A death in the family

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Feb 17, 2023
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#21
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Thank you, but I honestly do not have the hope that I will see her again someday. In other words, it is highly unlikely that she was saved.

I come from a very big, and very evil, family, and much of the evil stems from my siblings themselves. Where their children (my nieces and nephews) are concerned, although I was very close to them (my nieces and nephews) when they were younger, my siblings spent years slandering me to them in order to turn them against me, and, sad to say, they were very successful in their pursuits. Why did/do my siblings despise me so much? There is only one reason, and that reason is that I am a Christian. In other words, because of their vehement contempt for Christ and biblical Christianity, I became guilty by association, and, therefore, my siblings did not want my Christianity possibly rubbing off on their children in any way or fashion.
I'm just curious: Is your family in another religion or philosophical stance (like humanism)? Them seem really hostile to Jesus like He did something personally bad to them!


 
Nov 14, 2024
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#22
I'm just curious: Is your family in another religion or philosophical stance (like humanism)? Them seem really hostile to Jesus like He did something personally bad to them!
That is a good question.

Some of them would say that they are atheists.

Some of them would say that they are Roman Catholics, but not really in practice.

Two of them claim to be born again Christians, but there is absolutely no evidence of the same.

At least three of them are practicing some form of witchcraft.

Whatever they are, or whatever they claim to be, they all have one thing in common.

They hate Jesus. At least the Jesus of the Bible.

Having known them all for many years, I am beyond convinced that this is the reason why they all hate him.

Jhn 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jhn 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jhn 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

They not only love darkness rather than light, but they HATE the light, or they HATE Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. Similarly, they HATE any true Christians who are the light of the world. Why? Because they are evil, and they will not come to the light lest their deeds should be reproved.

It really is that simple, and there is nothing that I can do to stop them. Set a good example before them? Sure. Preach the true gospel to them? Sure. Pray for them? Sure. However, ultimately, it is their own choice as to whether or not they will ever turn to Christ, and none of them have as of yet.

P.S.

Almost all of them live totally FOR MONEY. You cannot serve God and mammon, and they have made their choices.
 
Jul 4, 2013
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#23
Lord, I pray that you had mercy on this girl before she died, just like you did for the thief on the cross and I pray that what the enemy meant for evil in this situation you turn into good. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
 
Nov 14, 2024
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#25
A couple of quick updates which might bring an end to this situation.

1. The dates for my niece's wake and funeral have been set for this coming Saturday and Sunday. Although they will be held in another state than where I reside, it is only about a 2 hour ride, and I was seriously contemplating attending either one of the two or both.

2. I just finished my virtual appointment with my company's doctor in relation to the right foot injury that I sustained at work about 12 days ago. He is keeping me out of work for at least another week, or until our next appointment. I informed him of my niece's passing, and I asked him if it was safe for me to drive a car with my current right foot situation. He strongly advised that I do not even attempt to drive a car at this time because my foot injury might cause a problem with me either stepping on the gas pedal or brake at a crucial moment.

Anyhow, I did inform my sister (the mother of my niece who passed away) of my current situation, and she is fine if I do not attend.

That might be the end of this story.

Thanks again to everyone who has prayed for either me or my family members.
 
Mar 13, 2014
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#26
I just received noticed that one of my nieces died in a car accident last night.

Any prayers for the surviving family members would be appreciated.

Thank you.
Praying for God to provide peace to the family and for those that loved her. This is very tragic and can be very traumatic.
 
Mar 13, 2014
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#27
I'm told that when people in later life consider their lives that they often regret many things. But one of the things that is never regretted is the time they spent with family. It is said of Schindler that he regretted not being able to save one more Jew. Will you regret not taking advantage of this opportunity to one more time plead with God to save your loved ones and use you in the process?
These are good thoughts that you provided, brother.
 
Sep 20, 2018
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#29
Out of curiosity, what do you people think Jesus meant here?

Luk 9:59
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luk 9:60
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

In other words, who do you think the "dead" were who were going to bury their dead?

It seems apparent to me that Jesus was referring to those who were spiritually dead here.
As in my usual first impressions I tend to gravitate towards simplicity, so, yes I agree. Secondly and with that in mind, I don't find reason in His statement (v-60) to feed a godless appetite by going, lest there is a fringe of moderate members? God is able.
 
Nov 14, 2024
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#31
As in my usual first impressions I tend to gravitate towards simplicity, so, yes I agree. Secondly and with that in mind, I don't find reason in His statement (v-60) to feed a godless appetite by going, lest there is a fringe of moderate members? God is able.
There may be a slight fringe of moderate members. In other words, there might be another niece or two of mine who might find some comfort in seeing me present. Anyhow, due to some natural variables, I am more than likely unable to be in attendance for either the wake or the funeral.
 
Oct 24, 2012
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#32
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, but I honestly do not have the hope that I will see her again someday. In other words, it is highly unlikely that she was saved.

I come from a very big, and very evil, family, and much of the evil stems from my siblings themselves. Where their children (my nieces and nephews) are concerned, although I was very close to them (my nieces and nephews) when they were younger, my siblings spent years slandering me to them in order to turn them against me, and, sad to say, they were very successful in their pursuits. Why did/do my siblings despise me so much? There is only one reason, and that reason is that I am a Christian. In other words, because of their vehement contempt for Christ and biblical Christianity, I became guilty by association, and, therefore, my siblings did not want my Christianity possibly rubbing off on their children in any way or fashion.

As a direct result of the above, and let me pause to say that this vehement hatred for Christ also exists in my aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, etc., I have been estranged from my family for years. In fact, when I received the text message yesterday morning which informed me of my niece's passing, and when I spoke to that sister on the phone for further clarification, it was the first time that she and I had spoken in years.

Rather than write a novel here, I honestly do not believe that any of my relatives are saved. If you met them, then I trust that you would be of the same mindset. Some of them truly are murderous antichrists in that they go berserk if anything related to Christ or Christianity is even mentioned. Having said all of this, I not only have the grief of thinking that my niece is now in hell, but also the grief of knowing that my own family members are turning away others from Christ because of their own contempt for him.

On top of this, my niece's wake and funeral, which have not been scheduled yet because the coroner has not yet released her body, will be held in a different state than the state in which I reside. Should I attend either, I will be walking into a viper's nest.

Anyhow, this is but a sample of what I am dealing with, so any prayers for wisdom for me, and salvation for my family members, are appreciated.
Thank you and yes
Luke 21:14
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luke 21:15
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Whether you get rebuked for the Love and mercy you share, is not important as much as is shared in love and mercy to everyone, whether anyone e believes or not, that is exactly what Son did going to that cross willingly, stating Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. Then risen on the third day amazing! We are all reconciled, whether yet believe or not! (2Cor 5:17-20)
Love, God's Love of 1 Cor 13:4-7, won, wins and continues 1 Cor 13:13. Which you have done, see and are continuing in learning as you continue to go and be in love with Father and Son as Won for you to do the same to all, yet not of self effort, at all any longer, thank you?

About Niece, who knows whether or not God saves her or not! God saves, in love and mercy, It states in Matthew 5:20 if you can ever even have a chance at all, your work, better be better than that of the Pharisees. So there is a chance, yet not according to religion today! yet to God I see their is, God is absolutely fair and the only one one good to this day, as even Jesus said it, "My Father is the only one good". (Matthew 19)
Just as my youngest sister, was a rebel, a druggie, a fighter. I saw her try to change at my young age then 14 years old then. I saw her try to leave drugs, as you do not know this of your niece and yet hope so. Yet, you are not around, as I was. Yet God has never left her (your Niece) or anyone that stands in Law hating, God continues God's love to us all (Hebrews 10:10, 1 John 2:1-2) Always and forever reaches out to everyone, whether they, yet believe God or not. God, never leaves anyone behind to not know and freely choose God consciously, no matter what anyone else does not say or says. We are each to decide consciously to believe God or not and know this truth, that is what there is no excuse for anyone. None! And she might have told God somewhere she believes God between God and her for sure, I assuredly hope so. I stand in trust to God no matter what.
Now, for me with my sister, God might save her, yet the evidence says not! (Mainly per religion) Now, I needed to settle that within me, to see truth, whether or not Sue is saved or not, is not up to me, knowing that God never forsakes anyone ever. As King David said, whether he was in Hell or not, God was there, is there., never leaves or forsakes (anyone) God is the one good, the only one as Jesus said that clearly in Matthew 19 and that is reported in the other Gospel writers too.
So, have this hope, God does what God does, God Loves as revealed in the cross of Son done once for us all, while no one could ever get saved of their own work(s) ever. Died once for us all (Hebrews 10:10, 2 Cor 5:17-20, John 19:30) To believe, receive and be new in love and mercy to all, for all, (not just religions). This new life from God always begins at belief to God Father in risen Son and that person personally. God saves, we the people do not save anyone ever, God does it, as you know this truth too. thank you
I never knew, how God will get anyone through anything. I just stand in knowing somehow, someway God will get us all through it all. This has been proven to me by God in risen Son given me as a free gift to me, to love and not condemn anyone or accuse and or excuse either, anyone. whether another claims to be believe God or not, matters not
As the wind Blows ( the Holy Spirit) and goes here or there, no one really knows. then where this goes from there no on e knows that either
I am in trust to God that God knows all and God saves, not me not even myself ever. Nor anyone else but God did that on that cross for us all to choose to believe it or not, then stand in belief
I see you are and will, thank you Father knows best always, even going through any adversities too. Can we together say
"Nevertheless" your will Father, in love and mercy to all, not mine Thank you Father, and remain willing to accept good or bad that falls on everyone, just as the rain does the same to all, whether do good or bad?
Love to you as you get through this and learn from it
 
Jul 7, 2022
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#34
I am kind of leaning towards trying to attend, but there are a couple of natural variables involved here too.

For one thing, I have been pretty much bedridden for the last ten days with an injured foot. Without exaggeration, I have spent close to 23 hours of each of the last ten 24 hour days in bed. I have only been getting up to use the bathroom, to eat, or to take about a 15 minute hobble to the nearby grocery store so that I do not go completely stir crazy. I am usually pretty strong physically, but Pee Wee Herman could probably take me in a street fight right about now because I have not been getting any exercise due to my foot injury. I have my next appointment with the company doctor (I got hurt at work) at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, and I am guessing that he will keep my restrictions in place for at least another two or three days after my appointment.

Also, the wake and funeral will be held out of state, and the dates have not yet been determined, so I will have very limited time to potentially make traveling arrangements.

Anyhow, if anybody reading this would not mind saying a prayer for God to sort all of this out somehow, then I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

I understand, sometimes when it rains it pours.
May the Good Lord heal your injury by His grace and bring comfort.
 
Nov 14, 2024
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#35
I understand, sometimes when it rains it pours.
May the Good Lord heal your injury by His grace and bring comfort.
SOMETIMES when it rains, it pours?

If my foot was not causing me problems, then I would be busy building an ark. :p Seriously, my life has been like a constant deluge, but God's grace is sufficient.

Anyhow, thanks for your kind words.
 

Seasons

New member
Jan 30, 2025
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#36
i have confessed some true sins but i’m learning to pray for my sister to be saved the way she saved me when i was down