Thank You for Praying for John Bateman

Dear Friends and Family,

Just want to thank those who were daring enough to stand with me and my sister to ask God to resurrect a member of New Birth in Lithonia, GA, John Bateman, a 47 year old devoted father of two and devoted husband, who died suddenly of complications of MS.

Why did we believe God for John to be raised from the dead? Because Jesus said:

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

Because Peter demonstrated:

But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Acts 9:40

And Because Paul Asked

"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Acts 26:8

John was laid to rest in Americus, Ga on Saturday, January 30, 2010. What can we say then? We can say, "God is glorified in all He does." Our prayers were not answered in the way we wanted; that is for John to be raised to life and once again be joined with family and friends here on Earth.

But most assuredly John was raised into eternal life. He is in the presence of God, our father and creator. He is Alive with Christ.

So John, beloved of his wife, daughters, family and friends, was laid to rest with an assurance of faith by his wife and daughters and friends. Words accompanied his services that told of his hard work, love, and concern for others. His wife, strong in the Lord, shed not a tear in the presence of those assembled and spoke of the love she and John shared and her confidence that he is with our Lord and Savior. His daughter Lauren sang, “You are the wind beneath My Wings” in tribute to her father with the strength of her mother, using her gift with love and respect.

So our prayers were not answered as we saw fit, yet God stood in the midst. “Yeah, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil for thy rod and thy staff comfort us…”

The most loving thing we can do is to lay a loved one to rest. When nothing else on earth can be done, it is the ultimate act of love to respectfully lay our loved ones to rest the best way we know how. It’s different ways for different people because the circumstances are not the same and they are challenging as we look at the final enemy in the eye, death, and as we fight the grief and are determined to give God His due glory always. Oh, we love you Lord for giving us the opportunity to see one another again…. death can’t stop eternal life! We are fired up with that assurance as we fight the specter of death up close and personal, with the light of eternity overshadowing death itself….”Death Where is thy Sting, Grave Where is thy Victory?”…. Not here! Not among us!

Attached are some words of encouragement…. words of inspiration for eternal life. I had saved this document as “condolences” but God spoke to my heart to change it…. to "Inspiration for Eternal Life” because we have hope.

I continue to stand, knock and seek God for the resurrection of the physically dead, keeping in balance that He is more concerned for the spiritually dead to be raised—before they die…. And as I stand, knock, and seek, my heart is yielded to what God will allow. “His ways are higher than my ways…and His thoughts than mine…” “Have thy way oh Lord, and may our will be yielded within thine always…”

As the old song says…. “Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven Cannot Heal…” that old song being “Come Ye Disconsolate.”…. Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish, Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Please continue to pray for the Bateman family and friends and all who are dealing with the transition of a loved one into eternal life.

Once again thank you for stretching your mind and your mouth to call out to God for the resurrection of John Bateman. It’s interesting to note that as my sister, her husband and daughter and my daughter, son-in-law and my three grandchildren flew in to Atlanta for the Celebration of John’s life at New Birth in Lithonia, GA, I could not make it.

In part, I remained to work the TV ministry for the consecration of our pastor, Christopher Carl Smith to be inducted as Bishop at New Birth California (A three hour service that God allowed this over 50 woman to stand to capture the historic moments on camera.) Yes, the churches are affiliated under the auspices of Bishop Eddie Long. Our families being joined with New Birth was not something we planned. The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. This is the day the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be Glad in it.


Sincerely,
Jackie