CP 167 The bright side of death.
CP 167 The bright side of death
Today I want to put before you something that Billy Graham, in one of his devotional snippets, wrote about an episode from the life of D L Moody, the highly esteemed US evangelist of the 19th century.
[‘When he was aware that death was at hand, he said, “Earth recedes, heaven opens before me.” It appeared as though he was dreaming. Then he said, “No, this is no dream… it is beautiful, it is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me and I must go.”
After having been given up for dead, Moody revived to indicate that God had permitted him to see beyond that thin veil separating the seen from the unseen world. He had been “within the gates, and beyond the portals,” and had caught a glimpse of familiar faces whom he had “loved long since and lost awhile.”
Then he could remember what he had proclaimed so vociferously earlier in his ministry, “Some day you will read in the papers that D L Moody of East Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all – out of this cold clay tenement into a house that is immortal; a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body… That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” (From The life of Dwight L Moody by W R Moody).
If Moody were to witness to us now, he would surely tell us of the glowing experience that became his as the angelic hosts ushered him into the presence of the Lord.’] (Unto the Hills, Billy Graham 2010)
Billy Graham goes on to ask if we can face death with such confidence? It’s a good question is it not, especially as we reflect on the meaning of Good Friday in the lead-up to Easter? When you try to answer it, focus not on yourself but on your Lord, Jesus the Christ!
Have a blessed ‘in Him’ week.
Fred
Today I want to put before you something that Billy Graham, in one of his devotional snippets, wrote about an episode from the life of D L Moody, the highly esteemed US evangelist of the 19th century.
[‘When he was aware that death was at hand, he said, “Earth recedes, heaven opens before me.” It appeared as though he was dreaming. Then he said, “No, this is no dream… it is beautiful, it is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me and I must go.”
After having been given up for dead, Moody revived to indicate that God had permitted him to see beyond that thin veil separating the seen from the unseen world. He had been “within the gates, and beyond the portals,” and had caught a glimpse of familiar faces whom he had “loved long since and lost awhile.”
Then he could remember what he had proclaimed so vociferously earlier in his ministry, “Some day you will read in the papers that D L Moody of East Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all – out of this cold clay tenement into a house that is immortal; a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body… That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” (From The life of Dwight L Moody by W R Moody).
If Moody were to witness to us now, he would surely tell us of the glowing experience that became his as the angelic hosts ushered him into the presence of the Lord.’] (Unto the Hills, Billy Graham 2010)
Billy Graham goes on to ask if we can face death with such confidence? It’s a good question is it not, especially as we reflect on the meaning of Good Friday in the lead-up to Easter? When you try to answer it, focus not on yourself but on your Lord, Jesus the Christ!
Have a blessed ‘in Him’ week.
Fred
posted by PastorFredVeerhuis at 7:30 AM
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