Life or Death?

We never know what today or tomorrow holds in store for us. A day in a life of a person can make a dramatic difference in their circumstances...in one day, a person can find out that he/she may be on the verge of death, or that someone else whom they love might be. I have experienced both within the past few days. A few days ago, I had a cold/sinus problem that was irritating at best, and two days ago, I went to the doctor for a diagnosis and medication because my cold had given me a terrible headache that was worsening by the hour. When I arrived at the doctor's office, I was taken into the physician's private office and told that my symptoms matched a diagnosis for meningitis. I was told that it could be potentially life-threatening, and I would be sent to ER immediately for testing. What started out as a cold/flu now could kill me. My husband had driven me to the hospital because I was becoming increasingly irritated by light and sound, and he thought I had a vicious migraine. He was with me the entire day as I endured a lumbar puncture, a CT scan, and I can't even remember what else. They gave me medicine that made me very drowsy, but I could still feel every bit of the pain in my head. I wondered for a short moment if this was the end for me. I even talked to my husband about it.

After many hours of waiting to hear the results, I was told that I DID NOT have meningitis, but they also could not explain my terrible headache, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. They gave me several OTC medications and sent me home to rest until it got better. The past few days have been a blur to me, and I have not been able to fully regain clear consciousness, but I think that may be in part due to the medications. I faced the possibility of death once again, and was once again rescued from it by my Lord Jesus Christ. I had a keen sense that He was with me in the room, and that He will always be with me. I never feared dying, and at the worst point of pain, found myself imagining what heaven would be like without pain or suffering. While I waited to hear an answer, I imagined myself going into the arms of my Lord, and being in His Holy Presence, and I was at peace. He helped me through the word I had hidden in my heart to not fear evil or death. This is the result of knowing that I have received salvation through Jesus Christ, and that if I keep my mind steadfast in Him, He will keep me in perfect peace.

While recovering this morning, I received another round of disheartening news. Someone very close to me, whom I love, has been diagnosed with advanced stages of leukemia. She was given six months or less to live, and it made me wonder if she was assured - as I am - that her resting place is with the Lord Jesus in heaven. She and I have discussed the issue before, but she has never told me that she was sure of her salvation in Jesus Christ. I do not fear for her death, but only that she will die not having received salvation, and will spend an eternity in hell without a second chance. Death comes knocking on many people's doors, and you never know which is YOUR day to die. Shouldn't we all be sure of where we are headed after our life here is through? I believe there is only two directions - heaven or hell. The Bible tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are "in the faith." Today, I challenge you to examine where you stand. Are you 100% sure you are going to be face-to-face with Christ the moment you die, and will live eternally with Him? Or are you not sure, and wonder if you might be headed for hell instead? If you don't know where you are going....I pray that you would examine your own faith and heart today, and make it assured that you will be in heaven for all eternity. You can do that by praying a simple prayer, confessing that you are living in sin, that God sent Jesus to be your Savior, that He rose from the dead, and that through Him, you can live eternally. Pray this to God today, and God will regenerate your heart and grant you salvation. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fall upon you today, and that He will guide you into all truth. Trust in Jesus today, and you will never again be afraid of death - Jesus conquered death when He rose from the grave.

Be blessed today in the name of Jesus with peace, hope, love and faith!

Held Securely by Him,

Sarah

Renewal and Refreshment

Psalm 91:1 (NASB):

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

For those of you who have wondered where I have been lately....this is where I have been. In the shelter of the Most High and the shadow of the Almighty. I have been there since the day (a couple of weeks ago) when I found out that I had suffered a second consecutive miscarriage. The Lord has been sustaining me with His hope, peace and joy, and He has been ministering to me in new, fresh ways that I needed. I have been working through my own sin, I have been receiving healing in God's Presence, and I have been growing in my faith. The Lord spoke to me about this blog and the direction in which He desires for it to go. I desire to follow the Lord's will, and for this blog to be a blessing to others...He is teaching me how this is best accomplished, and I am just listening.

I just wanted to check in with the readers, and tell them that I am alive and well. I will be posting blogs daily again shortly, but they may take a different shape than before....I believe they will be even more of a blessing to others than before! For those of you who have continued to show up and read daily, I thank God for you, and I pray that God is still teaching you through His Word during my hiatus from writing. I love you all, and ask God to bless you with peace, joy, hope, love and His salvation in Jesus' name. Amen.

Resting in God,

Sarah