From the Field to Heaven

The True-Life Story of Jeff Kroskob

Saturday, May 9, 2020, started out as any normal day for us. When my husband, Jeff, left home that morning, neither of us could have imagined how the day would end. At about 9:30, I received a phone call from our son, Dustin. I heard his quivering voice telling me his dad was in an accident with the tractor. He told me to stay put, someone would come get me. “It’s bad, Mom, really bad,” he said. I remember asking what hospital they were taking him to. All that ran through my mind was that they wouldn’t let me be with him because of COVID, but Jeff never suffered in that ambulance. He never had to be alone in that hospital. He died in his son’s arms in that field. God took him from the field straight to Heaven.

Jeff and I began dating when we were freshmen at Fort Morgan High School in Fort Morgan, Colorado. He was a popular high school kid, active in football, baseball, and his favorite sport, wrestling. He was an all-around “good guy.” One night, unbeknownst to me, after we had attended youth group together, he called my pastor and asked him to meet him. Although it looked like he had it all together on the outside, Jeff came to realize his need for a Savior. He had some questions about eternity and how he could be sure he was on his way to Heaven. The pastor patiently gave answers from the Bible, and before long, Jeff trusted Christ as his personal Savior.

Jeff and I remained high school sweethearts, and after we graduated, we were married. Over the next decade, the Lord blessed us with four wonderful children, but we went through difficult times. Our oldest daughter was only four and a half months old when she died. Even with the trials of our lives, God was always faithful and met our needs. Jeff was always a devout family man, but even more so as he became a grandpa to his 10 grandchildren. He spent many hours with them in tractor, on ranger rides, working in the shop or irrigating. He made it fun but also taught them life lessons along the way. The trips to the parts stores, donut shops, and DQ were all Papa’s trademark.

Jeff was an amazing farmer. Besides raising his own crops, he had a custom harvesting business. He was honest, hardworking and was known for his integrity in his business dealings. A handshake was all he needed to seal a deal. Jeff was a generous, kindhearted man who knew and truly loved the Lord.

Jeff’s death was very unexpected. Our time here is limited, and Jeff is proof of this. If Jeff could say anything to you right now, he would tell you to choose God. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). He would want you to put your faith in God and be saved from an eternity in Hell. Many people have been touched by Jeff’s life and by his death. God’s plans are not my plans, but they are perfect, and I know, I absolutely know, this was God’s will. Jeff’s days were numbered from the day he was born. We can say “if only he hadn’t gone there that morning” or “if circumstances were different,” but it would not have mattered. It was his appointed day to enter eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He wouldn’t have wanted to leave this earth from anywhere else. He went from the field to Heaven instantly.

Jeff’s death reveals to all of us what we don’t know how much time we have on this earth. He was a healthy, hardworking farmer, enjoying his family and living his dream. What if he had thought he had plenty of time to make that decision and put it off?

It’s easy to be caught up in this life and our day-to-day busyness, thinking we have all the time in the world. The hard reality is Jeff didn’t know those would be his final minutes. I’m grateful he already knew Christ as his Savior because he didn’t have time at the end to make a choice. We do not know how much time we have. It is so important to decide today where you will spend eternity.

What if Jeff had never accepted Christ? The Bible answers that question. He would have entered an eternity without God. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). Are you certain your name is written in the book of life? God wants you to know! His word was given, “That ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). It is no accident that you are reading this Gospel testimony. Please don’t put off Christ’s invitation to you. Would you invite Christ into your life right now, while you still have time?

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you. He paid the price that could not pay for yourself. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

God wants to begin a relationship with you today. That is why the Bible says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day, so that you could be freed from sin’s penalty. He alone took the punishment for our sins and rose again to prove He is God. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).

This is good news! To begin this relationship with Jesus Christ, simply call upon Him to save you this very moment. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Simply pray something like this, “Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I know you took the punishment for my sins when you died on the cross. I believe you died and rose again for me. Right now, I trust you alone to forgive me and give me a home in heaven. Thank you, Jesus.”

If you sincerely called upon Christ, and believe this, He saved you. Your name is now found in the Book of Life. He has forgiven your sin and given you eternal life in heaven, and nothing can change that! “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

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