As the sun goes down on the world, a Christian looks upward. We must refocus — since we actually and easily belong also to this world — tainted by a sin propensity inherited from our parents. (They got theirs from their parents who got theirs from their parents and so on.) We gaze skyward to where our precious Father and Savior has prepared a sinless residence, which awaits us at the time of our death or even before — at the snatching away of the Church at 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15. The shout of the Lord, as a commander inciting his troops, will pierce the sky. A trumpet will reverberate, or bombastically blast out. Bright angelic tones sound out like the sun bursting through clouds — and all of it happening in a moment, (indivisible time), in the twinkling of an eye. (the flapping of a wing,…
Tag: <span>death</span>
A story recalled from Bergen-Belsen — a prisoner “strikes up a friendship with a doctor named Marie. The two are talking one day when a Polish prisoner comes to Marie for help. She is not sick — she is about to give birth. At first Fania and Marie panic, but then they collect themselves and have the woman lie down on a table. Silence is imperative, so the woman, ‘teeth clenched,’ uttered not a word. She knew the fate of children at the hands of the SS. Fortunately, the child arrives quickly, There are no scissors, Marie cuts the cord with her teeth. There is no water, Fania rips the lining out of her coat, fashions a crude version of swaddling clothes, and wraps up the baby, still covered with blood. The woman, who has not yet said a word” — dresses, puts on her shoes, and takes her child…
We have received grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 By faith we have access into this “gift of Christ” wherein we stand. Romans 5:2 This “gift of Christ,” in us, equals the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God…Gal 2:20 Herein is our love made perfect, because as He is so are you in this world. 1 John 4:17 Paul said this in Colossians 3:4 “Christ, who is our life.” And again, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 Is Christ the source of everything we do in life? As a born again believer, yes. We are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Friends, we want to think in these terms, “without Him we can do…
I don’t want to think on it any more. Title of a new song? No, heart cry of a grieving soul. I don’t want to think on it any more. The universe fills with thoughts — big enough for every human being to have his or her unique version. We play with it, enjoy it, embellish and create. We discover the powers of soul and their self-willed capabilities. One day arrives, however, when the self-personality waxes ugly and if I’m honest — I don’t want to think on it any more. To loath my fool-hearted-self, logically manifests itself, after all, a man is shapen in iniquity — “in sin did my mother conceive me.” So teaches God’s Word. The way that seems right to a man eventuates in the way of death. My own understanding lends itself not to be leaned upon. Then what? Oh happy day, when Jesus washed…
An age, a great block of time of almost 2000 years, will soon end! The dispensation of the grace of God runs from the time of Christ’s 33 year earthly visit, till His return. This specific age features a specific management, oversight, or administration — of God toward mankind. Paul the Apostle referred to this era as: ( the mystery of Christ) in other ages it was not made known unto the sons of men, is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Gentiles can become fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel: Paul’s purpose in the time-block: to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery: that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold…
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 Have you ever begged God for His true heart concerning death and dying? I have, along with many who have lost beloved family and friends to death. I discovered something profound. ” 1 Corinthians 15:25 speaks loudly. “Then comes the end, when He (Jesus), shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under his feet.” “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death!” Death is an enemy to God. to be destroyed. Indeed it has been destroyed. 2 Timothy 1:10 gives us “… our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Wait a minute.…
Every day we: Have a new day to rejoice in, Have new mercies, are loaded with benefits, have daily bread take up a daily cross (in identification with His cross). are renewed in the Spirit of our minds. Every day we are counted as sheep for the slaughter as spoken of in Romans 8. But we are already dead, buried and resurrected in taking up our daily cross. We carry about in our body the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the life of Christ might be manifested in our mortal bodies. Death worketh in us that life might be worked in others. Though our outward man perishes, our inward man is renewed dad by day. Many have learned to live one day at a time. They take no thought for tomorrow; sufficient for today is the evil thereof. They forget what is past and press on…
The blazing fire was across the canyon, too big to be controlled. Suddenly, with a turn of wind, inferno raced over canyon and river – straight toward the smoke jumpers. Thirteen lost their life that true day, three survived. Two found cover in a rock crevice. They lived, but one created his own cover by stopping, igniting the grass around him, and then lying down in the center of his own smoldering insulator. Blaze went around his pre-burned area; he made it safe. The true story is not a new one. I’m sure you have heard of it. I read it again in a book by Jonah Lehrer titled, “How we decide.” Lehrer is unfortunately an evolutionist, but uses the story to illustrate the power of the rational mind to create, when emotion is “beat back.” Interestingly, the creative fire survivor had never used the survival principle till that day.…
The American Civil War tipped the scales for sad stories, many of which wrench the heart, even today. It reveals an era stacked with gloomy playing cards, cheerless scarecrows, heartsick yarns, and war-torn dilapidation. These are flora and fauna, these essentiality. The distinctive dream-escapee tasted life till it died; the bursting of bubbles, the swipe of found-less islands. Enheartenment looks not like a gratuity, windfall, or sweepstakes hit. It is not about happiness, joy, bliss or blessedness. Inflated words solicit us to their lip-service. Instead, a tidbit inspirits, a morsel of food enraptures, and a mere scent sends goose bumps up and down the neck. True love breathes not much in these parts, only in diminished silhouettes; all numbed down, reductionism dulls the culture, drives the humdrum, heats the monotonous day. War has come, Gung-ho! — but we are not ready, we have no guns; for soldiering, no skill-set. Go, the politician’s incite…