Saturday, October 25, 2014

Mystery

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1Corinthians 15:51-54
Recently I went to Beechgrove (aka Alexander) Cemetery with my history-buff sister.
It was a cool autumn afternoon, a breeze was gently blowing and as we walked the leaves on the ground crunched underfoot.  We moved among the tombstones, looking and reading, sometimes brushing aside moss and mold. The earliest grave I could find dated to the beginning of the 19th century. My sister meandered one way, me the other, and as I did I observed that some had lived long lives, others very short, many as children.  I thought of the brevity of  life here, as truly we are just passing through, and the hope, even more than that-the PROMISE-that we have as believers in Jesus as Lord.  As I walked I quietly rejoiced as I considered the unavoidable fact; my body will one day wear out or fail, but I will put on immortality and take up residence in the mansion Jesus has prepared for me, and so will all who have received Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus is Lord over death too! People are always looking for a hero…well, He is the greatest “superhero” of all time. If you have a fear of death you needn’t have-as long as you know Jesus, really know Him, meaning that you chose to follow Him, receiving and believing.If you are reading this and you have put off becoming a believer now is the day of your salvation.Don’t procrastinate making the most important decision you will ever make.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Gimme Shelter 264

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Psalm 18:10

Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.
Psalm 143:9

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1,2

Where should we go when things don't happen as we imagined or as we planned?
Where should we turn when we have troubles, when life deals us lemons, when our jobs, friends, family, our government perhaps even our own bodies fail and disappoint us?
There is only one place, one person, only One Solution-the Lord Almighty!
He's our only, our everything, all there is, and all we need... our Rock, Redeemer, Savior, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, Counselor, Abba, Master, Lover, our Bridegroom.
So, why pull our hair out with worry?
Beloved, go to the Rock that is much higher, deeper, wider, and longer than we can imagine.
Gimme shelter Jesus!