Tears and Trust- God is Good

Many people are killed each year in traffic accidents. My nephews recently became part of those statistics. To us, they are more than just numbers. Caleb was an 8 year old with a quick smile and a cheerful disposition. He was about the same age as our oldest son. Jared cried when he heard what had happened to his cousin. Josh was 18. He was ready to graduate and face the next exciting stage in his life. He was a polite young man and a joy to be around. Their lives came to a tragic end after a 2 vehicle accident that occurred on May 3rd.
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In our minds, it was a tragedy, but we also know that God is good all the time. As we grieve the loss of loved ones, we have not become angry at God. Instead we continue to trust Him- realizing we need His strength more now than ever.
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For us, such loss is tragic, because we will miss these wonderful boys, but death does not always have to be viewed as a tragedy. For the believer, there is comfort even beyond death. The Apostle Paul spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and told how our Lord’s resurrection gives us hope for a resurrection as well. Consider I Corinthians 15:19-22, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.” (NASB)
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Jesus died and rose from the dead showing us His power over death. The Apostle Paul pointed out that death came through Adam. In other words, men have been dying ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. Not only have men been cursed with death since then, but they have also been cursed with sin, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). But notice the hope in I Corinthians 15:22 where it says that, “in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
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Christ overcame death and rose from the tomb the 3rd day. Those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior will one day be raised from the dead as well. If we jump ahead to verse 26 of I Corinthians 15, we read that, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
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Life may end at death, but Christians look forward to a new life after death. For those who have believed in Christ, that new life will be a life of joy with God. For the unbeliever it will be an existence in the reality of torment. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 NASB)
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These verses provide both comfort and warning. As we grieve our loss this week, we find comfort knowing that God is good all the time and that He loves us so much that He provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. If anyone believes on Him as their Lord and Savior, then God will give them eternal life. Those who do not believe will be condemned.
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For the believer in Christ, death is sad, but it is like someone moving to a far away country that does not have any mail service, internet, or telephone. We will miss them, but we know that it is not all over. We look forward to the next life and rejoice for those believers who are already there.
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Do You Pick Your Nose?

Do you pick your nose? Of course it is necessary pick it from time to time, but most of us do not do it when other people are around. Too often Christians approach sin in a similar manner. But when you are alone, ask yourself, “would I do this if Jesus were in the room with me?”
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When I first met my wife, I would not have considered picking my nose in front of her. She was so beautiful that I wanted to make a good impression. Today Crystal is even more beautiful than when we first met, but I have become so comfortable around her that I find myself picking my nose in her presence.
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How many of us have become too comfortable around Christ? He loved us enough to die for us, and we are saved by His grace rather than by our works, thus it is tempting to become careless with sin- even when we remember that God is in our midst.
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The disciples spent a lot of time with Jesus. John was so comfortable around Jesus that he even leaned against Him as they crowded around the table for a meal. As comfortable as John was around Jesus, he was given a powerful reminder that Jesus was not just one of the guys.
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About a week after Jesus said that His followers should take up their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23), Peter James and John went up a mountain to pray with Jesus. While there, something amazing happened. Jesus’ appearance changed. His face and clothes glowed (Luke 9:29). Further, He met with Moses and Elijah- men who had long ago left this world. This was an amazing reminder that Jesus was not just one of the guys.
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These three disciples had hung around with Jesus a lot, but look at their reaction on the mount of transfiguration. “And while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.” (Luke 9:34 NASB) They were afraid. This is a reminder that the power of God should make us fear. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (NASB). In the Bible, the fear of God is represented as a good thing. We should desire to be as close to Jesus as Peter, James, and John were, but we must never forget who Jesus is and we should have a reverent fear for Him.
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God then speaks from the cloud, reminding the disciples who Jesus really is. “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!’" (Luke 9:35 NASB) Jesus is the Son of God. That makes Him equal to God. As God, Jesus has the authority to tell us what to do. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. We ought not to become so comfortable around Him that we forget who He really is.
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Jesus no longer walks on this earth like He did 2000 years ago. He has ascended into heaven. Still He has given us His Holy Spirit. As we ask the question, “would you do that if Jesus were in the room?”- remember that if you are really a Christian, not only is the Holy Spirit in the room, He is in you. Imagine how much differently we would act and think if suddenly the Holy Spirit within us revealed His glory like Jesus did on the mount of transfiguration.
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