Beth Kolbert's Eulogy

(As given at Beth's Wake, in Tucson, Arizona, by Walter Dougherty of Valparaiso, Indiana on 10/29/2009)

 

Today though we are in the presence of Death! I want to speak of three words which I believe describes Beth's life and testimony.

They are: Life, Hope & Resurrection

The first words in the Holy Bible are; “In the beginning, GOD!!.” These three words are connected with God for without God, There can be no life, no hope, no resurrection.

Genesis 3:19 “for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shall return.” The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground – but God did not leave us as a hand full of dirt – God breathed into his (Adam's) nostrils (the breath of LIFE) and man became  a living soul. Jesus speaking of himself, in the book of Matthew 22:32 “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying; “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

We're gathered here today as family and friends to celebrate the life of one of God's chosen children, Beth Kolbert.

First of all; “How do I know that Beth or for that matter, how do I know that I am chosen of God? Are we not all of God's creation?       Yes, God did create us all in his own image – Genesis 1:27. As humans we are all part of the human race.

But to be a part of my family you had to be either born into it by the flesh or adopted, (receiving a stranger into one's family as YOUR own child. Same with God's family.) I John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we, should be called the sons of God.”

Jesus says in John 15:16 “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” We are all chosen; however, Jesus also says in John 14:6  “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The Bible describes, “the Way” as: trusting, believing, being born again, being saved, or receiving = all through FAITH, “for without faith it is impossible to please God” Hebrews 11:6 “The just shall live by FAITH” Romans

In John 1:12 it sums it up; “But as many as “received” him (Jesus) , to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that “believe” on his name.” John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”  Beth according to the word of God has everlasting life for she believed on the Son.

In the book of Job 14:1 “Man born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down.”

Beth's trial of faith that she endured in her physical body (Peter calls them “fiery trials”). Was not the same as Jobs however, her confession of faith was the same as Jobs 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, and I will maintain mine own ways before him.” All trials have two purposes: In the Hynm “How Firm a Foundation”, verse 4 “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be my supply: The flames will not hurt thee, I only design. Thy “dross to consume”, and thy “gold to refine”.

The Bible tells us of five different Crowns we can earn here on earth by our works of faith. James 1:22, 2:17 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead being alone.” I want to share 2 of the 5 Crowns I'm sure Beth earned for she was a doer of the word by faith. I am just as sure that Beth earned these 3 others also:

Incorruptible I Corinthians 9:25,

Rejoicing I Thessalonians 2:19,

Glory I Peter 5:4  

First Crown I see that Beth earned is found in James 1:12 “Blessed (Happy) is the man or woman that endureth (trials); for when she is t ried, she shall receive the “Crown of Life”, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” We see here 3 requirements to receive this “crown of Life”

1. Happy = translate; “Do all things without murmuring or complaining.” Phil. 2:14

2. Endureth = perservance “Let us hold fast the profession our our faith without wavering.” Hebrews 10:23

3. Promised to them that love him.”He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that lovest me.” John 14:21

The second," Crown of Righteousness ", found in II Timothy 4: 6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

We cannot earn this Crown of Righteousness by our own good works which we do. Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness  which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us.” Romans 4: 11,12 “Abraham, the father of all them that believe”, “ but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham.” Beth earned the Crown of Righteousness, as each of us also can, just as Abraham did in Genesis 15: 6 “And Abraham “Believed” in the Lord; and God counted it to him for righteousness.”

 Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15 concerning the testimony of Christ's resurrection, v.19 “If in this life (only) we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Let me tell you what I know, Beth Kolbert was not miserable !. Beth had Hope!! for Romans 15:13 “Now the God of HOPE fill you will all JOY and PEACE in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” “Joy of the Lord is our strength” “In His presence if fullness of Joy.” Beth had hope in God. She had hope in God's word. She had hope though knowing after this body of flesh and bones were destroyed, yet she would see God face to face. She had a peace which the Bible describes as; Philippians 4:7 “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:14 “For he (Jesus) is our peace.”

Beth had and has Life, Hope and Resurrection for she knew as Job knew “For I know (MY) redeemer liveth, whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold.” John 11: 21-27 After Lazarus had died, Martha came to Jesus, and said to him, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this? Martha saith unto him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” We can insert Beth's name, or our name also, in the place where Martha's is. Jesus said unto Beth (Walter); I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this: Beth (Walter) saith unto him, YEA, Lord; ( I BELIEVE) that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

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