10-12-2007, 02:09 PM
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 | Bubba | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Beloit, Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 6,192
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Thank you, Bob, for a wonderful tribute. You can be sure that Gerry can hear now!
I receive Grace Gems every day via email. I thought today's offering was very appropriate. Quote: | Your dying day
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom!" --- Luke 12:32
What little cause have the saints to fear death! Are any afraid of going to a glorious kingdom? What is there in this world that should make us desirous to stay here? Is not this world "a valley of tears"--and do we weep to leave it? Are we not in a wilderness among fiery serpents--and are we afraid to leave these serpents?
God is ever displaying the banner of His love in heaven, and is there any love like His? Are there any sweeter smiles, or softer embraces than His? What hurt can death do to them--but lead them to a glorious kingdom! Let this be a gospel antidote to expel the fear of death.
Christian, your dying day will be your wedding day--and do you fear it? Is a slave afraid to be set free? Is a virgin afraid to be matched into the crown? Death may take away a few worldly comforts--but it gives that which is better; it takes away a flower--and gives a jewel! If the saints possess a kingdom when they die, they have no cause to fear death. A prince would not be afraid to cross the sea, though tempestuous--if he were sure to be crowned as soon as he came to shore!
Faith gives a title to heaven--but death gives a possession of heaven! Death brings us to the end of our sorrow, and the beginning of our joy! Death is the entrance into a blessed eternity!
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__________________ Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church * Poplar Grove, Illinois USA www.maranatha-sbc.org/ "Mankind is divided into two sorts: such as live according to man, and such as live according to God. These we call the two cities...The Heavenly City outshines Rome. There, instead of victory, is truth" — Augustine of Hippo  |