THE PACEMAKER

Week Twenty-One, 2022

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

It was a dumb thing to do, but I did it anyway. For more than a week I had felt, tired, dizzy and light-headed.

My bride told me to go to the doctor, but I didn’t have the time in my schedule (first dumb thing). Then, a week went by and I was in my office and the office started spinning around and I thought I was going to pass out. I knew I needed medical help, so I did my second dumb thing. I drove to the Urgent Care facility. They took me right in and said my blood pressure was 180 and my heart was missing beats. They wouldn’t let me drive and dispatched me directly to the emergency room.

For three days I was prodded, poked, photographed and otherwise submitted to unpleasantries. Finally, my cardiologist reported that my heart was in good shape, but he was calling in “the electrician.” The “what” I asked, and he told me I was going to get a pacemaker to regulate my heart. I did and I am home, and my heart is performing beautifully. My watch is no longer telling me that I have a slow heartbeat.

I am still learning about this marvelous device. Someone said it can be programed to open my garage door and turn on the TV when I walk into the room. I also heard that if I fall asleep in church, it will record the sermon and later that night if I can’t get to sleep that night, I can replay the sermon and see if it will put me to sleep again! But we will see.

Being in the hospital was a spiritual experience. I spent more time laying on my back than Michelangelo and when you are on your back, all you can do is look up and I did. I thought….. God, is this the beginning of the end? Is it a life changer? Then …. God, why did you let me survive this attack when others don’t?

For me it was a great time of spiritual revival and helped me get my priorities in order. It helped me realize what really is important in my life. I was too busy to get medical help and my procrastination could have been fatal. I asked myself …… Am I too busy with the matters of this world to spend time with God?

What is my mind fixed on? Conquering the next financial deal? My next vacation? The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2.

Do you need a heart attack to make you lie down and look up, focusing on the vertical rather than your horizontal matters? Think about it. Stop and pause the world around you and take time to look up.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Our churches are filled with many who have grown up in the church, attending Sunday School, attending church events, giving tithes and offerings, maybe even taking leadership roles. Yet, they have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Have never asked Him into their hearts or lives. They attend but have not known Him as Lord, nor understood His mission and the hope, peace, grace, love and forgiveness that He brings. Marty Stubblefield

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Note these 5 things that the Scriptures can do for you:

1. The Bible shows you what is right.

Right is not determined by culture, custom, or human creed. An accepted popular practice is not necessarily right. And human legislation enacted by a government doesn’t make something right.

2. The Bible shows you what is wrong.

While the Bible is not a list of “thou shalt nots,” it does offer some specific warnings about what is wrong. Wrong attitudes, wrong actions, wrong associations do not change with the times. If God says it’s wrong, then it’s still wrong today.

3. The Bible helps you get right.

When we’re on the wrong path religiously, morally, or ethically, we need to get on the right path. The Bible, when properly applied, will direct you in the right way in every area of your life.

4. The Bible helps you stay right.

The Bible provides the inspiration, encouragement, and motivation to keep on keeping on. To stay the course. And remain faithful regardless of Satan’s carnal enticements.

5. And the Bible equips you for every righteous work.

What is righteous work in God’s eyes? The Bible defines it. Both collectively in His church. And individually in our personal lives. The Bible furnishes us with just what we need to be successful spiritually.

Make 2022 a year of Biblical renewal. Get into the Word. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it. Live it.

D. L. Moody was right when he proclaimed, “The Bible was not given for our information, but for our transformation.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

My soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor to my country. Oleksandr Usyk – Heavyweight champion after joining a Ukrainian defense battalion

If you don’t understand the resurrection, then your faith is meaningless. Cindy Heiberg

Mission is the reason the church exists. Max Wilkins

There are three billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus and 57,000 die each day. Andy Ivey

Christians have the responsibility to go tell others about Jesus. Bishop Sharma Lewis

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. Cicero

I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. Alexander the Great

Our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion are more imperiled than at any time in American history. Jim Denison

The ladder of success is never crowded at the top. Napoleon Hill

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader. Tacticus

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. Milton Berle

If a man does his best, what else is there? George S. Patton

Anybody can run the first half of a race, but it takes a true competitor complete in the second half of the race. David Kempston