Luke 20:37-38 KJV
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
These verses came alive to me a few days ago as I was meditating on the Scriptures and considering the fact that I have to see a cardiologist in the next few days about some blockages....
It occurred to me no one who has died in the Lord is dead. God is not the God of the dead, but the living.
Abraham is not dead, but living
Isaac is not dead but living
Jacob is not dead, but living
Moses is not dead but living
Then I got to thinking about some dear friends of mine who have died.
Ed Jasper is not dead, but living
Bob Ochs is not dead, but living
Roy Cripe is not dead, but living
Ted Bellingham is not dead, but living
Pete Briones is not dead but living
Kathy Farinella is not dead but living
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
These verses came alive to me a few days ago as I was meditating on the Scriptures and considering the fact that I have to see a cardiologist in the next few days about some blockages....
It occurred to me no one who has died in the Lord is dead. God is not the God of the dead, but the living.
Abraham is not dead, but living
Isaac is not dead but living
Jacob is not dead, but living
Moses is not dead but living
Then I got to thinking about some dear friends of mine who have died.
Ed Jasper is not dead, but living
Bob Ochs is not dead, but living
Roy Cripe is not dead, but living
Ted Bellingham is not dead, but living
Pete Briones is not dead but living
Kathy Farinella is not dead but living
Heather Oliver is not dead but living
Ron Woods is not dead but living
Gary Prisk is not dead but livingOn and on the list could go.
Some time ago a friend of mine, my age, had a heart attack and had a stint placed in his heart. He got out of the hospital concerned that he had not been faithful tithing and purchased a life insurance policy on himself naming the church as the beneficiary. At first I thought he was over reacting. He after all recovered nicely. I now understand his reasoning though. For many years now I have known that my family history made the likelihood of heart disease possible. I have joked around about it for the last 20 years. Having it now developing into a reality has sobered me up a little.
I know that doctors perform procedures to repair blockages routinely these days. I know I am in all likelihood going to be fine and live another many years. Still there it is very comforting to know that should I join the numbers who have already gone, I won't be dead, but living.
Ron Woods is not dead but living
Gary Prisk is not dead but livingOn and on the list could go.
Some time ago a friend of mine, my age, had a heart attack and had a stint placed in his heart. He got out of the hospital concerned that he had not been faithful tithing and purchased a life insurance policy on himself naming the church as the beneficiary. At first I thought he was over reacting. He after all recovered nicely. I now understand his reasoning though. For many years now I have known that my family history made the likelihood of heart disease possible. I have joked around about it for the last 20 years. Having it now developing into a reality has sobered me up a little.
I know that doctors perform procedures to repair blockages routinely these days. I know I am in all likelihood going to be fine and live another many years. Still there it is very comforting to know that should I join the numbers who have already gone, I won't be dead, but living.
Speaking of the dead who are really living, I am reminded of the living who were dead, such as me, until we met Pastors such as you. The legacy of a Pastor is life. He leads people to life while in the world, and life beyond the world. And, as Peter tells us, the rewards for that Pastor's services are rare and wonderful indeed.
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