Hospital Visitation

   Hospital visitation is a necessary ministry in congregations. While some of us respond to visiting the hospital with uneasiness and even ineptness, the compassionate lifestyle is divinely prescribed as the core of the Christian life. The Bible says pure religion is "to visit orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27). It also records as a topic of conversation at the judgment, for I was hungry... thirsty... a stranger... needed clothes... sick... in prison... and you met that need (Matt. 25:31-40). Paul says this action "fulfills" the law of Christ (Gal.6:2). Hospital visiting offers tremendous opportunities to put the love Christ into practice by being His hands, His feet and His touch to those who need His care. Visiting the sick, bearing their burdens, showing them compassion and meeting their needs not only helps them, but opens doors for evangelistic follow-up with the patient and the family after the illness.

   Here are some suggestions to help us be more effective in our hospital visitation.

Presence. It's just being there. Feel with people in their pain, suffering, concerns, and fears. Take a risk, be vulnerable and just go; don't avoid people in need and don't fail to make the visit. Your presence conveys an important message regardless of what you say or do.

Listen. Take "cues" from the patient. Let the patient dictate the agenda and tone. The topics of conversation may range from the light and general to deep spiritual issues. Be prepared. Do your homework on pain, suffering, dying, and death.

Don't forget the situation. Since the main focus is to benefit the patient, let his/her needs dictate what you do and how you feel. You are there to help the patient, not be worried about yourself. Don't stay too long but don't act rushed.

Offer any appropriate help. The need may be laundry, making phone calls, baby sitting, meals or transportation. Bring a book, taped music or taped worship services. Remember, the person in the hospital probably has family that may need help too. Helping them at a crucial time will open doors for more contact later on.

Create confidence. Since being ill can bring on feelings of inadequacy, weakness, vulnerability, helplessness and hopelessness, the person needs to know he/she is accepted regardless of any emotional outbursts or legitimate anger, as long as they don't stay in that state. Patients need confidence in the medical treatment they're receiving. Be positive and encouraging. Remember, we're not the medical professionals. The patient especially needs confidence in God; His care, love and presence.

Point out legitimate hope. Help patients have hope for a cure, easing of their pain and the prospect of a brighter outlook. Share examples of people who have faced similar situations and done well.

Ask to read God's word with them. Select especially meaningful passages that will bring them closer to God, that speak about His love, His care, His promises and His ever abiding presence. Familiar passages like the 23^rd Psalm are helpful.

Respect hospital instructions. Follow any hospital requests: wash your hands, wear gloves and or a mask, check with nurses before going to the room.

Don't tell horror stories. The patient doesn't need to know about your uncle who died with the same problem.

Don't trivialize the situation. People need to feel significant so don't make light of their problem.

Lower your anxiety about what to say. Be yourself. Use common sense. Give thought to what to say as you would in any situation.

Practice the Golden Rule. This really sums everything up in a nutshell. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Imagine yourself as the patient.

Pray Together. Make your prayer relevant and sensitive to the illness of the patient. Pray specifically for God's healing, the lessening of pain, endurance in suffering and a quick recovery. Pray for the patient's family. Pray believing. The patient needs to know you believe in God's power through prayer. When there is little that can be said or done to alleviate a difficult situation, there is power in prayer. When something is too difficult for us, we turn it over to God, knowing that He can do all things. A few moments of intimate, earnest prayer may be more helpful than anything else we can do.

   Perhaps these suggestions will encourage you to be more thoughtful and ultimately more effective as you visit those ill in the hospital. Care-giving is crucial to serving God. It deserves a high priority in the ministry of a local congregation to God's glory.

~by Gary Rollins

Home and Family:

 Keep Yourself Pure

    "And why do you call me, Lord, Lord and do not what I say? Everyone who-comes to me and hears my words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like; he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock, and when a flood arose, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built his house upon the ground without any foundation; and the river burst against it and immediately it collapsed and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:46-49)

   This is a verse from the Bible which you have known since you were toddlers. What does it mean? How does it apply to you today? As teenagers, life's foundations are tested. When you were a child, Dad, Mother, or some adult who was responsible for you, made the important decisions. Now you will have the opportunity to stand on your own. Through your actions you will be saying, "This is the real me. This is what I stand for. This is what I believe." Regardless of the lives your parents have lived, now is the time when you will either stand fast as a Christian or reject Christ's teachings.

   Why would anyone choose to live in disobedience to Christ?

   The first reason might be that they do not know the goods news of Christ. Jesus said, "If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31,32) We speak highly of freedom. It is something that all want. Yet, we can have freedom only through Christ. Allow Christ's word to dwell in your lives and to give you freedom.

   Close friends may become involved in immorality, impurity, sensuality, hatred, jealousy, drunkenness, carousing and things like these. So you will have no doubt in your mind about God's attitude toward these, study Gal. 5:17-21, where Paul says that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If there is any question about what is right and what is wrong, study God's word, the Bible, and ask questions. Do not be lead blindly into an action that could jeopardize your eternal salvation.

   A second reason for disobedience to God's will is a lack of strength. Some, although having adequate knowledge of the scriptures, lack the strength to act in accord with their convictions. I Cor. 10:13 says "no temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." This scripture does not mean that God is going to place you in a protective bubble and isolate you from the world. What God is telling you is that the strength to resist the devil is available from Him. This strength will not be given to you miraculously, but is available through study and prayer.

Philippians 4:13 reads, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Ephesians 6:10, 11 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." This armor of God includes truth, righteousness and faith. The strength to resist temptation is available, but we must seek it.

   Finally, there are those who reject Christ's teachings as a way of rebelling against parents. Parents fail at times. Some parents have not been able to give adequate love and a feeling of worth to their children. If this is your situation, you will reject the solution to your problems if you reject Christ. Perhaps you feel that your parents are hypocrites. They profess to be religious but you know what they are really like. Okay, that is between them and God. What about your personal relationship to Christ? What about your eternal salvation? If your prime motivation is to hurt your parents, you will succeed by turning to a life of sin, but at the same time you will destroy yourself.

   Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." He also said in John 15:14, "You are my friends if you do what I command for you." Your relationship with Christ is personal. No one can build that relationship but you. The decision to accept or reject Christ as your friend and Savior is yours. Depend upon study, prayer, worship, Christian service, associations with Christian friends, and wholesome activities to give your life direction and meaning.

~The Bible Research Library 

Not another speeding ticket

   Joe took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 mph in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?
   When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Joe pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Why, it was Bob, Bob from church! Joe sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket.
   A Christian cop catching a guy from his own congregation. A guy who happened to be a little too eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.
   Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every week in church, a man he'd never seen in uniform. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
   "Hello, Joe." No smile.
   "Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
   "Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. That was good.
   "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -- just this once." Joe toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
   "I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
   Ouch. This was going in the wrong direction. Time to change tactics.
   "What'd you clock me at?"
   "Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"
   "Now wait a minute, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
   "Please, Joe, in the car."
   Flustered, Joe hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Joe ever sat near this cop again.
   A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Joe rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
   "Thanks."
   Joe could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word. Joe watched his retreat in the mirror. Then he unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Joe began to read:

   "Dear Joe,
   Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it -- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now.
   Pray for me. And be careful.. My son is all I have left."           Bob

   Joe turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Joe watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he, too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

   Life is precious. Handle with care. Drive safely and carefully always.  Remember - Cars are not the only thing recalled by their maker.

 ~Author unknown

You should know that-
To become part of the church, you must--

Believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God Jn 8:24; Ac 4:12; 16:31; Heb 11:6

Repent of your sins Lk 13:3; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30

Confess the deity of Christ Mt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10; Ac 8:37-38

Be baptized Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 10:48;22:16; Col 2:11; Gal 3:24; 1 Pet 3:21

Walk in newness of life Rom 6:3-7

 ~excerpted from pearlstreet.org