Dear Tank,
I hope this letter finds you well, at least as well as you can be in your
present situation. I hope you remember me, I am the friend of Kerry Lyn's who
used to send you the weekly devotions. And at your request, quit sending them.
We never have met, and I feel as though I owe you an explanation as to why I
honored your request. I wanted you to know why I honored your request.
I admit my ego was hurt at first, when I received your request. I like
others don't like to be rejected-it's that NO word that gets me. But God showed
me to love you, and to respect you. Something that not too many people show
you, and that by honoring your request, I was doing that. He showed me that no
one ever asks you what you want, but always tells you when, where, and how to
go. I do not wish to be part of that. But that doesn't mean that I quit
praying for you, or forgot about you. As many others who receive this devotion
still pray for you, friends you may not know you have, and may never meet. So I
would like to tell you this story.
I do a lot of hospital ministry, and over the years only one person has
ever denied me being allowed to pray with them. I always ask if I can pray with
the person when with them, to me it sounds so impersonal saying "I'll keep you
in my prayers," without taking the opportunity to do it. But this man I
visited, had a very hard heart-not a medical condition. He was in long term for
diabetes, and other complications. His wife was with him, and she was concerned
who was going to take care of things while he was hospitalized. She was taking
off work just to visit him, and that cost them more loss of income. So when I
left, I asked if I could pray with him. She smiled, and he became angry-he
didn't believe in that sissy stuff, and besides it doesn't work, he assured me.
Denying the very God, the only one who could help him. I was taken aback at
first, but answered, "how do you know that I haven't been praying for you while
I was standing here, and that I'm not now?" He looked at me confused, I shook
his hand and left-still praying. Silently-God knows the heart, He doesn't have
to hear the voice.
But God knows our heart, and hears our prayers, even when we think he
doesn't. Later that week my wife encountered this man's daughter, who was
thrilled her dad was home. Home-wasn't he to be long term in the
hospital?
The very next day after I prayed, all symptoms of diabetes, and all other
illnesses associated with it were gone. They discharged him, because they could
find no problems-God healed him. Despite his not believing in prayer, God
healed him! You see God takes no pleasure in the death or discomfort of the
lost. Jesus died for our sins long before we came to Him. He offers a peace
and comfort that surpasses all understanding. That is how great his love and
mercy for us are-and they are a free gift to us from him. And that is why I
still pray for you. And why I can tell you honestly that Jesus loves me, and
how I know He loves you too. You see where sin abounds, God's grace abounds
even more.
I am enclosing the last week's devotions. I hope you enjoy them, I know
how much mail is appreciated. I will not send any more, until I hear from you
telling me it is OK. I wish to honor and respect your wishes, a way to show the
love of Christ to you. Rest assured you will always have at least one person
praying for you-Jesus. He will never leave you, or forsake you, but only love
you. But you must let Him. I also will continue to pray for you, and hope
someday you will come to know Jesus personally-not the religious guy who others
espouse, but the living savior of the Bible. Who died for your sins. And loves
you very much.
Until I hear from you, I will keep praying.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com