"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Hello To All:
It is good to be back! One year ago today, was the last time that I was able to post a message on this site. It has been a challenging year! Those of you who are regular visitors, are aware that when I am not writing, that I am being prepared to write the message that our Lord Jesus Christ gives me. In the past, there have been significant lengths of time between some of the messages. Often the preparation time is difficult! But, this last year has been particularly challenging, particularly difficult and particularly interesting! For you should know, my beloved brethren, that in this last year, in addition to all that our Lord Jesus Christ was doing to prepare me for His next message; He also allowed me to almost die on two separate occasions.
On December 28, 2016, at approximately 4:30 P.M., I collapsed from a ruptured brain aneurysm. Jesus of Nazareth, not only chose the time of my collapse, but He also chose the exact spot where this was to happen. Of all the places that I routinely frequent, this particular place provided me with the best chance of survival. I say this, because our Creator often uses the realities of the natural realms to do His miraculous work! From the time that the 911 emergency call was made, to my being in the emergency room of a nearby hospital, was only 11 minutes. If it had been any longer, I would have died; but, our Creator, Jesus of Nazareth, was and is in control; thus, I live! Thank you Jesus!
After being stabilized, I was transferred to a larger hospital in another city, where specialists would be used by our Creator to save me a second time. Again, our Creator used the realities of the natural realms to do His miraculous work; and thus, I live! Thank you Jesus! I was told by those same specialists, that less then 10% of those who have an event like mine, survive it. That got my attention! I was also told that of those who do survive, many of them suffer some kind of brain damage. My brain has not been damaged! My body has not been damaged! Our Creator has saved me! Thank you Jesus!
The crucified life, so wonderfully and intimately revealed in our opening text (Galatians 2:20 KJV), in all of its simplicity and in all of its complexities, is the basis for this web-site and the messages that are posted. The crucified life is the victorious life. In the crucified life, He becomes more and we become less! It is because of the crucified life that our Creator chose to deliver me from those moments of near death. Thank you Jesus!
Jesus did not deliver me because I am some sort of pious example of the crucified life. No my beloved brethren, I am, above all things, a sinner redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Thank you Jesus! The crucified life cannot be accomplished by our own striving, nor can it be achieved by our own efforts. It is something that is accomplished, exclusively by Jesus of Nazareth. It is the reality of life for every believer. Our journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ," is the path whereby we become more intimately aware of this crucified life with Jesus; and more intimately submitted to this crucified life with Jesus. Thank you Jesus!
The journey continues! Thank you Jesus!
Until next time my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be,
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)