Dearly Departed
Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever.
Last night something quite extraordinary happened, at least in my mind.
For sometime now I've known that my sister's deceased husband Ben was the catalyst to my renewed walk with Christ. In fact it was his death that made it ultimately possible.
For a long time the Lord had been touching my heart through my children and their wanting me to stop the radio station in the car on various Christian songs they liked. The songs began to touch my heart and I began accumulating them on my computer to play, and soon it was all I was listening to. While this was taking place my brother in law was growing more and more ill.
As is the way of things we don't know what's going to happen or why, it's just impossible for us to predict things. We don't hold thoughts of God in our own minds. We can't figure God out, His ways are so far above our own. If anything it is more likely we'll look back and see things in the perspective that allows us to catch glimpses of God's infinitely superior ways.
For my sister Debbie the loss of her husband was most devastating, rocking the foundation she'd rested upon in her own walk with Christ. Daily prayers, numerous prayers, a life of prayer for others was thrown into confusion.
How could she feel the same towards God when He had the power to heal her husband and chose to let him die?
It's not unusual to blame God when we lose a loved one, not at all.
Logically we know that God's ways are above our own and that the evil in the world stems from Satan, but we do also know God has amazing powers and where He wills they are used. When they're not used in situations we believe they should be our faith is tested and tried, because God's ways are beyond our understanding and we want to understand.
So here my sister's whole life was going through a powerful transition and her pain, her agony, her fears were drawing people to her to help her. I was one of those people and because of her fear I (one of several who would take turns) would go over and stay with her at night. During these nights we'd talk and talk and talk and God was leading me closer and closer to Him right to the point that Debbie and I asked our other sisters and mother if they wanted to study with us.
The rest, as they say, is history. We've been getting together to worship God and study, watching current events, fellowshipping ever since.
If my sister's husband hadn't died none of that would have happened.
Well, last night as we were studying once again it came up. My sister Debbie lamenting the fact her own life was so changed from how it used to be, how she's drifted from her prayers which were at one time such an important part of her life. Tracing it all back to her anger towards God for taking her husband from her.
And then...well, the God did something shedding enlightenment upon us.
Her husband's death was necessary.
And her husband in the day of Christ's return, when He and Debbie are reunited once more will be thrilled to know that his death wasn't in vain. That through his death others were brought back to the place of salvation. What wonder, what joy to have that knowledge. We all hope to impact others so they'll find the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior that they'll turn to Him through faith and accept His sacrifice, accept the salvation He alone provides. My brother in law Ben will have this amazing, truly amazing joy to realize what a catalyst He's been, even after death. I can imagine him smiling, imagine him with that twinkle in his eyes as he humbly acknowledges his own happiness that his death wasn't in vain but used for something so amazing.
God wasn't done with His amazing revelations to us though.
My sister Debbie mentioned the year of our conversion long ago, the beginning of our walk into the light and truth, saying when was it...1982 or 83, we discussed it a bit and decided yes 82 or 83. Then my other sister Diane mentioned the date of her own conversion as being 1985 and a chill ran down my spine. My father's death.
My father died in 1985 and as a result I moved to Texas and by God's grace that resulted in my sister Diane finding her way to the Lord. Without my father's death that wouldn't have happened.
Two men that never even met both part of our family, both in the hands of God used even in death to guide others to the Lord. Jewels for their crowns, praise the Lord.
Timothy {4:8} 'Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.'
James {1:12} 'Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown
of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him'
Rev. {2:10} '...be thou faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life.'
1 Pet. {5:4} 'And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.'
Yes, we shall receive crowns and the jewels in those crowns will be there.
How amazing to be given the revelation of the joy those truly, dearly departed, will have in the day of Christ's return as they're raised up from the grave to meet the Lord in the air.
All glory and praise unto our Lord and Savior whose wisdom far surpasses anything we can even begin to imagine.
While we might want to cling to the pain of the passing of our loved ones, we can allow ourselves the joy of their future joy as well.
By the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
2/14/10
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Satan gives this kingdom(ruling power) it's power, it's life. People will be worshipping Satan by worshipping the power he controls. The power will be unique in that there aren't any other powers fully like this power that Satan controls. No one would dare make war with this power at this time. The power will speak great things, the power will blaspheme against God - but remember this is a power that is worshipped so the blaspheme isn't going to be something readily seen. This power continued for many years and continues to blasphemy God, God's name, and God's tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven. We know that God's tabernacle is with man and that tabernacle is Jesus and Jesus dwells in heaven. This power will have twisted things so much that it is true blaspheme against God in many ways and yet it will be worshipped. People don't like to imagine they're worshipping any power that is against God, a power that has been in existence for a long, long time. People believe that they are too smart to be duped and this power is Godly, but it's not, it only seems to be. This power makes war against God's true people - the saints. This power influenced greatly all kindreds, tongues, and nations. This power is going to have worship from ALL whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We have to realize that deception is an art form with Satan and He has perfected that deception to the point that out of the multitude only very few will have their names written in the book of life. The Bible tells us this...
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
It's an eye opening revelation to be sure that the majority of people are going to be deceived by Satan. And it is deception because the art of deception is fooling someone without their knowing it. God tells us this will happen, and also tells us this...
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
We must know the commandments of God fully if we are to be among the saints- those not deceived. We must know the faith of Jesus fully. Do you know and follow the commandments of God? Do you know what the faith of Jesus is and do you have the faith of Jesus in your life? We have to study.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
May God bless us as we seek to study His word, to rightly divide His word to know the truth of His commandments and the faith of Jesus. We don't want to be deceived as the many will be. Open our hearts and our minds by the Holy Spirit's power guide us to You fully so that we may know You and be known by You in Your love.
Amen.
2/14/11