I am saddened to learn that my good friend who has been battling a very serious disease has asked that his feeding tube and ventilator be removed and has entered hospice. He has at long last given up the fight and is ready to go home. Bad news for the family and friends, but this God fearing Christian man will soon see what all Christians long for and, that will be the face of the One he loves most in life, his God and loving Father. He will soon enter into the very presence and incomprehensible glory of none other than Jesus Christ and his victory will be final.
Yes his family and innumerable friends will grieve our loss, but we will celebrate his victory over death, disease, destruction, sickness, sadness, sorrow, violence, fear, and all of the rest that this evil world hosts. And best of all it will last forever.
I spent the last week in the glorious mountains of Montana elk hunting where I bagged a magnificent bull. The air was brisk and clean, the sky was blue, and the snow capped mountains were absolutely stunning. I wonder if there are mountains in heaven and majestic elk, bald eagles, huge bison, and icy crystal clear streams with native cutthroat trout.
I think so…
The Bible states that our little minds cannot even comprehend the amazing things God has prepared for those who love Him; however I believe that God has given us a little sneak peek. I’ll be home tomorrow just in time to teach my seminar at beautiful Honey Lake, (another little sneak peek at paradise).
I just cannot understand these atheists that deny the existence of God. All they need to do is to look around and open their eyes, ears, and nose and see what God is all about. Yes there is evil, but there is a whole lot of good, if we will just take some time and look for it.
I will miss my e-mails from my friend and I will miss reminiscing about going coon hunting in our youth, but we will have plenty of time to catch up and explore God’s new heaven and earth when I reunite with him when it’s my time to be promoted. I’m happy for him tonight, and yes I’m praying for his family who will dearly miss him probably sooner rather than later…It’s a paradox and totally unfathomable to those who lack faith to be happy to hear that someone will soon cross the threshold of this life into the next.
My friend is not numbered among them. I’m sure he doesn’t want to leave his family, but I’m just as sure that he wants to escape the pain of this fallen world and arrive at his permanent residence. I look forward to a guided tour when I arrive. Until then I’m comforted by God’s Holy Spirit that whispers to my being that victory is assured. Oh victory in Jesus – My savior forever – He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.