Beloved,

Do you ever feel like this? I do sometimes. I sometimes feel so wretched, dirty and ugly that words cannot describe.  However, I thank God everyday for my salvation through Jesus Christ and the hope He places in my heart. This is the only thing that gives me the desire to rid myself of my sin (through Him) and grow closer to Him. Funny thing, the closer I get to Him, the dirtier I feel. However, the closer I get to Jesus the more glorious and awesome His presence.  I much rather be closer to Him.

When was the last time you told someone of the hope in your heart? Recently, a friend of mine was sitting at the breakfast table thinking about whether he was to go out to work. You see, he was a carpenter/electrician by trade and the weather outside was marginal. His wife was in the bathroom getting ready for work and she heard a noise. She found him passed out on the floor and his skin color was blue. The ambulance and paramedics were there in a matter of minutes, however, the hospital personnel proclaimed him dead in a matter of a few short hours. He was 58 years old and in good health. He had no reason to believe he was going to die, for there were many more years ahead in his life.

How many of you have unsaved relatives or close friends? Death, many times, does not take long, as in the case of my friend. Someone can die suddenly for many causes, too numerous to mention. Do you have a sense of urgency to tell everyone of the hope in your heart? I pray that you do. Time is short and we are called to tell the world the good news! Do not delay! Call that relative or friend and tell them the good news! Have that sense of urgency in your heart that this message is essential to tell everyone. We don't know when we or they will die, you may be their only contact with Jesus Christ!

The story of my dead friend ends happily, you see, he is a Christian and is with Jesus. And all I can say is, all glory, honor and praise are His, Amen. Though I didn't lead him to Jesus, his death has given me the sense of urgency. And, I pray to God, that He continues to give me that sense of urgency, to tell everyone of the hope that is in me, Jesus Christ.

Have a joyous day in our Lord!
John
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The above message is sent to you as an encouragement.  Please pass this on to friends and family.  To add yourself or a loved one to the mailing list reply to  [email protected]  Subject:  "add to"  (or to be removed indicate  "remove")
 
Encouragement From The Heart Website updated March 17, 2000 (note: web address changed).
http://www.geocities.com/correiaville/encourag.html   there's a new page, "The Master's Garden" stop by and check it out!

Scripture references (unless noted otherwise): The Open Bible, New American Standard
copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977
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