HOPE FOR A FALLEN WORLD

My friend is dying
Lord, what did he ever do
To deserve prolonged suffering?
My mind cannot grasp a reason
Other than our human condition
Deceived by Satan
Into receiving sinful natures
A scourge on humankind
All destined to die
And many, untimely deaths
Like my friend
Young yet,
Formerly bright
Struck down by Huntingtons
A cruel disease

What can help to transform
Our world of destruction?
Hearts bound to Jesus’ heart
Ready to give rather than receive
Functioning as a cradle for grieving
Embracing vulnerable souls
Leading them to the Great Healer

What smooths jagged emotions
Left by a legacy of sin?
Lifts hopes for redemption?

Grace from God
Flowing to sinners
Finding an anchor in faith
In Jesus’ perfect sacrifice

Looking forward
To an everlasting home
Standing in His presence
Casting our crowns at His feet
The Lord of the universe
Our healing balm

GIVING THANKS IN ILLNESS

On Thanksgiving Day we are grateful for all we have been blessed with. Those of us who are Christians give thanks to the Triune God. We believe God is the source of all blessings.

Many give thanks for their good health. We have all been sick at times, but God is the Great Physician who heals. He has created our bodies with the ability to fight off many illnesses. God has given doctors and other health professionals abilities to diagnose and treat illness. He guides the physician’s mind and the surgeon’s hands. God enables nurses to act as the doctor’s right hand, giving care to heal. Other health professionals work in concert with doctors and nurses, attempting to produce the best outcome. And God Himself can heal those cases resistant to cure, if it be His will.

But how about the sick who’ve been treated and are about to go down to their graves without a medical or miraculous healing. Do they have anything to be grateful for other than the blessings God bestowed on them before they became ill? We must consult the Holy Bible for the answer.

There is a treasure trove of blessings promised to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, whose works demonstrate their faith, and who have a personal relationship with God. He promises to never abandon us. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). He is by your side to comfort you in illness if you reach out to Him. If you’re faithful to God, in death your assurance is sealed. You go down to the grave, knowing Christ will come again to usher you into His everlasing kingdom. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16,17).

As for the dying who don’t know the Lord, it is never too late. Jesus pardoned the dying thief who acknowledged Him as Lord while on the cross, and on that day, Jesus promised the thief he would see Jesus in heaven.

It is our Christian duty to bring these dying souls to Christ when we visit them. Let your conversation flow from the heart, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

On Thanksgiving Day, as on other days, Christians have faith: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Perhaps our faith in God is what we can be most thankful for.

—All Scripture Quotations taken from KJV—

PRESERVED

Lord, I come to you in prayer
Guide me through these tempestuous waters
Keep my vessel straight
Safe from the jagged rocks
On my left and on my right
Through this strait
This test of my faith in You
Of Your saving grace
And undeserved protection

Preserve me whole
That I may praise You
Proclaim Your greatness to all
And catch, as in a net
Those who have yet to see Your glory

Welcome these aboard my tattered ship
Offer safe refuge to these floundering souls
Those shipwrecked, about to go down
Without ever knowing You

Transform me
That I may always give You praise
Let me ever hail the masthand
To raise the flag of victory
As a testimony to lost souls
Of Your saving grace

Preserve us whole
Prepare us for Your Kingdom

TRANSFORMED BY GRACE

The Lord’s arm reaches out
Refreshing a worn out disciple
Renewing purpose
Reviving a faith rendered dead
Faith slashed by demons
Denied by faithful followers
Faith cast near the pit
Doomed to languish
Tortured by thoughts
Denying the divine
Never sure what is real
Infested by secularism
Torn away from Jesus
With no visible recourse
For healing the human hemorrhage
But a recollection of
Our dying Savior’s words:
Father forgive them
For they know not what they do
The Savior’s arm reaches out
Grace extended to all
Those who betrayed Him
Whether in thought,
Action or word
All humanity invited
To be washed by His blood
The Holy Spirit reaches out
Seeking hearts to free
Hearts now transformed
Kneeling before the Cross
In repentance
Embracing a grace offered to all
Bound now by loyalty
Given to serving
Disciples of the Lord
Linked to constant renewal
Borne of His love

Modern Day Miracles?

We all know God worked many miracles throughout the Bible. He parted the Red Sea and comsumed Elijah’s soaking sacrifice with fire from heaven. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and He fed the four thousand with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Peter healed the lame man by the power of God. And many of us expect to be reunited with dead loved ones in Christ after God raises them from the dead. God’s power is endless. But what about today? Right now. Does God work miracles among a sinful and unbelieving people of today? I think he does if we let him.

Let me share a personal experience. Ten years ago I was still a heavy cigarette smoker, having defiled my body with this destructive habit for some twenty-two years. Cigarettes had gradually become my best friend. I came to a juncture. I knew either I would smoke myself to an early grave or I would free myself from this habit and live. But the problem was, I didn’t really want to quit smoking. It was just too pleasurable. I was helpless, it seemed, until I turned to God for help. I realized He was my lifeline. Everything else had failed–going cold turkey, nicotine patches, Nicorette gum.

I cried out to God in prayer. I put faith in Him 100 percent. I told Him I knew He could take care of my problem. I couldn’t fathom how, but I believed He knew how. And I asked Him to take away my desire to smoke.

About three months later I was stricken by a stomach ailment that landed me in the hospital. Since smoking was not allowed anywhere at the hospital, I knew I had to just tough it out. After a day my stomach problem had me feeling horrible, yet. Another day passed and I hadn’t even had any nicotene withdrawal symptoms. The doctor found a remedy for my stomach and I was set to be discharged. That day I knew God had given me this chance to quit smoking. It was a gift I took and I haven’t smoked since. It has been ten years and my desire to smoke also vanished. Clearly this was a miracle. God is so good.

Do you believe God works miracles today? Please feel free to comment or share a miracle God worked in your life or in the life of a loved one.