Adoniram Judson was raised in a Christian home but was converted to Deism (God created the earth and then abandoned it assuming no control over it) while at Brown University. While on his way back from pursuing his dreams of being an actor on Broadway in NYC he stopped at an Inn. The only problem is there were no rooms available... "not unless you want to sleep across from a dying man" the Inn keeper told him. Adoniram told the Inn keeper that he would take the room anyway. That night he lye there haunted by the moans and groans of the dying man. He began to wonder if the man was ready to meet death; knowing his father (a minister) welcomed the thought. That morning when Adoniram Judson arose the groans had stopped. He asked the gentleman at the front desk what had happened to the man sleeping across from him? The gentlemen informed him that he passed away that night... and that his name was Jacob Eames. The very same man who converted Adoniram to Deism. He then sat there for 3 hours trembling. Trembling because the man who was so bold and sure was terrified at the thought of the afterlife!
The fear of death is very real in whatever society you find yourself living in. Especially when there is no assurance of your eternal destination. We all know our end will come eventually... the only question is When? What will that moment be like for you?
Philippians 3:20,21
As i stood bedside at the hospital with a dear brother and friend, Fred... these are the verses i read him. Fred had been diagnosed with cancer and was just hours away from stepping into eternity. His body had been reduced to what looked like skin and bones and he could no longer talk. Yet the joy of the Lord was ever present in him! Doctors said he was in a coma and would stay that way until he breathed his last. But that didn't stop him as Heidi read Psalm 23 to him... from pushing his sheets aside and raising his hands toward heaven in Praise and adoration for our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! I learned a lot from Fred in his last days here on earth. I was able to see with my own two eyes Romans 15, 'death where is you victory? oh, death where is your sting'? work out practically. The peace of God that passes all understanding rested upon good ol' Fred!
But it was what Fred told me the day before that had the greatest impact on me. Fred told me something that i will never forget. I asked him, "If the Old Fred could go back in time and give the young Fred a piece of advice, what would it be"??? He paused, thought for a second then replied "The old Fred would tell the young Fred to have a greater hope for heaven!" I will never forget those words. To me it was a call to fix my eyes on Jesus and live for the next life, because that one will be a whole lot longer! Oh, that we as Christians would be a people that are heavenly minded! People who Treasured Christ so much so that dying would be GAIN!!! A people that realized that our true citizenship is in Heaven...not in America, the UK, Spain or anywhere else for that matter. A longing for heaven, that we might be present with our Savior and King.
On a much lighter note, a new Bible College Semester has gone underway! The new students arrived excited and ready to meet with Jesus! It was truly a blessed first month! It's always such a blessing to make new friends from all over the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. my teaching: Philippians (Bible College); Galatians (Home Group); & Mark (Youth Group)
2. practical ministry: for Wisdom.
