Jesus Is Our Greeter

My grandfather just passed away & I will probably put up another blog post about that after this one, but....something hit me during his memorial service. The minister spoke about a personal story of someone that he knew that while they were sitting on their deathbed they looked up & started smiling.... he believed that this person saw Jesus.

I have heard stories such as this example before.... people looking at the corner of the room, smiling, laughing, etc. just before they passed.

Think about it... we joke & charicturize that the grim reaper comes for those who have passed & we often think that angels come to get the believer that passes & that they are escorted to Heaven for eternity. But what does the Word say?

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that "to be absent from the body (physically in death) is to be present with the Lord."-- no waiting period, no room to go into & wait, no welcoming committee..no, IMMEDIATELY with the Lord!!

Jesus says in John 14:2 "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you would be also" -- does this verse say that He will send an angel?

NO, it says that He will come & receive the believer HIMSELF!!! I just think that is AWESOME!!!

PG

The Loss Of A Dear Friend & Fellow Brother

I just got word yesterday that a very good friend of mine who was also a frat brother died from complications of the H1N1 virus & pneumonia. He was only about 35-36 years old (I believe.. maybe a bit younger). I followed his brother's updates on facebook over the last few days. His brother Mark is a fellow pastor in Kentucky. I have been kind of rivoted to my facebook page looking for updates on Kevin. It's really hard to beleive that his earthly life is over. Death always makes us take stock in what is 'really going on'. We get so used to the everyday routine down here that we forget to view things through the lens of Scripture. We are just pilgrims headed to our 'real' home. This life here on earth is just a journey of trust, faith, & love in Jesus Christ.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 23 I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, Phil 1:21,23 (NET)

Paul....realized that heaven is much better than earth & really desired to just be done with earth & flesh & get on to glory. He stayed, thank-the Lord, & wrote many letters that we are reading & living by today that are included in God's Word.

My friend Kevin JUST GAINED what we, as believers in Christ, are striving for. He gained... he didn't lose... he didn't give up... HE GAINED & He is worshiping the Father.

The death of a believer is not "good-bye", it's just "we'll see you very soon"

The Lord is coming soon.... take advantage of everyday... hug your spouse & kids, tell someone that you love them... don't take people or things for granted....

live this journey in such a way that the Father will one day say "you believed in my Son, you lived for me the best you could, good job"

God bless, Pastor G....... Kevin, we'll see you soon
(pray for their family)