Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15 KJV
It has often been said that we don't realize just how precious a person is until they're gone...
is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15 KJV
It has often been said that we don't realize just how precious a person is until they're gone...
I know this to be true from experience. Because over the years I have lost many a friend or family member through death, and dealing with such losses is never easy.
I am saying this because I recently lost three dear friends, as they each stepped beyond the veil, and into the arms of Jesus. Bonnie, whom I have known for more than twenty years, left earth to join her husband, Robert, who died the year before. While my friend and "brother in Christ," Bud, also went to heaven. He was not only a faithful friend, but was very active in prison ministry and evangelism, too.
And finally, my friend and "sister in Christ," Cynthia, also left for glory. Her passing was unexpected, although she did have some medical issues she'd been dealing with. Cynthia and her husband Ben were from Texas, and as with Bonnie and Bud, I had known them for well over twenty years.
But when God created humankind, He did not create man to die, but to live forever. Yet He also gave man free will. And because God knows the end of things from the beginning,* in His lovingkindness, He made provisions for life after the grave. Hence, the "gift of eternal life" for all those who have repented of their sins and wrongdoings, and have placed their faith in Jesus, God's only begotten Son (John 3:16).
So with three more friends now in heaven, I was again reminded of something I shared in a journal entry not too long ago, how I probably have more friends in heaven today than I do on earth. Which, by the way, is not a bad thing. And my day to leave this earth will come one day, as well. So either by death or the Rapture, I'm leaving. And I cannot wait!
To quote from the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in the ancient city of Philippi, he wrote, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). And to this I want to say, "Right on, brother Paul." For me, there is no "sting" in death, only victory!
D.B.
*God knows the end from the beginning: see Isaiah 42:8-9 and Isaiah 46:9-10.
I am saying this because I recently lost three dear friends, as they each stepped beyond the veil, and into the arms of Jesus. Bonnie, whom I have known for more than twenty years, left earth to join her husband, Robert, who died the year before. While my friend and "brother in Christ," Bud, also went to heaven. He was not only a faithful friend, but was very active in prison ministry and evangelism, too.
And finally, my friend and "sister in Christ," Cynthia, also left for glory. Her passing was unexpected, although she did have some medical issues she'd been dealing with. Cynthia and her husband Ben were from Texas, and as with Bonnie and Bud, I had known them for well over twenty years.
But when God created humankind, He did not create man to die, but to live forever. Yet He also gave man free will. And because God knows the end of things from the beginning,* in His lovingkindness, He made provisions for life after the grave. Hence, the "gift of eternal life" for all those who have repented of their sins and wrongdoings, and have placed their faith in Jesus, God's only begotten Son (John 3:16).
So with three more friends now in heaven, I was again reminded of something I shared in a journal entry not too long ago, how I probably have more friends in heaven today than I do on earth. Which, by the way, is not a bad thing. And my day to leave this earth will come one day, as well. So either by death or the Rapture, I'm leaving. And I cannot wait!
To quote from the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in the ancient city of Philippi, he wrote, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). And to this I want to say, "Right on, brother Paul." For me, there is no "sting" in death, only victory!
D.B.
*God knows the end from the beginning: see Isaiah 42:8-9 and Isaiah 46:9-10.
