Late last night after dinner and watching a movie, I chewed a
cracker with some smoked Gouda cheese. When I swallowed, the mass did not clear
the opening of my esophagus and my windpipe would not open. I gagged but could
not cough. I leaned over and pounded my sternum attempting to force out what
was lodged.
Something was choking me; my windpipe was cut off! I took
some water in my mouth to flush what had stopped in my esophagus, but I could
not swallow. I spat the water out. I was alone, no one to help me. I thought I
would die, but I had no fear.
I cannot die.
I have books to publish that I scribed for God, for the
salvation of a million souls, for His glory.
Suddenly, my windpipe opened, and I took in the Breath of
Life.
Sitting in my vintage faux leather chair, I reflected on this
harrowing experience, and I saw the scene of Jerry, the protagonist in my book,
PURSUIT, being spiritually choked
while he sat up in bed during the storm that continued through the night
following his near death lightning experience…
Lightning flashed outside the bedroom
window illuminating a poster of Pink Floyd’s masterpiece, The Dark Side of the Moon, a prism refracting white light into red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple rays. Above Jerry’s bed was an image of
a supermodel looking over her bare shoulder and back, seemingly studying him as
he slept. Arm covering her nipple, just enough breast to tantalize; it was once
displayed in a Victoria’s Secret showcase window – alluring, for she wore
nothing at all.
Hands folded together on his bare stomach looking like a
naked corpse on display in the morgue, the crack of thunder that followed
echoed throughout the cavernous attic. Bolting upright from a dead sleep, he
began gasping for air as if strangled. It certainly felt like it, two hands
squeezing tighter and tighter, cutting off air and blood that fed his brain.
Crimson contorted face from collapsed veins impeded blood’s escape from his
swelling face. Eyes bulged like a frog, mouth wide-open, gurgling as he in vain
sucked air to open his throat. Stretched upright from the Dark Force clenching
his neck, arms hanging limply at his sides, hands trembled with convulsions.
I unleashed the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—and slew Python.
After worship today at church, I encountered Pastor on my way
out. He gave me a big chest-to-chest hug and then stepped back to examine me
spiritually.
“You are a miracle!” he exclaimed. “Satan tried to put you
six-feet under.”
“He tried again last night when he choked me,” I replied.
Astonished, he waited for me to continue.
“I was swallowing a cracker with cheese and my windpipe
closed. I couldn’t breathe.”
“Were you alone?”
“Yes.”
He came towards me and pressed his fist on my chest.
“Life. Receive a long life,” he said.
I raised my hands in praise. “I receive that in the name of
Jesus!”
“Miracle of God,” said a Sister in Christ witnessing.
“I did not fear.” I pointed a finger at my chest. “I did not fear.”
Driving from church, I thought, I was not alone. God was with me. I did not fear because I have God’s
perfect love. Perfect love casts out fear.
I reflected on the prophetic word I received from a Brother
in Christ while praying at the front of the sanctuary stage today.
“God is saying that you are strong,” he said, pressing one
hand over my heart, the other in the middle of my back. “In Hebrews it says,
‘whose weakness was turned to strength’ and in Corinthians, ‘For when I am
weak, then I am strong,’ ”
I thought of the endless trials and drama that I have
endured, “the thorn in my flesh,” as Apostle Paul described what he asked God
three times to take from him—
“Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it,
a thorn in my flesh might leave me; but He has said to me, ‘My grace
is sufficient for you, My loving-kindness and My mercy are more than
enough—always available—regardless of the situation; for My power is
being perfected and is completed and shows itself most effectively in your weakness.’ Therefore,
I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ
may completely enfold me and may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with
weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with
difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak in human strength,
then I am strong, truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength.”1
My personal bible study this morning before going to church
to praise and worship God led me to this—
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days
of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never
leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous…
“Be strong and very courageous…
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go.”2
Today is A New Day.
I am a son of the good, good Father.
Praise
the Father in heaven for the words He has given me.
Copyright 2016 © Jeff Cambridge
References:
1.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Amplified Bible
2.
Selected verses from Joshua 1:8-10
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