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Funeral Hope?
Pastor Jim Kilby • September 6, 2024
"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NIV)
Dear Friends,
I’m doing the ceremony for the funeral of a friend this week. While I don’t much like funerals, doing one for someone who knew and walked with Jesus their whole life is a whole lot more enjoyable than doing one for someone who didn’t. I’ve done both, and I can tell you it’s hard to give hope to the family of someone who didn’t believe or was even outwardly antagonistic toward the Lord. On the contrary, finding words of encouragement and hope for the loved ones of a believer who has lived a long faithful life is one of the easiest things you could ever do. While that’s all true, I woke this morning to news of a teenager I’ve worked with passing away quite unexpectedly. She was a believer, but finding solace becomes much more difficult when it’s a young person who has passed away. Even her parents, both believers, can’t really be comforted. Sure, words and prayers and hugs help, but what they REALLY need is the peace and assurance that only the Holy Spirit can bring. God Himself has to come and help make sense of it when it doesn’t seem to make sense. It’s at these times when a thorough knowledge of the Word of God becomes imperative. It’s like the old saying, “The time to make a friend is before you need one.” In this case, the time to dive into the Word and thoroughly absorb it is before you are called to need it! This is something like keeping your gas tank above 3/4 just in case you’ve got to go somewhere unexpectedly. You never know when you may be called to reach into your knowledge and understanding of how God works and minister to someone who is in agony. So let me encourage you. If you have a good working knowledge of the Scriptures and a relationship with the Lord who translates them to you, AMEN! If not, this is a process that can start today. My recommendation for a beginner is to start with the Gospel of John. You’ll find a LOT of what you’ll need right there!
Thank you for the part you play in this ministry. Would you lift up the families of these two people today. They really could use it!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jim Kilby
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I receive an endless string of notes and e-mails from people who tell me they want to know the Lord, but just don't know how. I find they are easy notes to answer, because God has revealed Himself in so many ways I can simply point them to His Word and to prayer and they'll find what they are seeking. Unfortunately, far too many times I receive notes back that ask me if there is any other way, generally because they've tried reading the Bible occasionally and praying and that doesn't work. Of course, going to church seems like it's also too difficult for them. There are just too many other things to do on that day, and too many reasons they can't go! The short answer is this: Only those who are willing to give up everything and seek the Lord with their whole heart will ever find Him. The casual observer who intends to seek God on his own terms will never find Him. Imagine someone you called your best friend, but who you never called and never went to see--someone you clearly only casually were interested in knowing. Would they be your "best friend" for long? "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is an outreach aimed at young people; not a youth group. HYM is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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