SEEK THE LORD! ... DO IT NOW!

“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 NKJV A friend called me two days ago and shared news that one of the preachers whose preaching I most admire was taken to the hospital this past Sunday from his church. My friend went on to say that according to his understanding just after mounting the pulpit to preach, the Reverend Ralph Douglas West said simply "I don't feel well". Shortly thereafter medical personnel arrived and escorted Dr. West to the hospital. When I heard the news, I stopped, got on my knees and prayed for Dr. West, his wife, children, and church family. Reportedly he is fine and all is well. But this incident reminds me that we should all first and foremost know The LORD in the pardon of our sins. That is to say we need to be in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Second, it reminds me that we need to be better stewards of our temple (that is our body). Third, as a son, husband, father, preacher and pastor it reminds me that I need to consistently ask myself if my priorities are right in terms of how I am living and that I need to remember to get proper rest. This year I have already done more home-going services than any other year in my pastorate- and the month of October has just begun. I should also point out that I'm close to doing more weddings in one year than I've ever done before as well. I have prayed for each family who experienced death this year and whose home-going celebration I knew about and was blessed to share in. In a nutshell here is what I am saying: "Seek The LORD while He may be found, call upon HIm while He is near". -Isaiah 55:6. The inimitable Dr. A. Louis Patterson Jr. says: "If you've got a bell to ring- ring it now. If you've got a song to sing- sing it now. If you've got a sermon to preach- preach it now"! Hallelujah. Please pray with and for me, I am praying with and for you! Agape, Sherman J. Fort, servant of JESUS CHRIST