Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 24 November 2017 "Together Forever" by Elizabeth Aliotta - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 24 November 2017 "Together Forever" by Elizabeth Aliotta - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Thessalonians 4:13 Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people 14 do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. 15 When we say this, we base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; 17 then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
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Losing a loved one can be very difficult. At first it can seem like life should not go on. Time is spent waiting for them to walk through the door, only to remember that they are not coming back. Some view death as final and have no hope of seeing their loved one again. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica to give hope to those who had lost loved ones.
Death is not final, and the best proof comes from Jesus’ resurrection. In 1 Corinthians, Paul spends all of chapter 15 exploring the significance of the resurrection. Victory has been gained over death and hope for a better future has been promised. What is mortal will pass away and be replaced with what is immortal. Those who live in Christ have the hope of an eternal future with Him.
Paul gives assurance that all of God’s people will be together in heaven. When the Lord returns, those who have passed on and those who still live will share life together with the Lord for all eternity. In this way, death is more like a long goodbye.---
Hymn for Today: "When We All Get To Heaven" by E. E. Hewitt
1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
sing His mercy and His grace;
in the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory.
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when traveling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain: When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of Him in glory
will the toils of life repay.
Refrain: When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain: When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory.
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Thought for Today: but we, following along with his promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth,[2 Peter 3:13 Isaiah 65:17; 66:22] in which righteousness will be at home.(2 Peter 3:13)
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Please pray: For those ministering in media to communicate the Gospel in Mesoamerca.
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