We can die a thousand times in our mind but God only appointed us to die once. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die,…” Hebrews 9:27.   The enemy’s fear can kill us in our mind over and over again.  God’s grace is sufficient for the day.  God’s grace is not sufficient for us to face death until HE says it is time for us to face death…then, just as everyday before, God’s grace will see us through.  Many times as a survivor, either of the sickness or of the one past, we don’t realize His grace until later.  No matter the sickness and disease riddled body, God can heal the spirit.  Whether our body is sick or healthy, when God calls us home…we’re going home and it has nothing to do with what the devil says.  Satan has been trying to kill us since birth.

It is a blessing when we understand they are never ours to begin with but were given to us to steward over for a time.  Our children, parents, spouses and friends are gifts from God – literally.  Our purpose is to love them while they are here and when they are gone, praise Him for blessing us with them…no matter how short or long the time.

I have heard of many sudden deaths lately, from perfectly healthy, young and vibrant to the diseased and suffering.  It is not up to us to understand God’s timing but we can only be thankful for the time until He called them home.  A friend of mine once said God is calling home His warriors…maybe so.

The entirety of Hebrews 9:27 reads this “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”.  Eternity can happen in a moments time.  As my pastor often says, we are all one heart beat away.  I praise God for His saving grace.  I praise God  for those who have past on to Glory, never to have to die again.  I praise God He has given us a choice…we are all appointed to die once but the choice of suffering a second death, eternity in hell, is up to us.  That is what Jesus came to save us from yet we stumble and don’t believe.

Praying today for those who are facing death a thousand times in their mind.  Jesus saved us from that second death on His Cross.  Don’t allow fear to exalt itself above what the Word of God says.  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.   – Donna Warren