Two or Three Meet in My Name

Today I had a doctor’s appointment for being a new patient. What I didn’t realize was I was about to get a complete physical before I was through. After I was finished, leaving behind a little blood and coughing when told to, as I was walking to my car I saw a man smoking a cigarette and I was prompted by the Lord to go speak to him. I wasn’t sure what the Lord wanted me to say to him but that cigarette was a good opening.

I told this gentleman that I quit in 1982 and it was one of the best things health wise I could of done. As I was saying this I was also thinking to myself, “who am I to tell this person anything?” But God had a reason for our meeting. See His timing was right on, the time it took for the physical and this gentleman’s craving. It says in Matthew 18:20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. See it wasn’t about this person’s habit of smoking or my need to tell him how bad they are for you; it was just as it says in that Bible verse. As we talked we shared out testimonies, and we discovered we had that one awesome connection, Joe and I loved Jesus. We were not ashamed to tell each other about that.

Joe’s heart was heavy thinking all about his wife and that was why he was at the medical center today. But the one thing he made sure I understood, as much as he loved and devoted his life to his wife, he loved the Lord more. He also told me without that love for Jesus he would have a hard time getting through each day, especially now with the love of this life, his wife, being so sick constantly. He told me how draining it is mentally and physically. I told him I could relate, for the God’s Love Outreach Ministry ministers to God’s wounded almost daily to so many like his wife Mary and also so many more that are worst off.

Amazingly as we talked we also found that we had a few things in common. Both were in the military, both smoked, both were borderline alcoholics, and both understood the importance of the wedding vows! Joe’s eyes swelled with tears as he said, yep, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. He had a hard time with the ending, until death do we part. Joe spoke of being blessed with what worldly possessions he has and his financial soundness, but also said it was all from the Lord and if it took all that to help make his wife well again, then so be it. He understands as I do the importance of living one day at a time and the importance of having God in your life each day.

As I was leaving the parking lot I noticed he was helping a woman get into a car. I quickly turned into another parking place, walked over to the car and said, "Mary so nice to meet you. God bless you and Joe!"

God blessed me with this poem in April of this year. Today Joe and I really felt His presence.

Do You Feel His Presence?


The amazing part of God’s love is
no matter where you are,
He is always there with you
not distant from afar.

Do you feel His presence?
Are you unsure when you speak?
Do you still think He is just for,
the lost and the weak?

Are you still like so many
that want Him in your heart,
but struggle with each passing day
wondering how do I start?

I believe God is just waiting
for you like He did with me.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you longing to be free?

Well, if you are like most
and waiting on God you must be,
please understand He is waiting for you,
just like He did with me.

Please don’t wait too long
for the next minute could be your last,
and eternity you couldn’t spend with Him,
all because you did not ask!

E. P. Shagott
4/6/09

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott