Month: December 2018

December 20, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “The Whispered Prayer”

The Whispered Prayer

The drive has been long and tiring but her purpose is genuine. Cutting through the traffic the woman has difficulty concentrating on her driving as she finally pulls into the hospital parking lot and makes her way to her husband’s room.

The calls for Doctors over the P.A. system can be heard as she steps onto the elevator, and people crying in waiting rooms are ignored as she rounds the corner.

Walking past the nurse’s station she finally makes it to room 302 and gently pushes the door open. Her husband is asleep on the long narrow bed with its silver rails raised high on each side.

The T.V. has a game show playing with the volume turned low. She stands by her husband’s bed looking down at the drawn face, the life-giving plastic lines going from I.V. bags into his body and a tear silently slips down her cheek.

Quietly taking a seat she looks up at the T.V. The program has changed and a sitcom about an angel helping others is playing. She reaches for the remote control and turns the volume up just a little so the sound doesn’t disturb her sleeping husband.

She’s fascinated by the program she’s watching. No nurses come in to disturb them as she continues to watch and near the end of the program a tear escapes down her cheek. “God, if you are real, will you send an angel to help my husband,” she whispers and clicks the T.V. off.

Unbeknownst to her a Man has been standing near her watching as the tears slide down her cheeks. He watches as she whispers her prayer knowing she doesn’t realize she has prayed and has reached out to Him.

“I will prove to you child that I am very real. Just believe.” He tells her.

But she isn’t listening.

**

Mark 5:36 “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”

**

Life is difficult no matter what we do or where we go or what we encounter. So many times we seek advice from others or rely on our own knowledge. There are times that we have to buckle up and ride the waves of life and at times we feel there is no life line to cling to. Our minds get set on certain things and our God is trying to help but we just aren’t listening. As Christians we have spiritual ears as well as His Holy Spirit indwelling us, but we tend to lean on our own understanding and try to muster up the strength to handle the situation at hand or the circumstances we find ourselves in. God speaks to His children, as well as non-believers, yet so many ignore that still small voice that speaks to them. If we turn to Him and listen, He will bring us through the tough times as well as guide us through all situations. He will laugh with us, shed tears with us, and rejoice with us. His blessings are all around us and it gives Him great pleasure to pour out those blessings if we will just turn to Him and believe. Tune into Him and life’s challenges can be easier to wade through. He came to give us life more abundant and to ease our way in the tough times. If you will only believe He said, “Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

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December 19, 2018

A Note to my Blogging friends

As some of you know I have seven published books. The Lord is now having me working on number eight. Its title is, “I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories.”

For several months He has been having me write these short stories with no commentary and I have posted some of them previously on my blogs, the website, and Facebook.

Now He’s having me add the commentary to each story.

He has recently informed me that because not all of my blogging friends are able to purchase my books that I am to share these short stories, with the commentaries, so as to share His Good News with all.

You’re getting to read the book, part of it anyway, before it even goes to a publisher!

If you see a short story and think, “Geeez, she’s already posted that!” and are tempted to pass it by, don’t. The commentaries have been added with hopefully some insightful ideas that may peak your interest.

I am truly blessed by all of my blogging friends and have been blessed by other’s posts. I pray that my short stories will be a blessing to you and maybe even bring a spiritual “thump on the head” and be an encouragement in your journey.

Blessings to you all. Keep blogging, the Word is getting out.

P.S. My other books; fiction and non-fiction, can be found: http://www.elahministriesinc.com

Sue

December 19, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories “The Trumpet”

The Trumpet

The moon shines brightly in one part of the land and in another the sun is shining brightly on a beautiful summer day. In one part of the world the workers are in their fields and the other side of the world all sleep, except those with the night shift and those who prowl about.

Some are going about their day without a care in the world. Some have many thoughts and dreams skittering through their minds as they sleep in their beds. Women are snuggled close to their husbands, children cling to their teddy bears, and some are huddled in doorways.

As the sun lowers in the skies the moon rises. On the other side, the moon fades in the distance,  and the sun creeps up in its place. The day and the night are on schedule when the clouds separate. A blast of an angel’s horn fills the air and a white steed tramples the clouds as it makes its way across the heavens.

Cars are speeding down the highways, airplanes are scooting across the sky, and trains are on their tracks filled with sleeping people. No one seems to notice that all of heaven has begun to shake. Oh, a few stop, listen, and then go about their business.

Then it happens.

Planes suddenly fall from the sky, cars run off the road, trains leave their tracks and the thunder of hooves fills the air. People have suddenly left their beds, their homes, their fields, their offices, while others stand gaping at the sky as they watch loved ones filling the air.

The prayers of the saints have been heard.

“Come Lord Jesus, come,” has been answered.

~~~

1Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

~~~

There are many who do not believe in the church being caught up in the air with our Lord and Savior. They use the excuse that “Rapture” is not in the Bible. On that point they are right. The word, “rapture” is not in the Bible but doesn’t “caught up in the air” constitute the same thing? Throughout the Bible there are many references about heaven and hell. If there were no heaven then why bother to be saved? Why give our life to Jesus Christ if our only hope is a cold grave? Not only that, but He said He is making a place for us, the children of God. (John 14:3) I heard a pastor say on his program in reference to Jesus’ return, “That planes falling from the sky and cars with no driver’s, is poppy-cock! That is just silly teaching.” That isn’t what the Bible says! In Luke 17:34 He states, “There will be two men in bed and one will be taken and the other left” and Matthew 24:41, He states, “There will be two women grinding at the mill and one will be taken and the other left.”

So if what this pastor believes is true, which it isn’t, my question is – will all humanity, worldwide, be in their beds asleep when Jesus comes back for His church? Will there be no planes flying, trains running, buses or cars on the roads, anywhere in the world?

We are to be waiting and watching for the Lord’s return. We are to be praying, reading our Bibles, serving the Lord in whatever He calls us to do, and to be ready spiritually to meet our Savior in a blink of an eye. Get ready, Jesus is coming back. Hallelujah and amen.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

December 17, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “The Heavenly Courtroom”

 

The Heavenly Courtroom

No jury sits in this court room. No spectators fill the room. You won’t hear whispers echoing across the aisle. The silence is almost deafening.

Only four people will be in this trial. At one table, facing the Judge is the Defense Attorney and the accused. To their left stands another table with the prosecutor facing the Judge. He has a stack of papers lain neatly in front of him. The Defense attorney’s table is bare.

The Judge sits high above the rest of the room. His eyes focus on the defendant. The defendant’s hands are locked together in front of her and her knees knock together slightly. Her Attorney leans over and gently bumps her shoulder with His. He gives here a wink and then focuses back on the Judge.

The accuser stands straight, cocky like. His eyes are fire and his hand rests on the stack of papers. He glances over at the defendant and shivers shoot up her spine. With an evil smirk he has an expression of confidence.

A voice booms across the room, coming from the Judges bench. “State your case Satan!” God’s voice is so powerful the defendant’s knees almost give out from under her. Jesus gently takes her by the elbow to steady her.

Satan picks up the stack of papers and begins reading the accusations. “This is a contract her grandfather signed! Before she was born she was mine!” He slaps it on the table and raises another. “This is the promise her father made before she was even out of the womb!” He slams it down and rattles yet another.

She nervously glances at her Attorney.

Satan doesn’t stop. One paper after another he waves in the air and shouts what his claim to her is that’s stated on each of the contracts.

This is more than she can bear. She had no idea that people make contracts with the devil and literally give him and his demons legal rights to control that person. She needs to sit down!

Her Attorney listens quietly. He’s as cool as a cucumber. He leans toward her and whispers, “Trust Me.” Trust Him? Oh she does, but she also wants to climb right up under those long white robes and hide.

Satan is screaming and demanding that she is his. “Here are the contracts to prove it,” he hollers as drool and slobber splatter out of his mouth. The Judge looks intensely at the defendant. Her mouth goes dry.

Satan begins to yell, “She’s mine!” Jesus leans a bit in front of her and points his long index finger at Satan, “Enough!” She wants to hug Him, She wants to cheer and dance over to Satan and slap him! The Judge looks at her and compassionately says, “What do you have to say about all this My child?”

She swallows at least 10 times in order to get the words to come up out of her throat. Finally a squeak comes out and she clears her throat and speaks. “Father God, Your Majesty, on Oct.3, 1993 I gave my life to Jesus. I believe He shed His blood for my sins, I believe He died and arose and is Your Son. I asked Him to be my Savior and to come into my heart and my life. I have tried to be as obedient as I can be. You said that if we confess our sins and believe in our heart that Jesus is Your Son then we are saved. I believe that Father, I mean God, I mean your Honor.”

She swallows hard and takes a deep breath then continues. “I didn’t just ask Him to be my Savior I gave Him my whole life to do with as He pleases. I gave Him me! I know I still sin and I’m sorry but I…” She senses her Lawyer looking at her and when she looks up His radiant smile and the compassion and the love shining in His eyes leave the rest of her words stuck in her throat. She shuts her mouth.

Looking at her Attorney, hoping she hasn’t screwed up her case by babbling, tears stream down her face. Jesus reaches over and with His thumb gently wipes the tears off her cheeks. Satan has started dancing from one foot then the other. Then he begins waving the stacks of papers and begins sputtering unintelligible words.  He begins accusing Jesus.

The Judge holds out His massive hand and says, “Give those papers to me!” He commands. Apparently Satan thinks he’s won. He fairly scoots across the floor happily to the Judges bench and hands them to Him. Father God holds the stack of contracts out in front of Him and without looking at them, begins ripping them in half then ripping them again and again. Satan is screaming. He’s going ballistic.

Father God commands him to back off and shut up. Satan does. The Almighty Judge looks at His Son, “My Son, do you have anything to say?” Jesus looks at His client, smiles, places an arm around her shoulder, and replies, “My child is not guilty by reason of I love her more than she’ll ever know. My blood was poured out for her. My blood washed her sins away. She is in Me and I am in her. There is no question she has been redeemed.” Jesus gives her shoulder a soft squeeze.

God leans forward. His eyes are intense. He first looks at Jesus, then at Satan, and finally at her. He picks up the large gavel and suddenly slams it down. “Not Guilty!” booms across the room rattling the windows. Satan goes into a fit of rage but as soon as Jesus turns toward him and points that index finger at him Satan stops hollering and slinks out the door.

~~~~~

Job 1:6  – “One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.”

~~~~

There really is a spiritual heavenly court. I have been in it three different times with Jesus defending me against the legal rights my grandfather gave to Satan before I was conceived. Almighty God is the Judge. Jesus Christ is my Defender and Satan is the accuser. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, Father God will find you not guilty every time Satan accuses you!

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December 17, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “With Me or Without Me”

 

With Me or Without Me

The city lights have dimmed and the crowds have gathered. The people have been protesting and groups for one side of the controversy gather on one side of the street while others on the other side of the controversy gather across from them. Signs are painted, faces painted, children hug their mothers legs.

The police line along the center of the street. It looks like there could be trouble. Curse words have started being shouted, some have a sack of rocks in their hands. Their signs spew filth.

People on the other side have their signs painted also and instead of rocks in sacks, they hold their Bible close. Prayers are lifted and small groups gather in a circle to pray for Divine intervention. There are no shouts, no accusations, and their signs speak love.

A speaker steps out from the rowdy crowd and steps up to a makeshift podium and begins yelling into the microphone. Cheers rise as the speaker praises the killing of innocent children and proclaiming it is the women’s rights.

A Man walks to the podium when the speaker has wound down a bit and gently asks if He may say a few words. She starts to object but steps aside.

The Man looks out across the crowd and silence fills the air. He doesn’t shout but calmly states, “I am the I Am and I knew each of you before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb. I am who formed you and I have given each of you a divine purpose.”

Some boo’s are heard and are quickly hushed when the Man states, a little louder. “I love each of you and the child that is within the womb is mine! If you choose to rid your body of what I have created, you rid yourself of me. For I am in you and you in Me.”

The speaker quickly steps to His side and tries to push Him aside and grab the microphone. He looks at her with a look that only He can give and she quickly steps back.

He stands quietly looking out over the crowd and then speaks.

“I ask that each of you reconsider your position. Eternity is at stake. Live it with Me or live it without Me. Your choice.”

He then steps aside and disappears.

Silence permeates the air and slowly the crowds quietly disperse.

~~~~

 Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

~~~~

Pick any seed and hold it in your hand. At first it looks inconsequential but look closer. If we could see within the outer shell of that seed we would see that everything, yes everything, that God created it for is there, be it a giant Oak tree or a tiny delicate flower. It’s total purpose is encased within that shell. All that is needed is for it to be planted and nurtured. The same is true within man’s seed. It is planted within a womb and contains everything that is needed to grow into a human being. It is alive, not a “blob of cells” that can be discarded. It is a human being that God created! That seeds destiny was given before that seed ever entered the womb. Every child is created by God and for His good purposes. There are no “accidents” or unwanted children by God. Every life is precious! It is a travesty that there are those who are more than willing to end these precious lives before they can be born into what God created them to be. Forgive those who have sinned against God and His creation, and pray for those who are considering it, that their eyes will be opened before they commit this heinous crime of premeditated murder.

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December 13, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “The Christmas Gift”

The Christmas Gift

The doors fly open and the sale is on. Crowds by the hundreds push, shove, and trample others to get to the discounted merchandise. One woman shoves another with a face masked in anger, “That one is mine!” she yells as she shoves another woman to the side.

The police stand outside the doors to try to control the crowd, to no avail. “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” is playing on the intercom and yet no one notices. They’re focused on the goodies that might make a distant relative like them just a little more or for a family member that insisted that item is the only thing they want under the Christmas tree.

A Man stands back from the crowd and watches. Disgust is on His face. He listens to the piped in music and shakes His head in wonder. His thoughts are sad for He is watching the commercialization of His birth; the birth of the Creator of the World who came and died so that these greedy people could fill their baskets with all that will be tossed out within weeks.

A woman stops, she tilts her head slightly to the side as she listens to the song, “Oh Come all Ye Faithful.” She sees the Man standing off to the side and approaches Him. “Hello.” She says sadly.

He looks at her with sad eyes and replies, “Hello.” He nods toward the pushing and shoving people and asks, “Why aren’t you out there with them?”

She looks out over the crowd and then back to Him. “I came for one item because we don’t have much money.” A tear forms in her eyes and escapes. She swipes it away quickly and continues, “I hear the music, the Christmas carols being played, and looking out at these people, I realized I was just like them. I would have fought anyone or anything to get the one gift I came for.”

“But now?” The Man asks interested.

“But now I have learned better. I have four children and watching these people has made me realize this isn’t what I want to teach them. I’m not perfect and I do a lot of things wrong but I want to teach my children that the greatest gift ever given at Christmas was Jesus.”

Before the Man can reply someone slams into her and growls, “Get out of the way woman!” She is almost knocked off her feet and the Man grabs her arm to steady her and guides her out the door.

~~~~

Luke 2:11 – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

~~~~

I’m sure many of us have witnessed the crowds during the Christmas season. I have seen a fight break out over a parking space, the pushing and shoving, and angry customers. It seems we are so focused on getting just the right gift for friends, family, or colleagues that we forget what Christmas is about. This story reminds me of the Bible story of two sisters; Mary and Martha. Jesus shows up and one is rushing about in a frantic panic while the other sits at Jesus feet. Aren’t we doing much the same during the Christmas season? We rush, we cook for days, we slave over getting the house clean, and by the time Christmas Day arrives we’re exhausted and can’t enjoy the time with friends or family!  And then there are also those organizations that want to render this holy day as nothing more than just another holiday where people get a day off from work. The merchants begin touting Christmas trees and decorations along with Halloween costumes. And they do it because we, the public, buy their merchandise right along with the Halloween costumes in our shopping carts. But at the same time, there are those of us that sit back, listen to the Christmas carols, and relax!  We don’t stress over what gift to buy, we don’t cook for days on end, and we stay away from the crowds at the Malls. Our simple decorations is a Manger scene and maybe a Christmas tree in the corner. No, we aren’t Mr. Scrooge! Our focus is on the real meaning of Christmas, a child is born, and His name is Jesus, God in the manger. That’s what Christmas is about! He is the greatest gift anyone will ever receive! Are you Mary or Martha? Are you focused on the commercialization of the most holy day or are you sitting at the feet of our Lord and Savor?

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

December 13, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “The Last Stop”

The Last Stop

A whistle breaks the silence, wheels speed across the tracks, smoke billows filling the air with white steam as the train speeds along the tracks.

There’s only one car to this train and only two stops. It’s filled with passengers from all walks of life. A lady, dressed in fine silk, jewels dangling from her ears, neck, and wrists. Her fine feathered hat sits proudly on styled hair. Her husband sits next to her typing on his laptop computer, paying no attention to her constant babble.

Families sit together with their children gaping out the window at the scenery as it speeds by. The scowl of a mother catches the Conductors eye. He smiles but she snarls under her breath and digs an elbow into her husband’s side. He grunts and ignores her.

A few teenagers, with their multi-colored hair, nose rings, tattooed bodies, and slouchy pants, sit slouched on the benches discussing the latest horror movie and Rap song with its lyrics of back to back cuss words and condemnation of all that is good. The Conductor stops beside them. They don’t acknowledge Him.  He states, “Follow Me.” They ignore Him. He rubs the dust off His shoe on His pants leg and moves on.

As He approaches another group tears threaten to spill. Women in ragged dresses, men in torn dirty shirts and infants in dirty diapers fill a corner in the back of the compartment. Sandwiches are set aside while heads are bowed in praise and thanksgiving as the Conductor steps among them.

The Conductor touches the shoulder of a lame man, “Be healed,” the Conductor states. The man immediately jumps to his feet and runs in a circle shouting, “Praise God, I can walk!”

The Conductor moves to a woman with an infant with a cleft lip. He smiles down at the infant and with compassion, looks heavenward, whispers a prayer, and places His finger on the child’s lip. It’s instantly healed and the baby smiles brightly. The mother cries tears of joy and thanks Him.

None of the Conductors actions have gone unnoticed. Some begin praising, others shout, “Hosanna,” and yet others raise a questioning eyebrow and announce, “It’s a trick!”

The train begins to slow. Some of the passengers begin gathering their fine leather bags, others pick up the toys of their children while others kneel in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings of a meager meal and the warmth of the compartment.

The train stops and the door slides open. The Conductor stands beside it and as one passenger after another line up to exit, the Conductor announces, “Many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

He points His finger at the ragged group in the back of the line and states loudly, “You, My children, step forward. For those who believe shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Angry shouts fill the compartment, some try to shove their way through the door. Many stand quietly waiting to be called forward. As the line moves forward, the Conductor instructs some to return to their seat, others, He smiles and tells them they have been “good and faithful servants.” Each child is given a loving hug as He tells them to be careful stepping off the train.

The engine of the train roars to life, steam bellows forth, and a loud clank is heard as the door slams shut and the train speeds off down the track for the last stop. The majority remain aboard.

~~~~
John 3:3 “Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”

~~~~

There are some who have said that death begins the moment we leave our mother’s wombs. Life is a journey and as we grow and mature we make decisions each and every day. There is one decision that is more important than any other decision we will ever make in this life; where we will spend eternity. Some take life with a slow motion attitude, cruising along with seemingly no cares, and others feel they are on a fast track and rush around in chaotic furry. At the end of it all it is not what we do or how we do it but what we believe, who we have believed in and who we have served. Do we serve ourselves as though we are God or do we serve the One who is God? Who we serve will determine where our last stop will take us.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

December 12, 2018

I AM – Devotional style short stories “The Price of a Soul.”

The Price of a Soul

A mid-afternoon walk seems to be what’s on the Man’s mind. He strolls down the tree laden street enjoying the browns, gold’s, yellows, and greens of Fall.

At the end of the street He sees a church and decides to go in and have a chat with the Pastor. It’s the middle of the week so He knows the church will be empty.

Climbing the stairs to the front door He enters and stops. The Narthex has a few comfortable chairs to one side. A buffet table is lined with clip boards for signing up for various activities offered in the church, and their devotional magazine is neatly stacked at one end.

To His right is a long hall and He sees the sign pointing to the pastor’s office. Upon approaching the open door he hears voices.

He stops.

“Well, you know how some of the congregation will feel if I marry you two.” He hears. He knows it’s the pastor.

“Oh, who cares what those holier-than-thou old fuddy duddies think! Gay marriage is now legal so they can just get over it!” A male voice states emphatically.

The Man looks up toward heaven and remains silent outside the door.

“I’m just not sure.” The pastor states.

The Man hears a chair scoot and then something slammed down on the desk. Another voice asks, “How much is your fee? I’ll write you a check right now for whatever you want to marry us!”

“Wellll,” The Pastor leans back in his swivel chair and looks at the two men for a long moment and then leans forward placing his elbows on his desk. “The church could use the extra money.” He leans back in his chair.

“Then you’ll marry us?” One of the men asks hopefully.

“Yes! Why not? That fee will come in handy.” He smiles.

The Man steps back. The two men race out the office door, hooting and hollering and clapping each other on the back and shoulders.

The Man enters the pastor’s office with a scowl on His face. He looks across the pastor’s desk directly into the eyes of the pastor and pointedly asks, “How much is your soul worth today?”

~~~~

Ephesians 5:31-“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

~~~~

It is sad to see many of the churches today are compromising the Word of God in order to increase their membership, increase their churches financial gain, or just simply to go with the flow of political correctness. It takes the body of Christ, those with a back bone, to stand before the church boards and demand the true Word of God be adhered to. If the congregation remains silent in these churches, they are condoning the very acts of disobedience that is being done within that church. For a pastor to “marry” a gay couple totally and completely contradicts God’s Word! In Leviticus 18:22 it clearly states that a male shall not lie with another male as with a woman. It is an abomination to God! The same goes for two women engaging in sexual acts together. God created the holy covenant of marriage between one man and one woman and the Lord is very clear on this issue and does not change His opinion! If your church is willingly going against God’s Word, then leave! Go where the true Word of God is taught, preached, and practiced.

http://www.elahministriesinc.com

http://www.cybersupportgroup.org

http://www.facebook.com/elahministries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “A Jesus Encounter”

A Jesus Encounter

Entering the wide glass doors brings the woman into a whole new environment. The entrance is clean and friendly and glancing around one can see a modern, well-kept facility.

A long hall meanders off to one side of a large living space with comfortable chairs and couches. Another long hall winds toward a sitting around where games and Television can be enjoyed. Each hall is lined with doors and each door has a name and picture of the one who occupies the space behind the door.

Walking briskly down one hall the woman gently knocks on the door hoping she isn’t disturbing the occupant of the room. “Come in” is softly heard through the door. She opens the door slowly and steps inside.

Sitting in a recliner is an aged woman. Her smile lights the room as she enthusiastically greets her visitor, the one she calls her angel. The elderly woman stands with outstretched arms, “Give me a hug,” she states and her arms enfold her visitor.

Taking a seat they chat. The visitor can’t help but love this woman even though they have only been acquainted a few months. When she looks at her she sees Christ within her. Her soft-spoken, loving voice is like a soft melody floating through the air. Her graciousness and love for Christ is so evident it almost brings tears to her visitor.

So often we read in God’s Word how we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This woman seems to love everyone, regardless of their physical or mental health. Each visitor is welcomed with love.

She speaks kindly of those in the community she now lives in. Her laughter is joyous, and although her eyes don’t always sparkle His light shines through them.

The visitor rises to leave after their short visit. She doesn’t want to tire her precious friend. Hugs are in order again as the elderly woman takes hold of her walker and walks her visitor to the door.

As the woman slowly walks down the long hallway toward the entrance of the Assisted Living and Memory Care Home she thinks, I have just encountered Jesus.

~~~~

Matthew 5:16 -“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

~~~~

We have all met people of all walks of life and there are few that we know of their life stories. We often wonder what is in the heart of those with the sour expressions, the harsh words, and seem to be angry just for breathing. There are others we meet that seem to shine. Their faces are aglow and their smiles infectious, and their joy seems to just bubble up. Then there are those that are somewhere in between. We call those, “Normal,” or maybe even “Christian.” For those of us that have had the absolute pleasure of meeting someone that shines the light of Christ in what seems to be all they do and say, we are truly blessed. The Lord has said in His word to let His light shine through us. We don’t necessarily have to say a word and people can see His light within us. Our goal must be to let our words be His words, our love of others like His love for us and  our behavior as His. Our hope should be that when others encounter us they will see Christ in us and walk away thinking, “I have just seen Jesus.”

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			December 10, 2018

			
					


		
I AM – Devotional Style Short stories – “Been There-Not Going Back”

	


		

		
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BEEN THERE – NOT GOING BACK


Her fingers are cramped, her back hurts, her eyes burn, and her neck feels as though its frozen in place as she sits slumped over the legal pad as her pen skirts across the paper filling page after page as it writes the next chapter.


“Take a break, child.” The Lord whispers in her ear. “Go lie on the couch and rest for a while.” He gently adds. She lays her pen down and standing, flexes her fingers, groans, and stretches her back muscles. Taking a deep breath she slowly walks to the couch and stretches out giving a long sigh of relief. The pen has been writing furiously and now she can take a time out.


Her head has barely touched the pillow when suddenly everything turns to black. Black, as no other black can be described. Her body has suddenly been transported from the comfort of her couch to a place that is so dark she can’t see her hand in front of her face. She’s scared. Her body begins to shake and she sense’s Someone has stepped up behind her. Peace begins flowing through her like a gentle wave. No words are spoken.


The blackness is so black there’s nothing for her eyes to adjust to. It isn’t like walking into a dark room where some light peeks in and one can see at least a shadow. No, this is so black it can’t be described! Suddenly faces begin to appear in the darkness. She sucks in a breath as they come closer and closer to where she’s standing. Men and women, teen-age girls and boys, with expressions of fear, anger, shame, confusion, and some with hatred written in their eyes and across their faces as though in large dark ink. She takes a step back. Somehow these people are not allowed to touch her but they have. They’ve touched something deep within her.


A woman, with her head thrown back, screams a bone chilling scream as she furiously twists her long hair and pulls frantically. She screams an agonizing scream, yet no sound comes from her mouth. As she watches in horror a man leans toward her and pleads “help me,” yet no words are spoken. His face is a horrible mask of agony like nothing she’s ever witnessed.


Face after face appears and pass before her with torture written on them, eyes filled with emptiness, screams of pain and desolation. A man’s face appears and comes toward her with his face contorted with absolute hatred and his eyes meet hers with a putrid violence. She jumps back bumping into the white robe behind her. “You’ll be okay, My child” is whispered in her ear as gentle arms wrap around her from behind. She feels His beard on her cheek and the comfort of His arms.


She turns her head to look at Him and asks, “Who are these people?” His eyes fill with tears. “Those who have rejected Me,” He replies with sadness. “But can’t You help them?” she asks. “No child. They chose this place. I gave them every opportunity but they chose this as their eternal home.” She wants to scream! She wants to beg Him to take them out of here! She wants to run from this horrible place. The comforting arms drop from their hug and He takes a step back.


Suddenly the faces are gone and she’s standing as stiff as a telephone pole. Red hot flames have encircled her; orange, red, yellow, flares up on all sides of her. Only her head and eyes move as she looks around. Furious fire engulfs her, yet not one spark touches her.


The Man is beside her. “You’re safe” He says. The flames grow hotter, taller and she can’t believe she’s not even feeling the heat from them. “I am with you,” He says. The flames lick at her but don’t touch her. They grow hotter still and looking skyward she can see the flames are all around her and above her. There is no escape! “I am always with you, even in the fires of life,” is gently spoken.


Poof, the flames are gone!


She’s standing in the total blackness again. Her mind is whirling. She has a million questions she wants to ask but suddenly her attention is drawn to a white building appearing out of the pitch blackness. It’s a small country-style church. It begins turning. The whole building is slowly turning counter-clockwise on its axis. It begins to turn faster and gradually it begins to spin faster and faster and faster until it spins off its axis and flies out into the darkness and disappears.


Suddenly she’s jolted from the darkness back onto her couch with the blare of the telephone ringing. Confused and disoriented, she can barely speak.


~~~


Joshua 24:14 “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you shall serve.”


~~~


This story is not an imaginary story that popped into my mind. It is a true account of the Lord transporting me into hell through a vision. I was wide awake when He chose to allow me to experience, in part, the real hell.


Hell is a very real place and Jesus refers to it many times throughout scripture. We have to make the choice before our last breath on this earth as to where we will spend eternity. We only have two choices. Heaven is our place of peace and everlasting love. Hell is the place without love. It is the place of eternal torment. Romans 10:9 states that if we “confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, pray this simple prayer. Where you spend eternity rests on your decision.


I come to you Lord Jesus and ask that you forgive me of my sins. I believe in my heart that you are God’s Son and you died on the cross and arose for the forgiveness of my sins. I am giving you my life. Please come into my heart now and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen


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