewed version of God which has damaged me even to this moment...

I appreciate your sharing, and hope you will keep on sharing!

Michael Hranek wrote:
Dear Jessica
Thank you.
I trust and thank God for the link to "Cost of not caring" that He will use this in my life and in those in my family for much good

Lurker wrote:
Jessica,
You are very brave to share that. Thank you, dear sister.
Your comments are always a blessing to me. I'm so glad you came back to SA and are establishing relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ. We all need encouragement in these dark times.

John UK wrote:
Well Jessica, I thought it a very nice painting, so with your own disabilities, that makes it even more amazing. Well done, as you do all things in the Lord and with his grace upon you.

John UK wrote:
I would be interested to know if you took up artwork as a form of occupational therapy, as there is a canvas alongside your cover photo.
It is difficult to be occupied while very ill, and when I was off work due to sickness I took up a correspondence course on creative writing. It kept my mind alert, and I managed to sell several short stories with a moral theme, and a distinctly gospel-oriented article, nearly all of them sold in Canada, would you believe? Then in 2005 I moved to Wales and joined a church whose pastor was teaching watercolour on a Friday morning and giving a short gospel exhortation at the tea break. Most of the class were not believers, so it was a good opportunity to reach them with the gospel. I worked hard at it, and by 2008 my health had improved sufficiently for me to launch out as a part time artist, which I have continued to be ever since.

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."

~ John 18:35-37 KJV

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

~ Matthew 5:38-39 KJV

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

~ John 18:36 KJV

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Christopher000 wrote:
[...] All I have ever felt is fear and felt like I was walking on egg shells, always messing up and God always being disappointed, angry...fed up. [...] but I need to comprehend somehow that there is a whole other side to God that I don't see clearly. I view Him as very stern and iron fisted...and distant.

I have thought often about your post: When I was in grade 1 and 2, I had an 'old-school' teacher who read us the Bible every school-day, and every school-day we said The Lord's Prayer.

We were not permitted to use the washroom except for recess and lunch, and peed-pants in class was a regular occurrence — as was children sitting on the heel of their foot to prevent themselves from peeing on their pants or dresses. I was once physically assaulted by her for trying to go to the restroom.

"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60 (NIV)."

Dolores wrote:
Thanks, Jessica for sharing your story with us and giving that link to the USA article. I think a lot of good comes from being open and honest about your illness. The article is informative and done with compassion. Bringing laughter to others helps you and them to cope with the illness, people don't feel so alone and isolated. I laughted out loud at the toaster joke.

I am deeply concerned with the Christian Science' influence which was in Robin Williams' life — as Christian Science teaches false doctrines which are damaging to those who are suffering from physical and mental infirmities.

Almost 20 years ago when I was in a psychiatric hospital in a locked ward, a fellow patient's parents were Christian Science — it was known he was blamed for his illness.

"`Beware! -- ye may not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their messengers [Angels] in the heavens do always behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens, for the Son of Man did come to save the lost."

~ Matthew 18:10, 11 Young's Literal Translation

May God have mercy upon all His believers and give them the inner strength to be faithful amidst the horrors of persecution -- great shall be their reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12).

Chris Frost wrote:
Jessica, if if makes you feel any better, I've never heard of you
But I think I understand what you mean. When people only see the mask you are paid to wear, they think that's who you really are, without considering that you are just a regular person, just like them.

Please forgive me for behaving in a defensive manner — this has been weighing on my conscience even as I have been trying to go to sleep at night. Please accept my sincere apology — I think I let terrible news I received the day before influence my better opinion. I do not accept my allowing painful emotions of one circumstance to bleed into another, and I am sorry for this.