Archive for the ‘Death’ Category
The Mourners At The Old Man’s Funeral
The Mourners At The Old Man’s Funeral
The casket was closed. That alone made everything seem final. There was not even a picture of the deceased anywhere to be seen. He was only still alive in the memories of those that had known him.
Family members, fellow employees, acquaintances, and friends both old and new were in attendance. Some of them mourned and consoled each another with knowing looks and tear-stained faces. Their great sense of loss was clearly evident as they continually wiped the tears away.
In the same room, others were smiling oblivious to the tearful around them. They hugged each other for joy. They seemed very happy that the old man had finally died. He had been a real source of irritation to them for a long time. They seemed to be sighing with great relief that he was finally out of the way.
Even the preacher actually seemed happy that the old man was dead too. This was unusual. Preachers normally don’t get happy at funerals, but this one did.
The sniffles and the sobs attracted everyone’s attention again. The old man would be sorely missed. For them, it was unthinkable that he was dead.
They had comforted themselves with stories of his exploits. They struggled with their losses. He’d meant something special and important to them. They were greatly irritated by the smiling faces in the room. What was wrong with those other people? How could anyone smile like that at a funeral?
Passion looked at the casket where “the old man” lay and sobbed. His best friend was dead.
Lust wept at the loss of a child.
Habit greatly mourned the slave who had broken free from it’s chains.
Guilt shook with disbelief. They had travelled many miles together.
Heartache was crying and refused to be comforted.
Selfishness and Pleasure wailed for their departed friend and comrade.
Pride hung it’s head in grief. It had evidently failed at keeping him alive.
Satan himself was the chief mourner.
The funeral procession was mixed with tears of sorrow and smiles. It’s sounds were those of weeping and shouts of joy. The two crowds kept separate from each other. Tension was strong between the two camps.
The shouters wanted to make sure “the old man” was buried. They wanted to make sure that some green grass was growing on top of him. The mourners were hoping for a miracle of resurrection.
The preacher made the final pronouncement of burial and the sound of rejoicing was overwhelming loud and raucous. There was so much joy in the camp, that the mourners all made a hasty retreat.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom. 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom. 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Is Your “Old Man” Yet Alive, Or Has He Died Out To Sin?
If He Is Still Alive, You Need To Make Funeral Arrangements Today!
You Can Find Out How To Make Them By Reading Acts 2:38.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Saying ‘Good-Bye’ To Friends
Saying ‘Good-Bye’ To Friends
Saying Good-Bye to friends is not easy. In my experience, tears have been involved from time to time. It’s hard to say Good-Bye to those you love and those who mean so much to you.
Saying Good-Bye To Supposed Friends:
Friendships can be transient. Some people come and go in your life. They just move on without warning. Maybe they outgrow you or they focus on other things. I don’t have that answer. But it doesn’t feel good.
Some Friends have even been known to turn on their old friends. It uncomfortable to see someone who used to be a Friend and now they avoid even making eye contact with you. Or, if they do speak, it’s cool and not warm like it used to be. The emptiness in your heart is deep when you walk away. The sense of loss is almost overwhelming. New friends are a medicine and a replenishment of the soul.
Saying Good-Bye To A Former Friend:
Looking back over a lifetime, I had friends in school whose names I can’t even remember now. A couple of my friends were so important to me at the time, that I included them in my wedding. Today I don’t know their phone number, their address or how many grandchildren they have. We haven’t talked in several decades. Back then I thought we were friends.
Saying Good-Bye to some friends is gradual. With others, it’s a much quicker process.
Saying Good-Bye To Dear Friends:
The last several weeks have been horrible for a number of Pentecostal families, for several churches and for many of my ministering friends.
The recent news of the passing of beloved men of God or their family members has brought tears to many of our eyes. Some men so impact your heart that you’re never quite the same. Their death leaves a major void in your life. Their family’s tears rip your heart out.
Funerals are hard for us. We call them ‘Home Goings” and do our best to rejoice that the departed has kept the Faith and finished their course and are now are now resting in Jesus. Yet tears still flow freely because we feel the loss so deeply.
Maybe they didn’t call us on the phone everyday, but when they saw you, the fellowship picked right back up from where you left off. They treated you warmly and hugged you like they meant it. They made you feel like you were their very dear friend.
The past week and this coming week find me already missing my recently departed friends. May they rest in Peace, and may the Prince of Peace comfort the hearts of the families and friends left behind.
Some day we will all say Good-Bye to this old world. We look forward to going to a place where none of us shall ever have to say Good-bye again.
Biblical Promise: No More Separation
Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
- The sea separates. There will be no more sea over there.
Biblical Promise: No More Tears
Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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What A Day That Will Be
Words & Music by Jim Hill
There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
Chorus:
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
Chorus:
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be
Bring Them Up To Pitch
Bring Them Up To Pitch
The home going of Brother C. M. Becton is a great loss to us all. I will be among those that will truly miss him.
The first Camp Meeting I ever heard Bro. Becton preach, was Michigan’s in the 1970’s. I wish I could remember the exact title but I cannot. It was something about ‘Bringing Them Up To Pitch.’ I can remember his message though. It was one of those unforgettable messages. Here are some of his sermon points:
1. The Reader’s Digest told a true story about a shepherd that was lonely. He had no company but his portable radio and his violin. He wrote a letter to CBS and asked if they would play an ‘A’ at midnight on a certain night for him, so he could tune his violin. They did. It was important to him that his violin could be in tune. It’s always important to be in tune.
2. A piano has 88 keys. When it gets out of tune, it is not thrown away. A piano tuner is called. He has tuning forks, tools and instruments necessary to bring the piano back up to pitch. Then once again the instrument is looked upon with pride and it’s music becomes a joy.
3. Bro. Becton called the camp’s organist, and keyboardist to the platform. He expressed how noticeable it was to be off even one half of a note. The musicians were asked to play ‘Amazing Grace.’ in ‘A’ flat. It sounded beautiful. He then asked the organ player to play the song in ‘A’ flat and the keyboardist to play it in ‘A’. There was only a half note difference, but it was very unpleasant to the ears. It’s important to be in tune.
4. When Apollos first came preaching, his doctrine was off-key. Priscilla and Aquila did not throw him away or call him a false prophet; they just took him home and brought him up to pitch.
5. It is easy to discard people who are not just like us. (He was not talking about compromising the doctrine or doing away with holiness.) However, differences are everywhere. If you are quick to throw people away because they are not just like you, then remember the story of the piano being brought back up to pitch.
6. There are some things most commonly believed among us that are written in black and white in the Bible, and should never be changed or tampered with. On the other hand there are some things that are not essential for Salvation, and yet men have separated fellowship rather than bring them up to pitch.
7. Don’t be quick to throw people away if they seem a bit off-key. Just bring them up to pitch. It opens the door for unity.
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Update:
Thirteen Days From Eternity
Thirteen Days From Eternity
At 3:00pm today, the nurse at the nursing home called Phyllis Crandall’s daughter and told her that her mother had just died. They had last checked her vitals and her oxygen mask at 2:15. She was 65.
Phyllis had been in failing health for a while. She was also a backslider. No one seems to remember for sure how many years she had been away from God, but she hasn’t attended church in over 20 years. That much everyone agreed on.
She had been a member at several Pentecostal churches in the area. For one reason or another, her and her husband had changed churches several times over the years. When he died, Phyllis somehow became unconnected with church and stayed that way.
Then to make matters worse, her health began to deteriorate. After stays in the hospitals, she was sent to a nursing home for her final days.
She lived with an oxygen mask on her face. Her weight problems no doubt worked against her too.
She had called her daughter almost two weeks ago and said, “I feel like I need to pray.”
Her condition was not good. Pastor Kenneth Bow was called to come and pray for her.
When he came into the room Phyllis said, “Bro. Bow, I just don’t know if I could ever speak in Tongues again.”
(Besides her health limitations, she was fearful that God wouldn’t let her because of lack of faithfulness to Him.)
“Yes you can speak in Tongues again, you’re still God’s child!” Pastor Bow said to encourage her.
He laid his hands on her, and then like he’d used Paddles that restart a stopped heart, Phyllis physically jerked and sat up in her hospital bed. Her hands in the air. In 10 seconds she was clearing speaking in Tongues. They pulled the mask aside as she prayed. She continued to speak in Tongues.
That was 13 days ago.
Death walked the corridors of her nursing home today. But 13 days ago, Mercy got there first.
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
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