“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
This verse has a promise in it for those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus. But what exactly is the promise? Jesus is not saying we will be immune to problems. The promise is that no matter what happens in this life, we can rest in knowing Jesus has overcome this world and all of its problems. Jesus lived in this life, so he is our perfect Sympathetic High Priest we can come to in prayer any time.
I had such a time this week already, actually this past week. but Sunday and Monday were the culimnation.
Due to dealing with having bronchitis, I felt like doing absolutely NOTHING including no energy for blogging this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening I had pain in my ribs from all of the coughing. So after consulting Dr. Google and finding what what the pain could mean, I decided to go to the ER thinking they might stick a needle in my side to draw out some fluid.
Once I was hooked up to the machines, the Physician’s Assistant said something about not liking where I heart rate was at- beats per minute. I didn’t realize how seriously it would be taken. Next thing I knew Cardiology was involved. The Cardiologist ended up telling me I was in a version of AFIB and that they wanted me to stay over night to have my heart shocked back into rhythm. I agreed to do so and ended up staying over night.
It was what transpired that transformed the situation into three divine appointments. It started with the young woman who was my nurse overnight. We had conversations every time she came into my room. I got to know her and her life story. At one point after realizing she is a baby Christian, I asked her to pray for me. She shared that she did not know how to pray, so I told her to just pray from her heart. She prayed for me.
In the morning, a student nurse was handling my case. She went with me for the cardioversion, shocking my heart back into rhythm. She was with me most of the time in the morning. I was her only patient. I got to know her and her life story. We talked about Jesus and the church she goes to. We laughed a lot. I was part of her education.
When she left around 11am, a nice young woman took over. She had a tattoo that simply said, Jeremiah 29:11. I quoted Jeremiah 29:11 to her which got her attention. I got to know her and her life story. She is a baby Christian as well. We shared a lot and at one point I asked her to pray for me. She told me she had stage fright about praying in front of people. I shared with her she could simply pray from her heart and not worry about how it sounded to others. After she prayed, I shared Romans 8 26-27 with her.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
I shared with her that no one knows how to pray but we do not need to worry about it because the Holy Spirit helps us as we pray translating between God and ourselves. When it was time for me to go home, she gave me a hug.
So three young women who are nurses, one big unexpected turn of events in the hospital, and me asking Jesus to get me through it, turned into three divine appointments to encourage and strengthen new believers.
I am feeling better and after coming home, took a four hour nap.
By the way all three of them brought me chocolate ice cream. 🙂
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
We never know when the opportunity will arise when we can speak about Christ, even at a doctors office or when I went to the er with my daughter, it not only touch the other person but at the same time it also lifts up my own spirit. My thought and prayers are with you Matt as you continue to heal.
Sickness cannot hold you dad. You thrive even in the hospital. Winning souls and hearts to Jesus. Just being a salt and light in people’s lives
I am jealous of that four hour nap 😴😂
I’m glad you recognized the opportunities Matt even in the midst of not feeling so well. 3 Wonderful stories.
Thank you Gary. It was quite the experience and showed God is always at work around us
I’m glad you’re feeling better.😊
Thank you 🙂
I’m glad this worked out for you. The last time I tried, the girl said, “I don’t discuss religion.”
I have had times it doesn’t work as well. But Jesus only asks us to share not be responsible for the results
You have the wonderful ability to minister to others in Jesus name wherever you are, Matt. I suppose you could even do so without coffee.😊
I wondered if everything was ok, as you weren’t posting as usual. Glad to know you are on the mend. Stay close to Jesus. I will too.
do so without coffee? may it never be lol
I did say, “I suppose.”☺️
🙂
You never know who God will put in our path or when. So glad that you are in the mend.
so true-I love it when God connects me with people.
Thank you. On the mend is nice but staying home is boring lol
I’m so glad you’re feeling better. But what an awesome experience you had in the hospital. God sure knows how to get His work done. And through His Holy Spirit I believe He used you to get these three young ladies to the next level in their Christian walks. Prayer can sure go a long way. And I do hope and pray they go onward in the Christian Walk.
Thank you for praying for them, They are wonderful young women!!!
It was also wonderful to hear of the young lady with Jeremiah 29:11 on her arm. What a beautiful Scripture. But I think in my case, it was Jeremiah 29:13 that really hit home for me. It brought me to the realization as to how I could truly know who God is, and have a beautiful relationship with Him. Scriptures can be so uplifting. Jeremiah 29: 11-13.
This is beautiful, Matt! I think many are intimidated at times about praying aloud, and I love the phrase I kept reading about praying/speaking from the heart. And the fact you could minister to these people, even when sick, is wonderful. 🤍
AMEN.🙏
Wow! What a wonderful testimony. I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen you daily. 🙏
I feel his presence
Awe I love that your conversations all circled around Jesus! Thankful you’re feeling better too!!
They were wonderful conversations. I am on the mend a little better each day.
Good!! Praise Him!!
God was definitely on top of the staff who would deal with you. His blessed hands brought these three angels into your midst. God’s peace Matt!
He was for sure. I had excellent nurses!!!
Thank you for that. I’ve been wondering… God’s will for my mother can’t be to die alone in long term care all by herself, far away from anybody who knows her, while I fight my forth cancer with no guarantee I’ll live.
Prayed for you and your mom
Thanks