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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Lessons Learned While Flat On My Back
I don’t want this to sound like some sappy “look how tough I had it” story, for I was in the hospital only four days. However, I began to learn some important lessons that week. Maybe we have to be flat on our back before our minds are ready to learn them. I’m not “there” yet, but I think I’m learning.
I learned humility
I found out real soon that I am not as self-sufficient as I thought. From the moment they put that “gown” on me to the time I was released, I was dependent on someone or some machine. I didn’t like it, but such humility is part of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit...” We have to recognize that without Christ we can be of little value. With Him, however, we are part of the “kingdom of heaven.”
I learned to listen
I’ve done a lot of “telling” in my life, but those doctors and nurses knew more about me than I knew.
Some of us are similarly unwilling to listen to God and His Word. Many want to give advice to God, to tell Him what the Bible ought to say. Both Isaiah and Paul posed the rhetorical question, “Who has been God’s advisor?” Isaiah 40:13, Romans 11:34. All of us must learn to listen to God’s Word.
Nothing is guaranteed
Blood clots and infection are non-discriminating. They don’t care who or what you are. Our time on earth is limited, “even a vapor,” James 4:14. One doesn’t have to be morbid, or constantly fearful, but it is good to remember that death is the appointment all must meet. There are no guarantees of life or opportunities beyond the present moment. Therefore, we should make the best use of each day to live for Christ, who gave His life for us. Read Galatians 2:20.
I learned what love does
Someone has cynically said, “A friend in need is a pest,” but there is nothing as powerful as genuine love. When we exhibit that love, we teach lessons that words cannot. When we observe that love, whether expressed to others or to ourselves, we see Christ living among us. Those who sat with me, even those who laughed at my hospital “gown,” were learning “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35. Some made calls; others sent cards. I’ve seen a lot of love recently, and for that I am thankful. Yes, I’m still learning some things I thought I already knew.
I learned compassion
Sure, I knew about compassion, but there I saw it first hand. Most of those in the hospital had much more serious problems than mine, but I saw them encourage, laugh, comfort, and help one another in their wheelchair. That’s compassion!
One man had both knees replaced at the same time. While my recovery has come fairly fast, he had already been there more than a week, and was still there when I left. Hopefully, I have begun to learn a lesson on forgetting self, and thinking about those with more troubles than mine.
I learned pain
I had been told there would be pain, and that will be with me for a while. Mine has been minimal compared to most, but recovery from full knee replacement demands that one does the exercises the way they must be done. Otherwise you are the loser. Pain can be a friend, warning us of danger, and reminding us of the need for caution.
There is, however, a greater pain than that of the flesh. Paul spoke to Christians who were weak, who wanted to go back to their worldly ways. His warning is clear:
“If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain expectation of judgment and fiery indignation,” Hebrews 10:26-27.
Trouble and opportunity
Hospitals will always provide an occasion to take the love of Christ to others. Doctors, nurses, and patients alike have needs that are met only by the gospel. A hospital is filled with people for whom we can provide help and encouragement.
There are many circumstances in which there are those who need our help, our encouragement, our knowledge of the gospel, our love for the lost. Such opportunity gives us the responsibility to share the truth of the Gospel with others.
None of us can afford to ignore these lessons, for they all can have application in every Christian’s life.
If you haven’t been “flat on your back” lately, be thankful. But wherever you are, look for any opportunity to give help to those in need. Some lessons are tough, but more readily learned while “flat on your back.”
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“Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him. how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth,”
“Let us not be weary while doing good: for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,”
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The Christian Choice on Abortion
Editor’s note: The author of the following article is a young seventeen year old from Manassas, Va. How very commendable that one so young in years can and will capably defend God’s Word in this manner and on this subject.
Abortion comes from the root word abort, which means: “To miscarry in giving birth; also, to fail of development.” The definition of abortion is: “The act of aborting: the expulsion of a fetus before it is viable, miscarriage: also, arrested development: also an imperfectly developed birth or product.” The definition that applies to our discussion of abortion is the ending of a pregnancy prematurely, and destroying the fetus for any number of reasons. Many people argue that a woman has the right to an abortion because it is her body that it affects. People who argue this believe that a woman out of sheer convenience can terminate her child because the pregnancy is unwanted. It is also said that human life does not start at the point of conception, but only after the fetus is viable is it counted among the living. Abortion is thus justified by many. Some claim that unfortunate circumstances warrant an abortion. Some reasons for the defense of abortion are that the child may be born into poverty, or may have an illness. It is also concluded that it is not right to make a rape victim or someone subject to incest to keep a child. Also, many believe that young teenagers should not have to carry a child. The debate goes on and on in defense and we are deafened by the roar that a woman has the right to choose!
Many formulate their opinions on these topics on what was just mentioned, however, by turning to their political groups and politicians. Brothers and sisters, this is not a political issue – it is an issue that threatens the very Word of God! It is our duty as Christians to fight this American Holocaust and share with our fellow Americans the teaching of the Bible on this topic. The Bible in no way condones abortion. The fundamental for abortion is that life does not begin at conception. According to the Bible there is no distinction between life at conception and afterwards. In Exodus 21:22-23, we have reference to what happens to two men who are fighting and cause an intervening pregnant woman to give birth. If no harm came, then a fine could be levied for carelessness. However, if any harm followed, to the mother or baby, justice was meted out. The mother and child had equal protection under the law. Moses said “life for life” indicating that the life of an unborn child is equal in value of the one that caused the premature birth.
God is the Giver of all of life, so why would we cancel a gift that was given to us by the Creator? Luke 1:41 is one of the most crushing arguments to abortion: “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” Brephos is translated babe or young children in Greek and is used also in Luke 2:12,16 when referring to baby Jesus. It is also used in Acts 7:19 talking about young children that have already been born. Brephos is used by the Holy Spirit to refer to the unborn in the womb and the young born out of the womb. It is obvious that God makes no distinction between the unborn and the born child. The Bible from the moment of conception holds it as legitimate and protected by all the divine teachings against murder. The individual is the same person within the womb just as he or she is when they are born. This is shown in Isaiah 49:1-5:
“Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.”
Isaiah was the same Isaiah that was in his mother’s womb and the same Isaiah when he wrote these verses inspired by the Holy Ghost.
The argument that a woman has the right to deal with her body as she sees fit does not hold up either. The Bible tells us that the child within her is not a part of her body, but it is a separate body and soul. Anyone who takes an innocent life is worthy of damnation. Many people say that rape and incest are cases that should be exceptions, but understanding what the Bible teaches would still say that it is wrong to do such, even though the acts leading to pregnancy are unfortunate. A human’s life is not less in value to another just because of who its father or mother is. A person can be born out of rape or incest and still be a wonderful individual. Sin is not inherited, and it is still murder to abort a child that results from rape or incest.
Fellow Christians, it is time that we defend the Bible and its teachings and not allow this mass murder to continue. People that are our friends, family, associates, and even our sisters in Christ who abort children are murderers and are in danger of hell fire. We must warn them and we must also stop this problem that affects every one of us. It is our duty to warn people and it is also our duty to stop abortion. It is in our power! We must vote properly for candidates who will stand against abortion and will not threaten the Word of God. Please read carefully Jude 3
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