04.05.06 thequest email UPdate

thequest family,

Well, I gotta say I'm sick of death. Our church family has been wrenched by many deaths. As one person I was talking to yesterday said, "This outbreak is no respecter of persons, both young and old are dying." That's true, and as we draw closer to April 15th, my dad's saying, "There are only 2 things in life you gotta do, pay taxes and die," is making a lot more sense.

I do need to find comfort for my own soul as I grieve with and for so many who have lost loved ones. That comfort came again today as I came across this Scripture:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 NLT

This passage is so powerful. It's one for the ages. It has comforted followers of Jesus for nearly 2000 years. In the last month it has brought clarity and comfort to some who are very close to us.

I was sitting at the funeral for Sylvia's Mom and the pastor shared about this passage. He went on to talk about a visit he had with her mom a week before she passed away. He actually shared this passage across the table with her. It was his reminder to her of what God had done for her through Jesus Christ.

In the moment that hung in the air after the pastor's words from this passage, Sylvia's Mom said, "I believe that." And with those words she confessed her belief in Jesus Christ. The report of this confession brought tears to my eyes as we had prayed for months for confirmation of a heart that had been given over to Jesus. Praise the Lord for answered prayers!

In the last few weeks, it has seemed like a pile up of people passing away. This Scripture comforted me again today as I felt distance and frustration with God for all of the deaths, and the hurting people left behind. I took comfort in the words...

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't.

I hope these words and more importantly the Scripture from Romans brings some help to your soul in these hard days.

Press on,

Mike

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