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The Ostrich! 12/7/16
1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Today marks three years since I had to sign the order to cease life support for my 39 year old, first born child named Wendy.
How well do I remember leaving the hospital and my lovely brother-in-law snidely remarking,
"Did you really believe that Wendy would live to an old age!!??
Only those that knew her would understand!!!!
Seldom, if ever, do I have any inkling what our Mighty Lord and Savior would have me preach on until it is time to preach!!!
You will find that most often in the Book of Acts MANY instances where people preached spontaneously-they had no idea that God would use them beforehand!!
That is why God commands ALL of us to:
2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
INSTANT-from
<G1909>
(epi) and
<G2476>
(histemi); to
stand upon
, i.e.
be present
(in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal) :- assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over).
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
I have had my "moments" of sadness today as I remember my daughter's life and the pain of "losing" her.
Of course, I did not "LOSE" her because I know where she is-PRAISE THE LORD!
Which, of course, brings us full circle to my message today:
1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
As I fought the holiday traffic a little while ago, I mused on what my life would have been like if I had not accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
Daily, almost hourly, the "things of this life" lose their value to me.
I WANT or need NOTHING for Christmas!!!
Your greatest gift to me is your PRAYERS and your loving friendship and support.
No matter how much money or power, fame or prestige we have?:
1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Ephesians 2:11-13 (KJV)
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST????
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!!
Ephesians 2:14 (KJV)
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
For any who are sad, lonely or dejected today,
"
HE IS OUR PEACE!!!"
I well knew, from a young child, that the "things of this world" were NOT eternal or satisfying.
That belief was fortified by a little known song written and performed by a large name group called STEPPENWOLF- they of "BORN TO BE WILD FAME."
The song is entitled "THE OSTRICH" and the words spelled out EXACTLY-then and even now- my sentiments on THIS life:
We'll call you when you're six years old
And send you to the factory
To train your brain for eighteen years
With promise of security
But then you're free
And forty years you waste to chase the dollar sign
So you may die in Florida
At the pleasant age of sixty-nine.
That one song impacted my youth profoundly and over the years I have MANY times thought of and quoted, almost verbatim, the lyric written above!!
Even WAY back then-WITHOUT CHRIST IN MY LIFE-I knew and understood the futility of "success" in THIS world and life!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
John 14:1-3 (KJV)
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there
ye may be also.
GOD BLESS YOU!
PASTOR DOUG
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
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