Sermon Central
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The True Story Of Denise And Diane
Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 31, 2023 (message contributor)
Illustration: The story of Denise and Diane.
One Sunday morning many years ago, as I pastored in Massachusetts a lady attended our church for the first time. During the close at the time of the invitation, she came to the altar. I noticed that one of our ladies prayed with her. After the service, as I was at the back shaking hands, I asked the visiting lady if she was OK, or if there was something I could help her with.
She stated that she was visiting that day from out of state because her older sister was in the Mass General Cancer Hospital in Boston, and she didn’t have long to live. She also stated that she didn’t think she was a Christian, and asked if I would visit her and have prayer with her. She gave me her name and room number. I quickly jotted the information down and assured her that I would do so ASAP. I jotted her sister’s name down with plans to visit the next day.
On Monday morning I made my way to the hospital, and then to the room. After I introduced myself to her, I explained how her sister had visited our church, was deeply concerned about her, and asked if I would come and pray. She immediately told me of her condition, explaining that the doctors had given her only a few weeks to live, maybe a month or two at the most. She was advised to go home and make the most of her remaining time.
I sensed the Holy Spirit wanting me to share the story of King Hezekiah. I elaborated and made a comparison to her own life. I emphasized that only God controls life and death. I explained that the main thing was to make things right with God, and then live every day of our life to please Him. I proceeded to share the Gospel with her. She started to cry, wiping her eyes.
I paused and asked if I had said something to upset her.
She responded, “O, no pastor! It’s just that you have been calling me Diane throughout your conversation. I was a bit perplexed. Then she told me an astounding story…
She explained that her younger sister who sent me to see her would not have known, for just a few older kin people were aware, and they have long since died.
She continued... Pastor when I was born, I was one of a set of twin girls. Sadly, at birth, my twin sister died. My name is Denise, and they named my sister Diane. You had no way of knowing about my twin sister, but the entire time you have been speaking to me, you have called me Diane, not Denise. It’s as if God allowed you to do this to help me believe that you were telling the truth. She said, I do believe you and I believe God sent you here today for me.
I must admit that I was taken aback as well, but God works in mysterious ways, that we can’t always understand. To make a long story short, Denise accepted Christ that day. She was released later that week to go home and get things in order. When I left, she had such peace with God.
Now to make a would-be short story longer, Denise lived almost two years after that day. My family and I visited her several times throughout the next couple of years.
The point is God alone controls death and life. We should live every day as if it were our last. We should always have our house in order, for when it is time to go, we will leave this world!
©Loyd C Taylor, Sr.
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