No Fear!

Last night after work, I went to Hutchelson Medical Center to visit Walt Lillard. At noon on Tuesday he went thourh surgery to remove a tumor about the size of a grapefruit from his stomach. Chester, Hubert, and I bowed for prayer at my desk on Tueday during the surgery to pray for Walt. The good news is that the surgery went well although Walt is still in ICU and will be in the hospital at least 8 to 12 days. I was impressed last Friday with Walt's courage facing this surgery. He words to me were, "If God wants me, well I guess He can have me." It was the way Walt said it that made an impact. These words were not spoken in fear, but with a resolute calmness that filled us with hope. In the hospital Tuesday night he made another declaration that also inspires hope. He declared, "I love God with all of my heart!"

Once I visited a retired neighbor who had suffered a heart attack and had a near death experience. He asked me, "What could God want with me? What do I have left to give Him?" I responded that all God really wants is our heart! In fact Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all was to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." Surely when Walt declared that he loved the Lord with all his heart, there was rejoicing in heaven.

Walt has been given tremendous mercy in that his life was not taken in a moment, in an accident or sudden tragedy. God has given him time for reflection, and the good news is that he has called upon the Lord.

Today, if you haven't come to that place in your life where you know for certain that if you were to die today, you would go to heaven, then I want you to be sure. It is my heart's desire that you would receive Christ today and the peace that passes understanding. If Jesus tarries, may you one day walk to eternity's door with No Fear! These word from Psalm 23:4 really leap from the page today.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I saw a Witness T-shirt the other day that said it this way. "Know Jesus, No Fear!" That pretty much says it all. Have a courageous day in Christ!