emergency (n) 1. a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action. 2. a state of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event.Emergency Room Tips:
1. Please be patient; you will be seen as soon as possible.
2. Do not chew gum or smoke while being examined by the physician.
3. Do not eat anything hot or cold 30 minutes before your temperature is taken.
4. Make sure to have a current list of medications for the physician to review, including any herbal or over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
5. Report any known allergies to your doctor.
6. Try to recall any and all details that may have caused your current illness.
7. Do not talk while the doctor is listening to your lungs.
8. Bring a list of any previous surgeries or illnesses.
9. Don’t worry about your bill; we won’t let you forget.
10. Yes, the hospital gown does go on backwards.
“Want To” or “Have To”?
When you go to see the doctor, it usually isn’t because you want to go, but rather because you have to go. When faced with an emergency, making the right decision can be a matter of life or death. Please read the following information very carefully—it may save your life.
Doctor: Before I examine you, please answer the following questions thoroughly.
Patient: Okay.
Doctor: Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
Patient: What does that have to do with…
Doctor: Please, just answer the question.
Patient: Well, of course. I think I am a very good person, I just don’t feel good right now.
Doctor: Have you ever told a lie?
Patient: Of course I have.
Doctor: What does that make you?
Patient: Human.
Doctor: Of course, we are all human, but if you tell a lie it makes you a…
Patient: Liar! But what does that have to do with my illness?
Doctor: I will address your illness soon enough, but right now I am more concerned with your life.
Patient: Okay.
Doctor: Have you ever stolen anything?
Patient: Yes, but that was when I was a child.
Doctor: So, if you have stolen, what does that make you?
Patient: A thief.
Doctor: So, by your own admission you are a lying thief?
Patient: Yes, but I am really sorry, Doc. I won’t do it again, I promise.
Doctor: You should be sorry for lying and stealing, but being sorry for a crime won’t help you. If you are just sorry for being sick, that won’t help you. What you need is a cure, right?
Patient: Yes, what I need is a cure.
Doctor: You see, we all have a disease called “sin,” and because of that we all will die. I can give you a temporary cure here on earth, but it is your life after death that I’m more concerned about.
What Are You Worrying About?
The previous scenario shows us how we commonly spend more time worrying about and treating our temporary health. Just think—no matter what we do, we’ll all have a date with death. We get so entrapped with life’s small emergencies that we often ignore eternity. No matter what prescription we take, how healthy we eat, or how much we exercise, our death is inevitable.
Is It Really That Bad?
Another misconception is that our “goodness” in this life will get us into heaven one day. Just like the patient above, most people think they are good. However, the day will come when all our secret sins will be revealed as we stand in front of God, the Judge of the universe.
On that day will we see God’s anger revealed against our sin. Maybe you still think, I’m not really that bad. There are lots of people worse than me. But consider this—if you tell one lie, then you are a liar. If you take one thing that belongs to someone else, then you are a thief. Jesus said that if you even look with lust (sexual desire) at anyone you’re not married to, that’s the same as committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:27,28).
Are you guilty of any of these? The Bible tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” Even one sin, one time, is enough to send us to hell for all eternity. If you are found guilty on Judgment Day, according to the Bible, you will end up in hell.
What You Need Is the Cure!
There is hope. It is not God’s will that any should perish. God in His mercy sent His Son, Jesus (the Great Physician), to grant you a cure for the disease of sin. Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, then He died on the cross to pay your penalty with His life’s blood. He died for you so you could live.
Then He rose from the grave defeating death! Jesus said "Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Repentance involves agreeing that what God says is true; He won't overlook the guilty, we are all sinners, and Christ has died for our sins. This will lead to genuine sorrow, shame and even hatred for what we have done. It will also result in a lifestyle of turning away from sin, and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. Repent and believe the good news today; you may not have tomorrow.
