Tag Archive - Death

What’s Your Story – Faith

May 16, 2012 in Daily Devotionals, Dating & Relationships, The Church with 0 Comments

[Guest Post by Anonymous] – I’m going to call her Faith, to protect her identity and country.

She found a Christian program on her satellite receiver, watched, and called the telephone number on the screen, leaving a phone message in her language. For seven long minutes she poured out an absolute tirade. Faith used every filthy curse word imaginable:

“What are you people doing?! Why are you saying there are two gods, when there is only one God? You are all going to Hell! You are all evil!”

She slammed the phone down. A telephone counselor (whom I’ll call Niki) endured the entire message:

“It was so painful for me to listen. There was much anger and horrible language. But the Lord gave me a burden for her. I didn’t want to, but somehow I knew I needed to call her back.”

Although fearful, she dialed her number. The woman answered. Faith exploded:

“Who gave you the right to call me? I don’t want to talk to you.”

Although it was very difficult, the Lord gave Niki grace to listen and then to do something that she knows was of the Lord. Gently and lovingly, Niki said,

“I could tell by your message that you have been deeply hurt, that you needed to talk to someone.”

Niki spoke to her of the love of God. Again, Faith let her have it:

“What are you talking about? You don’t know love! Life is very hard for me. You haven’t any idea what I’m dealing with. Tell me, have you ever been raped by your own father at the age of five? Has your brother raped you? Has your husband slept with your best friend? Have you had a court take away your children from you? All this has happened to me.”

Then, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Niki said,

“God has put it in my heart to call you and tell you that He truly loves you and is there for you. He wants you to know that He won’t leave you. He won’t take your children away. He’s not going to hurt your body.”

At this, Faith broke down, and began to weep:

“I’m 28 years old. This is the first time I have been swearing at a person and they responded to me like you have. Why are you doing this? Why are you so kind to me?”

Niki said:

“This love is not from me. It’s from God. Please, may I help you to know the God who loves you so, the one that Pastor on the Christian station was telling you about on the program?”

Niki said that verses of Scripture began to flow from her lips. She knew that the Holy Spirit was speaking to Faith thousands of miles away, but through Niki. The once-angry woman took in every word…crying the entire time. Then she asked Niki for a Bible, which Niki arranged. Five days later Faith called back. She had been reading the Bible and was so peaceful. Again, they talked. After some minutes, Niki asked Faith if she would like to invite Jesus into her heart. She said yes and prayed with Niki. Immediately, Faith began declaring with joy,

“I’m free…I’m free…I’m free!”

She apologized for her language and anger, and could not stop talking about the joy, peace, and love she now felt. Faith has since called this Christian program several times. The last time saying:

“I’ve lost 28 years of my life, but now I’ve begun to live. I’m so happy…so happy that I found you, that I’ve come to know you. Thank you for giving me life, for introducing me to Jesus.”

Faith is but one of thousands who fear detection by the authorities, reprisals, and even jail time for sharing their story.

Instead, they view the programs with their doors closed, in the safety of their homes, taking it all in. Now is the time to P-R-A-Y for the Persecuted church for Christ! For those who are disillusioned, discouraged and depressed. Many stay home, not wanting to go out on the streets. Most turn to their televisions for news and hope, and particularly, satellite television from the outside.

What a wonderful door of opportunity to walk through, to give them hope, love and Christ…all to His glory.

[Photo courtesy of The Split Stitch]

What’s Your Story – Ashley

May 9, 2012 in Daily Devotionals, Dating & Relationships, The Church with 2 Comments

[Guest Post] I always had a close relationship with God, and felt I could always lean on Him.

In high school, I got a job at a leather store in the mall. I was a trainer on the football team and fell head over heels for popular guy on the team. I had my whole life planned out. I wanted to be a stay at home mom and be an active part of a church.

I knew I wanted to save myself for marriage, but I started to drift from God. He wasn’t into going to church or praying. I ended up dating him and we had a child born out of wedlock. We were engaged for about three years.

I wanted to join a church that I had been visiting, so I went down to the altar and spoke with a deacon. A few days later, I got a call from the membership Pastor at the church. He invited us into his office for a meeting. He advised that the church wouldn’t allow me to become a member unless we were married. I was embarrassed and ashamed.

I didn’t go back to church for almost 2 months when I finally talked him into getting married so I could be a part of that church.  

We got married, and things were already headed down hill. I had been a stay at home mom and recently had a got a part time job at a local retail store. He had started gambling and taking pain pills on top of his marijuana addiction. His six figure income supported his habits. The days continued to get worse.

He would come home late at night drunk and had been spending time after work at bars and strip clubs. I became depressed. I felt ugly on the inside and the outside.

Why wasn’t I beautiful anymore?  

Why didn’t he want to spend time with me?  

One night in our kitchen, I prayed over him as he was trying to crush a pill to snort. He was so angry that I put my hand over a line of pills that he had crushed, then he put me in a headlock that took me to the floor. I pleaded for him to let me go…He snorted the pill in front of me off the kitchen counter.

I was devastated.  

He took off to the bedroom and said he was leaving. I begged him to stay and talk.

He pulled out a gun and put it to my head and pushed me to the floor.

He yelled some profanities and took off out the door. I opened the door and yelled that I was calling the police. He came back up the steps with the gun and told me he was going to kill me. I kept locking the door as he was unlocking with his key. I prayed for God to please let me survive. I made it, and so did my son. It was a miracle that he slept through all the commotion.

I didn’t leave the marriage.

I thought I was doing the right thing. He would tell me that I had broken my vows because I was trying to leave him while he was sick (drugs were making him sick), and that I had promised to love him in sickness and in health.

At this point, I had taken on a job with a good company and could support myself and my son. My brother was very close to me, and he had been staying the night with us a lot and he could keep the arguments down at the house. I never told him about what he had done to me, but he knew something was up.

A few months after the gun incident, we took my son to a baseball game and came home to find my brother had passed away in his sleep on my couch.  

My three year old son and I had found him. This was the most devastating thing that has ever happened to me.

I wanted to know where God was and why was He letting this happen to me?

I tried counseling and buying books on how to save your marriage. It was the end.

He didn’t want to be a part of our lives.  

Drugs was his life.  

I had been reading in Job and all the trials he experienced. This is where I gained my strength and renewed my trust in the Lord. I attended Celebrate Recovery at my church, where I learned how to deal with my codependent nature. God had given me little signs in the form of hearts, that made me realize that He was beside me each step of the way.

I decided I needed to divorce.

My son and I had moved in with my parents. I reconnected with my boss from the leather store, and we began dating. We both were single parents with ex spouses who didn’t seem to care about anyone but themselves. We both had a strong Christian background. He proposed to me last year and we ended up marrying a few months later. May 14th is our one year anniversary!!

I can say that I am thankful for the trials that I went through to make it where I am today.

I have a wonderful, loving husband that prays with me and keeps me positive. He is a great father figure to my son. He works hard every day to provide for all of us. I stayed true to God during all my sufferings, and He comforted me. He blessed me with the greatest husband ever. I cannot wait to bow at His feet and thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.  My best advice is to keep holding onto your faith when everything else is falling apart.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

Ashley is a 28 year old mom of an 8 year old, and a step mom to a 15 year old. I enjoy Bible study and love spending an immense amount of time with my husband and kids. Over the past year, I have learned a lot about marriage. I now understand why it is important to be married to someone with the same beliefs. It is also an amazing feeling when you spouse prays for you. Connect with Ashleigh on Twitter.

Till Death Do Us Part…#5

October 31, 2008 in Daily Devotionals with 0 Comments

[From Death to Life] – “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

From death to life, in one grand gesture God saved us while we were still sinners. He broke the power of death, over sin and shame forever.

Whenever I am afraid I put my hope in God’s eternal Word and and ask those closest around me to pray for me. Here are a few passages that will encourage you also to choose life today.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

* * * * *Dear Living God,

Thanks for taking us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death this week. It’s been an amazing ride. Help us choose life every day and not just on All Saints Day!

Happy Halloween Everyone,

Amen.

Till Death Do Us Part…#4

October 30, 2008 in Daily Devotionals with 0 Comments

[Stricken to Death] – “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3

A couple weeks ago I was getting to know a guy I’ll call Steve. We had some great conversations, one of which lasted for six hours over the phone. We talked about: God, the Bible, ministry, sermons, weekly devotional series, changing the world, and what he was going to cook me for dinner.

Then just 24 hours later I found out that he had a girlfriend. I felt like a freaking idiot. Only I didn’t use the word freaking.

How did I get that so wrong? He mentioned flying across the United States to see me, cook for me, and go to Disneyland. And somehow being the outgoing person I am didn’t think to ask “hey buddy, do you have a girlfriend?”

I found out that his status which was “In a Relationship” after looking at his Myspace page. Talk about humiliating. I was devastated.

The next day, the verse from Isaiah 53:3 was sitting in my Inbox. I felt as if God reached His hands through my computer and gave me a hug. He said, “See, I’ve suffered too! I’ve been rejected in the worse way. Nothing you could ever experience will be out of the loving grasp of my hands.”

If we read more we’ll understand why.

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; he punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5

* * * * *Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your death on the cross. Without this kind of punishment and torture we wouldn’t have direct access to the Father & His Holy Spirit. Help us when we experience all kinds of painful trials and rejections knowing that we have the pleasure of identifying with you even if for a moment.

Amen

Till Death Do Us Part…#3

October 29, 2008 in Daily Devotionals with 0 Comments

[Valley of Death] – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4a

Where would we be in our study of death and dying without Psalm 23?

As our Shepherd, Jesus provides His sheep with safe pastures. Remember that Road to Contentment? Along the way we’re going to take a detour or rest stop into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. But, if we continue to follow Him He will protect us and even prepare a meal in the presence of whatever is scaring us to death.

Let’s read on. Feel free to make this prayer personal by replacing each “I” with your first name.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I [Renee] shall not be in want.
2 He makes me [Renee] lie down in green pastures,
he leads me [Renee] beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my [Renee] soul.
He guides me [Renee] in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I [Renee] walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I [Renee] will fear no evil,
for you are with me [Renee];
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me [Renee].

5 You prepare a table before me [Renee]
in the presence of my [Renee's] enemies.
You anoint my [Renee's] head with oil;
my [Renee's] cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me [Renee]
all the days of my [Renee's] life,
and I [Renee] will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

* * * * *Dear God,

What an amazing prayer that David prayed thousands of years ago, and yet how alive and real it feels today. Help us as we go through “Hump” day today knowing that it can only go downhill from here.

Amen

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