Vernon Provines

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Our brother, Vernon Provines, passed away last week after complications from heart bypass surgery. He was a Christian and served God faithfully as an elder here at Spencer and Athens, AL. Although I was gone for some years, I remember him with fondness. Growing up, I knew bro. Vernon’s parents, Albert and Joan, as well as his siblings. Vernon came from good stock (Prov. 22:6). I knew some of his coworkers from Cook who said he was a good man and worked hard (Col. 3:23). He enjoyed his hobbies, driving tractors and many other things. His faithfulness to his loving wife, Sara, exemplifies how a godly man behaves (Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:2-3; I Pet. 3:1-6).

            Greatest of all was his service to God and faithfulness to serve the Lord of Heaven (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). His example in two states will live on for many years in the lives of those of us who are left behind (Matt. 5:16; I Tim. 5:25; Heb. 11:4). How thankful we ought to be for having known brother Vernon!

            Knowing him as I did, he would not want us to praise him only. He had a quiet dignity about himself, and while he was glad to serve, he did not like the “spotlight” on him. For this reason, I know brother Vernon would want me to remind people of the need for salvation (I Tim. 1:15). Brother Vernon was not a sinless man, but a sinner who was saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:5). He became a Christian after having heard the word of God (Rom. 10:17), he believed on Christ as the son of God (Jn. 8:24). He repented of his sins (Lk. 13:3), confessed Christ as God’s son (Rom. 10:10), and was baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). He became a Christian. He taught his children (and others) to do the same thing if they wanted to be saved from sin as he was. Friends, the greatest thing we can do is become a Christian and teach others to do the same (I Tim. 4:16). Let us do this before it is everlastingly too late (II Cor. 6:2).

            I am sorry that brother Vernon is gone. I will miss him. Yet, I will not miss him as others who have died outside of Christ because I look forward to a great and grand reunion one day (I Thess. 4:13-18)! This reunion is possible through Christ (Jn. 14:6). Are you ready to leave this world? If not, why not?

            Dear ones, if he could, I know brother Vernon would plead with you not to allow your loved ones to follow your casket to your grave with them knowing that you are not a Christian and not ready for eternity (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 2:3, 10:26-29; Mk. 16:16)! Are you ready? If not, decide to be right with God today while you still have the breath in your body (II Cor. 6:2). Remember, tomorrow may be too late!

            Please keep sister Sara and the rest of the family in prayer during this time of loss and sadness (Rom. 12:15; Jn. 11:35), but let us remember to put the Lord first, as brother Vernon did, and let us follow Christ our “forerunner” (Heb. 6:20), who has already gone to Heaven and left “us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (I Pet. 2:21). Christ has gone ahead and awaits the rest of us (I Cor. 15:20-26). Let us not disappoint Him by failing to love Him and keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15; Heb. 5:9; Rev. 22:14)!