Message summary: Today we consider the inevitable "life's final breath".

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"Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:8). "With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last (Mark 15:37).

Last night we received word that Jim, our longtime close friend, breathed his last on this side of glory. We met Jim and his wife Dorothy (Dottie) at a "Vision New England" conference in Boston over 25 years ago. We were there to tell people about our relatively new Daily Encouragement ministry and the concept of sending devotionals by email. Jim worked with SEND, a mission agency, was a bold witness for Christ and for many years ministered to those in prison. He signed up to receive our messages and that facilitated our contact through the years.

We visited them in their home near Ocean City, New Jersey several times and we wrote one memorable story from our overnight stay.* In 2015 they made the move to Lancaster and took up residency at "Calvary Homes", a Christian retirement community. So we saw them a lot more often.

Jim and Dottie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April, a couple months before he turned 91. Early in their marriage Jim was an unbeliever and alcoholic before God saved him and delivered him from alcoholism. He and Dottie shared their story with many people, also in Christian Women's Clubs and other such settings. Jim, along with Dorothy, has had a lifetime of fruitful ministry impacting many for the Lord.

We last visited with them on Sunday as Dottie sat in the chair beside his hospice bed. Though Jim was in a comatose like state as he was unresponsive but breathing steadily, Dottie rarely took her eyes off of him, and often reached over and patted his hand. Her love to the very end beautifully exemplified their wedding vows, "till death do us part".  Jim's manner of death brought back memories of my own dad, who died in a similar condition.

The phrase "breathed his last" is used in Genesis to describe the death of the patriarchs and also in the Gospels to describe the death of Jesus.

Sunday afternoon as I watched Jim breathe, knowing his final breath was nearing, these Scriptures came to mind as well as the words from a song:

It's not my normal style to provide exposition to a song as we typically do for a Scripture text but these lyrics are very thoughtful.

"From life's first cry". Developing babies need oxygen beginning early in pregnancy. Babies don’t truly breathe in the womb. Instead, the umbilical cord provides the baby with oxygen until the first breath after birth. (from a medical site). At birth there's a strong cry as the lungs kick into operation and we begin to breathe. We take some 7.5 million breaths annually (some 800 million by age 80).

"To final breath". In one way or another we will all take a final breath. Even if we are among those living at the time of the Lord's return we will breathe in and out a final breath on this side! The word "to" represents our span of life, the dash between our birth date and death date. Paul wrote, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Are you living for Christ? Will death ultimately be your gain or loss?

"Jesus commands my destiny". What powerful assurance this truth brings. Ultimately from our first breath (actually our conception) to our final breath we are under His control.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber