10 Steps from Destruction, 3 Steps to Restoration 1. Diagnosis 2. Prognosis 3. Devastation 4. Shock 5. Support 6. Treatment 7. Church 8. Cure 9. Reality 10. Nothingness Disease in any form is almost always diagnosed unexpectedly. A routine check-up can easily turn into a death sentence. It seems that everyday I hear of cancer claiming the life of someone that I know. I have tried to imagine the horror of hearing the statement, ‘I’m sorry, but you have cancer. Your prognosis is ____________.” I feel confident in saying that, the person receiving such news experiences nothing short of total devastation. The initial shock wears off as time begins to wind down for the patient. Support flocks to the individual as the news travels. Doctor appointments, tests, and treatment take over what use to be a normal life. The church dutiful comes into play with good intentions and prays for a miracle. Friends and family shower the patient with encouraging words of a cure until the option is exhausted. It doesn’t take long for the reoccurring feelings of devastation to re-surface instilling even more fears than before. Reality moves in where hope use to live. Death whispers seem almost inviting as they befriend the patient. Hopelessness and medicinal aids numbs the spirit, mind, and body. The quality of life is reduced to an invisible stench of death which slowly seduces the patient into a state of nothingness. Where To From Here (3 Steps to Restoration) Although it may look and sound like the end the state of nothingness actually implies a new beginning for God’s children. When all earthly hope has been abandoned the will to live compels God’s children to prepare to meet their God. Preparation for heaven ultimately demands an intimate relationship with God. The first step toward true intimacy with God is developing ones faith. Faith to believe that God is and that God’s promises are true. The believer must open their heart to the scriptures to discover God and realize what he expects. In each truth God’s character is revealed. Through divine providence the believer’s faith is exercised, thus strengthened. It is the believer’s responsibility to listen to the Holy Spirit, and learn how to apply faith based on their particular situation. Second one must prepare to receive the presence of God. This is done by inviting the Holy Spirit to purge the heart from all unrighteousness. Then and only then can one expect to meet with God face to face. (Job 13:15-18, 31:35-37). Third and most importantly we must set our hearts to spend time in God’s word, relentlessly meditating upon the Holy Scriptures. Throughout the bible life in its totality is addressed. The biblical teachings focus on God’s relationship with his covenant people and Christ’s love for the church. Three steps to restoration, ten steps from destruction. blessings, Garnet Message by: Garnet Coleman, July 7, 2013
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 01:43:47 +0000
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