Tuesday, May 10, 2011

I Should Not Be Here


Before I was saved I can think of three times I should have died, yet the Lord preserved me while I was an enemy of God. The first time was a little over 30 years ago when I was driving my pickup truck in a remote area of New Mexico traveling over 100 mph. I was on was a long straight stretch with rolling hills. As I was topping of one of the hills I heard a loud voice in my head shout “slow down!” I immediately did. That made the difference between crashing into a deer or not; yet I did not give thanks to God or give Him any credit for saving me.

The second time was a couple years later when I tangled with a barb wire fence while riding my dirt bike. A friend and I was going down an old dirt road which we had been on many times before. (It was not an official road.) The rancher who had rights to the land wanted to stop people from traveling this road so he put a barb wire fence across it. The road went to a place where people would dump trash, so he was trying to put a stop to the littering . I was wide open on my bike and did not see the fence until I was right on it. The top wire caught my neck and flipped me off the back of the bike. I got up, got back on my bike thinking lucky me and road home. I have a scar where the barb cut into my neck. Once again I did not give thanks to God or give Him any credit for saving me.

The third time was about 15 years later. This time I was a passenger and my friend was driving on a dirt road in the mountains of Eastern Arizona. He lost control, ran off the road, we flipped. I was not wearing a seat belt and half of my body went out the window. The truck landed upside down with me being pinned across my lower back between the door and top of the truck. I was unconscious only waking up briefly two times the rest of the day and night. Once in the hospital to hear the Doctor say they are flying me to Phoenix. Then I woke briefly on the plane. The next morning the nurse came to my room saying “you can go home.” I had no broken bones or any serious injuries, but I was stiff and sore for the next few weeks. I remember having to sleep sitting in a chair because it hurt too much to lie down. Still once again I did not give thanks to God or give Him any credit for saving me.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (1Timothy 1:15-16 NKJV)

As I look back it is scary thinking what could have happened if Christ was not rich in His mercy toward me. As it says in Romans chapter 1, there comes a time when God turns us over to our sinful ways when we suppress the truth in unrighteousness. He could have let me die and I would be in hell right now. If you are not saved and reading this, maybe God has been working on your heart drawing you to Himself. Do not harden your heart or put it off, respond while you still may for the day will come when you will not be able. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV) If you read my testimony “How I Came to Know Jesus” above you will know I fought against His salvation for many years. I have many times wondered had I rejected His salvation that day I received Him, would He have turned me over to my sinful ways. I am so thankful He did not and saved me. Thank you Jesus!

I encourage you to click here to read Romans 1:18-32. These are very powerful passages.


…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2b NKJV)



7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,

8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

In the day of trial in the wilderness,

9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,

And saw My works forty years.

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,

And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,

And they have not known My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath,

‘ They shall not enter My rest.’”

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; (Hebrews 3:7-12 NKJV)


3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all…. (1Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV)





14 comments:

  1. This is a great post Ken. Praise God for preserving your life during those incidents. And here you are sharing the truth and encouraging others to make that all important choice.
    Blessings to you my brother and may God increase you in your ministry.

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  2. My story pretty much parallels yours, Ken. But what a freedom and wonder I began to experience when I realized His hand in my life.

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  3. Great testimony of God's amazing love for all of us - while we were yet sinners.

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  4. Wow-- this is an incredible post. How rich are His mercies, and how great is His love towards us! Praise God for your salvation! Praise God for mine! Praise God for being GOD!

    Amazing. I love that you extend the good news, as well. Powerful stuff!

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  5. God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4 ESV). Even when we do not understand, God is good. He cannot deny Himself. Praise God!

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  6. @Vilisi- Thank you and may God also increase your ministry.

    @Clint- Thank you. Yet it is an amazine experience when we realize we are in His hands.

    @Lisa- Thank you, I am so thankful Jesus saved us!

    @Emily- Thank you. I too am so thankful for my salvation, your salvation and anyone else He saved.

    @Jon Clayton- Thank you and yes He is good!

    May the Lord bless each of you,
    Ken

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  7. Ken, isn't God wonderful? When I think of some the stupid things I have done (some even after I was a believer, since I was saved at 12) WOW, all I can say is: God is so good, and His mercies endure forever! I wonder how many times we are saved from things and we don't even know it :-) Great testimony! We are glad you are here! Lori

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  8. Hi Ken,
    What a powerful witnessing tool God has given you!

    Thank you for sharing these testimonies, wonderful stories of how God will save and protect us and keep reaching out to us until we acknowledge Him and what He has done for us.

    <><

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  9. Wow! Because of our Father's great mercy, our eyes will someday see our Savior face to face! Thank you for this testimony, Ken.

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  10. Wonderful post Ken! I have a similar testimony where my life was spared many times, I often looked back and thought "how great and magnificent God's love and mercy is that He can spare the life of one who doesn't even know Him."
    Of course it wasn't long after I came to seek Him and yes I found Him.

    Thank you for sharing...
    God bless...
    Lisa

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  11. Hi Ken -

    Wow! This is such a rich testimony!

    Thank you, Ken. I enjoyed reading how our Lord kept you...

    Glory to His awesome name.

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  12. You expressed this so well, I could almost see it..when we are young we think we know it all. Thank God by your third safe keeping you acknowledged God was real and in control. He loved you and waited patiently until you realised that love and salvation. God Bless Ken, I loved reading this inspiration. I pray it touches the heart of anyone who does not as yet, achnowledge Jesus Christ at Lord.

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  13. These are amazing stories of how rich in mercy Jesus was toward you, Ken.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Indeed, God was watching over you even when you did not know Him yet.

    How true it is that if you had died then, you would surely be in hell.

    Your post is a great testimony to those who have been rescued from the brink of death, and yet have failed to give God the glory.

    Thank you for encouraging my heart today.

    Blessings,
    Lidj

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  14. I wish to thank each of you for your comments, they are an inspiration to me.
    May the Lord bless you,
    Ken

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