I ALMOST CLEANED out my attic today… It is such a mess. I’ve been putting it off until warmer weather. I almost started sorting out the stuff that needs to be thrown away from the stuff I need to keep. I almost moved it around to get some of it ready for a garage sale in the spring.

While I was almost cleaning out my attic, I thought about some of the people I have not talked to in a long time. I almost got out my address book to call them. But they may not be home or perhaps are busy. Maybe it would be better to write them a letter. So I almost wrote them a letter instead.

While I was almost cleaning out my attic and almost writing letters, I thought that there are several folks at church that are sick. I wondered if they would like some cookies or a cake, or maybe just someone to stop by and say “hello.” So I almost went to the kitchen to fix them something and I almost went to visit them. It made me feel so good inside to think about their faces smiling as I walked in their door with a plate of goodies. In fact, I almost smiled just thinking about it.

While I was almost doing those things, I looked out my window and saw a neighbor who does not go to church and needs the gospel. He seems like a really nice guy. I almost called him to invite him to go with me to church this weekend.

While I was almost doing those things, I almost sat down and read my Bible. I had to move it off the kitchen counter where it was sitting. As I carried it to the other room I almost just sat right down that minute to spend time in the word of God.

When I got to the church building the other day I noticed the weeds that have grown up during the cold weather months. We need to clean up so that others get a good impression when they come to worship. I almost called a couple of friends to see if they would like to spend a couple of hours cleaning up a little. It almost looks better already. Well, not really.

There are a lot of good things that we almost do in life. It does not matter what we plan, intend or almost do. What matters is what we actually do, not almost do. King Agrippa was almost convinced to be a Christian (Acts 26:28).

I wonder how many believers are almost faithful and will be almost saved? The immortal words of Philip P. Bliss sing on: “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past! “Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last! “Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail! Sad, sad, that bitter wail—“Almost,” but lost. (Tim Orbison) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28

–Mike Benson