Two Funerals

The day before yesterday I received a message from a brother who is also a translator informing me of the demise of his father. His father had been ill for quite some time, in fact, seriously ill that at one point the family lost all hope. The doctors discharged him with no hope ever, and the family took him home just to wait for his demise. But our brother prayed for his father and at least for a moment he regained his health back. But this did not last too long, and the sad news of the demise came. My innate reaction was, I called up my brother, listened to what he had to say, comforted him, and also prayed with him. In times of sorrow, I should stand with him though from a distance. He has been up and down as far as following the ministry is concerned, but nonetheless he is a dear brother in the Lord and I still maintain my fellowship with him as a brother. Despite his opinion about us an the ministry, he is still a brother in the Lord. Therefore, during this difficult time, I did my best to stand with him and even help him in whatever way I could. Later, in fellowship with my coordinator, we felt good to assist him at least for the funeral expenses of his father. So we offer ten thousand rupees as a token of love and comfort during this time of grief and urgent need to this brother and his family. Words did comfort, but much more, practical help like offering comforts too. Leaving all his views and opinion about the Lord's recovery aside, he is still a dear brother in the Lord. As much as the Lord permits me to be fellowship with him, I will do so faithfully. I do pray that one day he will be fully for Christ and the church. 

One day, all will need to face the tomb unless the Lord returns before our time ends. One thought that crossed my mind was, before that day comes, I better grow in life and be matured to have a complete conclusion.

Ep 1:18The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

Note from the Recovery Version: The hope of God’s calling includes (1) Christ Himself and the salvation He will bring to us when He comes back (Col. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:5, 9); (2) the rapturous transfer from the earthly and physical realm to the heavenly and spiritual sphere, plus glorification (Rom. 8:23-25, 30; Phil. 3:21); (3) the kingly enjoyment with Christ in the millennium (Rev. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:18); and (4) the consummate enjoyment of Christ in the New Jerusalem, with the universal and eternal blessings in the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5).

On the same day, I received another message from another translator that his sister's father-in-law went to be with the Lord. Since it was just a distant relationship, I initially thought it was not important to attend his funeral meeting. But my dear broher and coordinator fellowshipped that we better attend the funeral representing the church. Though I initially questioned the need for it, I later realised that it was during this time of grief, pain, and sorrow that we put our church life to a practical test. Then, I obliged to the fellowship, and we went to attend this funeral in North Delhi. Though we could not do much, we at least showed our support by being physically present at the funeral meeting. We did offer prayer for the family at the tomb. And stood in oneness with the saints in the church in New Delhi to take care of all the practical needs of the family. We also offered some amount on behalf of the church and handed it over to the church in New Delhi to consdier the best use of it concerning this family.

Rm 12:12Rejoice in hope; endure in tribulation; persevere in prayer.

Rm 12:13Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality.

May the God of all comfort comfort the two families. May those of us who still remain look away unto Him, the hope of glory.