My Cousin Died

[Caretaker]

My cousin Scott passed away Saturday. He had been having seizures and was on medication, and his wife called home from work with no answer, and called a neighbor. They found him face down on the floor.

Scotty was about 5 years younger, and I had not seen him for maybe ten years. My Mom called with the news and I prayed with her on the phone. His younger sister Rene is terribly devastated as they have lost their Mom, and two older brothers in the last 5 years.

This is an e-mail from my sister:

Doug,



I have a challenge for you. What is upsetting Rene the most about Scott’s death is she believes scott is going to be eternally separated from God in Hell because he died an unbeliever or at least angry and rejecting God.



I don’t believe that for a moment and I’m hoping and trusting you don’t either.



I believe nothing separates us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus. Sometimes we get it in this life and sometimes we don’t, but I don’t believe for one moment the God I worship is a once chance God. I like to think that if we don’t get the message in this life at the moment of our death Jesus meets us and says, Now do you believe? I think that would take care of most doubters…



What I am hoping you can and will do… is write some words of comfort to Rene and back it up with scripture. I’ll print it and get it to her. More than anything, she needs to believe Scott is with his mother and brothers.



Thanks Bro,



Lil sis

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This is my message sent to Sue for Rene:

Father we lift up Peggy and the children, Daimon and family, Darrell and family, and Rene and family, and all who are so wounded and mourn as they enter this passing of Scott. Father we pray that You would draw them near, hold them close, and envelope each precious one in Your love, and minister peace and comfort in this hour of greatest need. Be with them Father and guide them through the darkness of the hours and days ahead, and provide an ever deepening measure of faith, and strength for this time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Luke 23:
39: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40: But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41: And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.



A thought from one named Eddie:






The other day, I started thinking about a thief. Not too much was known about him, except that he did a bunch of stuff that made him worthy of execution, even by his own admission. He was a rather undistinguished person, and it is likely that those who were acquainted with him didn't make a special trip out to see him executed. And yet this thief experienced mercy, because he came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ in his last moments. When he went to heaven, there were surely some who were surprised to see him there.

There are some who never show any evidence of trusting the Lord for their salvation, but on this side of heaven, we never really know their ultimate fate, because we weren't present with them every minute of their lives, and can't discern the heart the way the all knowing God can. The thief gives a measure of hope. We need to trust in the Lord - as you point out, he never treats anyone unfairly.

I would rather be uncertain over one who was lost, than be 100 percent sure that God condemned him. That's a gift that God gives us.

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2 Peter 3:

9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


We cannot judge what is in a man’s heart as they enter the valley of the shadow of death, for what is in their heart, their walk of faith, and their receipt or rejection of Christ is between them and God alone. So we place our dear-ones in the Hands of God, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt of His eternal love for His precious children, as He was manifested in the flesh and sacrificed Himself on Calvary for each of us.


Romans 14:
9: For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10: But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11: For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.


Romans 8:
34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36: As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


God justifies the ungodly by faith so that it may be by grace. God gives salvation as a free gift. Not that salvation is cheap! Our redemption is infinitely valuable for it was purchased by the precious blood of his Son. Yet God gives it to the undeserving freely. ‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.’ (Isaiah 55:1).


But why is it that faith corresponds to grace? It is because faith says,

I am unworthy sinner;
I am helpless and powerless;
I plead guilty and I have no defence;
My righteousness are filthy rags;
I merit God’s wrath, condemnation, hell!


Faith despairs of self, but faith does not despair of God! Faith fixes its gaze confidently upon the Lord Jesus Christ, saying,


You are worthy, for you shed your precious blood on the cross;
You are powerful, for you arose victorious from the grave;
You are gracious, kind and compassionate;
You promised rest to all who come to you;
So Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.
I am your sin, you are my righteousness.
May I never boast save in the cross of Christ my Lord;
And forever glory in the grace of God.


We cannot judge what is in another’s heart, for that is between them and our Lord. It is a great blessing when one has walked a long time down life’s pathway with the Lord Jesus. When Grandma Lillis went Home, there was not a shadow of doubt in anyone’s mind Who she had honored for so many decades, and Who her Redeemer was.



I am reminded of Cousin Sam who came late to Christ, in the final days of his cancer. But who witnessed to and led another to Christ in the hospital. The parable of the workers in the field speaks of those who are hired at the end of the day receiving the same wage as those who were hired in the morning.


We place our faith and trust in Christ Jesus our Lord, and we rest securely in His arms with absolute assurance of His eternal love for His precious children.


When He lived among us, He welcomed all who came to Him -- children, old men, women, the rich and poor, the wise and the ignorant. He warmly received notorious sinners, the outcast of society. They all came to Him, and He didn't turn them away. The thrilling story, which began to be written in the Gospel, continues to this day. Millions still come to Him and they testify that the Lord Jesus embraced them in His loving arms. His promise is true to you as well: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).


May we place our faith and trust in Christ, and may He bring comfort, peace, and an ever deepening measure of faith to all in need.

With my heart and my prayers,

Doug

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My cousin Daimon, Rene's older brother, has asked me to bring a eulogy. He remembered when I did our grandmother's, and asked if I could.

I will be meeting with the family at 5:00 PM, today, and there is a private family service tomorrow at 2:00 PM.

The death was sudden, and hearts are so wounded and hurting. I am so inadequate for this task, but there is no one else.

May I be yielded and may our Father provide the words which are needed and may He move and minister in this most desperate hour.

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
-Psalm 119:28

[Keith]

These situations are tough to deal with, especially with one who passess while alone, with no one around. First, to answer your sisters mail about maybe he was only angry at God: If Scott had received Christ as his Savior some time ago, yes, he was still saved. But if he wasn't saved but he called out to God in his final moments, he, like the thief, will be in Heaven. But let's examine the thief's situation more closely:

Though waiting till his final moments of life, he believed in Jesus and was saved by God’s grace, so he addressed Jesus as Lord and asked Him to remember him when He came into His Kingdom (Luke 23:42). That was the thief’s verbal confession of Jesus’ Lordship and his acknowledgment of Jesus’ resurrection by alluding to the Lord's future Kingdom to come. In other words what he done is what's spoken of in Romans 10:9:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Remember, we're saved by God's grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). So just like the thief, the confession and belief of all saved people is the product of their salvation. But is there any evidence whatsoever of God being obligated to save one past the point of death? Unfortunately for the unsaved, no:

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27)

And this is what makes it difficult. I know those who refused Jesus' offer of salvation during their life and upon thier death bed still did not believe. They weren't alone. Their fait was known.

But the fate of those who die alone with no one around cannot be determined so easily. Were they coherent in their last moments? Did they call out to the Lord before their time was through? These are known but to God. We can't make that determination.

So yes brother Drew, those such as your cousin could have had the opportunity to be saved in this life, but after death, there are no second chances.

The Lord provide peace to the family.

[veterinarian]

Alas, I have no words of wisdom for you during this time. I can only say that I pray for all of you, and that I weep with you

[kindgo]

Dearest brother Drew.... I am so sorry for your family's loss..I will pray for all needs and concerns..

I'll pray tomorrow at 2. for you to have the words the Lord wants you to say.

[Murph]

I also will be praying and am sorry I didn't see this until today.

It is hard when we know a person has rejected the Lord and salvation. We know there is no second chance after our physical deaths. I think that is why the story of the thief is so precious to so many of us. We have that hope that in the last momets, our loved ones said, Lord, I believe...

I will pray for you and the family of your cousin. Hard as it is to say, Scott is now beyond our prayers.

Holding you up in prayer, Drew. I know the Lord will put the words in you heart for this family.

[Caretaker]

God is so good and Y'all such a blessing!!!

He provided the message, and it was well received.

It was a private family viewing, but there were also many close friends there, with between 60 and 80 in attendance.

I gave a eulogy with many anecdotes of the early days, focused upon Scott's attributes. Then I flowed into the Gospel. In conclusion I presented the legacy of faith from our Great grandmother in the form of a poem, followed by speaking the words to Amazing Grace as a poem, just before my final prayer.

Many hugs, and a truly precious time.

[Keith]

Blessings to you brother Drew...