DEATH’S DOOR

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Can you tell what lies on the other side?” Very quietly the doctor said, “I don’t know.” The sick man replied, “You a Christian man do not know what is on the other side!?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side of the door came sounds of scratching and whining. And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on the doctor with an eager show of excitement and gladness.

Turning to the patient the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He has never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside this room. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang through it without fear.”

Continuing the doctor went on to say, “I know little of what is on the other side of the door of death. But I do know of one thing for sure, and that is when my time comes and I walk through the door, my Master will be waiting for me there and that is enough.”

(This story I dedicate to two fellow pastors and friends who in the past few weeks walked through the door into the arms of Jesus their Savior and Master. Jim and John had no fear because they know who was waiting on the other side.)

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE DOOR OF DEATH IS
NOW THE GATE OF HEAVEN.”

“…BUT THEN FACE TO FACE.”
I Corinthians 13:12

BASEBALL GRACE

Bob and the Lord stood by to observer a baseball game. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the ninth inning.

They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was LOVE. LOVE swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because:

“LOVE NEVER FAILS.”

The next batter was named FAITH, who also hit a single because:

“FAITH WORKS WITH LOVE.”

The next batter up was named GODLY WISDOM. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. GODLY WISDOM looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and GODLY WISDOM walked because:

“GODLY WISDOM NEVER SWINGS AT WHAT SATAN THROWS.”

The bases were loaded. Then the Lord turned to Bob and told him He as now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped GRACE. Bob said, “He sure doesn’t look like much.”

Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw GRACE. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, GRACE hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried for his center fielder let very few get by him. He went for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground. Then the ball continued over the fence for a home run!

“THE LORD’S TEAM WON”

The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why LOVE, FAITH and GODLY WISDOM could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know. The Lord explained, “If your LOVE, FAITH and WISDOM had won the game, you would think that you had done it yourself. LOVE, FAITH and WISDOM will get you on base:

“BUT ONLY MY GRACE CAN GET YOU HOME.”

Then the Lord said to Bob:

“MY GRACE IS THE ONE THING SATAN CANNOT DEFEAT.”

“GRACE HAS BROUGHT ME SAFE THUS FAR, AND
GRACE WILL BRING ME HOME.”

“…FIX YOUR HOPE COMPLETELY ON THE GRACE TO BE
BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE REVELATION
OF JESUS CHRIST.”
I Peter 1:13

PRAYER VICE
 
FROM A BOY IN OHIO

Now I sit me down in school
where praying is against the rule.
For this great nation under God
finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
it violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange, or green,
That’s no offense, it’s a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the State.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
and pierce our noses, tongues, and cheeks.
They’ve outlawed guns but first the Bible,
to quote the good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior queen,
and the unwed daddy our Senior King.
It's inappropriate to teach right from wrong.
We’re taught that such judgments do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth control,
study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed.
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,
when chaos reigns the school’s a mess.
So Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot, my soul please take! Amen

“LOVE FOR SIN CAUSES THE SOUL TO FLEE FROM
PRAYER TO GOD, BUT LOVE FOR GOD CAUSES
THE SOUL TO FLY TO GOD IN PRAYER.”

“…PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN SECRET, AND
YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN SECRET SHALL
REWARD YOU OPENLY.”
Matthew 6:6