Page 29 - May 2015 Catalyst

sorroW With hoPe
Jed n. snYder, d. min.
Founder/President
Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com
It was mid-afternoon, my phone rang. Two of my sisters were on a conference call. The words tumbled out of their mouths. “Our brother and his wife were killed in an automobile ac- cident this morning.” It was hard for me to believe what I was hearing. All the usual ques- tions. How? What happened? Was anyone else hurt? And the shock was great. Their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, how are they managing?
But in the midst of all the questions and shocked emotions came a peace that is perva- sive and very real. They are at home in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ whom they loved.
Here are some of the Biblical promises that guide our thoughts and ultimately our emo- tions when we face unexpected deaths or unex- pected disasters of other kinds.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you
may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
As family and friends gather to remember those who have gone home ahead of us, we gather in hope and in joy even as we sorrow our loss.
Happy are the sad because the hope of heaven is real.
May 2015
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