What Is Our Destiny?


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In Loving Memory

This morning I received word that Linda Hall’s father has gone on to be with the Lord. Her message to us was an uplifting one, honoring his life and realizing the blessing of his opportunity to go home to where the glories of heaven are ever present. Our prayers and condolences go out to Linda and several of our members and their families as they have said goodbye to a parent, grandparent or other loved one who has passed away in the last couple of weeks. Along with Linda, we want to pray for Mike Gregerson, Bob Harlan, Rob Jones and their families (and others) who have lost a parent, grandparent, or other relative recently. I, myself, said goodbye to a well-loved aunt of mine who went home to be with Jesus two weeks ago. While I know my Aunt Norma is now at home with Jesus, there is still that sense of loss we feel knowing that we are separated from those we love while living on this planet.

 

In light of the recent passing of these loved ones and as we remember loved ones we remember this Memorial Day, I want to send an encouraging word to all who have lost family and friends in Christ. I Thessalonians 4 says this, 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

 

While we sorrow and grieve when we experience the passing of those we love, we need not do so as people who have no hope. We have the hope of eternal life and know that we will be together once again with those who have died in Christ. Our prayers go out to all those who continue to grieve and sorrow over the recent loss of that special person in your life. We know that death has no hold on us, for Jesus died on the cross and rose again that all those in Christ shall never die! Hallelujah! As Paul reminds us, “…comfort one another with these words.”

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris


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New Life Anyone

New Life Anyone?

  1. Hayden 4-25=17

 

God has called us to new life. Jesus Christ rose from the day around this time of the year and each year we gear up to celebrate His resurrection. The kids get an Easter basket full of chocolate and baby peeps (and some adults too!), many have a barbecue cookout with family, and we lounge for most of the day watching a game or good movie (or at least sleeping on the couch while one is playing).   A nice day of rest. I certainly enjoyed it. But let me encourage all of us to be sure and take the time to go deeper as we remember the resurrection of our Lord. It was not so that another holiday could be added to our calendar in the spring. It was done so that we might experience resurrection for ourselves.

 

Jesus rose from the dead so that we might, along with our own bodily resurrection when God calls us home, experience the resurrection of our own soul and spirit today. We can know what it means when Paul says this in First Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” When we were born again, God provided us a new spirit made alive to Him through the power of His Spirit so that we might live redeemed, resurrected lives in Christ. Our Lord’s death and resurrection paved the way so that we may have a new life, free from the bondage of sin, free from our past failures and mistakes and free to live from Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Friend.

 

As Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Paul applied the death and resurrection of Jesus to his own life and God calls us to do the same. We need to be able to say of ourselves, “We our crucified with Christ, but live as one raised from the dead and now live for the one who raised us up to new life.” Can you say that today? Look to Jesus for help in living out this new life in Christ that we have been given.

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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