The Life-giver Is Coming

If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:14.
The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name. By the power of the Saviour that dwelt in them while living and because they were partakers of the divine nature, they are brought forth from the dead.
Our fondest hopes are often blighted here. Our loved ones are torn from us by death. We close their eyes and habit them for the tomb, and lay them away from our sight. But hope bears our spirits up. We are not parted forever, but shall meet the loved ones who sleep in Jesus. They shall come again from the land of the enemy. The Life-giver is coming. Myriads of holy angels escort Him on His way. He bursts the bands of death, breaks the fetters of the tomb, the precious captives come forth in health and immortal beauty.
Our personal identity is preserved in the resurrection, though not the same particles of matter or material substance as went into the grave…. In the resurrection every man will have his own character. God in His own time will call forth the dead, giving again the breath of life, and bidding the dry bones live.
There will be a relinking of the family chain. When we look upon our dead, we may think of the morning when the trump of God shall sound, when “the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52.
The last lingering traces of the curse of sin will be removed, and Christ’s faithful ones will appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” in mind and soul and body reflecting the perfect image of their Lord.
Are we ready so that if we shall fall asleep, we can do so with hope in Jesus Christ?
The Faith I Live By p. 185
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep praying for Sheila (a dog). She is walking but not without her sling. I have not allowed that. It could hurt her if the full weight of her body was on her back. I’m still keeping her crated 24/7 and giving her God’s herbs. God is so merciful. M
—-asking for prayer for Trevor a father who was raising his children. he got killed today in an accident. . he an his wife were divorced. he got the kids. please pray that the children will be able to stay together. there are several of them pray that they don’t end up in foster care. .M
—-Please pray that I can get some very important paperwork straightened out and stamped today because I must have it and all paperwork finished by tonight in order to submit it by the Wednesday deadline. Thank you. Rose
—-Please pray for my son-in-law who is very discouraged. Buck
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Dear Friends
On my livingroom wall is a photo Ronnie Jay took when he had gone backpacking in Colorado years ago. It brings back memories of the fun time that he and about 20 others from our church had had when they had gone backpacking in that state. They spent quite a bit of time and expense getting everything ready. They learned about all the precautions that should be taken to ensure a safe and happy experience.
While Ronnie Jay was making his preparations, Ron reminded him of the importance of keeping no food in his tent. In fact, making sure that anything that remotely smells like food is nowhere near is vital as bears have been known to tear up a tent in order to get to anything they deem edible.
Here in this sinful old world, we must be cautious and careful when hiking up in the mountains. If we make the needed preparations, however, we can enjoy the beauties that God has created. So it is spiritually. Our Dear Saviour is soon coming to take us to a place that far surpasses even the most beautiful place on this earth. He has promised, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa 65:17 John also records that promise, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev 22:12-14
What a glorious place that will be! It will not be like Ronnie Jay’s backpacking trip where the evidence of sin was seen not only in the precautions taken but also in the dead flora and fawna seen. No. Everything will be perfect in God’s Fair Land. No trace of sin will be found. The water will be pure and without the harmful bacteria that caused the group to have to purify their drinking water. The animals will be tame and will live forever. We will have no fear of them! There will not be even one shriveled leaf to remind us of this dying planet.
Isaiah foretells the pleasures that await us. “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock.” Isa 65:21-25 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.” 11:6-8 What a wonderful place!
While we are making the needed preparations to enjoy the glories of Heaven, our Loving Redeemer is preparing special joys just for us. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2,3 Think of it! Jesus has mansions built just the way we would like and waiting for us to inhabit them!
Let us view all things in the light of eternity, for if we do, the things of this world will fail to allure us. Let us daily walk with our Dear Saviour, so that we may walk with Him in His Heavenly kingdom and enjoy all that He is preparing for us. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” is my prayer Heb 12:1,2
Rose