I was preaching on heaven and hell recently. As I spoke to the congregation, I said, "We are all going to die. In fact every breath we take is one step closer to the end."
I was taken aback when just then a man in the service began having a seizure. He was ok and later that week he joked about how he had that seizure at that point in the message. He was scared in the moment but later saw the humor in it.
Google the term "fear of death" and you will get 160,000,000 results.
160 Million!
Coping, ovecoming, medical labels...there is a ton of stuff on the topic. I get the sense that quite a few people out there must be afraid of dying. I know that over the years I've been one of them.
As a kid I was afraid of the dark, afraid of death and at times afraid of my own shadow! My fear of death was not so much the death itself but the possible pain involved in getting there. I was afraid of the suffering and misery, the long goodbye that is often associated with death. Even after I became a believer in Jesus Christ, I was worried about death. I have had panic attacks sitting in doctors offices, heart papatations while getting x-rays and near nervous breakdowns waiting for test results.
I admit it. I've been weak at times.
I know the Bible talks about fear. I quoted 2 Timothy 1:7 and Phillippians 4:6-7 until I was blue in the face. No matter what I did, fear would only be tamped down but for a moment.
I found Proverbs 12: 25 to be true. "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." I was being weighed down by my anxiety.
Yet today, I can testify that that fear is rapidly diminishing. I have grown more comfortable in my own mortality. Through prayer and God speaking through a friend and brother, I have been healed of that anxiety. I know I am going to die and I am ok with it. My eternal destination is one I long for more than dread.
My son CJ and I had a converations about heaven recently and listening to his child like faith, I found myself longing for the day I can spend eternity with no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears.
I get excited because I am literally dying to meet Jesus!
I came across this quote while reading a Civil War history book today:
"Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave." - General "Stonewall" Jackson.
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
Victory in Jesus!
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
10/1/15
9/14/15
Death On Hold
I am always hesitant to write anything around the death penalty. I have noticed people's passions are such that they begin to go overboard in arguing their point. I wrote about this topic and my wrestling with it way back in 2008 http://apperson.blogspot.ca/2008/11/wrestling-with-word.html and though the comments on this blog were not too over the top...I received tons of emails about it and even had people stop talking to me for a season. I was fairly raked over the coals.
So at first I was unsure if I wanted to review Death on Hold by Burt and Anita Folsom.
This is the story of Mitch Rutledge, a man on death row with an IQ of 84. He admitted his crime and was sentenced to death. He also said he was sorry for what he did. A story in time magazine about people on death row addressed the life of Rutledge and the last line of the story said, "Forget him."
The Folsoms and a few others could do no such thing. They began a correspondance with Mitch Rutledge that has continued on for 30+ years now. Rutledge had his sentence upheld once, then saw it later reduced to life without parole. He still sits in prison today.
He is not the same man he once was though. With the support of his new "family" and a faith in Christ, Mitch learned to read and write, received his GED and later took college courses. He became a model prisoner and has appeared in videos and given lectures to groups brought to the prison about the dangers of poor choices.
Mitch had a hard life before his crime but owns the fact that he also made por choices. The take away from this book is that ALL lives matter, even a teenage murderer with an IQ of 84! This is the story of how God can redeem ANY life. It doesn't matter if you are for or against the death penalty, you should read this book and see how God can transform lives.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.
So at first I was unsure if I wanted to review Death on Hold by Burt and Anita Folsom.
This is the story of Mitch Rutledge, a man on death row with an IQ of 84. He admitted his crime and was sentenced to death. He also said he was sorry for what he did. A story in time magazine about people on death row addressed the life of Rutledge and the last line of the story said, "Forget him."
The Folsoms and a few others could do no such thing. They began a correspondance with Mitch Rutledge that has continued on for 30+ years now. Rutledge had his sentence upheld once, then saw it later reduced to life without parole. He still sits in prison today.
He is not the same man he once was though. With the support of his new "family" and a faith in Christ, Mitch learned to read and write, received his GED and later took college courses. He became a model prisoner and has appeared in videos and given lectures to groups brought to the prison about the dangers of poor choices.
Mitch had a hard life before his crime but owns the fact that he also made por choices. The take away from this book is that ALL lives matter, even a teenage murderer with an IQ of 84! This is the story of how God can redeem ANY life. It doesn't matter if you are for or against the death penalty, you should read this book and see how God can transform lives.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.
3/2/15
This I Know
July 31, 1984.
This was the day I went forward at a vacation Bible school in East Tennessee, repented of my sins and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
Like most new believers, I was filled with zeal and wanted to learn all I could about the Lord. I began reading my Bible fervently, attending every service and trying to be a good Christian.
I now know I was not properly discipled.
I began reading my Bible from the beginning. (That's where you start a book right?) I breezed through Genesis and Exodus, bogged down in Leviticus and gave up in Numbers. It took me awhile to get back on track. I finally had a fellow believer point me to the NT where I spent a season before eventually reading the whole Bible.
I had a huge fascination with end times theology and read everything I could get my hand on. I loved to debate (argue) the Bible and felt I had to defend God to the death! I even made sure to hand a Bible tract to a kid who was holding a switchblade to my throat...so that I could at least die a martyr!
Ah, youth....
Nearly 31 years since my life changing decision, I have come to learn that less is more. I have seen the highs and lows of faith. The good, the bad and the ugly. The older I get, the more comfortable I am with my faith. I no longer feel the need to debate every line of Scripture. In fact, I don't debate at all.
As I reflect over my relationship with the Lord, I find comfort and peace in who He is and who I am in Him.
After 31 years, this I know:
Prov. 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." The first Scripture that really challenged me. I tried for too long to lean on my own understanding. Now, I know that I know nothing. I have found that as I lean on Him, look to Him, trust in Him...He truly does direct my path. From TN to TX, Russia to Croatia, the US to Canada, God has directed my path, my days, my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jesus, Only Jesus - I remember hearing this quoted often by a man God used to impact my life. He often said it boiled down to just that. I used to think he was being so cliche. Now I know, I truly want Jesus, only Jesus!
Jesus Christ and Him Crucified - "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." This passage in 1 Cor. 2:2 has become more and more important to me. I don't care to debate how long it took God to create the Heavens and Earth. My opinion on when Jesus is coming back is just that, my opinion. What I am determined to know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." The verse that changed my life. In my darkest days, God reached out to a man contemplating his own mortality, He broke through the darkness when suicide seemed like the only way out, and He taught me who I am in Him.
I'm not God - I am not called to judge. I no longer see the need to point out the stick in your eye while ignoring the log in mine. I now endeavor to speak truth in love and show the same grace and mercy that Jesus Christ has shown me.
The Two Greatest Commandments - Jesus is quoted in Matthew 22:36-40 as saying that the two greatest commandments in which are contained the whole law of God is to love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as we do our self! It really is that simple. We over complicate Christianity and Jesus boiled it down to this!
Jesus Loves Me - This I know. I can rest in that.
This was the day I went forward at a vacation Bible school in East Tennessee, repented of my sins and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
Like most new believers, I was filled with zeal and wanted to learn all I could about the Lord. I began reading my Bible fervently, attending every service and trying to be a good Christian.
I now know I was not properly discipled.
I began reading my Bible from the beginning. (That's where you start a book right?) I breezed through Genesis and Exodus, bogged down in Leviticus and gave up in Numbers. It took me awhile to get back on track. I finally had a fellow believer point me to the NT where I spent a season before eventually reading the whole Bible.
I had a huge fascination with end times theology and read everything I could get my hand on. I loved to debate (argue) the Bible and felt I had to defend God to the death! I even made sure to hand a Bible tract to a kid who was holding a switchblade to my throat...so that I could at least die a martyr!
Ah, youth....
Nearly 31 years since my life changing decision, I have come to learn that less is more. I have seen the highs and lows of faith. The good, the bad and the ugly. The older I get, the more comfortable I am with my faith. I no longer feel the need to debate every line of Scripture. In fact, I don't debate at all.
As I reflect over my relationship with the Lord, I find comfort and peace in who He is and who I am in Him.
After 31 years, this I know:
Prov. 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." The first Scripture that really challenged me. I tried for too long to lean on my own understanding. Now, I know that I know nothing. I have found that as I lean on Him, look to Him, trust in Him...He truly does direct my path. From TN to TX, Russia to Croatia, the US to Canada, God has directed my path, my days, my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jesus, Only Jesus - I remember hearing this quoted often by a man God used to impact my life. He often said it boiled down to just that. I used to think he was being so cliche. Now I know, I truly want Jesus, only Jesus!
Jesus Christ and Him Crucified - "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." This passage in 1 Cor. 2:2 has become more and more important to me. I don't care to debate how long it took God to create the Heavens and Earth. My opinion on when Jesus is coming back is just that, my opinion. What I am determined to know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." The verse that changed my life. In my darkest days, God reached out to a man contemplating his own mortality, He broke through the darkness when suicide seemed like the only way out, and He taught me who I am in Him.
I'm not God - I am not called to judge. I no longer see the need to point out the stick in your eye while ignoring the log in mine. I now endeavor to speak truth in love and show the same grace and mercy that Jesus Christ has shown me.
The Two Greatest Commandments - Jesus is quoted in Matthew 22:36-40 as saying that the two greatest commandments in which are contained the whole law of God is to love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as we do our self! It really is that simple. We over complicate Christianity and Jesus boiled it down to this!
Jesus Loves Me - This I know. I can rest in that.
11/7/14
A Near Death Experience
I once had a near death experience.
After years of attending churches around the world, I struggled under a heavy burden. I had lost the joy I once felt when gathering with the body of Christ. I know I am not the only one. For years I have met people whom no longer want to actively participate in church.
Most of those who have abandoned the church share stories of hypocrisy and church abuse. Long-time believers are ready to walk away out of boredom and frustration. Killed by the Church, Resurrected by Christ seeks to equip people with the principles they need in order to fall in love with the church again in a much healthier way.
I once sucumbed to "death by church". Then I found my identity. It wasn't in anything the world had to offer. It was only found in Jesus Christ!
In this book, you will find stories from around the world and right next door. Stories of all the good the church has to offer and sadly, some of the worst as well. You will discover Biblical principles that relate not only to church, but to our relationship with the body of Christ at large. You will hopefully develop a deeper understanding of your identity in Christ.
I invite you to pick up a copy of my new book, Killed by the Church, Resurrected by Christ.
You can order it through your local bookstore (ISBN 9781490853789) or by clicking the image above. (It is also available for download as an e-book on Amazon.)
You can also stop by the book's Facebook Page: Killed By The Church
Or Find Me on Twitter: Killed By The Church
6/7/12
Like a Mist...
"You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears." (James 4:14)
Life truly is like a mist or vapor. One moment it's here, then it's gone.
Death is the final bow in a fallen world.
Losing a loved one or a dear friend is never easy. Death seems to catch us unaware. Words are left unspoken. Our "toys" of no value to us after we are gone.
We race through our years never thinking about the day it all stops. We carry on until we are carried out!
It's all rather depressing.
Thanks be to God that He loved us enough to send His Son so that we can live for all eternity with Him. For those who have accepted this gift, we have a future and a hope beyond the grave!
However, time in this world is short and we should be about the Father's business.
We should love like the Father has loved us.
We don't get a second chance after the grave to fix our mistakes now.
Take the time to put others first and love unconditionally. Hug a friend, reconcile with an enemy.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus each and every day!
Life truly is like a mist or vapor. One moment it's here, then it's gone.
Death is the final bow in a fallen world.
Losing a loved one or a dear friend is never easy. Death seems to catch us unaware. Words are left unspoken. Our "toys" of no value to us after we are gone.
We race through our years never thinking about the day it all stops. We carry on until we are carried out!
It's all rather depressing.
Thanks be to God that He loved us enough to send His Son so that we can live for all eternity with Him. For those who have accepted this gift, we have a future and a hope beyond the grave!
However, time in this world is short and we should be about the Father's business.
We should love like the Father has loved us.
We don't get a second chance after the grave to fix our mistakes now.
Take the time to put others first and love unconditionally. Hug a friend, reconcile with an enemy.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus each and every day!
9/20/09
Why the Hate?
God so loved the world that He sent His only Son! (John 3:16) Jesus loved us enough that He submitted His will to the Father and died for our sins!
So how is it that Christians are known more for what we are against than for our love? Ask a non-believer what a Christian stands for and you get a long list of what we are NOT for. We are not for abortion, same-sex marriage, etc. If you do hear what we are for, it falls more along the lines of: war, the death penalty, etc. ..
Why are we not known for our love? Shouldn't we be modeling Christ? Jesus spoke the truth, yet He spoke more to the thirst and the hunger people had. The woman at the well (John 4) is a prime example. Jesus did not endorse her sin, but He pointed out her need more than her sin. He spoke to her thirst. He addressed the reasons WHY she acted out this way.
I believe as Christians we should point people to Jesus instead of trying to play judge and jury. Only Christ can change lives. We can speak the truth but we should be known for our love. We should model love to one another and let the love of Christ pour out to those around us.
So how is it that Christians are known more for what we are against than for our love? Ask a non-believer what a Christian stands for and you get a long list of what we are NOT for. We are not for abortion, same-sex marriage, etc. If you do hear what we are for, it falls more along the lines of: war, the death penalty, etc. ..
Why are we not known for our love? Shouldn't we be modeling Christ? Jesus spoke the truth, yet He spoke more to the thirst and the hunger people had. The woman at the well (John 4) is a prime example. Jesus did not endorse her sin, but He pointed out her need more than her sin. He spoke to her thirst. He addressed the reasons WHY she acted out this way.
I believe as Christians we should point people to Jesus instead of trying to play judge and jury. Only Christ can change lives. We can speak the truth but we should be known for our love. We should model love to one another and let the love of Christ pour out to those around us.
9/8/09
The Story of a Killer Sermon
Have you ever felt that your pastor was so long winded you could not stay awake in church? I know when I was co-pastor of a church in TN, many years ago, we had a man who would come to church, sit near a window and fall asleep. EVERY WEEK! He claimed he felt so relaxed when he came to church.
How many people feel bored to death?
Well this week I was reminded of a Scripture where Paul is teaching and a guy falls asleep and dies!
"After the Festival of Unleavened Bread, we boarded a ship at Philippi. Five days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days. On Sunday we met to break bread. Paul was discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight. (Many lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we were meeting.) A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a window. As Paul was talking on and on, Eutychus was gradually falling asleep. Finally, overcome by sleep, he fell from the third story and was dead when they picked him up. Paul went to him, took him into his arms, and said, "Don't worry! He's alive!" Then Eutychus went upstairs again, broke the bread, and ate. Paul talked with the people for a long time, until sunrise, and then left. The people took the boy home. They were greatly relieved that he was alive." (Acts 20:6-12)
No one forced these people to hear the Word and no one forced them to stay! Their hunger for God was such that they stayed all night. Even the guy who died! He ate and resumed listening to Paul talk.
In Russia, years ago, I remember being at a church service that started at 8 am and by 1 pm they had to force people to leave. People were hungry for God's Word. In N. America people have a hard time being ON TIME for a 1 - 2 hour service!
Psalm 84:2 talks about our heart and flesh crying out for the living God! Do you feel the hunger? A hunger for the Word, for prayer, for fellowship. Seek the Lord. Pursue Him!
Get an appetite for God.
How many people feel bored to death?
Well this week I was reminded of a Scripture where Paul is teaching and a guy falls asleep and dies!
"After the Festival of Unleavened Bread, we boarded a ship at Philippi. Five days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days. On Sunday we met to break bread. Paul was discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight. (Many lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we were meeting.) A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a window. As Paul was talking on and on, Eutychus was gradually falling asleep. Finally, overcome by sleep, he fell from the third story and was dead when they picked him up. Paul went to him, took him into his arms, and said, "Don't worry! He's alive!" Then Eutychus went upstairs again, broke the bread, and ate. Paul talked with the people for a long time, until sunrise, and then left. The people took the boy home. They were greatly relieved that he was alive." (Acts 20:6-12)
No one forced these people to hear the Word and no one forced them to stay! Their hunger for God was such that they stayed all night. Even the guy who died! He ate and resumed listening to Paul talk.
In Russia, years ago, I remember being at a church service that started at 8 am and by 1 pm they had to force people to leave. People were hungry for God's Word. In N. America people have a hard time being ON TIME for a 1 - 2 hour service!
Psalm 84:2 talks about our heart and flesh crying out for the living God! Do you feel the hunger? A hunger for the Word, for prayer, for fellowship. Seek the Lord. Pursue Him!
Get an appetite for God.
11/30/08
I Want My Christianity Back (Just A Thought #29)
At the end of this Thought I have a link to another post where I am listing some ministries/churches that seem to be exemplifying relational Christianity. What is relational Christianity? It is another way of saying Christians meeting together in community and fellowship. Meeting each others needs spiritually and physically. To share Christ passionately! This message is simply a call for more of Christ’s followers to do what they are doing—to be missional: adopting the posture, thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to engage others with the gospel message.
I’ve been talking to a lot of believers around the world lately, who seem really frustrated by the state of Christianity and the church today. I have received phone calls and emails from people sharing their frustration at what is not happening. The one thing people are saying over and over, is they want life! Realism! A vibrant Faith that makes a difference!
I am hearing this from Pastors, church leaders and church members. Pastors are expressing frustration at the amount of suffering and hurting people within their churches. People are expressing concerns with the number of programs and the lack of sermons addressing their real needs, while it seems politics and giving are the two topics getting the most attention. All around us people are dying....literally. People are physically dying in the streets and spiritually dying in the church.
What's going on? How did we get this way? Where did this train derail?
Jesus came so that we can have life. (John 10:10) He came to restore relationship between us and God the Father. To make a way for us to access Him directly. (Matthew 27:51) In the book of Acts we see the body of Christ meeting in one accord. (Acts 1:14)
For me the section of Acts right after Pentecost speaks volumes. In Acts 2:41-47 we see the believers meeting together in homes, meeting each others needs, even to the point of sacrificing their own belongings for those who have a greater need. There was community, fellowship and the Lord added to the church DAILY those coming to faith in Christ. Their lifestyle was a testimony. Their love and actions were a statement of Life in Christ.
Vastly different then what we generally see today.
We need to get back to basics, stripping away the Christianese (or at least explain it) and the "way we always do things" mentality. We need to quit intellectualizing the faith and speak to the common man and woman right where they are at: hurting! Jesus walked among the hurting; the needy and He spoke life. We have to shake off the spiritual lethargy we have gotten into and wake up!
Let’s get real and admit the mess that we, the body of Christ, have gotten into. Repent of our spiritual lethargy! Get into the Word and out into the streets, meeting people where they are at. Encourage those who are strong and lift up those who are hurting. Share a meal and our lives with one another. Walk with each other in the ups and the downs. Love one another….the way Jesus would really want us to.
As I promised, I am linking to a post where I have listed a few ministries that have inspired and challenged me and others like myself. I encourage you to check them out.
I’ve been talking to a lot of believers around the world lately, who seem really frustrated by the state of Christianity and the church today. I have received phone calls and emails from people sharing their frustration at what is not happening. The one thing people are saying over and over, is they want life! Realism! A vibrant Faith that makes a difference!
I am hearing this from Pastors, church leaders and church members. Pastors are expressing frustration at the amount of suffering and hurting people within their churches. People are expressing concerns with the number of programs and the lack of sermons addressing their real needs, while it seems politics and giving are the two topics getting the most attention. All around us people are dying....literally. People are physically dying in the streets and spiritually dying in the church.
What's going on? How did we get this way? Where did this train derail?
Jesus came so that we can have life. (John 10:10) He came to restore relationship between us and God the Father. To make a way for us to access Him directly. (Matthew 27:51) In the book of Acts we see the body of Christ meeting in one accord. (Acts 1:14)
For me the section of Acts right after Pentecost speaks volumes. In Acts 2:41-47 we see the believers meeting together in homes, meeting each others needs, even to the point of sacrificing their own belongings for those who have a greater need. There was community, fellowship and the Lord added to the church DAILY those coming to faith in Christ. Their lifestyle was a testimony. Their love and actions were a statement of Life in Christ.
Vastly different then what we generally see today.
We need to get back to basics, stripping away the Christianese (or at least explain it) and the "way we always do things" mentality. We need to quit intellectualizing the faith and speak to the common man and woman right where they are at: hurting! Jesus walked among the hurting; the needy and He spoke life. We have to shake off the spiritual lethargy we have gotten into and wake up!
Let’s get real and admit the mess that we, the body of Christ, have gotten into. Repent of our spiritual lethargy! Get into the Word and out into the streets, meeting people where they are at. Encourage those who are strong and lift up those who are hurting. Share a meal and our lives with one another. Walk with each other in the ups and the downs. Love one another….the way Jesus would really want us to.
As I promised, I am linking to a post where I have listed a few ministries that have inspired and challenged me and others like myself. I encourage you to check them out.
11/6/08
Wrestling With The Word
I have been wrestling with the Word lately. As I shared the following with my family, my daughter told me not to wrestle too hard, or I may come away with a bad hip! (Gen. 32:25) Ah, the insight of youth. So, what was it that elicited that comment? In brief:
I remember growing up hearing people refer to themselves as hawks or doves when it comes to the issues of war, the death penalty, etc... I was always a bit of a hawk. Over the years I have been quite vocal in my support of the death penalty and for a "just" war.
Recently, as I have been examining the Scriptures more and more I am beginning to rethink this position. Now let me state I've never been a "warmonger" but I have not been opposed to justice being served in this life.
However this week I was confronted with numerous Scriptures that just came alive to me in a new way. First it was the Scriptures in Matthew that say, "Blessed are the meek", "Blessed are the merciful" and "Blessed are the peacemakers." (Matthew 5:5, 7, 9)
Then I read the part in Matthew 5:21-22 that talks about murder. While chewing on these passages of Scriptures I then was reminded of the women caught in the act of adultery. (John 8:3-11). This was a death penalty sentence at the time. Yet Jesus showing mercy did not condemn her. In fact He said if the accusers were without sin they should cast the first stone. They all left and Jesus told her to go and sin no more.
While my mind was being blow away by all this I realized....even a terrorist is not beyond God's redemption. Those who attack our countries and murder our friends and families are not beyond the reach of a loving Father. As much as I want to see justice done in this life I am coming to believe Jesus wants us to extend mercy more. To reflect Him.
So there you have it. I am slowly, slowly moving away from my stance as a hawk. I am starting to feel the death penalty is wrong. I am starting to reconsider the policies of war. I really am thinking.....what would Jesus do?
10/4/08
I Met A Real Christian
Last night I met a real Christian. I'm talking about a genuine, walking, talking man of God. I am still amazed.
This man has been through the ringer. He has been at death's door. He took a physical hit that is still affecting him daily.
Yet in all of this, he told me last night he can still say God is good!
God is good. Wow. I would like to think I could and would do the same thing. However I had to stop last night and think....would I? If a life-threatening disease ravaged my body and I was not being healed, would I be able to say God is good? If my loved ones died or my house was destroyed and God did not solve the problem could I still say His ways are higher than mine and that He is good?
We all want God to solve our problems. We all need relief at times. Sometimes God does this in a miraculous way. Sometimes He holds back from moving. Is He unfair? Does He care?
God absolutely cares.
Let me share a story.......I have asthma....there are days when it is hard to breathe. To me that is a scary feeling. Yet once I went 3 years without problems and I know God had set me free. Then I developed bronchitis and asthma has returned. So is God good? Absolutely. Why did this happen though? I don't know. What I do know though is I pray more now than I did when I could breathe. I pray more for others and I talk to God more than I did before.
God is good!
This man has been through the ringer. He has been at death's door. He took a physical hit that is still affecting him daily.
Yet in all of this, he told me last night he can still say God is good!
God is good. Wow. I would like to think I could and would do the same thing. However I had to stop last night and think....would I? If a life-threatening disease ravaged my body and I was not being healed, would I be able to say God is good? If my loved ones died or my house was destroyed and God did not solve the problem could I still say His ways are higher than mine and that He is good?
We all want God to solve our problems. We all need relief at times. Sometimes God does this in a miraculous way. Sometimes He holds back from moving. Is He unfair? Does He care?
God absolutely cares.
Let me share a story.......I have asthma....there are days when it is hard to breathe. To me that is a scary feeling. Yet once I went 3 years without problems and I know God had set me free. Then I developed bronchitis and asthma has returned. So is God good? Absolutely. Why did this happen though? I don't know. What I do know though is I pray more now than I did when I could breathe. I pray more for others and I talk to God more than I did before.
God is good!
2/23/08
Just A Thought #14
Taught to Count
Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Death is not an easy subject to talk about. This year Sarah and I have had a few relatives pass away. When I returned from my vacation I found out an 80 year old co-worker had just had a stroke. (She is recovering thanks to the Lord.) These things were on my mind when the Lord brought to my attention this verse.
Why is it we fear death? Oh we may not admit it but many believers don't want to talk about the subject at all. I read this verse and it challenged me. The challenge was that Jesus Christ could return at any time or He could call me home at any time so I should "number" my days and be about His business. This isn't to be pessimistic. The reality is though we are all drawing closer to either our death or His return.
The time for not taking our walk, our faith seriously is over. God requires us to focus on Him, worship Him, seek Him with our whole hearts. People around us are dying every day and many don't know Him. How can we sit on the sidelines?
Our faith should be so real, so evident that our youth are called to a deeper walk with Him, our neighbours want what we have and people are left with the impression that we do serve a LIVING God.
It is time to make a choice. As Joshua said "Choose you this day who you will Serve...as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
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