He made it through the Night!!

God’s love is beyond our understanding. God loves us so much that the scripture teaches that at our absolute worse is when Gods grace and forgiveness works its absolute best. I have had the privilege of training and teaching many folks into becoming strong followers of Jesus Christ.

I remember early on in the ministry the first time I visited the hospital as a pastor. I visited a young man who was dying of AIDS. The Doctors called in the family because they didn’t expect him to make it through the night. I remember praying that God would not let this guy die. I remember looking into the young mans eyes wondering if he even understood any word I was saying because he was so sick. I also, remember praying for him and while I was praying, Gods Holy Spirit prompted me to say something bold while his family was right there with me by his bedside. The spirit prompted me to say that God was not going to let him die and that he would definitely make it. I remember adding the words “through the night” knowing full well that God let me know clearly in my spirit that the young man was going to live through the night and then some. I was just too afraid to say so because I didn’t want to be wrong. I said what God told me to say with that disclaimer of course and by God’s grace the young man did live.

The good news is that the young man made it. He not only made it through the night, but he has been living hospital free for the past five years. I was so disappointed though, because I thought for sure that after he got out of the hospital that he would give his life to the Lord but he didn’t. In fact from what I can remember is that he lived a more reckless life once he got out of the hospital than he did before he went in. I remember the young man telling me that he believed in God. He even came to church once or twice once he got out of the hospital.

However, if I knew where this young man was today I would tell him that God still loves him a great deal. I would tell him that God will patiently call out to him again and again until he surrenders his life completely over to him. I would also tell him that just because he acknowledges that God is real, just because he prayed a prayer, just because he came to church a couple of times, just because he’s been baptized does not mean that God knows him as his own child. I would tell him that he needs to surrender his life to Jesus. I would tell him a follower of Christ tries to live in such away that pleases God the heavenly Father. I would tell him that as long as he is alive God is constantly challenging him to change from that old man into the new man. I will tell him that as long as he has breath in his body it is never too late to place his faith in Jesus and began that process toward spiritual maturity.

I would tell him all of these things because I truly love him. I wouldn’t want to be performing this young mans funeral service with the only evidence that he’s a Christian being that he prayed with me, or that he visited the church once or twice or that he told me that he believed.

Jesus said this himself Matt7:21-23“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” That Is such a Sobering Passage of Scripture. God Loves you do you really love him?

“Man” I’m still Hungry!!

How many times have you made that statement after you just polished off a big 3 course meal? Unfortunately I’m guilty of thinking and making such a statement when the reality of it all is in most cases I was stuffed to the rafters. There is something inside my being, that is to say, the inner man, that drives me to eat more when I know full well that my body has given me every signal known to mankind to stop eating. I won't gross you out by listing those signs out for you, but do you realize what makes a person eat more food even though they are stuffed and fit to be tied? Yea, you guessed it APPETITE.

Appetite can simply be defined as a desire to want more. I have been in ministry for several years and there is nothing more destructive than an appetite out of control. Think about that in the context of food, if my appetite for food gets to the point that I just want more and I’m never completely satisfied, realize that although food is something that I have to eat in order to live, my unhealthy appetite for food will essentially take my life. Certainly we can bear witness to this because we all know of people that are currently dealing with some disease brought on because their desire for food ran out of control.

I find it interesting that most appetites that people have are all necessary for survival. For example, if the entire human race woke up one morning and decided not to participate in God’s gift of sex, guess what? The human race would cease to exist. What about food? What if you lost your appetite for food or water? Exactly, you guessed it, you would essentially die.

So then the answer to this issue of appetites is not for us to try and control our appetites but the opposite is true and biblical. We shouldn’t allow our appetites to control us. I hope you get that. I think it's time for an illustration: If I eat whenever I want to and not because I need to, then although my appetite is not controlling me, it still can be harmful to me.

A guy named Paul who was responsible for writing at least 2/3 of the New Testament speaks to this issue of appetites and I think he gives us some really good advise in regard to this issue of desire 2Tim2:21-22“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Paul is teaching us that if we want to be successful, by that were saying good marriage, successful career, kids that respect you and honor you as a parent etc, then you, we must “grow up.” Paul uses the phrase “Flee also youthful lusts.” So what do I have to do in order to make sure that my appetite is not controlling me? The key is in finding things that are more desirable than those youthful lusts. Things like faith, following after right living and unconditional giving. Man it feels so good to give without expecting anything in return. There is nothing like having the peace of mind knowing that I have tried to do what I know is right. There is a peace that comes that truly passes all understanding. I have not had a youthful desire, an appetite that compares with knowing that I am right with God.

I turned another year older yesterday and I thank all of you who called or text me a Happy Birthday yesterday. My wish is not to just grow older but to become wiser as I get older, and yea you guessed it, I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN J