Diagnosed At Birth

 
I'm sure you've all seen people dumping buckets of ice water over their heads. Facebook. Instagram. Social media has been inundated with these posts. They've all been in efforts to raise awareness for ALS. And, if the research is done ethically, I think it's a great cause. 

But don't worry. No ice buckets will be dumped here.

I wanted to share about a different disease - one I was born with. This month marks my 20th anniversary of being healed. 20 years!

The main difference between this disease and others, however, is that it is more deadly. But, unlike Lou Gehrig's disease, there is a cure.

In August of 1994, for the first time in my life, I saw myself for who I really was - a sinner. Sure, I was still a child. I hadn't killed anyone. I hadn't gotten drunk or done what the world would consider a major mess up. But the fact remained. I had still sinned. And even that one sin was enough to separate me from a perfect and holy and righteous Creator. 

I'm so grateful to the Lord that He knocked on my heart's door that night. Laying in bed, I heard him call my name. No - it wasn't audible. At least to anyone else. But I know beyond any doubts that, in His still small voice, Jesus' plea of mercy and forgiveness were so undeservedly extended to me that night. There is truth in the lyrics of that age old hymn - my eyes, which were blinded, suddenly saw for the first time.

In my parent's bedroom, I knelt down and asked Jesus Christ to forgive me. I don't remember the exact words I prayed. I don't even remember the exact date. But I know His promises are true when He says, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Romans 10:13)

The past 20 years haven't seen me be perfect. I still sin. After all, it was my soul that was saved - not my flesh. But I have a Redeemer who has never forsaken me. He has protected me. Guided me. Loved me. 

The longer I live, the more I see that everything this world has to offer pales in comparison to seeing my Savior glorified. Money. A successful career. Notoriety. None of it matters. In the end, I can't take anything with me when I leave. Anything except for other people, that is. Will you be joining me?

I pray your answer is yes. If not, today can be your day of healing. 

I'm thankful that twenty years ago Jesus Christ saved me. At my physical birth, I was diagnosed a sinner. But thank the Lord, at my spiritual birth, He changed my prognosis. From sinner to saint. From lost to found. 

Let today be your re-birth. Let today be the day your diagnosis is forever changed.

Not Without Hope

As I write this, I am less than 24 hours in from finding out my grandfather has gone home to be with the Lord.

My heart is heavy. A grandparent holds a special place in your heart and life - losing their presence here on earth naturally produces sadness. But amidst my hurting heart, God has proven himself faithful. When I got off the phone with my mom in the middle of the night last night, God brought this verse to my mind.

1 Thes. 4:13 - 'But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.'

These tears that have ran down my cheeks are really tears of hope. The confidence that I will see my grandfather again. The assurance that he is no longer hurting. The assurance that he is reunited with my grandmother. The assurance that he is now in the presence of his Creator. What an amazing comfort!

The reason I have this comfort is because of my grandfather's testimony. I'm grateful for an opportunity God gave me just this past Thanksgiving. Our entire family was able to be together for the holiday and God allowed me to be able to talk with my grandfather about the Lord. He told me there was a time in his life he asked Jesus to save him.

Even earlier this morning I received a text from my mom saying my grandfather's Realtor had personally talked with my grandfather about his relationship with the Lord and confirmed my grandfather told him the same thing.

If there's something I've learned and want to share with you, friend, it's this: life is precious and we are not promised tomorrow. Do you know where you'll spend eternity? Do you know where your friends and family will?

I'm grateful God has given me this assurance for my grandfather, but I want you, reader, to also know the same thing. Eternity is too long to play with.

God says in His word that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The price to pay for this sin is death (Romans 6:23). But, in His love for us, God provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the death penalty that you and I rightfully deserve (John 3:16). And the amazing thing is, all we have to do is freely receive this gift of eternal life.

Romans 10:13 states, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Realizing you are a sinner, believing Christ died and rose again for your sins, and asking Him to forgive you and come into your heart and save you from your sin - that's all you have to do.

It's not about being a good person. It's not about going to church or being a specific denomination. It's simply about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Friend, I love you. I care about your soul. But even more than I do, Jesus does. If you haven't already made a decision to ask Christ into your heart, why not do it now? Why gamble with eternity?

I know there's noting that would make me happier than knowing you've asked the Lord to save you. And I'm confident if my grandfather could speak to you now, amongst the presence of a holy, loving and righteous Creator, his plea to you would be the same.

So, as I say 'see you later' to my grandfather, I say it in confidence. I say it knowing this is not the end. One day we'll be reunited and, together, we'll be in the perfect presence of the One who gave Himself for the world. And that is something that gives me hope!