"You have less than 6 months to live..." If I had a dollar for every time a doctor has made that statement to somebody... I hope that the blog title caught your eye and that you will continue reading. Not necessarily meant for you directly but something that you might be able to pass on to someone else that has heard that or a similar phrase from their medical professional. For a moment, just put yourself in that situation. Who are you going to call on first? What are you going to do with the time that you have left? When are you planning to "tidy up" any loose ends that may be hanging around in your life? Where are you going to look for advice on the "what am I supposed to do now" question? In this case, you are one of the "lucky" ones! You've got time to search for the answers and prepare for the looming "death sentence." Others never get the advance warning and meet death immediately. Yeah, you are soooooo "lucky" to have a grace period! For those that don't know, I have just such a "death sentence" from my doctors. It's not 6 months; it is actually open-ended right now because nobody knows. There is no cure or medicine to reverse or slow down my hereditary disorder from taking its toll on my body. There is relatively little known about the rare disorder known as MELAS which was only medically identified in the late 1980s. Fortunately for me, I know that I am only in a temporary body and I have the assurance that I will live forever! 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The question is; what am I going to do with the time I have left in this body that is systematically "falling apart." As far as I am concerned, I am going to continue to press onward like the great apostle Paul did. 20:24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Now is not the time to quit. Now is not the time to give up. That is what the lowly serpent would want. Instead, rise up and ask what can I do now for my Lord Jesus Christ? Let's use this situation for God's glory and foil the devil's desire that we craw into a hole, feel sorry for ourselves and wait for us to reach "the end of the road." What a lie that is! What I am doing with my time is to be constantly giving that sly serpent cause for a universe sized headache! Praise the Lord! The new "been there, done that" badge that I am now wearing has opened doors to many that have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are in wheelchairs like me. They have bodies that are "falling apart" like me. But they see something different. They see a "glow" about me; totally confident and prepared to reach the end of the road. And they want to hear about it. While every day is not smooth sailing, I have the prize in sight. 3:14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don't let the devil trick anyone into missing God's agape love for them. His Son already paid the price! 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. My body will be held together for this season until I receive my prize. 2:18 Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19 and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God. Well, I'm "preaching to the choir" here. But my words have not gone unheard. And in all probability, YOU know someone that needs the same hope and conviction that I have. If they don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior; then yes, they are facing a death and have just cause to be a bit nervous of what is to come. But YOU know from Whom the river of life flows! 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. If your friend has already accepted Jesus into their heart; ask them if they are living their life to glorify God and not "buy into" Satan's lies. They have been given a ministry where they can relate to others in a way that many can not. That opens doors to spread the Good News! Encourage them to see their situation as an opportunity to continue serving Him. It's never over because He already finished it! But then there are those that YOU know that do not know the living water that Jesus freely gives. 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Go ahead; pick up the phone and call that person right now. Don't delay; that's the devil's tactic. If the Holy Spirit is stirring you right now, He is trying to tell you to do it without delay. And me having written this blog is just a confirmation from Him. It only takes a few minutes of your time. Do it now. In as short as 5 minutes from now, it might be too late for them. Forever... |
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