Death

“…you put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”

Acts 3:15

Can you imagine the conversations that took place after God raised Jesus from the dead? Some didn’t believe it at first. Others couldn’t help but acknowledge it when they saw Jesus, touched Him, and observed Him eating fish. He wasn’t a ghost. He wasn’t a figment of their imagination. 500 people witnessed seeing the resurrected Prince of life. In other words, they couldn’t kill Him dead forever. He took one walk down death’s corridor and experienced death in its fulness. But then He walked right back into life. Why? How? Because Jesus is the PRINCE of LIFE. He couldn’t stay dead. And, what’s more – He is your Prince of life. He won’t let you stay dead. He’s waiting on the other side when you walk the corridor of death. You need not fear.

Lord Jesus, I praise You, the PRINCE of LIFE. In you, death has lost its sting.  

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“…regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB”? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

Matthew 22:31-32

Jesus is the one talking. He has just told those who were asking Him questions that they were mistaken about some things. Imagine that! That we humans might be mistaken about some things. Then Jesus used the Old Testament to rectify their thinking. To those who discount the importance of the Old Testament, please reconsider its relevancy. Jesus often quoted from it. And what did He quote? That GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING. Do you have a loved one who is no longer alive in your presence? Well, be assured on the basis of Jesus’s words – your loved one is alive. 

GOD of the LIVING, I praise You for receiving my loved one into your presence. Thank You that I will be alive in Your presence one day, also.

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Friends,

Keith’s mother, Grace, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning. His brothers, Kenneth and Gayle, their wives, Loes and Cyndie, and Keith and I had the privilege of sitting by her bedside her last days. I say privilege because it was just that. Grace was a wonderful woman and it was an honor to be with her, pray for her, and share that time as a family. Needless to say, we are all sad. However, with that sadness is a quiet joy as we reflect on the glorious reunions she is having in heaven…first with her Lord, then with those who have gone before her. I’ve had a smile on my face numerous times as I’ve thought about Grace and my mother seeing each other again!

As I thought of Grace this morning during my quiet time, my heart went to Matthew 22:31-32 where Jesus expounds on the afterlife. “But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”What powerful words for us to remember. God is the God of the living! Add that to your 200 A-Z Names, Attributes, and Titles of God.

Along with that passage, my heart raced to one of my favorite passages and one I often teach on at the P.R.A.Y. Conference: Luke 9:29-32. “And while He (Jesus) was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

Friends, this passage is awesome! First, we’re taught that if we need a face lift, a change of countenance, it’s found in prayer. Second, in regard to death, Christ’s teaching that God is the God of the living is reinforced. Moses and Elijah are alive. They are in glory. They are distinguishable and recognizable. Third, Jesus’s death is not spoken of as a tragedy, but rather as His departure. Just as I board a plane to depart from San Antonio to fly to your city to lead a conference, Jesus had a departure day, time, and place. He had a destination: heaven. So do we, if we have confessed our sins and professed our faith, “Jesus is Lord.”

If you have never called on the name of the Lord for your salvation, I beg you to do so today. We never know when our departure will be. However, we can know our destination. Jesus has died so that we might be saved. Won’t you call on Him today? Join those who are headed to heaven and those who are already in God’s presence in glory. If you need help with Bible verses or a prayer of salvation to pray, please see How to Know Jesus on my web site. Or, email me at debbie@hillcountryministries.org or call me toll free 888-815-8412. I would love to visit with you or pray with you.

Love,

Debbie