Gary Mueller: A Story of Real and Lasting Hope

For Thou art my hope O Lord God,

Thou art my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5

HOPE

is a beautiful word. A person without hope cannot live very long. God designed the human spirit in such a way that hope is essential. Sometimes a person will pin his hopes on temporary things. Many a rich man has hope to one day find satisfaction in acquiring even more wealth. A slave survives by hoping that one day he will be free. The one at war looks in hope for a time of peace. And the person who has cancer has hope that the treatments will be effective or a cure will be found. But these, at best, are temporary hopes and hopes that may never be realized. The purpose of this pamphlet is to illustrate true hope through the life of Gary Mueller.

Gary was a man devoted to his wife Connie and their four children, Yesenia, Chelsea, Meaghan, and Randy. He was a guidance counselor at Florence High School for nine years as well as Kingsford High School for one year. Gary enjoyed the outdoors and could often be found in his garden or occupied with his chickens. He enjoyed working on projects with his dad. Gary was also a leader at church, taught the high school Sunday School class and helped with the youth group.

But more important than all of Gary's good deeds was his motivation for them: Gary was a committed Christian. Jesus said,

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life;

no one comes to the Father but through Me."

Gary believed this with all his heart. At a point much earlier in his life, he came to understand that he was indeed a sinner and in desperate need of God's forgiveness. God provided this forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. Jesus became the focus of Gary's faith and the resting place for his hope of eternal life.

On August 7, 2002 Gary found out he had an aggressive form of cancer. When his family and friends learned of this serious diagnosis, many prayers went up to the Lord to heal him. These prayers continued throughout the year. At times it seemed God was healing Gary's dreaded disease, while at other times it did not look like He would.

On August 7, 2003, exactly one year following the diagnosis, God gave His answer. Gary was brought home to heaven to be with his Lord.

HOPE

as the Bible speaks of it, is something that will take place and something that will last forever. The Bible can speak of hope in these terms because the only place of lasting and sure hope is found in Jesus Christ. Take a moment to consider the following Bible passages:

"...fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

"...we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:18-19

"...having been justified by His grace, we have become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying." Titus 3:7-8

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul. For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37

Please understand! Gary and his family and friends were hoping and praying that he would be cured of his cancer. However, he had a more sure hope than the hope of a cure from cancer. He had the sure hope of spending eternity in heaven with Jesus his Savior. And those of us who knew Gary, and have also trusted in Christ as our only Savior, have the same hope of seeing Jesus, and being reunited with all believers who have gone before us, as well as Gary himself.

How can I have the sure hope of God's forgiveness and life?

1. Admit to God that you are a sinful person unworthy of His salvation. James 2:10, Romans 3:23, James 4:6, Luke 18:9-14
2. Believe that God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for your sins. Isaiah 53, John 3:14-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21
3. Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day to demonstrate that He was truly the Son of God and that God had accepted His sacrifice on our behalf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
4. Refuse to trust in anything you have done (religious deeds or otherwise) as a means to gain God's acceptance. Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28, Titus 3:5
5. Call upon God to save you based on Christ's payment for your sin on the Cross. As you do so, believe Christ has cleansed you and makes you acceptable to God. Romans 10:13, Romans 8:1, Romans 5:1, Hebrews 4:14-16

To grow into a mature Christian, read your Bible regularly, talk to God often in prayer, and find a Bible-teaching church in which to fellowship.

If you would like to speak to someone about the Christian life and the role of Jesus Christ in your life, please contact Community Bible Chapel at (906)563-9300.