CANCER

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Seneca is ten.  She has slowed down in recent months which only means she is more like other dogs now.  We can let her out in the yard to play and not worry that she will be in the next town within seconds.  She is not going to jump the fence, look back and smile, and be on the neighbors roof observing them through their windows.  Some changes are good but I still have a problem with people saying she is in her geriatric years and she is an old gal.  Some things I just can’t accept.

On a recent visit, Seneca was throwing up.  You could tell she wasn’t feeling well.  She wasn’t jumping on the bed or in the car with any enthusiasm so her senior exam and bloodwork were scheduled.  She was given supplements for her joints and seemed to be doing fine.  The results of the bloodwork showed elevated liver levels and an ultrasound was recommended.

The vet called with the test results and compassionately announced a large dark mass that extended well past her liver.  We could go to an oncologist and have a biopsy done but cancer of the liver was likely.

Cancer is a word most of us dread hearing.  It is a malignant growth or tumor resulting from the division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.  Many of us have had loved ones, human and furry that have been affected by the disease.  On the outside, things are going along fine but on the inside something is abnormal and growing.  When symptoms appear, we go to find out what is wrong.

Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Things might seem okay on the outside but on the inside sin is affecting us.  The growth left unchecked will eventually produce symptoms that will get our attention.

When sin is brought under the light of God’s word it can be eradicated.  The growth of sin can be stopped and entirely washed away by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Our verse today states that God’s word is alive and active.  Hebrews 12:1 tells us to throw off anything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us and fix our eyes on Jesus.  1 John 1:7 in the Amplified Bible reads, “but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

Go to God and his word today so that no unwanted growths are found that could destroy your quality of life and eventually kill you.  Jesus came that you might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10b).  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10a).  Don’t let that happen to you!  Live sin free.

SENECA CAME FROM BERKELEY COUNTY, WV:  CLICK HERE TO HELP OTHER ANIMALS FROM THERE