Are you ready?

Here I am to write something for the special things which happened lately in my life. There are few special things which brought me into another reflection of many in this moment of my life. I thank God for this wonderful reflection.

Last week, the mother of my close brother in Christ passed away due to cancer. She suffered and struggled for this disease for long, I think it was almost one and a half year time. I didn’t manage to leave to Bukit Mertajam for the funeral service, I really wished to attend and express my concern to him. It was really agonizing to know that the moment my text message sent to his phone was the moment his mother left the world. I believe the message was meant to send to him for comforting him as God’s comfort reached him at the right timing. We are sad for his loss and grieved together; we sympathized as if we experienced the loss as well.

However, I was told that her mother was not afraid, she was weak but hopeful. She prepared all the songs that were to be sung in her funeral, she was getting ready for death. She knew that her life was about to come to an end, but she believed another brand-new and unfailing life would come afterward. I never believed that one could do that until I got to know the testimonies of those near-to-death people who are in Christ. I can tell, when people was about to die, somehow he would either realize that coming of the fire of the hell in the wrath of righteous God or the wonderfulness of the eternal life in Christ. Most people died with fear, they didn’t know what they feared; they might say that I fear because of uncertainty. But I would say, they must fear, because somehow they knew something greatly suffering would come after death. However, what she found before death was not the fear of the eternal fire, but the realization of her hope that she had been harboring throughout her whole life – the wonderfulness in Christ on the heaven. She is really resting in peace, because we know she is in the embrace of Christ. (1Thessalonians 4:13-14) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen

Another day, 8^th of June, another old man in Christ left us to the embrace of Christ. He was the grandfather of my close elder brother in Christ. They had the funeral service last night in Cheras. Thankfully, God led me the way to the place and I managed to reach that early without getting into any unwanted accidents. I was not using any GPS or apps to assist me, but the names of the roads I recorded in my phone. I didn’t really get to know his grandfather, but I know I had a lot of reasons attending to show my concern and love towards the grief despise of my studies. It was a short service with song worshipping, a simple sermon and a testimony given by my brother. We got to know that the uncle got to know God in his life, and they witnessed the presence of Christ in his life through the changes he experienced and the joy and peace he expressed.

He was 95 years old when he left to the home of heaven. He was considered a very strong man for most of his friends died before him. God blessed him for having a long life. However, through his death, we know that no matter how long we live, no man can escape from the reality of death. One day, we will have to leave this world without bringing any material things along to anywhere else. (Matthew16:26) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? His grandfather experienced a long life and that was a blessing, but the greatest blessing in his life is that he experienced the love of God by having Christ in his life as his personal savior and experiences the presence of God right now. My dear readers, allow me to ask a question frankly. Are you ready for death? Are you living for any material things that are temporary which couldn't benefit you after your death? Are you living for something that are of eternal value? Are you certain of what you are about to face after your death? Be realistic and practical instead of being an escapist, may the Holy Spirit speak to you through the word of God that you might come into a realization that you need Jesus Christ as your savior for He died for your sin and you should live as a servant in Him. You would be amazed for being granted a kind of life that you never managed to imagine throughout your whole life. Please believe what I believe, I believe the word of God is the truth, it says: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Act 4:12) No other name was given but the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, by which we must be saved. God bless you. Be thoughtful of all these things instead of being ignorant :)        

Have mercy on us

Sniffling from time to time, I rode to my church with another brother in this morning for Sunday worship. It was a special Sunday worship, because I would be going to serve as a teacher in the Sunday school for the kids. Honestly, it is not stressful for me to teach, but it is definitely challenging for me to teach Christianity to all these kids in my church. It is because I need to simplify the teaching as simple as possible. I need to use more interesting approach to arouse their interest because they are easily bored. They tend to lose focus when they are learning. They don’t have the understanding and basic knowledge. Therefore, it is really a big challenge to me. However, I thanked God that I did bring out my message to the kids today in the school; I hope that they could understand.

Later on, I went to take my lunch alone after being busy for many things in my church. I was in a kopitiam, and noticed that some people were walking here and there as if they were having some problems. After a while of observation, I realized that they were trying to help the old uncle and aunt to get the way back home. Both of them had their key, but didn't know where the car was parked.(They forgot already) They didn’t know their sons’ contact number. Besides, according to them, their sons went oversea already. They had no one to look after them apparently. It was a sad situation to see them getting lost like that and no one is able to help. Though many people were trying to call their home phone, but no one picked up the phone at home. I just helped to look for their car, it was just 200 meters away from the kopitiam. It seemed like they already forgot where they parked it. I left the place after that, but my heart was partially filled with sadness. Man needs mercy from God seriously.

The scene reminded me of an uncle who sold us his small notebook, and chatted with me and my friend when we were having a bible study. The uncle was trying to get financial support, because he is having heart problem and might be dead anytime. According to his information, he is not suitable to do any work other than that. He sat with us and had quite a long talk with us for himself and Christianity because he is a Christian also. I didn’t know how to help when I had come to know his poor condition. I felt upset for knowing but being helpless, and eventually I offered myself to give the uncle a prayer. My friend and I prayed for him on the spot, he was touched by my prayer of kindness. He left us and continued promoting his stationaries. Once he left, my friend and I were just speechless for a short while, only because of the helplessness. We both agreed that the world is lack of compassion.  

When I reached home, the old folks just now actually reminded me of my friend whose parent is having serious health problem (cancer) right now. I sent a text message to my friend with a scripture of the bible in order to encourage him in this tough situation. The heartbreaking and speechless message was given to me from him saying “Thanks. My mother passed away exactly the time you sent this message.” I was totally speechless and upset. I replied: “Brother, I feel sad for your loss over here. But praise the Lord, she is now with Him. I will pray for you and your other family members.” After a while, he replied. “Thanks. She loves God. She is with Him now.” I couldn't hold my tears at all, I wept sorrowfully for his loss. I had lost something lately, that feeling was torturing. But my loss was not due to death, was because of other factor. The pain was not maximized. But this loss could be really agonizing, because death has taken away her life from us. This world…needs the compassion..the love of God which is never failing. But thank be to God, she is now with Him. A place without mourning and tears. God, please have mercy on us. The world needs you.