Living is Good, but Dying is Better
by Myrna D. Hughes
One of the most difficult realities to face in our flesh is the death of a loved one. Some even dread thoughts of their own demise. This is perhaps because of fear of the unknown, for lack of knowledge brings about apprehension. It is through the Word of God, that clear enlightenment is given in regards to this matter and thus the transition for the believer does not have be viewed as something to dread, for dying is merely the beginning not the end. The number of our earthly days, are predetermined by God and despite the length can not compare in the least to eternal life. For time is merely an increment of space designed by God in order that He can fulfill His will, plan and purpose. We as members of the body of Christ are not limited to this sphere called time, for our hope is found in Him, where we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies (Eph 1:1). Unfortunately many prioritize the earthly/natural or temporal things which shall surely pass away above the eternal/spiritual things which shall never pass away. Their focus is on time rather than eternity. In his epistles Paul, wrote to the church," that for him to die was actually gain and he preferred to go on and be with the Lord, however there was yet labor in the ministry to be done (Philippians 1:21-26). Paul further wrote that when we are absent in the body, we are present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:6,8). Because of this revelation, when the time of his departure from this life came, Paul was without fear, realizing that as with all other members of the body of Christ he could look forward to the reward of a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8). This knowledge should make the believer realize that" If you think living is good, dying is better"!
Read on..........
Rejoicing in Hope
by Myrna D. Hughes
in memory of my mother Joan Herron
The shortest verse ,that most repeat,
is that Jesus wept, for a loved one was sleep
You see the creator, in His Sovereignty
designed us emotional beings, with feelings indeed.
So to say do not cry is certainly absurd.
Time heals all wounds as we have heard.
In the scriptures ,there is certainly found,
Words to loose us that we be not bound.
Be not ignorant as Paul has said,
they are only sleeping, they are not dead.
Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
This great blessing, is more than life could afford.
To live is Christ, to die is gain,
Joy everlasting with no more pain.
I have a new building not made by hands
Eternal in all of heaven's strands
There is absolutely nothing that can separate me
from the love of God eternally.
So if you must weep, as some will do
Always remember God's Word is true
There is only hope, so do not sorrow
We will all be together in the great tomorrow
Remember me in your heart
For I only got a small head start
We will meet again in the by and by
Together again we will meet Jesus in the sky.
Rejoicing in Hope
Again I say Rejoice
This next story is also inspiring and gives an example of the peace which can be gained, if we view death from the eternal vantage point of our position in Christ Jesus.
THE FORK
DONNA M. GRINAM
There was a young woman who had
been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to
live. So, as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor
and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final
wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what
scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young
woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more
thing," she said excitedly. "What' that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is
very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork
in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing
quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor. The young
woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on
out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its
message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all
my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember
that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would
inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part
because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate
cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! ‘So, I
just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I
want them to wonder, "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them:
"Keep your fork ...the best is yet to come." The pastor's eyes welled up
with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would
be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew
that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a
better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age,
with twice as much experience and knowledge. She knew that something better
was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket,
they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, and the fork placed in her right
hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?"
And over and over, he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had
with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the
fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he
could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably
would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the
next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently,
that the best is yet to come.
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