This last week I was asked to visit a man in the hospital who was new to Brownwood, scheduled to have surgery at 7:00 the next morning. He has stage 4 cancer which means unless God intervens, he is terminal. At 51 years old, he wanted to know for sure he would go to Heaven if he died. He prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior. I suppose that stage 4 cancer will get most people to the point they think about their future off this earth.
The next morning before his surgery, he told Dr. Dan Locker that he received Jesus into his life. Dan had talked to him about the Lord and asked if he wanted a pastoral visit. That is how I came to visit the man. Thank God for Christian doctors who are concerned about where people will spend eternity! We are blessed to have three physicians who are strong Believers at
Southside.
As I left the hospital at 10:45 that night the thought came to my mind that if the Lord takes him home soon he will have missed so much not to be able to grow in Christ. I just took time to thank God for saving me as a young adult and all the years He has given me to learn about and walk with Him. My thoughts continued as I drove home about those who know Him already but don't take time to allow God to grow them. As I closed my eyes to go to sleep, my thoughts were on those in the hospital just like this man who future will not be in Heaven. What a task all of us as believers have!
I suppose I say all this to make sure that evangelism and discipleship are always on my heart.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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