My friend Jeff has always been a pillar to the church, ever since the Lord brought him to the altar in repentance and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost; almost 20 years ago. He is a mechanic by trade and services the fleet of buses, vans and staff cars for the church in Madison. A year ago Jeff took over the men’s ministry and God has blessed it dramatically. Jeff shared with me his personal experience of how God brought him a wife when he stopped asking for a wife and began praying that God would make him a Godly husband. He said, “In order to be a good husband, you have to have a wife.” It was a back door approach, but he was serious and nailed this single guy to the wall. Every week he would give me a pep talk and even gave me assignments; write down ten qualities of a good husband; then ten qualities of a good wife. So began my prayers and assignments that had resulted in God bringing me a wife. Jeff is an awesome brother in Christ.
If ever there was a way to catch the Devil’s attention; it would be to start taking responsibility for your calling in Christ; to step up your ministry or rededicate yourself to personal revival for the cause of the cross; the living Gospel of Jesus Christ; that lives in you and me. Jeff entered the front lines of the battlefield when he dedicated himself to lead the men’s ministry; when he began to help other men grow in Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.
On a Saturday in March, early in 2010; Jeff and his family were visiting family several hours north of Madison. It is rather desolate along those highways up north. One minute Jeff was talking to his wife, the next moment, he was slumped over the stirring wheel, dead from a massive heart attack. His wife Lori; seized the wheel and was able to bring the car to a stop; while at the same time she was calling 911. Jumping out of the car, she ran over to the driver’s side and pulled Jeff’s dead body from the car and started CPR. Jeff is twice Lori’s weight. An off duty paramedic just happened to be right behind them, seeing everything, he pulled over to help; relieving Lori’s CPR effort. She called the pastor and within minutes of the crisis, 500 households, representing 1500 plus people, began to pray. We were all in shock upon receiving that call. Immediately, an army of prayer warriors fell to there knees, most in tears for our good friend and brother. Jeff was dead for over 15 minutes, before a pulse could be established. He was taken from the highway by med flight to the university hospital.
On life support in a deep coma, Jeff’s recovery was bleak. If he recovered, he would have either massive brain damage or be debilitated physically. Words cannot describe the joy we all felt when Jeff came out of the coma and had a conversation with his wife, while the pastor and others were visiting him. Less than two weeks later he was released from the hospital and he returned to light work within a month from his heart attack. Two months later he was working as if nothing had ever happed.
While repairing my church van, we talked about his death experience. He doesn’t feel any different after full recovery than he did before the heart attack, he said; ”I am in a zero percent tile; no one walks away from a massive heart attack without physical or mental disability or both!” He further added that his entire life didn’t pass before him as some say; only the bad things. He felt God was showing him how great His mercy is and how abundant His grace is! This crisis has been the beginning of daily revival for Jeff. He is on a mission to tell everyone about Jesus and how He resurrected him for greater service to the Gospel. Jeff is on fire for the lost and tells everyone of his personal resurrection.
“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (15) The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. (16) The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. (17) I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD” (Psalms 118:14-17).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope of the resurrection and for the promise of healing. I know that I am healed in Jesus’ name; redeemed by the blood and made whole by your stripes. You have called me to the work of the Gospel. Let personal revival start with me and then go forth from me to the world around me. Break me and make me into a tool for the Gospel. Lead me to function in the Gifts of the Spirit. Anoint me in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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