Tragedy strikes

A member of my Sunday school class died Monday. He was going fishing and fell out of his boat into the water and his foot got caught under the seat in the boat. His wife attempted to save him by jumping in the water and trying to hold his head above water, but to no avail, she like Jimmy was elderly, and she did not have the strength to save him and he drowned. Jimmy was a soul winner and someone who loved the Lord with all his heart. Rarely did a Sunday go by that he did not ask the class to pray for someone who he was trying to win over to the Lord. He stood by the door and greeted every member of the class as they entered. He is one of those people that was completely 110% committed to the Lord.

A friend of mine from the class and I were talking about it yesterday and he mentioned that he was positive that Jimmy was in heaven, but he could not help but wonder how God would allow such a good guy like that to end up dying such a tragic death. I replied that Jimmy actually received a promotion and we should always keep in mind that the worst day in heaven is so far better than the best day on earth. Jimmy is doing fine; those he left behind who are left to mourn are the ones for whom I am praying. I quit questioning God’s plan for our lives long ago. The Bible teaches that our ways are lower than God’s and that we do not have the capacity to understand Him. It also states that we see now as looking through dirty glass. We do not have a clear picture of things, nor are we privy to His master plan for our lives. Christians have faith that God is good all of the time and everything He does is for our good. I have unswerving faith in the goodness, grace and love of God and I can honestly say that I do not question Him at all anymore.

It is appointed that every man woman and child that is born must die unless they make it to the Rapture. Death is the result of sin and satan is the Father of sin. Jimmy had to die because of sin just like the rest of mankind. Jimmy knew that death is not the end, rather the beginning. He simply crossed over into a far better place where there are no terrorists, no liars, no murderers, no sin, no sickness, no death, and no more tears. We must endure the thorns of this life until it is our turn to pass through death. If we, like Jimmy, were faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, we will join Him forever in paradise. If not, we will join satan in misery and Hell forever. It is a sobering thought when one so close to you whom you see every Sunday, so full of life, is suddenly and tragically called before the Lord. The Bible compares our lives to a vapor, here for only a brief moment and then gone. Our lives on this earth are so brief compared to eternity, yet so important, as our eternal destiny is determined by our acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ while on this earth.

Jimmy’s wife, “Peaches”, will one day join Jimmy. In the meantime she will miss him immensely. I ask you to join me in praying for her and the rest of the family right now at your desk. They must mourn their loss and celebrate his promotion and heaven’s gain. Jimmy’s funeral is Friday. Unfortunately there are just not enough people who love the Lord like Jimmy did and we are really going to miss him and his service for the Lord.



John 3:17

For God did not send His Son

to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him

might be saved.

How well do you know the Bible?

One of the most comforting scriptures for those who have lost a loved one and is used in practically every funeral refers to death as something we all have. What is it? Psalm 23:4




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For a great Bible research tool, visit http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible

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