Well - finally back at work! I was starting to dig this not working bit but I am thankful to have a place of employment and it did not take long for others to find me seeking prayer and asking me to be involved. I was told a story this morning that happened over Christmas break. A good friend of mine here at work - her father n law passed away but how he passed away almost had me in tears. What a way to start the new year ~ In the arms of God touching those around us.
It was his birthday - 91 years old - had led a good long life and was in good health. Sunday morning he woke up early to attend the early morning church service. Sunday he was going to baptized - it was not like any other church Sunday. Later that morning as he was getting ready - He had chest pains and pressure in his chest. 911 was called and he was rushed to the emergency room. Not exactly sure what was going on - his Pastor and family were notified. His only problem with everything happening was he was missing his baptism. He was upset even during this time of not knowing what was wrong with his body. His pastor baptized him in the hospital with his family, friends and other church family - he later passed away not long afterwards.
Do you think God gives second chances? Do you think God knew this mans heart and gave him that last chance to be baptized that morning and held off of when he was to be called home?
My grandpa Joe accepted Jesus just a week before he passed. He was a smart man and needed proof on everything to believe in it. He was an engineer and things have to line up just right in their minds to work right. He struggled his entire life with accepting the "Truth" and taking a step in faith to believe. It is hard for some to believe in what cannot be seen (especially today) - but the air and wind cannot be seen. Nourishment cannot be seen .... but we know we need it.
Even in the time that Jesus walked the earth and performed miracle after miracle - taught all over the land - people still refused to believe.
My father n law is not doing well. He very well may be on his last stand, I don't know - one never knows. My mom was a fighter and many times I questioned God with her suffering and why was she hanging on fighting so long. I do believe with all my heart she had something to show us - God had something to teach us. Mom rewrote the books on survival I was told by many of the awesome Hospice folks. I am very proud of mom for the way she left this earth, with courage, standing strong, doing what was right, saying her last wishes and was at peace with everyone - even those she had struggled with for many years. Mom knew Heaven was her next stop. She was excited about it and whenever anyone spoke to her about it - her eyes would light up and she got another breath of energy. One of my big regrets in life, is not speaking to her about it more. It was during this time I leaned so heavy on the Lord - I would fill my cup to the brim in His word - praise songs - what ever I could find, read or sing - even if it meant going to a church and finding a door open to just sit and pray in the pews - in the hospital worship areas - with other folks in the hospitals needing prayer - we would hold hands and pray right in the middle of the hallways. God had so much to teach me during this time. It has made Carol, Kyle and myself stronger because of what we have been through. Does it make it any easier? - maybe but not much, it is still hard. I am unsure how much time Walt has left but even with the story above - this is not the time to give up on his salvation and its not over until God says ~Its over~
It may be that we are being given this time to teach Walt instead of him teaching us. God is teaching us something on both ends - He has something to show us if we take the time to study and listen.
Lord, what is it through all this struggle and pain that you want us to know? Help us understand ....
Continue to pray for those answers and seek His word with whatever you are struggling with today.
I have been in Romans the last week or so and I thought I would share my study time with you from this morning.... its the main reason for this post today.
Romans 5
Peace and Joy
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
You may not know why you are where you are today but God does. You may not understand why things have taken place the way they have but God does. You may be mad for what events have taken place in your life but God does. See there is nothing that you are going through that God has not done, been done to, experienced, tempted or whatever - God knows exactly where you are today and where you have been. Gods forgiveness is bigger than anything you have - His peace is bigger than anything you have - his grace is bigger than anything you have - His love is bigger than any love you ever had ...
Rejoice even during the hard and difficult times ~ God will provide the strenth and courage.
That is something I have learned because I have experienced it firsthand. Thanks be to God!
Lonnie~
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