Death

Keep Looking for Opportunities

07/27/2023

Are you concerned for a family member or friend who refuses to trust Jesus for salvation? Are you worried they’ll die apart from Christ? If we’re concerned for the unsaved, it’s for good reason. This world isn’t all there is. There is life beyond the clouds that we can’t see just as there is life below the oceans we can’t see. Yes, all people are alive after they pass through this life – either in Christ’s presence or apart from Him for eternity.  Jesus implores us to take the way to heaven – through Him. So, what do we do if an unsaved friend or family member refuses to turn to Christ? We align ourselves with the Lord, who we’re told in 2 Peter 3:9 is “not slow about His promise, but is PATIENT…, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” God is PATIENT. Keep praying. Keep looking for opportunities to speak the truth in love.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being PATIENT. Help us be like you – patient and prayerful.

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Read the Reviews

06/30/2021

A few days ago before making a purchase, I read the reviews of two items to help me determine which to buy. It caused me to wonder if people take the time to read the reviews of heaven and hell in the Bible. Jesus thought it was important for us to know. In Luke 16:19-26 He gave two reviews. One from a rich man who lived for his money and luxurious living. The other from a poor man. Both died. The rich man went to Hades where he was alone, in fiery agony, thirsty, and crying out for a drop of water only to find there was none. The poor man was carried by angels to paradise, comfort, and abundance. We take the time to read earthly reviews. Doesn’t it make sense we read reviews of heaven and hell and choose wisely?

Listen: Read the Reviews

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I Saw a Miracle 

11/03/2017

I saw a miracle.

If you have a cell phone, then you know the noise it makes when a text message arrives. My phone buzzed, so I glanced at it expecting to see a text message. I wasn’t expecting what I saw. Rather than text, it was several images. They weren’t images of beautiful hills or sunrises. Instead, they were images of the exquisitely formed face of our grand baby who is due to be born in the next few days.


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PRINCE of LIFE

04/10/2013

“…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.  

*Find more daily encouragement HERE.  Did you miss an attribute? The list is HERE. Be sure to record them in your Prayers of My Heart prayer journal so you’ll have a keepsake of all 365 at the end of 2013!

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GOD of the LIVING

02/23/2013

“…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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God of the Living

03/11/2009

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

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