Hear the devotional read here: https://bit.ly/322rv2T
13 And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. 14 Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. 15 And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence - we have the Master's word on it - that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. 16 The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise - they'll go first. 17 Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. 18 Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Message)
Happy Tuesday, ConCafe Family, especially you, dear Friend! Let us approach the day bathed in God's word, washed clean and strong in prayer, and armed with joy, peace, and love to face the blessings and challenges of this new day. Today is Election Day and an already emotionally charged day; please pray that God's comfort and peace be with us during this day and the days ahead. Pray for our nation and for all who are running for office. Pray for calm and peace to reign in our hearts, our homes, and our streets. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
LIfe's biggest and perhaps hardest questions to answer is "What happens to me when I die?" Closely related to that, "Where do the dead go?" or "Did my Dad make it to heaven?" I've shared how one day after a funeral in our church my oldest had helped me with the music for that service and we were walking across the alley to our home. She asked, "Daddy, have you ever done a funeral where you know the dead person went to the other place?" I smiled and said, "No, baby girl; we leave that to God and how that person lived his/her life." We in our time have the assurances given us by Jesus and later shared by Paul, like in this passage, where he writes, "we don't want you in the dark any longer." And he addresses the common responses of wailing and weeping in manners that sometimes make it seem like we are beyond consoling; though those still happen and naturally so, because separation of loved ones is the hardest thing to face. Life seems super difficult to face without having that special someone with us any longer. Death comes as a part of life, sometimes happening in unexpected ways, like accidents, and those usually at too early an age. Death can come to the ill as a welcomed friend, who takes us away from pain and suffering; and even sometimes, those nearing 100 or older may even ask why God has forgotten them. We have in Paul's words, words from an eyewitness to One who had risen from the dead and who spoke to him about many things, including death. Remember it was Jesus who even told Paul how much he was to suffer and even how he would die if he accepted to follow Him, and still Paul said yes.
Paul was sure of resurrection as he states in verse 14, "Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus." There's the promise that Jesus Himself shared, "I will come again and take you with me, so that where I am, there you may be also. "(John 14:3b). Notice this version's descriptions of death, "broke loose from the grave," meaning that the grave, either our fear of ours or the sorrow caused by the grave of a loved one, can and does imprison us and we need Jesus to break us free from the grip of death. Paul quickly adds, "God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus; and follows that with the assurance to us still alive that "the Master (will) come to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us." And his description of Jesus' return is awesome and classic and has inspired a hope that has not now, nor will ever, fade or disappear, "He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise... and the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words."
This goes with yesterday's gospel lesson, "be ready!" And don't fret or argue about the furniture in heaven or the temperature in (the other place). Those who love and belong to Jesus will never suffer death again! In the meantime we are free to live our lives to the fullest in Him who died for us!
PRAYER: Loving Father, some who are reading these words still ache from the freshness of death of a loved one. Others, though the years have passed, still ache with sorrow; comfort them and us. For those of us facing a "death sentence" given by an illness or judge, strengthen us to face life and all it brings with Your hope and sureness of victory. We pray for the election today, Father, that You would bless this nation with the leaders that we pray will honor and serve You, bless this nation, and allow us to be a blessing to other nations; and us, by our role, let us bless You and those around us in loving and kind actions. This we pray by the merits of He who is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share the hope that Jesus has shared with You; comfort those whom you know need it.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
