As shown in Micah 6:8 humility is the attitude of heart and mind that God requires of us. Strive to give God what He requires which is to do what is just, love of others , to show mercy and kindness, to walk humbly with yourself above all walk humbly with God. Never view yourself as better than others as God resist the proud.
He gave himself for us so he might pay the price to free us from all evil and to make us pure people who belong only to him. Tit 2:14
Do we ever compromise tonight, knowing we'll confess tomorrow? It's easy to be like the fellow visiting Las Vegas who called the preacher, wanting to know the hours of the Sunday service. The preacher was impressed. "Most people who come to Las Vegas don't do so to go to church." "Oh, I'm not coming for the church. I'm coming for the gambling and parties and wild women. If I have half as much fun as I intend to, I'll need a church come Sunday morning." Is that the intent of grace? Is God's goal to promote disobedience? Hardly. "Grace … teaches us not to live against God nor to do the evil things the world wants us to do. Instead, that grace teaches us to live now in a wise and right way and in a way that shows we serve God" (Tit 2:11-12 ). God's grace has released us from selfishness. Why return? In the Grip of Grace(Max Lucado) There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail.
Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: "Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday, 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers." "If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." Matthew 18:12-13 SCRIPTURE READING:
Mark 10:46-52 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 1. SOMETIMES IT MAY FEEL AS IF JESUS IS BEYOND YOUR REACH Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. Here we see the story of blind Bartimaeus. He was a blind beggar from the town of Jericho. Due to his disability he was unable to work and had to beg for a living. He, in all probability, had heard about Jesus and the miracles He was doing. It is unusual that we know the name of this man, because of all the people that Jesus healed, very few of them do we know by name. Bartimaeus was one of a very few who are actually named, who were miraculously healed by Jesus. The healing of blind Bartimaeus is also the final healing recorded in the book of Mark. The problem was that by this time Jesus was well known and was always followed by a crowd of people. They may not have had radio, television or the internet, but the message would travel fast and people would surround Jesus. Here we see a typical situation with Jesus, His disciples and a large crowd. How does anyone get access to Jesus under these circumstances, especially someone with the disability of blindness? Sometimes we can feel like this as well. Perhaps we feel that Jesus is too busy and too consumed with the greater good or the affairs of the world, why would He stop for ‘little old me’! Perhaps we wonder how we will get through the crowd ourselves, how will we get close to Him? This story reminds us that regardless of the crowds, HE is willing and waiting to respond to our callings! HE is not beyond your reach. Call out to Him and just as He responded to blind Bartimaeus so you can expect that HE will respond to your callings. 2. HE IS READY TO MEET OUR DEEP-SEATED LONGINGS Mark 10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Perhaps blind Bartimaeus had hoped and longed that he too could meet Jesus. I can only imagine that he had visualized the unlikely possibility that somehow, some way, he could make contact and meet Jesus. Now circumstances had developed with Jesus and the most unlikely thing was happening – Jesus was passing by and He was passing by the very spot where Bartimaeus was. You may think this was a simple co-incidence, but perhaps it was a divine appointment. But, I believe we catch the longing of his heart in the words: ‘When he heard…..’! It came to his attention that it was Jesus passing by. I imagine he could hardly believe what he was hearing. The very person he had hoped to meet was right there, close to him, within his reach. He just lets rip and starts to scream. The story does not tell us that he first asked for confirmation. He just took the window of opportunity and grabbed it with all he had. A window of opportunity is a short time period during which an otherwise unattainable opportunity exists. After the window of opportunity closes, the opportunity ceases to exist. Bartimaeus took advantage of the ‘window of opportunity’ that opened up right in front of him. I believe that many people have got ‘windows of opportunity’ right in front of them right now. If only they would grab them and take advantage of them! A window of opportunity requires some effort. But that effort will be rewarded. Bartimaeus may not have been able to see, but he sure made good use of his hearing. HE is ready to meet your deep-seated longings. 3. DON'T ALLOW ANYTHING TO GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR PURSUIT OF GOD Mark 10:48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” It is interesting to note that it says MANY rebuked him. When he started calling out and using his window of opportunity, he got opposition. The scripture says that many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. They probably did it in undiplomatic ways. The opposition was in all likelihood ugly. His response to this deluge of hostile opposition is interesting. He shouted even louder. It was only at this point that it got the attention of Jesus. Perhaps he had even thought that Jesus was ignoring him? But he did not give up. Don’t allow anyone or anything to get in your way. Pursue God with all you have got. If the opposition is strong, press on with even greater conviction. Bartimaeus may not have had sight, but he sure had insight. We know this because he called Jesus the ‘Son of David!’ Up until this stage Jesus may have been known as the ‘Son of Joseph’. It is generally accepted that the term ‘Son of David’ was only used after the crucifixion. So this blind beggar knew something that was not a generally known fact. Why he used this term, we do not really know. But it is generally agreed upon that it was a prophetic proclamation. Even in his desperation, God was using him. Somehow, out of his poverty and darkness, he was convinced that Jesus was the Son of David. This man had conviction and determination, and he was rewarded for this. 4. JESUS WILL STOP FOR YOU! Mark 10:49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” This is for me the most intriguing element of this great story. In the midst of the bustling crowds and the noisy activity and with Bartimaeus shouting louder and louder, JESUS STOPS! Jesus did not overlook his callings, but Jesus stops. Jesus will stop for you too. He is not too busy to stop when you call on Him. That Jesus was willing and prepared to stop all the activity, to stop His plans and agenda to deal with this blind beggar man should be an encouragement to all of us. Jesus does not just stop, but He goes further and He ‘calls him!’ Perhaps there are those today that God is calling. We speak about being ‘CALLED’ into the ministry. When God stops to help us with the issues we are facing, it is always with the greater knowledge that He wants to use our lives for His purposes. 5. GET RID OF EVERY HINDRANCE Mark 10:50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. The cloak speaks of the things that we have clothed ourselves with. A beggar will usually clothe himself with shame. Here we see Bartimaeus throwing aside his cloak. He did not gently fold it up and place it to one side! He disposed of it! Perhaps you are walking around with some kind of cloak? It could be a blanket of heaviness, it could be a habit or sin, it could be a covering of some sort of shame because of something you have done or something that has been done to you? Throw it off today. The next thing he did was to jump to his feet. He gave up his begging position and got up. Sometimes we resort to something that we were never destined for. Perhaps it is time for you to give up your beggar status and stand tall in what God has prepared for you! He may not have been able to see, but he used what he had (his hearing) and followed the voice of the Master and made it to Jesus. Jesus will stop for you, He will call you and He will change your status as you call and come to Him! 6. WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO FOR YOU? Mark 10:51 “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. It seems to be strange that God would ask a blind man what he would want Him to do. Surely it is obvious that he wanted to see. I have often thought about this. I have developed my own idea on this question. I believe that God knows what the root problem is. He knows the story behind the story. Often our requests are a cover-up for something deeper. God knows what is at the heart of our requests. But He wants us to come to the same realization. The question we must ask ourselves is ‘What is the real issue?’ Blind Bartimaeus responds and says: ‘I want to see!’ He did not say I want to have sight. He said he wanted to see. There is a difference between having sight and actually seeing! I have met some people who have perfect sight but they are unable to actually see what is right in front of them. What do YOU want Him to do for you? Have you ever given this serious thought? It is worth thinking about. 7. HE IS READY TO MEET YOUR NEED Mark 10:51-52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. The response from Jesus is interesting! He says to the blind man ‘GO”! It is often only in the ‘going’ that the miracle happens. Sometimes we want to stay and have everything change, but we must go and then see the change. As a result he was immediately healed. And it is interesting to note where he went. He did not go back to his things or perhaps his beggar’s takings that he had left with his cloak. He did not go to his family or friends. It says he followed Jesus down the road. This shows us that he really did see and what he saw he would not give up. The older translations say that he followed Jesus ‘in the way’! This indicates more than just down the road, but rather he became a follower or a disciple of Jesus. For each one of us, that is our destination! Wherever you may have been, whatever you may have experienced or gone through, the goal is that you and I would become a follower and a disciple of Jesus. When we get the attention of God, we become His disciple. I mentioned earlier that it was unusual in the New Testament to be given the name of someone who has been healed by Jesus. But in this specific case we do have the name and even more we have his father’s name, Timaeus. It is interesting to note what his father’s name means. Timaeus = it comes from ancient Greek and it means ‘HONOUR’! He became the son of honour, and his honour was restored. He moved from a beggar to a disciple of Jesus. What an honour! He will do the same for you, He will restore you! "When all is said and done, we are commanded by God to love!" (Dr Randy Carlson)
We doubt that any Christ-follower would argue against that point. But what is hard sometimes is taking what we SAY we believe and actually applying it in our marriages. This week we're going to draw from Dr. Randy Carlson's book, "Starved for Affection" to learn some practical ways to combine what we say and what we do. On this subject he writes: "Love is a biblical mandate and is foundational to a successful marriage. I'm convinced every reasonably healthy person is equipped to love others the way God designed. You choose to love someone else by putting their needs above your own. It is a commitment of your will. "Affection, however, is a step beyond love. Affection takes the loving relationship between a man and woman in marriage into the deeper realm of tender expressions that result in feelings of closeness and security. Affection takes work because it requires knowledge of what makes the other person feel loved. You show affection when you perceive and appreciate what your spouse needs and meet those needs in a way he or she can understand. "Here's my definition of affection: Affection is the kind of love that leaves you feeling close, safe and cared for. I like to say (though it may be grammatically flawed) that affection is "love as actions" --actions that leave your spouse feeling really good about you and your marriage. "Love is the commitment and the action, and affection is the secure feeling that results. Strong marriages thrive when both the behavior of love and the feelings of affection are present. This 'love as actions' is what moves you the 18 inches (45.7 cm) from your head to your heart: * LOVE IS PATIENT - Affection is empathetic. * LOVE IS KIND - Affection is tender. * LOVE IS NOT RUDE - Affection thoughtfully apologizes for its words. * LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING - Affection rubs the back of a discouraged spouse. * LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL - Affection carefully and privately uncovers sin and helps the person back onto his feet. * LOVE NEVER FAILS - Affection under girds and confirms your unfailing love for your spouse. "But do you need to 'feel' like showing affection in order to do it? The answer is no. I've found that sometimes I don't fee like forgiving another person, but I do it out of sheer obedience to God who requires it of me; the feelings of forgiveness will eventually follow my obedience. Feelings follow thought and behavior. "You may feel anything but affection toward your spouse. But if you begin to act out affection, you could be surprised when your feelings catch up with your actions. "In his book 'The Fine Art of Friendship,' Ted Engstrom tells of a man named Joe who was so upset with his wife that he decided to divorce her. But before serving her the papers, he made an appointment with a psychologist with the specific purpose of finding out how to make life as difficult as possible for her. "The psychologist said, 'I've got the perfect solution. Starting tonight, treat your wife as is she were a goddess. Change your attitude 180 degrees. Start doing everything in your power to please her. Listen to her when she talks about her problems, help around the house, and take her out to dinner on weekends. Then, after two months of this wonderful behavior, just pack your bags and leave her. That should get to her!" "So Joe implemented the plan that evening. He couldn't wait to do things for her. He brought her breakfast in bed, had flowers delivered to her for no particular reason, and took her on romantic weekends. They even read books to each other, and Joe listened to her as never before. He kept this up for the full two months. After the allotted time, the psychologist called Joe at work. 'Joe,' he asked, 'how's it going? Did you file for divorce? Are you a happy bachelor once again?' 'Divorce?!' asked Joe. 'Are you kidding? I've never been happier in my life!' "The idea of course, is that when he began to show love to his wife, she responded, and they fell in love all over again. There's no guarantee that this will happen in every marriage. But if you start loving the spouse God has given you by showing affection even when you don't think it's deserved, I can guarantee your efforts will be noticed. "Only God can give you the strength to survive in a lonely or loveless relationship and reach out to your spouse even when you may not feel like it. After all, He loved us when we were pretty unlovable (Romans 5:8 says, 'But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While were still sinners, Christ died for us.') and He can show you how to be loving and affectionate in your situation as well." ………………………………………….. All of this brings to mind something Henry Blackaby said on the difference between God's love and worldly love. He said, "Jesus commanded those who wanted to be His disciples toy follow HIS standard for loving rather the world's standard. He directs us to love in exactly the same way He loves us. When Jesus saw us hopelessly enslaved to sin, He didn't say, 'I don't feel like dying on the cross for them. I think I'll wait until the feeling comes.' He didn't say, 'I've tried and tried to love them, but they always reject me --I give up!' Jesus saw that without Him we would perish, and acted lovingly toward us despite our rejecting Him. His love didn't depend on what we did to deserve it, or even on whether we accepted it. JESUS FREELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GAVE US HIS LOVE." This is how God wants us to love our spouses. Not with strings attached, as the world loves. Not just love as long as they're lovable. Not just love as long as they appreciate it. God wants us to give our love freely and unconditionally. Only God can help us to love in this way. We challenge you to start acting towards your spouse in loving ways that will astound them (even if you don't FEEL like doing this). Start looking for ways to lavishly show love and honor to them (maybe like you did before you married and started allowing the distractions of life to interfere with the nice things you used to do for them and say to them). You may be surprised what your loving and affectionate words and actions will do within the heart of your spouse --and also within your own heart. It may take your marriage to a new level that you never knew was possible. We pray God will help you to do this and abundantly bless your lives together as a result, Daar is vandag méér Christene as ooit in die geskiedenis. Om dit nóg duideliker te stel: daar is meer Christene wat hulleself as ‘wedergebore’ beskou as ooit vantevore. Daar is ook meer Christene wat sê dat hulle Geesvervuld is as op enige stadium sedert die vroeë kerk.
Daar is 625 miljoen Christene op aarde wat selfs sê dat hulle in ander tale gepraat het soos die eerste gelowiges in die Oppersaal! Al hierdie inligting impliseer dat die derde Persoon in die Goddelike Drie-Eenheid kragtiger en op ʼn groter skaal werksaam is as ooit vantevore. Dis immers Hý wat ons oortuig van sonde, wat mense wederbaar en vervul! DIE heilige GEES VERANDER Die vraag is egter of die aanwesigheid van soveel Geesvervulde Christene op ons planeet en selfs hier in Suid-Afrika ʼn wesenlike verskil in die wêreld teweegbring? Maak so baie Christene die wêreld ʼn beter plek? As Christene glo ons immers dat die Heilige Gees lewens op die kragtigste en mees dinamiese wyse kan verander. Veranderde lewens moet tog sekerlik ook veranderde gesinne en veranderde gemeenskappe impliseer? Die invloed van Geesvervulde Christene was vroeg na die ontstaan van die Kerk duidelik waarneembaar in Jerusalem. Sonder die ondersteuning van ʼn welwillende owerheid en as ʼn minderheidsgroep, het hulle ʼn opmerklike verskil in hulle gemeenskappe gemaak. In Hand. 5:28, toe die eerste gemeente sommer nog in sy babaskoene was, moes die apostels die aantyging van die Sanhedrin hoor: “Julle het Jerusalem met julle leer vervul.” Is dieselfde besig om by ons te gebeur? Is die Kerk nog enigsins ʼn belangrike ‘agent van verandering’ in ons gemeenskappe? Is Afrika besig om ʼn beter kontinent te word - veral gesien in die lig daarvan dat die Christendom suid van die Sahara oor die laaste 100 jaar so merkwaardig gegroei het en dat daar tans op hierdie kontinent gemiddeld minstens 20 000 mense per dag tot die Kerk gevoeg word? DIE VERVAL VAN ONS DAG Ek wil nie eers begin om te wonder oor die morele, sosiale en ekonomiese verval in Suid-Afrika nie. Dit is ʼn geykte, maar nog steeds pynlike vraag, hoe ʼn mens ʼn land met ʼn nominele Christendom van meer as 80% in verband bring met ʼn bevolking waar dit in soveel opsigte só sleg gaan en waar die algemene moraliteit tot sulke laagtes gedaal het. Vanuit ons eie situasie en voorbeeld het ons nie baie goeie redes om nie-Christelike nasies te oortuig dat Christenskap voordelig is vir ʼn volk nie. Ek voel sleg en verleë om hierdie soort stellings te maak. En ja, ek weet dit vertel nie die hele storie nie. Daar is wonderlike verhale van individue en gesinne, van besig-hede en gemeenskappe wat ten diepste en ten goede deur die Evangelie verander is. Miskien hoor ons nie genoeg daarvan nie omdat die sekulêre media meer belangstel in negatiewe nuus. GEES TEENOOR VLEES Ek wonder egter hoe die Here oor Sy Kerk in Suid-Afrika voel? Jesus het immers na hierdie wêreld gekom om die werke van die duiwel te verbreek (Joh. 3:8b). En Sy Gees word immers die Heilige Gees genoem. ʼn Mens kan tog verwag dat waar die Heilige Gees in beheer is, Hy ʼn veredelende effek op die menslike natuur en in ons gemeenskappe sal hê? Kyk net weer na die vrug van die Gees in Gal. 5: 22: “Liefde, blydskap, vrede, lankmoedigheid, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, selfbeheersing.” Dit is die eienskappe waaraan ons en ons wêreld só ʼn behoefte het. Teenoor die vrug van die Gees, staan die werke van die vlees – die vrug van die bose (Gal. 5:19-21): “En die werke van die vlees is openbaar, naamlik owerspel, hoerery, onreinheid, ongebondenheid, afgodery, towery, vyandskap, twis, jaloersheid, toornigheid, naywer, tweedrag, partyskap; afguns, moord, dronkenskap, brassery en dergelike dinge.” Wat ʼn raak samevatting is dit nie van die toedrag van sake in ons land nie! Ons noem dit maatskaplike probleme en afwykende gedrag – die Bybel noem dit “werke van die vlees” en “sonde”. Dis dan wanneer ʼn mens die vraag vra: “Wat het geword van die krag van die Heilige Gees?” Moet ons maar aanvaar dat die bose en die kwaad die septer sal swaai en dat Christene maar moet wag totdat die nuwe hemel en die nuwe aarde kom? SOUT EN LIG VAN DIE AARDE Verstaan my nie verkeerd nie – Ek glo in ʼn nuwe hemel en ʼn nuwe aarde waarin geregtigheid sal woon (2 Pet 3:13); waar sonde en die bose nie meer sal wees nie. Ek glo verseker in ʼn nuwe Jerusalem waarvan Open 20:4 sê: “En God sal al die trane van hulle oë afvee, en daar sal geen dood meer wees nie; ook droefheid en geween en moei-te sal daar nie meer wees nie.” Ek glo ook nie aan ʼn teologie wat leer dat onsself daardie nuwe aarde tot stand sal bring en dat ons Jesus dan net sal nooi om hier te kom regeer nie – die sg. ‘Kingdom-now’-teologie. Ek glo wel dat ons in daardie eind-dispensasie leef waarvan Open 22: 11 sê: “Wie onreg doen, laat hom nog meer onreg doen; en wie vuil is, laat hom nog vuiler word; en laat die regverdige nog regverdiger word, en laat die heilige nog heiliger word.” Ek glo egter ook aan die kragtige en bo-natuurlike werking van die Heilige Gees. Ek glo dat die Heilige Gees van ons as volgelinge van Christus die sout van die aarde en die lig van die wêreld wíl en kán maak. Dit is belang-rik dat die gawes van die Heilige Gees in ons kerke en samekomste funksioneer. Dit is wonderlik wanneer ons ook soos die eerste Christene in die Oppersaal in ander tale praat en die ander gawes van die Hei-lige Gees manifesteer. BEMOEDIGENDE TEKENS Dit is egter miskien die héél belangrikste dat die effek van die Heilige Gees in ons as gelowiges se lewens die mense en wêreld rondom ons raak. Dat die spontane en natuurlike ‘andersheid’ van gelowiges die oë en harte van ongelowiges en anders-gelowiges sal tref. Laat ek dit onomwonde sê: daar is inderdaad baie bemoedigende tekens! Daar is tienduisende manne wat van manne-konferensies terugkom en wie se veranderde lewens ook hulle huwelike en gesinne verander het. Daar is talle sakemanne wat hulleself verbind het tot ʼn besigheidsetiek wat in lyn is met die beginsels van die Woord. Daar is politici, sportpersoonlikhede en kunstenaars wat sonder om te dweep, poog om die karaktertrekke van Jesus Christus in hulle loopbane uit te leef. Ek kry regtig die afgelope tyd die indruk dat al hoe meer mense in ons land – selfs bekende persoonlikhede – nie skaam is om hulle verhouding met Jesus Christus te erken en te bely nie. Dank God daarvoor! SY GEES IS AAN DIE WERK Moenie die invloed en betekenis van die ernstige gebedsaksies vóór en ná ons algemene verkiesings vroeër vanjaar onderskat nie. Dit sal wonderlik wees as meer leiers in ons regering tot radikale bekering kom en die Heilige Gees deur hulle kan werk. Daar is reeds bemoedigende verwikkelinge wat nie altyd aan die groot klok gehang word nie. Al hierdie dinge sê vir my: die Heilige Gees ís aan die werk! Mag hierdie nuwe Afrikaanse Christentydskrif, ‘JUIG!’, ʼn instrument wees waardeur die Heilige Gees Sy genadewerk in ons land kan uitbrei. Meer nog, mag jy en ek in ons eie leefwêreld, in ons huise en op die markplein, die verandering wat die Here in ons lewens gebring het, onbeskaamd en onverskrokke uitleef! BOSE SE AANSLAG Aanvaar maar dat die koninkryk van die bose ook met ʼn groter aanslag sal kom. Die vyande van die kruis sal meer vermetel en venynig word. Hulle sal ook meer en meer van die media gebruik maak. Ons gaan egter nie kwaad met kwaad vergeld nie. As Christene gaan ons ook nie ʼn reaksionêre beweging word nie. Nee, ons gaan op al hoe meer terreine die inisiatief neem. Die inisiatief van die liefde; die inisiatief van die Gees. Ons gaan die kwaad oorwin deur die goeie! My 9-year-old's last-second request surprised his doctor and taught me a valuable lesson.
Last fall my 9-year-old son, Austin, had his tonsils removed. Before the surgery, Austin's anesthesiologist came to start an IV. He was wearing a cool surgical cap covered in colorful frogs. Austin loved that "frog hat." The doctor explained that he had two choices. He could either try to start the IV, or he could wait until Austin was up in the operating room. In the OR, the doctor would give Austin some "goofy" gas, and start the IV when he was more relaxed. "So, Austin," he asked, "which do you want?" Austin replied, "I'll take the gas." But when the doctor started to leave, Austin called, "Hey, wait." The doctor turned. "Yeah, buddy, what do you need?" Austin asked, "Do you go to church?" "No," the doctor admitted. "I know I probably should, but I don't." Austin then asked, "Well, are you saved?" Chuckling nervously, the doctor said, "Nope. But after talking to you, maybe it's something I should consider." Pleased with his response, Austin answered, "Well, you should, 'cause Jesus is great!" "I'm sure He is, little guy," the doctor said, and quickly made his exit. After that a nurse took me to the waiting room. Someone would come and get me when Austin's surgery was done. After about 45 minutes, the anesthesiologist came into the waiting room. He told me the surgery went well and then said, "Mrs. Blessitt, I don't usually come down and talk to the parents after a surgery, but I just had to tell you what your son did." Oh boy, I thought. What did that little rascal do now? The doctor explained that he'd just put the mask on Austin when my son signaled that he needed to say something. When the doctor removed the mask, Austin blurted, "Wait a minute, we have to pray!" The doctor told him to go ahead, and Austin prayed, "Dear Lord, please let all the doctors and nurses have a good day. And Jesus, please let the doctor with the frog hat get saved and start going to church. Amen." The doctor admitted this touched him. "I was so sure he would pray that his surgery went well," he explained. "He didn't even mention his surgery. He prayed for me! Mrs. Blessitt, I had to come down and let you know what a great little guy you have." A few minutes later a nurse came to take me to post-op. She had a big smile on her face as we walked to the elevator. "Mrs. Blessitt, I couldn't wait to tell you something exciting that your son did." With a smile, I told her that the doctor already mentioned Austin 's prayer. "But there's something you don't know," she said. "Some of the other nurses and I have been witnessing to and praying for that doctor for a long time. After your son's surgery, he tracked a few of us down to tell us about Austin's prayer. He said, 'Well girls, you got me. If that little boy could pray for me when he was about to have surgery, then I think maybe I need his Jesus too." She then recounted how they joined the doctor as he prayed to receive Christ right there in the hospital. Wow! Austin had played a small part in something wonderful. But then, so did the nurses who prayed and witnessed. I thought about John's words in his Gospel, "One sows and the other reaps" (John 4:37). Austin's experience taught me that, although we never know which role we may be called to play, in the end it doesn't matter. What's important is that we remain faithful in sharing the gospel. "A little child will lead them." Isa.11:6 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! . . . Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. Matthew 3:2,8
Medical studies have shown that even though people who have had heart-bypass surgery are told that they must change their lifestyle or die, about 90 percent do not change. Typically, 2 years after surgery the patients haven’t altered their lifestyle. It seems that most would rather die than change. Just as doctors preach a physical message of change to prevent death, John the Baptist came preaching a spiritual message of change. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). He was preparing the way for the ultimate manifestation of God’s reign—the Messiah, Jesus. Repentance means to change one’s mind and attitude about God, which ultimately changes a person’s actions and decisions. Those who repent and accept Christ’s provision of forgiveness from their sins through His death on the cross will escape spiritual death (John 3:16). Repentance involves confessing sin with godly sorrow, and then forsaking sin. John the Baptist was calling people to turn from one way of living to ways that honour God. Today, the Lord is still calling us to repent and then to respond with the “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt. 3:8). Repentance is to leave the sin That we had loved before, And showing we are grieved by it By doing it no more. —Anon. Repentance means hating sin enough to turn from it. Lord I pray that you make us winners in thought, deed and speech make us determined to finish strong in life , make us fit to handle the hard times that is part of life, calm the storm in our spirit as we grow in faith Lord. I pray that your anointing will increase in our lives so we can be the best instruments open and obedient to Your Holy Spirit guidance instill in us a determination to run the race to the end knowing that we have been faithful and available and that we achieved our ordained purposes. I pray for an increase of love and understanding for others needs for the fruits of the spirit allow us to flow in the gifts of your Spirit in Jesus Mighty name Amen
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Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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