One year and one week ago today
we celebrated
Eldon’s arriving home and today we celebrate Marian’s courageous home
going.
Even though the
attempt at removing ventilator last weekend
failed, on Monday Marion was in extraordinary spirits as she talked of
the approaching transition from this life into the next. It was a most
unusual mixture of tears, smiles, humor and prayer. Marion was able to
talk to her children freely (through writing and lip reading) and with
confidence about the things on her mind and heart.
On Tuesday, June 26,
about 1 PM the ventilator was removed and for several of hours, Marion
was able to speak and enjoyed numerous family and friends as well as
talk to some of the staff about her faith in Jesus Christ. There was
also a hymn sing and worship service where she chose some of the songs.
About 11:20 PM, at the age of eighty, Marion experienced, “Absent from
the body present with the Lord.”
Several weeks ago I had a great
visit with Marian about her "fears" and what a joy and encouragement to see
her step beyond her fears. Courage is not a “given” remember that
Abraham, Josiah, The Israelites, Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, The Disciples,
Paul, John and present day believers are commanded in Scripture “not to
fear” because though we are all fearful creatures … God wants us to arrive
home without fear. If our God
plans it and He brings us to it,
than He will bring us
through it.
1. We do not have to Fear Things
Isaiah 8:12 "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call
conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.
13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you
are to fear, he is the one you are to dread
• Christian, you are a Child of God, if God plans it and brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
2. We do not have to Fear Suffering
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are
blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord…
• You are not a parent-less child, if your Heavenly Parent planned it and
brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Amen!
3. We do not have to Fear Aging
Eccl 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days
of trouble come …
(5) when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets… Then man
goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
• Christian, you are not a brother-less child, if God planned it and brings
you to it, your “Elder Brother” Jesus Christ will walk with you through it.
Amen!
4. We do not have to Fear Dying
Heb 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in
their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power
of death — that is, the devil—
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of
death.
• Christian, you are not a powerless child, if God planned it and brings you
to it; the power of the Holy Spirit will bring you through it. Amen!
5. We do not have to Fear
Eternity
John 14:2, In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
I John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son
of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
• Christian, you are not a homeless child, if God planned it and brings you
to it, He will bring you through it into a place that He has prepared for
you. Your custom Christ-built eternal home is being prepared! Amen!
6. We do not have to Fear Salvation
Heb 7:25, Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to
God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
• Sinner, you do not have to be a wandering parentless, powerless, homeless
child, God will save all who believe that Jesus dies on the cross for their
sins and that He rose again and trust in God alone for their salvation.
