Jesus: God Of A Second Chance Part II Of III

 

Everyone has an appointment to keep with death.  In spite of all the near death experiences and resurrections in this era, it is appointed for man to die once.

A friend recounted the icy details of a fishing trip that turned tragic for her husband and  his two friends. After he had failed to return home by a certain time, she turned off the generator powered light in order to save fuel. But, her husband and his friends were struggling in the ocean after their boat capsized; and they depended on the light to guide them home. Her husband survived the shark infested waters of the Atlantic Ocean and was found up the coast. His friends are forever lost at sea. God had given her husband a second chance.

When there is a traffic fatality, the news travels fast. A young man was extricated from a mangled car and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. While they waited for the mortician, someone called the mother. The young man in the fatal crash was her ‘best’ son; and in her incontrollable grief, she cried out to God. Everyone is born to die; and this mother knew such a fact. Would God give her son a second chance? Based on the condition of the car, nobody expected the young man to live. However, the mother who shared this testimony is rejoicing every day. God gave her son a second chance!

When a stove exploded, a young mother   was injured by the flames. Someone doused her with water. The ambulance took an infinitely long time so she walked to the hospital. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with burns and pneumonia. Her family and friends prayed for her recovery. One night a man, dressed in a white outfit similar to those worn by  a doctor, appeared at the foot of her bed. He told her:

You are healed.

She accepted the healing and began to remove all the life support – everything - attached to her body. Such behavior created an alarm. However, within a very short time, she was released from the hospital. Eventually, she married and established a family. God had given her a second chance.

Although everybody on the planet has an appointed time for death, few like to think about their demise. Often death has to be made personal before one ponders it. A recent experience heightened my awareness of this defeated foe.

 

A doctor reveals his diagnosis- his medical opinion based on twenty eight years in the medical profession. There are no lab tests as evidence. How does one face a terminal illness? Should one seek a second opinion? Are there alternative treatments? The recommended treatment- as expounded by the doctor - goes against the grain of an individual who for thirty five years has followed the natural lifestyle of a lacto-ovo- vegetarian.It involves accepting poison willingly! The doctor explained that the treatment would kill both healthy and uncontrollable or 'bad' cells in the body. Every three weeks or as soon  as the body manufactures more healthy cells,they will be killed as a part of the treatment. Does that make sense?

Doctors do not hide the facts. Actually, it is a treatment that many patients accept daily as the ‘only hope’ in order to survive an ‘incurable’ disease; and you- the patient- are expected to join the bandwagon. Those who emerge alive from the series of traditional, poisonous challenges  face another one. Dentists prefer you to have this treatment only twice a year because of its potency. Doctors recommend it only in cases of broken bones, sprains or investigation as after a slip and fall injury. But, the second  series of treatment involves high dose at the site of the disease; and for some [if not all] it means skin burns. Those who emerge from this round of treatment receive a crown labeled ‘survivor’. After that experience, there is a daily mental struggle to remain a survivor.

The disease can return - appearing in another location - and one has to repeat the treatment .Edema threatens, especially if lymph nodes are removed; and this can be manifested in swollen limbs [lymphoedema] as well as affected internal organs .Kidneys and liver are prime targets. Expensive medication becomes a way of life to restrain the uncontrollable disease and the intense pain.

Loss of memory- not knowing one’s identity, being unable to recognize family members and friends or remember events are included in the treatment via medication side effects. But doctors neglect to mention it. Does one want to live? Kill the enemy and the defense forces in the fortress of the body at regular intervals with concocted chemicals! To refuse the treatment, the doctor infers, is to do nothing. A person is born to die. Which method of death does one prefer?

Some people will argue that God has given doctors healing power; and that is true. However, the gifts of healing suggest that healing is not limited to one method. How did Jesus heal the blind men who sought his help? Naaman the leper was told to dip seven times in a dirty river. Ten lepers were told to show themselves to the priest. The demons from a demoniac were sent into a herd of pigs .In another situation, Jesus said that particular kind of demon came out through prayer and fasting.

In Isaiah 53:1 God uses the prophet Isaiah to ask a question:

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

Later, in verse 5 we know:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him , and with his stripes we are healed.

Whose report am I going to believe?

I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord!

I believe in the precious blood of Jesus and the work He did at Calvary for me...and you.Included in that work is healing; and I am certain that there are alternative natural treatments. Uchee Pines offers a seventeen day seminar and an alternative natural lifestyle.Of course the challenge for me is to be able to afford the costs.This brings to mind another text.

Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly above all that you ask, all that you think according to the power at work within you.

Healing is what God has provided for His children; and by faith I stake my claim. God is able to exceed our expectations. In my locale, there has been no home internet service for more than six weeks. When you see this published hub, you will realize that nothing is too difficult for God!

Who hath believe our report

Do you know that believing what God says about healing can provide a second chance