Thankful for hospitals

Mark 2:17 (ESV)

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Maybe you’ve heard the saying “The church is not a museum of saints but a hospital for sinners.” Whoever said that might well have based it on Jesus’ words in this passage.

Levi was a tax collector, and when Jesus had dinner at Levi’s house, they were joined by other tax collectors and sinners.

Tax collectors helped the Roman Empire by collecting money from the local people, so they were not very popular in the community. To help pay themselves, they were also known for collecting extra money for their own pockets, which made them even more disliked. In Mark 2, we hear that the religious leaders criticized Jesus for spending time with tax collectors and sinners.

But Jesus reminded the religious leaders that sinners were ­exactly the kind of people he had come to save. Jesus offered his love to everyone, even sinners. In fact, since every person sins, it may be easier for those who know they are sinners to admit that they need Jesus. They do not have so much of their own pride getting in the way.

It is wonderfully honest to admit that we are sinners in need of God’s grace. We can have the courage to make that confession because Jesus is ready to receive us. If sin is the sickness, Jesus is the cure.

Dear Lord, we confess that we are a sinner in need of Your grace. Thank You for sending Jesus; he forgives our sins, heals us, and makes us whole. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Are you connected?

Revelation 21:6 (ESV)

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

As we begin a new week, and I have a question for you: Are you connected?

Recently, a Midwestern hospital found out it wasn't -- connected, that is.

Here's the story: for 35 years the hospital had relied upon its water safety equipment in case of fire. Surprisingly, the water main had never been attached to the city's water supply.

The pipe that led from the building extended four feet underground -- and there it stopped!

For 35 years the medical staff and patients had placed confidence in that system. Theirs was a false security. The costly equipment, the polished valves, and the well-placed outlets were adequate except for one thing -- there was no water!

Now, are you connected?

Now I know your life may have all the necessary outward trappings. You have a home, food, television, radio, and clothing. But are you connected?

Are you connected to the one Person who can save you in case of catastrophe -- a catastrophe which, sooner or later, is going to come? Is Jesus Christ your Savior? I pray He is. In Him there is hope, peace, joy, happiness, and heaven.

He wants you to be connected.

So the Holy Spirit might connect you, Jesus our Savior lived, suffered, died, and rose. Now all who believe on Him are given a blessed and complete connection to Him who is the "water of life."

Christians, do you know someone out there who is not connected?

If so, let's remember that individual in our prayers. If not, give thanks that you are so blessed and join with those who are going to bring a special individual to the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank You for the life you have given us through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Now we pray for those who don't know You. Help us be the ones for You to use. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Broken fishing pole, hospital and Jesus

Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson Mikey had been hit by a car while fishing in Greentown with his dad. The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph.

Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like this and feared the worst. When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits Mikey, what happened?" Sheriff Marr asked.

Mikey replied, "Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me over, I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get to catch no fish!"

As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and in the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine.

Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken,

the Sheriff went ! Out to Wal-mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out.

The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can. When they were alone, Mikey, just a matter-of-fact, said, "Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?"

"Well," the Sheriff replied, a little startled. "Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts."

"No," said Mikey. "I mean Jesus is REALLY real."

"What do you mean?" Asked the Sheriff.

"I know he's real 'cause I saw him." Said Mikey, still casting into the trash can.

"You did?" Said the Sheriff.

"Yep," said Mikey. "When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me down in the mud puddle."

Dear Lord, we pray that we would have the faith of a child. Help us to share the great news of Your love to all those around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

He Will Give You Rest.

As I lay here in the hospital it reminded me off this song and more importantly these great verses.

(Sing to the tune of "Home on the Range")

Oh, give me a bed, just a hospital bed and let me sleep all

through the night.

Whatever you do, please don't wake me at two, let me sleep till

the dawn's early light.

First Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me at three for a shot.

Can't you see, my dear nurse, that I'm just getting worse

when you wake me at three on the dot?

How often at night do you turn on my light for a temp'rature

check or a test,

Then I lie here and toss, getting angry and cross, will I ever

get some rest?

Second Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me to wa-ash my face,

Let me lie here asleep in a slumber so deep, or I'll

get out of this place.

You woke me at two, now I'm pleading with you, go away and

just leave me alone,

I don't want to count sheep; I just want to sleep, if I need

you I'll call on the phone.

Third Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me at three or at four,

Let me sleep through the night til the dawn's early light,

and I'll never come here any more!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are our true rest. We pray that we will rest in You in all things. In Jesus’s Name, amen.