And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)
During the heart attack that my brother had, the family grew close together as we reminisced good and bad times. Our brother, who had lived a reckless life, yet with a heart tender toward God, suddenly had a heart attack taking his life. The hospital placed him in an induced coma to freeze the brain and body. As he was taken out of the coma, his body would move, eyes open, and hands would close slightly. Not knowing what the medical field did, we sat in hope day after day waiting test after test seeking anything good that would come out of it all. We talked to him, prayed with him and sang to him. He never did come out of it, and they took him off the ventilator allowing his life to be taken naturally by God.
We are waiting for One to return some day who will not disappoint us. He is preparing a place for us and has promised to come again someday and take us to be with him forever and ever. In the meantime, we do need to wonder if we are ready or question in our minds if our heart is right with God. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him will have eternal life (John 3:16).
Although my brother is gone in spirit, He is still here with us. Christ gave him many opportunities to seek him and respond to His Spirit. In times like these, we have to place our trust in God knowing that He will be fair and just with our loved ones. He understands so much more than we do and knows the heart. I rest assurance in His mighty care and leave all the questions to Him.
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
All Things Work Together for Good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV 2011 © Romans 8:28)
John was one of the workers of the largest churches in the area. He worked with children, played the guitar in the worship service, and did maintenance work. He loved his job! It was not until he began to have back trouble, and was told two weeks later that he would probably be in a wheelchair the rest of his life that his world was turned up-side-down. Some time before that, his wife had a stroke which left her faith weak toward God’s workings in her life. Now, he was concerned that his wife would not regain her faith. He shared his devastation about giving up his church job that he loved so much. Listening to his grief expressed so deeply, I thought, “What if that were me?”
He expressed that he did not know if he believed God in all this, but that he did have a small amount if faith. I shared my deepest concerns over his pain, and told him that faith no matter how large or small was faith. God had a plan in all this although he could not see it and would not allow anything to happen to him that he did not want to use as a blessing in his life. With tears in my eyes, I shared that if he were to go into a wheelchair the rest if his life, according to if that was God’s will, God would use him to be such a blessing to others. There are so many people attending our churches who are in pain of all sorts. He was quiet, and finally said that is what he has always told others about trusting God, and now he was in that position. We had prayer together and he asked for a return visit.
Oh may God help us to trust Him in all circumstance of our lives. It is so difficult at times, but He is God and will not bring upon us any more than we can bear. I am confident of that! All things work together for good to them that love God and are called by Him. Paul was placed in jail for doing good, yet he sang praises at midnight right there in the jail. God had a plan for Paul, and he was not to stay in a jail. When God has work for us to do, He will make a way. It may not be the way we think, but God ways are mysterious. We can trust Him!
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh May 2011
John was one of the workers of the largest churches in the area. He worked with children, played the guitar in the worship service, and did maintenance work. He loved his job! It was not until he began to have back trouble, and was told two weeks later that he would probably be in a wheelchair the rest of his life that his world was turned up-side-down. Some time before that, his wife had a stroke which left her faith weak toward God’s workings in her life. Now, he was concerned that his wife would not regain her faith. He shared his devastation about giving up his church job that he loved so much. Listening to his grief expressed so deeply, I thought, “What if that were me?”
He expressed that he did not know if he believed God in all this, but that he did have a small amount if faith. I shared my deepest concerns over his pain, and told him that faith no matter how large or small was faith. God had a plan in all this although he could not see it and would not allow anything to happen to him that he did not want to use as a blessing in his life. With tears in my eyes, I shared that if he were to go into a wheelchair the rest if his life, according to if that was God’s will, God would use him to be such a blessing to others. There are so many people attending our churches who are in pain of all sorts. He was quiet, and finally said that is what he has always told others about trusting God, and now he was in that position. We had prayer together and he asked for a return visit.
Oh may God help us to trust Him in all circumstance of our lives. It is so difficult at times, but He is God and will not bring upon us any more than we can bear. I am confident of that! All things work together for good to them that love God and are called by Him. Paul was placed in jail for doing good, yet he sang praises at midnight right there in the jail. God had a plan for Paul, and he was not to stay in a jail. When God has work for us to do, He will make a way. It may not be the way we think, but God ways are mysterious. We can trust Him!
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh May 2011
Be Ready
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)
The doctor told the patient (who has no legs) that he did not have long to live. He would not give a time limit when the patient asked him, “How long?” It was suggested for him to take care of what he needed to do. The patient attempted going to several hospitals, and even to one out of state seeking help. He was seeking help for his sores that would not heal. There was no one who would give him any kind of hope. He went out of state on a trip and went fishing. He revealed that he was not ready to die - meaning emotionally. He wanted to see his family grow up. When I asked him if he was ready to die spiritually, he did not really know. I shared his need of Christ walking with him through this difficult time, and that is was important to be ready when that time comes for us to die. It is difficult enough walking through it alone than without Christ by our side. I had prayer with him; he was non emotional during this time toward spiritual matters as we spoke.
Hopefully, he will settle his heart issues with God before it is too late. It is our duty to share the Gospel, but we cannot make anyone forsake their sins and turn in faith to God. We do not have a promise of tomorrow and need to do what needs today. Tomorrow may never come.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
The doctor told the patient (who has no legs) that he did not have long to live. He would not give a time limit when the patient asked him, “How long?” It was suggested for him to take care of what he needed to do. The patient attempted going to several hospitals, and even to one out of state seeking help. He was seeking help for his sores that would not heal. There was no one who would give him any kind of hope. He went out of state on a trip and went fishing. He revealed that he was not ready to die - meaning emotionally. He wanted to see his family grow up. When I asked him if he was ready to die spiritually, he did not really know. I shared his need of Christ walking with him through this difficult time, and that is was important to be ready when that time comes for us to die. It is difficult enough walking through it alone than without Christ by our side. I had prayer with him; he was non emotional during this time toward spiritual matters as we spoke.
Hopefully, he will settle his heart issues with God before it is too late. It is our duty to share the Gospel, but we cannot make anyone forsake their sins and turn in faith to God. We do not have a promise of tomorrow and need to do what needs today. Tomorrow may never come.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways Psalm 91:11
She told me that she had lung cancer and was not going to take any further treatments for it. They made her sick and she was refusing anymore. The results would be devastating! Sitting beside as she shared this decision I listened and then asked if I could pray for her. We bowed our heads and prayer seemed to give her a sense of peace. I made personal home visits to her in the meantime as she got worse and worse.
One day, she took me into her bedroom and wanted to give me angel from her great collection. I humbly took it thanking her. She just wanted to give something to me from her heart that was from her possessions.
It was not long before she was taken to hospice to be given comfort in her last stages of life. She was so fearful of death and would cling to my hand as I sat beside her bedside. I would sing her many songs (the old hymns) that would bring a sense of peace to her for awhile. She expressed her fears of dying and asked if I would go with her.
One day, after much time in prayer, singing to her, reading the Scriptures she said she was at peace and ready to die. She told me that she wanted them to medicate her enough that she could rest in peace (asleep). I shared this with the staff who must have considered this request. The next time and after that I went to visit her, she never came to a consciousness again.
The family knew she has asked me to do the service which I did. She had expressed during one of the last times that I saw her real concern for her family.
I am thankful that God was faithful to her giving her the assurance that she was ready to go Home. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. O, what a foretaste of glory divine."She is now in heaven with the angels.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh
We Reap What We Sow
Following the surgery if a certain patient, there were complications. He got a severe blood clot and faced the possibility of losing his legs. During this time, he struggled with wanting to be independent and leave the hospital against rules of the facility and what insurance would not pay if he left on his own.
One evening in his loneliness, he shared how his sister had married into money. They were millionaires. She had nothing to do with her brother who lived on a modest income.
One day, he had got into a fight at a bank and there was a restraining order placed against him. In the meantime, the church that he had attended for many years got a new pastor. The pastor of the church had a family member who happened to be the one who placed the restraining order on him. Now he is unable to attend his church, due to the restraining order. Life is not always fair. “We do reap what we sow, but God is not respecter of person’s He loves us all!” (Romans 2:11)
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6: 7-8)
Although God loves us, He will not take away all our pain or prevent us from causing others pain to others by our mistakes. He will forgive us, yet there will be times when we must pay the consequence for our actions. Life is not an easy way, so it is important that we treat others in the same manner than we would want to be treated. Jesus says, to be likeminded. If we are like Jesus, our actions will be holy and we will walk carefully in what we do and say. God does not take us out of every mess in which we get ourselves. Sometimes, we have to learn a lesson the hard way, and show a spirit of humility in repenting to someone or asking their forgiveness for a wrong. God wants to help us see ourselves, and to change us into o what He wants us to be.
Be encouraged. God is on your side and will help you! You are not alone. We are not perfect people and will not be until we get to heaven. However, we will be judged according to how we treat others in this life. Be kind and think before you take action.
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh May 27, 2011
Treasures from the Word
There was once this man who went into a used bookstore and purchased an old bible that was large print. He had read this Bible many times. One day, to his amazement, he turned to the Old Testament and found two $100.00 bills.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19021
The greatest treasures we will find, will be in the Word of God. This source will provide all that we need to live a life of content and happiness. It will provide for our spiritual, emotional, physical, and every need that we will ever have.
This man was so happy to find this money, but this was not the cause for his real happiness. His happiness was found in the treasures that come only from knowing Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He is the real treasure that we must seek in order to obtain eternal life.
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh May 27, 2011.
Our Great Physician
Recently, I met a lady in the hospital who shared this comment. She had told her doctor that she had a greater physician, and that He was upstairs.
Our Great Physician is always near. He is near when we do not see or feel Him. He is near when the doctors do not have answers and their even have their own questions. Psalm 91:15 says these words, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.” God is our refuge and strength; He is there when we need Him.
The doctor many not arrive when you expect Him. He will give you one time and come at another. He runs late, has many patients and other demands that call for his time. However, our Great Physician is never late, always on call, never too busy for us, and knows exactly what we need. His x-ray machine always works the first time and the results are accurate.
Praise His name! We have a wonderful Great Physician.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh May 27, 2011.
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