A brother in Christ recently e-mailed me asking for encouragement because a dear friend and woman of God from our local fellowship passed away this week. Here's my response, I hope it brings words of encouragement to anyone dealing with the pain of loss.
Hi Brother,
Pamela Nuckols was indeed a beautiful flower in God's
garden. The presence of God in her life over flowed
into the lives of others bringing blessings of joy to
many. From her family and friends to her dental office
to the MCC body, she was a woman of the Word who lived
the Word.
Hopefully, people will look at her life and take
notice and think, 'She was with Jesus.' You see, it is
the power of Christ in us that makes the difference.
Now, she has gone to be with the Lord in paradise.
The Bible says that we are not to fear death. We are
to fear the Lord. Take heart because she is no longer
suffering pain. Pray for her family and learn from her
life. She lived it well. I've got a few scriptures for you to reflect on.
Philippians 1:21-26
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean
fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do
not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to
depart and be with Christ, which is better by far
24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in
the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will
remain, and I will continue with all of you for your
progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my
being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will
overflow on account of me.
[Paul said it is better to be in the presence of God
than on earth. Thus, we can conclude that Pamela is in
a better place. I have no doubt of that.]
I Corinthians 4:6-18
6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[1] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show
that this all-surpassing power is from God and not
from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not
crushed perplexed, but not in despair 9persecuted,
but not abandoned struck down, but not destroyed.
10We always carry around in our body the death of
Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed
in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being
given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life
may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death
is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: "I believed therefore I have
spoken."[2] With that same spirit of faith we also
believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that
the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will
also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in
his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that
the grace that is reaching more and more people may
cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we
are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed
day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
[Pamela shared this Scripture when she spoke a while
ago at the Sunday service. I still remember her
boldness in believing this Scripture. And she has her
healing she has it in heaven, in a better place.]
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (Message Bible paraphrase]
1For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours
are taken down like tents and folded away, they will
be replaced by resurrection bodies in
heavenGod-made, not handmade 2-4-and we'll never
have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can
hardly wait to moveand so we cry out in frustration.
Compared to what's coming, living conditions around
here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and
we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the
real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies!
5The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a
taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in
our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.
6That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't
see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet!
Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only
remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead.
7It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us
going. 8Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks
in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes,
we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for
homecoming.
[Homecoming will be great. Pamela will be there as
well as many other dear Christians. It will be the
best worship service in the history of the world. And
you're invited. Boy, I sure hope the Lord raptures His
Church very soon.]
It's OK to be sad about Pamela. Grieving is part of
the process, just make sure that you allow God to heal
any hurt in your heart.
Walking in the Light,
Chaille
