This morning right before I walked out the door to go to my job outside of the church, I received a phone call. The Caller ID showed the name of a person that I worked with for about 13 years, and whom the Lord used to get me the gospel while He was drawing me. Someone called me earlier last year and told me he was having some marital problems. In December I called his home, and had to leave a message. His wife was on the other end of the line this morning, and after saying who she was, asked me if her husband ever called me. I told her that I had not heard from him. She proceded to tell me that he died of a massive heart attack last night.
Interestingly, a pastor friend in Kentucky told me in a Christian Chat Channel that the Lord had given him a burden to pray for me the last couple of days. Well, when a Christian tells us that, let alone a pastor, I think we need to be ready and watchful. Such is the case with me today, as we also found out that our oldest daughter went to the hospital today for lung x-rays to see if she has a blood clot on her right lung. The Lord used my pastor friend to pray for me, and relate that prayer to deal with the situations that arose today. Thank you Lord!!!
However, the death of my long time friend really got me thinking about various issues and possibilities arising from this incident. Even though the Lord used him to give me some literature that contained the precious gospel, as I grew in the Lord I learned that my dear professing brother believed that good works helps contribute to salvation, in addition to some pentacostal beliefs. That along with a sin he allegedly committed last year gave me reasons to be concerned about his soul. Just to say, that while his massive heart attack could have been the consequences of eating wrong, etc. It could also be judgment for sin since he was a professing Christian and was involved in one of God's visible churches. It also reminds me of what God's word says regarding His people sinning unto death.
In 1Cor. 11 God through Paul reminds us that there are those who become sick and sleep (Christian death) if they partake of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. God through John in 1 Jn. 5 tells us that there is sin unto death that we should not pray for.
The passing of my friend, reminds me that neither I or anyone else is guaranteed a long life (he was my age, 46). That our life is like a vapor that appears for a while and then vanishes away, and we should say if the Lord wills we will do this or that. But it also reminds me that we as God's people, that I as a child of God need to strive by the grace of God not to do anything to bring reproach upon Him, His Church, His people. Not only out of love and appreciation for all that He did for me in saving this undeserving wretched sinner through the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, but because He may be pleased to take His child home so that we do not continue to bring reproach upon Him due to sin.
"Lord, thank you for saving me. Please forgive me of my sins and shortfalls as a Christian, husband, father, friend and brother in Christ. Thank you Lord for using Mike to get the gospel to me about 18 years ago when You were pleased to draw me unto You. I hope and pray that You will be pleased to save souls and bring Your sheep closer to You, and that You will receive all the praise and glory that You alone deserve through the death of Mike. For You Lord are in sovereign control of all the affairs of mankind in life and death, and the salvation of sinners. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen!"
Interestingly, a pastor friend in Kentucky told me in a Christian Chat Channel that the Lord had given him a burden to pray for me the last couple of days. Well, when a Christian tells us that, let alone a pastor, I think we need to be ready and watchful. Such is the case with me today, as we also found out that our oldest daughter went to the hospital today for lung x-rays to see if she has a blood clot on her right lung. The Lord used my pastor friend to pray for me, and relate that prayer to deal with the situations that arose today. Thank you Lord!!!
However, the death of my long time friend really got me thinking about various issues and possibilities arising from this incident. Even though the Lord used him to give me some literature that contained the precious gospel, as I grew in the Lord I learned that my dear professing brother believed that good works helps contribute to salvation, in addition to some pentacostal beliefs. That along with a sin he allegedly committed last year gave me reasons to be concerned about his soul. Just to say, that while his massive heart attack could have been the consequences of eating wrong, etc. It could also be judgment for sin since he was a professing Christian and was involved in one of God's visible churches. It also reminds me of what God's word says regarding His people sinning unto death.
In 1Cor. 11 God through Paul reminds us that there are those who become sick and sleep (Christian death) if they partake of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. God through John in 1 Jn. 5 tells us that there is sin unto death that we should not pray for.
The passing of my friend, reminds me that neither I or anyone else is guaranteed a long life (he was my age, 46). That our life is like a vapor that appears for a while and then vanishes away, and we should say if the Lord wills we will do this or that. But it also reminds me that we as God's people, that I as a child of God need to strive by the grace of God not to do anything to bring reproach upon Him, His Church, His people. Not only out of love and appreciation for all that He did for me in saving this undeserving wretched sinner through the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, but because He may be pleased to take His child home so that we do not continue to bring reproach upon Him due to sin.
"Lord, thank you for saving me. Please forgive me of my sins and shortfalls as a Christian, husband, father, friend and brother in Christ. Thank you Lord for using Mike to get the gospel to me about 18 years ago when You were pleased to draw me unto You. I hope and pray that You will be pleased to save souls and bring Your sheep closer to You, and that You will receive all the praise and glory that You alone deserve through the death of Mike. For You Lord are in sovereign control of all the affairs of mankind in life and death, and the salvation of sinners. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen!"
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