Not A Permanent Goodbye???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #333

“Then when Jesus came,

he found that he had lain in the grave

four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem,

about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary,

to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha,

as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,

went and met him:

but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection

at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.” John 11:17-27

As I write this article this morning, I am getting ready to attend the funeral of a very dear friend.  I don’t really want to go, because I know how much I miss her already, but I need to be there to remind others that we have hope in Jesus!  Yes, my friend is gone—but we will embrace again; but I sure will miss the phone calls that we shared, the cups of tea that we shared, the love and laughter that our families shared, the beautiful love, care and concern that my dear friend showed to everyone!

Yes, death is painful, not only for the one going through it, but for those of us left behind; but my friends even as Jesus told Martha (and later Mary too) He is life itself!  Jesus has promised that if we will trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, repenting of our sin and calling on Him to forgive us, save us, and give us eternal life in HIMSELF!  Oh, my friends I pray that you know Him.  Don’t leave your family and loved ones to wonder, but trust Jesus for salvation, make it public, and live a life filled with His Spirit and grace.

If you’re the one grieving, then keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus; remembering that He has promised eternal life to those who come to Him; He’s promised that He has gone to prepare us a place—and a life of eternal joy, peace and fellowship with He and the Father, and all the other saints.  Are you ready to meet Him?  Are you willing to trust Him to comfort your heart.  I have suffered multiple times of grief and while some heal quickly, others linger and flare up at what seems like the most inopportune times!  But I know that Jesus said HE would walk with me, He will direct my steps and strengthen me for whatever trial may come.  I pray that you will find comfort in the message that He gave to Martha!  HE IS our hope!  HE IS our God!  HE IS our Redeemer—our soon-coming King. I pray that you will take your burdens to the cross, where you’ll find the cleansing blood of Jesus is still the perfect balm of Gilead!

And in closing, a few passages to share His comfort with you no matter what your situation.

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

As Jesus said in John 3, we “must be born again”!  If you know Jesus in the new birth, I pray that you will draw nearer to Him, and you will never be alone!  If you don’t know Him, I pray that you will bow before Him and ask for His forgiveness and salvation in repentance of your sin trusting to His sacrifice that He made on Calvary for you and me.  Then we can understand what Paul meant in his letter to the Philippian believers.  And remember when we come to those times to say “good-bye”, when we are believers and our dear ones as well, it is truly NOT a permanent “good-bye”!  May our lives be an open book inviting people to our King Jesus—our Lord and Savior!  May our lives truly reflect Jesus rather than a hopeless world!

“For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh,

this is the fruit of my labour:

yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two,

having a desire to depart,

and to be with Christ;

which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh

is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence,

I know that I shall abide

and continue with you all

for your furtherance and joy of faith;”  Philippians 1:21-25

As David said so confidently. (Read the whole account for a world of encouragement and to see that God forgives, heals and restores!  Just not all things at the same time!)

“And he said,

While the child was yet alive,

I fasted and wept:

 for I said, Who can tell

whether GOD will be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”   2 Samuel 12:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!