Monday, March 21, 2011

Waiting.....And Thoughts On Death

Please pray for us all as we wait for the time when my precious Uncle Charles will go Home to the LORD.
I found comfort this morning reading I Corinthians 15 about the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the dead.  Especially these verses;
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”  (verses 20-22)  I love this truth...that those that I love that have passed away have only “fallen asleep” till it is time for Jesus to come back. 
Do you know what the last enemy to be destroyed will be?
Verse 26 says that it is death!  I had never thought of that.  
However, death first has a purpose, because the Bible tells us that all things work together for our good...”And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
So death is also for our good?  Yes, it is!
Back in I Corinthians 15 again, I find these words, “So is it with the resurrection of the dead.  What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  .... Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven (Jesus).” (verses 42-44, 49).  Death brings forth this new spiritual body, like a seeds that is planted dies to bring forth even more life.  
Today, we wait for our beloved one to “fall asleep” and I find comfort in knowing that death will be destroyed one day, and my precious Uncle Charles will again live.
Jesus has said it, and I believe it....
“I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?” (John 11:25)

6 comments:

  1. What a beautiful, moving post. Thirty three years ago my parents read I Corinthians 15 together as their morning reading. My wonderful, full of life, vital father got up from the table, and was instantly in the presence of the Lord. While it was a shock, what a way to go!! "Instant death, instant glory."

    We had the experience, also, of waiting, as you are doing. It is a bitter sweet experience...and when you know its coming, it is so hard to let go.
    As our darling mother spent her last week, we gathered tight around her. On her last full day of this earth, all of her children were with her, as well as all of the grandchildren and great grand children. We sang to her as a group, had prayer, spent our private time, hugging and kissing her, assuring her of our love. She smiled sweetly through out the day and at one point, she responded to Scriptures as we read them. Several times she said, "lovely, just lovely."

    What a hope we have as believers!! My heart is with you as you go through this time. When one gets to be my age, we have said good bye to many, but it never gets any easier!!

    Blessings on you and your family as you travel this path with your uncle.

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  2. AMEN! saying a prayer for all of you now! What a precious photo ♥

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  3. Amen. Yes this is what we believe also.

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  4. Hey Shonni,
    Praying for you and your family. Who's your uncle a brother to? Mom or dad?
    Xoxo
    Alyson

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  5. Oh so fresh in my mind, my heart hurts for you and at the same time so happy that we know our Savior and what lies ahead after our time on this earth is done!!

    In my thoughts.....

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  6. Just thought I'd share a few more verses that have comforted me when I have had to walk the difficult path you are now on...

    "For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything..." Ecclesiastes 9:5.

    "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." John 5:29.

    "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." I Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

    "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3, 4.

    Praying for you during this hard time. We have a beautiful hope of the resurrection and the reunion we will have in Heaven, where sin and death will be no more. Blessings to you!

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