contributed by Holly Terry
I have had the privilege the last 2 weeks to watch God’s church serve His people. Unfortunately it has been because of separation of a family due to illness. Someone in our church became extremely ill and was and still is in a very serious situation. The husband (head of the household) is in the hospital while his wife is managing her job, home, children, and praying fervently for her husband- if that doesn’t draw you closer to Jesus then I don’t know what does. The funny thing is we often don’t know why these things happen and sometimes God doesn’t reveal to us His plan through our storm, but we know He sees us through them. Now, this last sentence is a blog, lesson, or sermon all on its own so I’ll leave that for another time.
My main focus today is the band of Christians that have come together to prepare meals, donate money, gift cards, help clean and organize, transport the kiddos and to just sit with the Mrs. for support and prayer. This has been going on for 2 weeks straight and is continuing on, even other churches have reached out, there has been nothing like it, yet……isn’t that what we are called to do? If you aren’t sure here are some references: Galatians 6:10, Luke 6:38, Romans 13:8-10, Acts 20:35, Proverbs 28:27, Ephesians 4:32, Leviticus 25:35-38, Hebrews 13:15-16, Luke 6:31, James 2:14-24, Romans 14:1-2, Matthew 5:43-48, John 3:16, Matthew 25:31-46, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, James 1:27, Proverbs 3:27-28, James 2:1, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Luke 16:13, Philippians 2:2-8, Mark 12:31, Zechariah 7:9, Proverbs 19:1, Leviticus 19:9-10, Colossians 3:12-14. There are SO MANY MORE!!!! We are encouraged to love one another and serve but what is amazing, is the moment the news got out, emails and texts flooded in asking “how can we help?”
I have found the above situation (not necessarily for this particular family above but ALL of us out here) strongly reminds me of our Christian life. When life is grand we tend to not seek “medical care” (Christ) but when life hits us where it hurts we begin praying for miracles. What if we lived everyday of our lives as if we were in the emergency room (ER)? I believe we are called to do this as well: Romans 13:11, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 1:3, Proverbs 1:32, John 9:4, Titus 2:14, Romans 9:28 and more. Life is messy, people are messy and as Christians we are to band together and respond with urgency.
We know there will come a time when it is suggested that we shouldn’t be bold for Christ and in some places it already is happening. I feel this country has moved past the emergency room and has been lingering in ICU for a very long time. Yes, we have the IVs, the bandages, medications, and even visitors from time to time especially at Christmas and Easter . Let’s read what the Word says and follow the examples set in the scriptures above and treat every encounter, every discussion, every issue as though they were in the emergency room with hope that their discharge is an eternity with Jesus Christ. Someone's salvation could depend on it!
My main focus today is the band of Christians that have come together to prepare meals, donate money, gift cards, help clean and organize, transport the kiddos and to just sit with the Mrs. for support and prayer. This has been going on for 2 weeks straight and is continuing on, even other churches have reached out, there has been nothing like it, yet……isn’t that what we are called to do? If you aren’t sure here are some references: Galatians 6:10, Luke 6:38, Romans 13:8-10, Acts 20:35, Proverbs 28:27, Ephesians 4:32, Leviticus 25:35-38, Hebrews 13:15-16, Luke 6:31, James 2:14-24, Romans 14:1-2, Matthew 5:43-48, John 3:16, Matthew 25:31-46, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, James 1:27, Proverbs 3:27-28, James 2:1, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Luke 16:13, Philippians 2:2-8, Mark 12:31, Zechariah 7:9, Proverbs 19:1, Leviticus 19:9-10, Colossians 3:12-14. There are SO MANY MORE!!!! We are encouraged to love one another and serve but what is amazing, is the moment the news got out, emails and texts flooded in asking “how can we help?”
I have found the above situation (not necessarily for this particular family above but ALL of us out here) strongly reminds me of our Christian life. When life is grand we tend to not seek “medical care” (Christ) but when life hits us where it hurts we begin praying for miracles. What if we lived everyday of our lives as if we were in the emergency room (ER)? I believe we are called to do this as well: Romans 13:11, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 1:3, Proverbs 1:32, John 9:4, Titus 2:14, Romans 9:28 and more. Life is messy, people are messy and as Christians we are to band together and respond with urgency.
We know there will come a time when it is suggested that we shouldn’t be bold for Christ and in some places it already is happening. I feel this country has moved past the emergency room and has been lingering in ICU for a very long time. Yes, we have the IVs, the bandages, medications, and even visitors from time to time especially at Christmas and Easter . Let’s read what the Word says and follow the examples set in the scriptures above and treat every encounter, every discussion, every issue as though they were in the emergency room with hope that their discharge is an eternity with Jesus Christ. Someone's salvation could depend on it!
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