"DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?"

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."  (1 Corinthians 15:20)

We were visiting our daughter, Jill, and her family this past week, and came back to news that a friend and ex parishioner of ours died suddenly over the weekend.  It is sad and very shocking, a terrible loss to me.

Today's text, however, rings through the ages.  "The Word of God," tells us that Jesus was the first to arise from the dead, never to die again.  And so it is with all who trust in Jesus Christ.  Jesus' Seconding Appearing is called the, "blessed hope," and just so is the reality of His Followers' resurrection.  "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection, and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.'"  

Remember:  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive...shall be caught up together with them....We shall always be with the Lord."

Father, in Jesus' Name, GLORY!  Amen.

*******************

CROW NATION MISSION, AUGUST 1-15, 2023

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2