On Monday evening this week a gentleman and godly brother from our congregation passed on to his eternal home. Bob Maclean was one of those very good men who made a quiet difference! He and his wife Norma have served the Lord in this local church for years. Bob kept our lawns looking immaculate during the warm seasons. He would cut the grass in a way that was most attractive with the cutlines and was always there to make sure that come the weekend things were looking good. Then on many weekends you would find him and Norma faithfully serving as greeters and welcoming people to each Sunday morning gathering! When there was something special happening at the church and volunteers were needed they were there! They were often in attendance at all of the seminars to facilitate the growth in their marriage and faith.
Some years ago Bob had a stroke and instead of it being the end of things, it actually was the beginning of a very good thing. First off, he accepted Jesus! Then he and Norma went to work on their marriage and life, building God's best in and not just for themselves, but they became a great blessing for many others! Now Bob has gone to his eternal reward!
Norma we love you, we pray for you and are there for you as your church family! Thank you for the beauty that you have brought and we are so glad that you are a part of our family!
So this day the promise of the resurrection is no mere consolation, it is a fact that causes us to look forward to reunion, and not be lost in the grievous losses of this life!
Read the Scriptures and you'll know where Bob is right now, and what awaits those who are possessors of salvation in Christ! Why be discouraged about your trials today? He even brings victory over death!
1For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.2 Corinthians 5:1-9 NLT
51But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.1 Corinthians 15:51-58 NLT
