I Am Dying

Yesterday, I saw a man that I went to school with when I was younger. I asked him how he was doing, and he replied "I am dying". He is 53, and has several illnesses...much attributed to his Vietnam service years. I recently prayed for him, and asked the Lord to save him. He told me yesterday, that last year (2006) they called his family members in five times because they thought he was on he had lived his last day.

As I thought about his remark, "I am dying" it came to me that we all are dying. The Preacher put it so well in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 2 "A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;". Some will die today, some will die tomorrow, some will die next week or next month or next year. One may be "healthy as a horse" but their death could come today.

Hebrews Chapter 9 verse 27 says "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:". As a born again Christian, I know that death has no victory over me. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 26 says "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death", and verse 55 says "O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?" Truly I know that Jesus died on the cross so we could live with him forever.

As I further meditated on dying, the thought came to me that not only was all mankind dying, but all animals, plant life, indeed the whole earth was dying. There is coming a day when all things will pass away, and the Lord will make all things new. What a hope for tomorrow!

Yes, my friend was right when he said, "I am dying". We all are. The most important thing to decide in our brief span of life on this earth is where will we spend eternity. We are but pilgrims and strangers here in this world...just passing through. All the success measured by the world will mean nothing once we die. What will matter is the work that one has accomplished for the Lord. Matthew Chapter 6 verse 20 and 21 puts it this way "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".

I Corinthians 15 verse 58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD".

Irvin L. Rozier, aka walkin2e

Almost Persuaded

Yesterday, Jan 7, 2007, I preached at the nursing home where I've been preaching for 18 years. Course this is not a paid job nor am I a salaried pastor. The service lasted from 9:30 until 11:10 AM, and there were about 20 in attendance. One lady, 104 years old, was right in front of me. She constantly said amen, and praised the Lord during the preaching, and sang with a strong voice as we sang some of the old songs. One other elderly lady sat there with tears streaming down her cheeks, as I preached about heaven, and all the the things the LORD has prepared for those who love him.

The primary scripture the LORD led me to use was Acts 26, the whole chapter. Paul described his encounter with Jesus, and told about how great changes occurred in his life after this eye opening event. King Agrippa even told Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian". Festus called Paul mad. I went on to explain that Festus thought that because "the natural man received not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". (1 Corinthians 2 verse 14).

Though I was long in preaching, no one went to sleep...most everyone there was in wheelchairs and under medication. At the close of the service, Brother Westberry stated "I love the LORD because he changed me..I can feel the Spirit running all up and down me!" The 104 year old lady stated, "I have been going to church all my life, and I am still hungry for the LORD's word"...She then said, "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith"....You ought to have heard all of us singing "Going Home". It goes like this: "Going home, I'm going home, there's nothing to hold me here. I've got a glimpse of that heavenly land, Praise God, I'm going home!".

Irvin L. Rozier aka walkin2e

King David's Great Prayer

On Dec 31, 2006, I preached on King David's great prayer as recorded in 2 Samuel verses 18-29.

David began his prayer by asking a question. "Who am I, O LORD God? and what is my house, that thou has brought me hitherto?" He reminded the LORD that he had promised certain things, and asked for these blessings to come forth.

I related that the LORD has brought us safe thus far, through the year 2006, and He will keep us safe until He calls us home. I also expanded on the character of David, how the LORD had anointed him as King even when he was young. I also told how David had great faith that Goliath would be defeated because he was defying the Army of the Lord. David's past experiences (in slaying a lion and a bear), led him to have faith in God's deliverance, and gave him the courage to face the giant.

David had seen how the LORD had brought him to the point that he could pray this prayer, believe that the LORD would answer it, even saying "do as thou hast said".

I went on to say, the LORD God who was with King David is the same LORD God who we serve. He is for us, and the giants in our path will fall at his command.

I closed in saying this: "This is the last day of 2006, some will not live to see 2007. Those of us who do live can absolutely put our trust in the LORD who was with David. He will keep us until our work here on earth is completed".

Irvin L. Rozier aka walkin2e