JESUS' TOMB IS EMPTY

                                        Pastor Max preaches in front of Jesus' tomb in 1966

 

    MY HEAVIEST CROSS

                               ~ TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY ~                                         

                                                                       Max & Donna's six beautiful Children
                  
 Dear Friend in Jesus Christ,

Donna and I wish to thank you for your kindness and help during this past year and earlier; some for many years! It is hard to believe that sixty years ago in 1963, we launched the world-wide Ministry for Christ, in which we are still very active!

My father’s instant healing in 1956 while listening to Oral Robert’s radio broadcast, and sudden baptism in the Holy Ghost while singing a hymn, made an impact upon me.  I had drifted from God since my confirmation at age 15 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church and I was beginning to seriously think about God again!

In 1957, while Donna and I were visiting my parents in Norquay, Saskatchewan, I experienced Christ’s forgiveness, and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in unknown tongues. My life was forever changed. Some time later Donna was also born again and filled with the blessed Holy Ghost.

As early as 1958 I was sharing Christ on my business trips and in 1961, I began broadcasting over several Radio stations with much success. Some wonderful miracles of salvation and divine healing were happening, which greatly encouraged me and for that I am eternally thankful!

GOD SPOKE TO ME FROM THE BIBLE!

Early in 1963 God spoke to me from Acts 6: 2-4: “Then the twelve called the multitudes of the disciples unto them and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables… But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.”

My time of serving tables was fulfilled.  I knew God had called me to the Ministry. I worked as a Commercial Traveller and used my available time studying God’s Word with fasting and prayer.  Wanting to be certain, I asked God for another six months to wrap up my business, find a replacement and train him.

In August 1963, we launched into the Evangelical Field to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Light of the world and the only Hope of Salvation!

Donna and I had built a new home in Prince George, where we lived for 6 years. I was in a crusade in Kent, Washington in December 1963. Our good friends, the Hunters pastored White Rock Pentecostal Church. They had inquired about a 3-bedroom house for rent. The Assembly of God in Kent were having a wedding on the Saturday allowing me to drive down to White Rock that afternoon.

The Hunters stated that there had not been a three-bedroom house for rent for the last 90 days. As I was driving up Johnson Road, I saw Wolstencroft Realty lights and God urged me to stop there. It was 15 minutes to closing time. I parked and walked inside. A gentleman met me. I asked, “Do you have a 3-bedroom home for rent?”

He said that there hadn’t been any for three months, but that a man had been there 30 minutes earlier and put his house for rent. He lived in Prince George and had bought a new vehicle and had taken it for a spin and would be back in 10 minutes. I asked, “What is his name?” He answered, “His name is Ernie James.” I said, “I know where he lives in Prince George because we are neighbours!”  We rented his house for three months and then we made a deal to exchange homes!

 MY HEAVIEST CROSS!

Years ago, I began writing my story called, ‘My Heaviest Cross’ and this is some of it! Leaving my beautiful wife Donna and our precious children for long periods of time while I preached Christ’s Gospel has been my ‘Heaviest Cross.”  Thomas Tutyko and I were away from home for 3 ½ months in 1966. We had great crusades from Japan to the Philippines and India. Thousands of souls were saved, and great miracles performed in Jesus’ name. We had the company of one another, which was a great blessing!

I have travelled in Crusades for weeks and months labouring for the Master. Watching the news these days and seeing the awful carnage in Ukraine by the wicked Russian Military, I can remember the cities where I preached across Eastern Europe from 1989 to 2005. We had such great blessings especially in the Ukraine, many of those cities now lie in ruin!

HIGH COST OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL!

A few weeks ago, Donna and I were discussing the high cost of preaching the Gospel. We know that Jesus paid the price for our salvation when He died for our sins, fears, loneliness, sickness, and disease. And by His stripes we are healed and have been given power over the devil in Jesus’ holy and matchless Name!

Donna said, “Of the many times the children and I took you to the Vancouver International Airport, the children and I were so sad, and I said in my heart, “If only we had one more night together!” I asked, “Do you really need to leave today?” Then suddenly you said, “I’m not leaving tonight. I’ll call them that I have been delayed” and you swung the car around and headed Home. That was the happiest night I had. After that, it was okay.”

Donna remembered the time I had said goodbye to her and the children at the Airport, with the keys to our car in my pocket. Donna ran out to the exit gate shouting, “My husband has the automobile keys in his pocket. Stop that airplane. I have four children here and no keys to our vehicle.” Fortunately, they got word out to the airplane, and I was able to give them the car keys, and my precious family were on their way safely home! Whenever I was at home and we could travel in the vehicle, we took the whole family!

I CALLED KEN MY SHADOW!

Ken travelled with me a lot, even while I was still a Commercial Traveller. I would introduce him to my customers. I called him my shadow. He was 3 ½ years old when I preached a three-week Revival at the Langley Pentecostal Church with Pastor Erhardt. Ken and I lived in the Attic where a bed had been set up amidst a lot of other things.

When I made the altar call and people would kneel at the altar, I would come down and lay my hands on their heads and pray. Ken followed me and did the same. Then when I felt my ministry was over and people continued praying, I would lay my hands on Ken’s head and pray for Him before carrying him up to the Attic. 

One night there was a large crowd and after much prayer, I took Ken with me and was getting into bed. Suddenly, he said, “Dad, you didn’t pray for me tonight!” I sensed the presence of God upon him and asked, “Do you want to give your heart to Jesus tonight, son?” He said, “Yes, Dad.” We knelt in that little attic at the Langley Pentecostal Church and my son Ken gave his heart to the Lord.”

GREAT REVIVAL AMONG THE NATIVES!

Every five weeks I would work my way west calling on every Grocery Store and Logging Camp, and I would usually be in Hazelton or Prince Rupert for the weekend. Pastor Jack and Irma Williams were doing an amazing work in the about four or five Indian Reserves. They would ask me to speak and we would have great outpourings of the Holy Spirit among them as God did miracles of deliverance and healings for His glory.

Billy and Cynthia Legette of the Prince Rupert Pentecostal Church were excellent musicians and pastors. I had preached in their church several times.

In the summer of 1962, Donna and I used our vacation to preach in Edmonton, and Billy Legette joined us. He was a professional violinist and great song leader. That 10-day crusade reached many people and 95 answered the altar call for salvation and many testified that Jesus had healed them. Nine young men from the Roman Catholic Seminary went forward for prayer!

Ten Seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary in St. Albert, Alberta came to the meeting to openly challenge me about statements I had publicity made about the false teachings about the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. They made their plans known to our Head usher, who did not divulge it to me.

As Billy Legette and I walked onto the platform, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, “Give the Pope a rest tonight, Son!” God gave me a powerful message to deliver on the Cross of Christ! The Altar was filled and among them were nine Seminarians, who asked for an personal audience with me. They all thanked me and confessed, that had received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour!

THE OLD ARMY TENT!

In 1963, we bought an old Army Tent, Semi, and Trailer for $2,000. Brother Casperson, a Norwegian Fisherman in New Westminster gave us the money, and we used that tent to preach Christ and liberate multitudes of people in the next two years across Western Canada. The News Press always gave us good coverage because they realized we practiced what we preached, and the miracles God performed were genuine!

It was exciting for five-year-old Ken and me, driving that old rig across the Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster, B.C. We took a right turn and drove the winding Old Yale Road bypassing Surrey, toward White Rock. Our good friend T.B. Nash, a sign painter who was staying with us, painted in large red letters across the long trailer, ‘Jesus Saves, Heals & Fills with the Holy Ghost’.  

Together with Don Gossett we put up the tent in Surrey, B.C. in early 1964, with great success. Our second Crusade was in Edmonton where 14 churches backed our ministry, and hundreds were converted to Christ. Then on to Winnipeg and Steinbach and other points! That old Army Tent was held up by three 45-foot-high telephone poles, and an old Chevy three-ton tractor saw a lot of action for our Saviour.

And because I was young and strong and had earlier learned hard work on the farm, I could swing the heavy Sledgehammer to drive in hundreds of long wood anchor stakes. Everywhere we set up the tent, we often had great help from local believers. Bob Rosin, my great friend who was a Farmer and former long-haul Trucker found time to transport our outfit from city to city. And usually, my precious little Kenny was my constant companion!

I hadn’t planned to write all this, but Donna’s comments brought me to tears and the book I have always planned to write has just got a rough beginning! A blessed and joyous Christmas to all our friends from Donna and me! Amen.

THE PRAYER CLOTH

For years we sent out prayer cloths to people who requested them, and the results were amazing. Testimonies of great miracle healings happened to some people who used them in faith and prayed in agreement with us in Jesus’ name!

The Bible says: “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19: 11,12)

God laid it on my heart to send a prayer cloth over which we have prayed, for you to use in agreement with us for God’s healing touch upon you, for His honour and glory! Please request as many prayer cloths an you can prayerfully us when you write!

Your servants for Jesus’ sake,                                                                                                                      Max & Donna Solbrekken     

P.S.   In 1989, I had the privilege of preaching in Romania and Ukraine. The doors had opened across Eastern Europe and thousands of people were attending. Although I loved being the pastor of Faith Cathedral Edmonton, God was drawing me to Eastern Europe. Donna and I were ministering in Norway when we discussed what I was feeling in my spirit. On July 21, 1989, God spoke these words to me:

“My son, your ministry will be greater from now onward than hitherto. Take My Word to Eastern Europe now!” 

Ken helped us organize together with Pastor Laurie Hueppesheuser to amalgamate Faith Cathedral and People’s Church as one body under their leadership. The official amalgamation took place on October 27, 1991.                                                                                                               

Amazingly, the Edmonton Revival Centre that became Faith Cathedral was officially opened on October 27, 1969.

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5J 1N6; Email:[email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]; Youtube; Facebook; Blog: MSWM. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LAWS OF GOD & DIVINE HEALING

Pastor Max & Donna Solbrekken, D.D.

"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done of My Father which is in heaven."

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."  (Matthew 18:18-20)

THE LAWS OF GOD ON DIVINE HEALING

There are spiritual laws in God's Word that are as binding and even more so than any other law in God's universe.  And they work just as effectively as the natural laws of gravity, wind currents, aerodynamics, the circulation of the blood as well as the law of conception and child-birth.

"There are 3 laws outlined in the Bible scriptures stated clearly by our Lord God and Master, Jesus Christ.

Law #1 - THE LAW OF BINDING AND LOOSING

The first law on divine healing is found in Matthew 18:18.  I call it the 'Law of Binding and Loosing."

Notice that Jesus said, "Very I say unto you...."  The word verily means certainly, surely or assuredly.  In other words, Jesus was giving us the assurance that He was telling the truth and that we can "bank on that."

WHAT WOULD JESUS WANT US TO BIND AND LOOSE?

The question we must address is, "What would Jesus want us to bind and loose"?  The answer is, "The same things He bound and loosed when He was upon earth'!  Jesus came against five things in His earthly ministry:

Sin, Fear, Sickness (disease and death), Poverty, Demons and Satan himself

JESUS FORGAVE THE SINNER

Jesus forgave the sinner: and shed His precious blood to save the lost.  He gave the great commission, calling His servants to preach the 'gospel of salvation' to the ends of the earth: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..." (Mark 16:15)

JESUS BOUND THE SPIRITS OF FEAR by speaking peace to the troubled.  He constantly stated: "Fear thou not!  Peace be unto you!  (Matthew 14:27)

JESUS HEALED THE SICK & DISEASED and He raised the dead!  Jesus drove out infirm spirits and gave us His power to do the same!  "When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick.  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare out sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)

JESUS WAS COMPASSIONATE TOWARD THE POOR AND NEEDY.  He proved His compassion by feeding the hungry, multiplying the loaves and fishes and giving to the poor.  Judas carried "the bag" and was a thief (John 12:6, 13:29), but many were ministered to through the generosity of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus met the funeral procession outside of Nain, He had compassion upon a widow who had lost her only son and means of support.  He raised the young man back to life and gave Him to his mother!  And finally, Jesus gave us the KEY to PROSPERITY & ABUNDANCE.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  (Matthew 6:33)  "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

Jesus cast out evil spirits from the tormented, sick, suffering and demented.  Jesus met Satan face to face in the wilderness temptation and overcame him with God's word.  Finally, Jesus totally defeated Satan, through his vicarious, substitutionary death on Golgatha and His Glorious Resurrection from the dead, three days later.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:13:15)

JESUS HAS GIVEN US POWER TO CAST OUT DEVILS AND
SET THE CAPTIVES FREE

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name.  And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:17-19)

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils..." (Mark 16:16-17)

WHAT DID JESUS LOOSE?  He freed those who were bound by the power and the influence of the enemy!  We must do the same.

Law #2 - THE LAW OF AGREEMENT      

The second law on diving healing is found in Matthew 18:19.  I call this law the 'Law of Agreement'.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven."

This is such an easy law to apply.  All it takes it two people agreeing in prayer, regarding a request or petition.  A prophet, apostle, evangelists or pastor is not necessary.  It can be any two people agreeing in prayer.

Jesus specified "any two" agreeing (a pastor and a parishioner, a husband and wife, two children in need) in faith.  And God will grant that petition!  He said, "Again, I say unto you..."  Why did He used the word 'again'?

Jesus knew that "repetition is the mother of learning".  It was so important, that He repeated this injunction.  "I've told you before but I'm going to tell you again.  Don't forget;  this is important"!  Do you need a miracle?  Jesus wanted us to know that any believer in need of a miracle can unite in prayer with another believer and the miracle will happen!  Hallelujah.

St. James builds on Jesus' invitation: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

Law #3 - LAW OF GOD'S PRESENCE

Law #3 on divine healing is found in Matthew 18:20.  I call this the 'Law of God's presence".

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17)  "Thou wilt shew me the path of life.  In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalms 16:11)

Jesus said, "....I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". (Hebrews 13:5)

And "I will be with thee until the end of the world (age)". (Matthew 28:20)  In the original Greek the meaning is even stronger.  Jesus says: "I will never, no never, leave thee.  I will never, no never, forsake thee."  Jesus used a 'double imperative' to make His point clear.  Notice here that He says, "Verily, certainly, and most assuredly..."

Then Jesus says I've told you before but this is so important I'm going to repeat myself.  He states, "Again I say unto you.." And finally, "I will never, NO NEVER leave thee!  I will never, NO NEVER forsake thee!"  Jesus made it crystal clear so that we would understand.  Jesus repeated it so we would know that he meant his words.  NEVER forsake thee!"  Jesus could not make it any clearer.  Jesus is on our side.  We are safe in Jesus.  Jesus Christ our Lord can be trusted, for He is our Saviour and God.

Let us draw nigh unto God.  Study the Bible, seek the Lord for the answers and lock into the promises and laws of God on divine healing.  Lock into the promises of God for ourselves and receive His answers to our prayer1

Max Solbrekken World Mission  Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Blog MSWM; Facebook; Youtube; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]; Thank you!

 

                  IT’S TIME TO GET STIRRED FOR GOD
                                            by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry."  (Acts 17:16)

If there ever was a time Christians need to be STIRRED, it is now.  Stirred to holy anger, righteous indignation and missionary zeal!

Stirred about the onslaught of the evil one, in his "urgent campaign" to enslave billions of lost souls across the world!

Stirred about the scary rise of the deceptive New Age Movement and their subtle infiltration of our educational systems, governmental agencies, business corporations and churches!

Stirred about the tragic break-up of many homes, the spiraling divorce rate, high incidence of alcohol and drug abuse and violence among our youth!

Stirred about the complacency and acquiescence of an increasing number of spineless politicians and clergy - who in order to please constituents and parishioners - are caving in to demands by sodomites and lesbians!

Stirred about the sins of child abuse, incest and molestation by parents, relatives and family friends!  And about the acceptance by many, of suicide as a valid way out of depression, terminal illness and other unpleasant situations!

It is time to get stirred about the awful carnage in our hospitals, the aborting of millions of unborn babies across the world, and stirred because in some cities, the authorities are jailing "the rescuers" who seek to save these precious lives.

It is ironic, when you think about laws that jail someone killing certain species of animals and birds, while protecting abortionists - medical doctors are trained to save lives - who legally kill large numbers of human unborn babies regularly!

The heart of our Heavenly Father must be stirred to the "boiling point", of unleashing upon this wicked world His unprecedented wrath and judgment, because of these infamies!

SHOULD WE NOT BE STIRRED LIKE ST. PAUL WAS?

Stirred enough to get off the "comfortable pew", in order to change the spiritual complexion of our communities, our cities, our nation, and our world ... to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God! (Acts 26:22)

Stirred enough to warn this generation of coming judgment upon a world that has rejected its Saviour and a church that has become lukewarm, complacent and uncaring!

Oh, that God would burden our hearts to fast, pray and intercede for a lost world that has "gone out of control"!

THERE IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN

St. Paul saw the rampant idolatry in Athens and his heart was stirred within him, to do something about it!

Immediately, he involved himself in preaching the Gospel on Mars Hill at the Acropolis - across from the Parthenon - to the learned men of Greece!

His message was Jesus Christ and His resurrection.  He preached repentance and warned of coming judgment!

 "...God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness BY THAT MAN WHOM HE HATH ORDAINED; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He raised Him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.” (Acts 17:30-32)

We also must become stirred enough to begin reading the Bible seriously, praying fervently and witnessing aggressively for our Blessed Lord Jesus!

It's too late "in the game" to expect things to turn around quickly, if we don't "go all out" in this last and vital inning of the world's history!

Now is the time to decide for Christ.  Now is the time to dedicate ourselves totally, without reservation to the task of winning our loved ones, neighbours and friends to Him, before it is too late!

Our prayer should be: "Dear Heavenly Father, by Thy great wisdom, power and grace, please lead me in Thy perfect will, so that I may reach key people for Thy Kingdom.  Be merciful O God, and spare the people by sending a gracious revival to our Land.  Begin in me O Lord; forgive and cleanse my spirit, soul and mind.

"I give myself to Thee; to be Thy servant and a channel through which Thy great love and power will flow out to others!"

May all Christians totally repent of envy, pride, jealousy, back-biting, gossiping and lying!  And may we all pray, 'Not my will, but Thy will O God', so there will be no unforgiveness, lust, greed, bigotry or tormenting fears in the Christian community as everyone dedicates their lives totally unto the Lord!

 And may we all be filled with holy love and compassion in order to reach out to our communities with the Gospel of Christ.

O Lord, stir us to holy love, boldness and compassion.  May we put away all fear, timidity and false humility so that the Church may become militant for Christ and God's Kingdom on this earth!  Amen.

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war.  With the cross of Jesus, going on before!

 Max Solbrekken World Mission  Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Blog MSWM; Facebook; Youtube; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]; Thank you!

 

         ALL HONOUR, GLORY & PRAISE TO JESUS CHRIST

             This is the centre section from The Cry Of His Coming Magazine in Norwegian language

 

                       WHAT IS LIFE?
                                               by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” (Psalms 103:1, 5, 16)

DEATH IS SO FINAL!

Many years ago, I was asked to officiate at the funeral of a relative of one of our parishioners. The lady who had passed away was forty-six years of age. Only a few people were at the funeral chapel to mourn her passing but those who attended were close relatives and friends and I could tell they loved her dearly. I chose for my sermon the title of this article, ‘What is Life?’

Muriel Heppner was in her place at the organ. The strains of the hymn ‘Abide With Me’ set the tone for the service, even before I entered the sanctuary. The tears were already welling up within my eyes as I thought of death, eternity and the grief the loved ones must feel, together with the emptiness that would follow!

Death is so final! I thought back briefly to my mother - her smile, her warmth, and her absence. As I knelt to pray momentarily before stepping to the pulpit, I thanked God that my heart was still soft after seeing so much sickness and death. Officiating at so many funerals hadn't made me hard! I have often thought about how Jesus felt at the grave of Lazarus and when He wept over Jerusalem. The Bible says, “He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” (Heb. 4:15). A certain solemnity seemed to grip my voice as I read Psalms 90:1-12.

AS A WATCH IN THE NIGHT!

“LORD Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

“For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

“For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath."

Hilder Commins brought hope and encouragement as her voice filled the air with a message of song. The obituary and eulogy were very brief and to the point. And then, it was time for my message, ‘What is Life?’ I chose for my text James 4:14; "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

AT BEST, LIFE IS BRIEF!

The 90^th Psalm was written by Moses to a rebellious people who were not going to make it into the Promised Land.  He states that God was giving then 70 years and possibly 80 years!  And just before God sent the flood that wiped out the antediluvian population, with the exception of Noah and his family, He set the boundaries for mankind’s longevity:

 “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” (Gen. 6: 4)

What are seventy, eighty or even a hundred years when you have lived them? What is any amount of time when it is used up? Think of it, my friend, and no more time to live!! And that moment comes to every man. Moses warned: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is there strength, labour and sorrow. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psalms 90:10)

People have said to me, “My, how wonderful it would have been to live in the time of the prophets of old and at the time of Jesus' earthly ministry!” I reply, “Yes, but if I would have lived then I would be dead now and I am glad to be alive now!” Here is another great truth, we are placed here by the Lord to do a certain work and in His infinite wisdom He knew when we should make our appearance on this earth, to fit into His great and glorious plan for man. Praise God!

TODAY IS MINE: TOMORROW MAY NOT COME!

We have no guarantee of life for the future. We only have now! The hymn writer wrote, ‘Today is mine, tomorrow may not come; I may not see the rising of the sun but when evening falls, may my work on earth be done. Today is mine, tomorrow may never come.’

The woman whom I was burying had lived less than forty-seven years. For her, life was over on this earth. What guarantee do you have, my dear friend, that you will live fifty, sixty, or even seventy years? Some are taken at an even earlier age. Others get a few more years, still others live to be seventy, eighty or even one hundred, but even then life is short compared to eternity! Just stop for a moment and consider the possibility that even today your life could be snuffed out. What have you accomplished for God, family and fellow man in the years you have lived? Where do you stand with God, my friend? And if you are a Christian, what have you done for God with your life? Remember, ‘Only one life - it will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.’

St. James - one of the world's greatest pastors - said, “For what is your life? lt is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” (Verse 14)

St. James likens life to a fog that moves into an area overnight, but when the sunshine comes in the morning or when the wind arises, it is gone! Life is like a mist or a vapour that is only temporary and leaves so suddenly. You can be driving down a highway to work in the morning and there may be a heavy fog or mist. In the evening on your way home, it could be gone. Life is like a dew on the grass, or like a light frost on the window that disappears at the rising of the warm sun. You could also be driving to work some morning, healthy and strong with no thought of death or eternity, and not make it home for supper! Death could prevent you!

FROM DUST TO DUST!

The Scriptures declare, "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Psalms 90:4) In the sight of God a thousand years is as brief as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)

God compares a millennium of time to a watch in the night or to the remembrance of a day gone by. The Bible tells us that God created man from the dust of the earth, and gave him dominion over all things upon the earth. When he fell into sin, disobeying God and rebelling against the command of the Almighty, man consequently lost that dominion.

Death would never have become master over Adam and Eve if they had not sinned! Sickness, fear, sorrow and pain would not have mankind as slaves today, if our first parents had obeyed God rather than follow the devil's wishes. They thought that ‘they were doing their own thing.’ How blind people can be. The devil makes people feel so great, important and free, when in reality he has them right under his heel! What fools mortals can be. And oh, how deceived!!

When man sinned, instant judgment passed upon the human race. God said: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Gen. 3:19)  While committing the body of the deceased to the earth in Christian burial, I always use the dust (some ministers use flowers) to toss upon the casket as I say the final words, “From earth to earth, from dust to dust and from ashes to ashes.”

GOD CALLS MAN TO RETURN!

God calls mankind back to the earth: “…return ye children of men.” (Psalms 93) Return to where? The dust of the earth! It's God's call to humanity. St. Paul spells it out very clearly in Hebrews 9:27, “…it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” Here is an appointment no one can break, postpone or miss!

First the grave, and then the judgment of God! There is no way around it. One day we will all stand before God. (Rev. 20:11-15; 1 Cor. 3:12-15)

True saints of God who are alive when Christ returns to rapture the church will, however, miss the grave! Instead of returning to the dust they will be changed in a moment, glorified and raptured to meet Christ in the air. (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:15-17) Praise the Lord!

My constant prayer these last many years has been, “Lord, let me live until the coming of Jesus so that I may experience this great event!”

Regardless, whether we live till that moment or not, we are sure of His glorious salvation if we put our complete and total trust in Him. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, and whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (I Thess. 5: 9, 10)

REST: AFTER A WEARY DAY?

Dying really is the natural end of the ‘cycle of man’ upon the earth since the fall. It almost seems like the earth beckons - as though ‘earth calls to the human tabernacles of men.’ Often, when people become aged, they desire to die and go to be with the Lord. It is only natural that man should want to be with His Maker because when the body dies the spirit departs to be with our Lord and God. (2 Cor. 5:6 - 8; Phil. 1:23)

Could it be that the body which is made from the dust, actually desires to be laid to rest, at the end of a long life? (Long weary day) I do not know! There seems however to be that possibility! All of us like to go back to the place of our birth, drive around the block and view the homes we had to leave after so many years! There is a feeling of belonging, identification, and a relating to the country of our forefathers and the place of our childhood, be it ever so humble. And then, of course, the Scripture tells us that God actually calls man to return to the earth. (Psalms 93)

CREMATION - A HEATHEN PRACTICE!

All through the Old Testament, the prophets of God were very explicit about the burying of their bones. They did not want their bones buried just anywhere – “and they buried them with their fathers.” (2 Kings 12:21) And they also purchased burial land so that they could bury their dead properly. (Gen. 23:4-11). Joseph gave commandments concerning his bones, which they kept for several hundred years in Egypt, and finally carried to their resting place in the land of Canaan. (Josh. 24:32, 33)

God sometimes used fire as judgment upon those who disobeyed Him. For example, Sodom and Gomorrah were totally consumed by fire. (Gen. 19:24-28). Some sins of immorality were punishable by stoning, others by burning in Old Testament times. (Lev. 20:14; 21:9). Entire enemy cities were destroyed together with their heathen idols and images by burning. (Josh. 6:24)

Achan, his household and all his possessions were burned by fire because he had broken the covenant with the Lord. (Josh. 7:24 - 26) It was a pagan practice to sacrifice children to the gods of the heathen and to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire. (2 Kings 16:2 - 4; 17: 16, 17, 31). The heathen still walk on hot coals in some countries, as they “pass through the fire” under the influence of evil spirits.

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!

Atheists think that by burning the body they can do away with any thought of the resurrection. They disclaim any thought of a hereafter or eternity, but the Bible says: “The sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them . . .” (Rev. 20:13)

Very definitely this Scripture proves that all the dead will come back to life either in the first or second resurrection regardless of what happens to the body at death. (Rev. 20:6)

And just because unbelievers, atheists and pagans burn the bodies of their dead, that does not prove anything but their own ignorance of God and His Word! In India where the Hindus worship three hundred million gods and the land is filled with images and idols, they burn their dead loved ones but bury their dead cows, which are considered holy, and are an object of worship. If you want to know why India is in the state it is in, read Rom. 1:20 - 32, "…who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature (created things) more than the creator …"

Tradition says that St. James preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in India, sent missionaries from India to other countries, and is buried in India. I believe very strongly that cremation is a heathen practice and the proper way to dispose of the body of the deceased is in Christian burial, allowing the body to return to the dust of the earth! (Dan. 20:2; Eccl. 3:20; 12: 7)

When we bury the body of a departed believer, we are proclaiming that we believe the Gospel of Christ! As Jesus was laid in the tomb and rose from the dead three days later, we plant the believer’s body in hope and faith of a harvest – the resurrection from death to life at the hour of Christ’s return for His Church! (1 Cor. 15: 50-57; 1 Thes. 4: 13-18)

LIFE IS LIKE THE GRASS!

In the spring, green grass appears on the ground, flowers blossom and the robins begin to sing joyously! All through the summer, the beauties and fragrance of new life is everywhere. It seems like it should never have to end, but most of us who have seen the ice and the snow and heard the howling north wind, know it can never last!

Soon the chilling winds of autumn come sweeping across the land, and the beautiful birds take their flight to southern hospitality, the flowers fade, die and wither and then finally a gust of wind comes and carries them away. The grass that has been green and lush begins to turn brown and lifeless as winter sets in. How long was it since spring? Only a few short months! The Psalmist compares life with the flowers and grass of the field. Beautiful, fragrant, lively and vibrant during the spring and summer, but its life is short, all too short!

For some it is even shorter, like verse 6 implies; green grass, standing straight and tall, billowing in the breeze - then the mower comes along and it is cut down and soon withers. This speaks of an untimely death. Ellsworth Mackey travelled with me to Viet Nam, the Philippines, India and the North West Territories. He worked as our photographer and radio technician. One day while working all alone on a tractor he experienced a tragic, fatal accident and within moments was dead. The terrible news was shocking; unbelievable as it was, it was true. Ellsworth Mackey was dead.

The young man with so many goals, plans, and aspirations; the young man who was so full of life, now lay dead and cold in a city morgue. I had loved him as one of my own and had to identify his body, make all the preparations and stand at the head of his grave and toss the dust onto his casket, as he had seen me do so many times at other funerals! The Bible says that life is like the grass of the field, cut down even while it is flourishing. So it happened to Ellsworth Mackey. Thank God, he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

LIFE IS LIKE A SLEEP!

The Bible is very graphic and illustrative in places. The Psalmist says, “God carries mankind away (into eternity) as with a flood.” Nothing can stop a flood, and when it comes and the waters rise, everything goes down in destruction and is torn away from their moorings by the cruel and relentless tide. Again the Bible likens our lives to a “sleep.” Most people get seven to eight hours sleep each night but even though you may sleep ten to twelve hours, when you awake you feel as though only an hour had passed. It seems too brief. You fall asleep and awaken and that's how life is: very, very short even at the longest in comparison to eternity, which is forever!

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12). The admonition here is to use all our time wisely - not fool around or waste away precious time that could be given to seeking God and serving Him. The Scripture is very plain on this matter in the New Testament also where St. Paul says:

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5: 1 5 - 17). To apply our hearts unto wisdom is definitely to understand the will of God for our lives and to do it! Praise God.

THE CONCLUSION!

God’s Word spells it out in easy to understand words all through the Holy Bible - let me share two portions of Scripture with you on this matter. “…Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28; “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” (Prov. 3:4)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Eccl. 12:13, 14)

My invitation to you, my friend, is to hearken to the voice of the Holy Spirit, repent of your sins confessing them to God and turn to Christ with faith and you will experience the glories of the New Birth and the subsequent gift of the Holy Ghost and fire. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28).

BURY THE BODY: GO AND TELL JESUS!

When a loved one has passed away, the pain, hurt and loneliness doesn’t leave. Some grieve for a longer time than others. My advice is biblical. Put everything in God’s hands. He knows what is best for all of us!

When the disciples of John the Baptist heard the sad news that their leader had been beheaded, they did two things: “And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.” (Matt. 14: 12). Let us all in times of grief, sorrow and pain, go to God in prayer and tell it to Jesus!

‘Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that's brave. You must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave. ‘Blessed Saviour Thou wilt guide us till we reach the blissful shore. There the angels wait to join us in Thy praise forevermore.’ Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission  Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Blog MSWM; Facebook; Youtube; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]; Thank you!