Just in Time


On a Wednesday, a few years ago, I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A call came into the Church I pastored in Wyoming, requesting someone to visit a woman dying of a terminal illness. I took the call and told her daughter I would be there within an hour. I walked in the home one hour later, meeting the daughter her Dad and the woman (In her late 50's) who was ill. She told me clearly and directly that she was dying.

I asked her how can I help you?

She looked me straight in the eye, and said I want to know how to be saved, and I want to be baptized

I placed my hand on hers, and told her that as a teenager in North Carolina I heard the Gospel (Good News) that the Lord Jesus Christ would forgive me and save me if I repented from sin (Turn from) and trusted Him, and Him alone for my salvation. I shared several other verses that point to the Lordship of Christ, and how all humans need what He alone can provide.

I asked her if she would like to give her life to Him. She said yes! I led her in a prayer of commitment and surrender to Him.

She then said what about being baptized? I told her as a Baptist we believe in immersion, and she knew with her condition she could not bear that. I thought what to do? I asked her daughter to bring me a glass of water, and right there in her living room, I baptized her in the name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit!

I took a few more minutes sharing verses of encouragement, stressing the nearness of the Lord and her not needing to be afraid.

I left, with deep gratitude that the Lord would entrust this opportunity to me.

Later that night I shared what happened with our mid-week prayer group. We rejoiced at the Lord's timing, signed and sent her a card, which I mailed that night.

Friday morning (Two Days Later) my secretary informed me that the woman died (She had lived 3,016 weeks) in the early hours of Friday morning!

I cannot begin to express how thankful I am that the Lord prompted me to go within an hour. She heard the Gospel (Good News) and responded in the 11th hour of her life!

Theologian Carl F. H. Henry once wrote "The Gospel is only Good News, if it gets there in time"!

We think we have forever to make decisions that will impact eternity.

We don't!

Were you aware that the average person lives 3,900 weeks? That is 75 years! If your 50 (I am 57) you have lived 2,600 weeks. When I ponder my mortality I often think... Oh, Lord God, we have all eternity to enjoy our rewards, as Amy Carmichael said, and only a few short years to win them.

Amy a prolific missionary who lived on earth from 1867-1951- (that is 4,382 weeks) once wrote:

Upon a life I did not live,

Upon a death I did not die,

Another's life, another's death,

I stake my whole eternity.

As we do, He will use us to point others to Him, when He does, act immediately!






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