'death' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.” vs. 16 Psalm 91:14-16 Humans have always appreciated longevity, and the psalmist considered long life to be one of God’s choicest blessings. Most of us would agree, and do whatever we can to increase our years. We’re deeply aware that not everyone gets a chance to live long; some don’t survive infancy and too many fall prey to accident, war, or disease before they’ve even reached thirty. Knowing…
Daily Devotions
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” vss. 8b-9 Hebrews 2:5-12 Psalm 8 had said that humans were created a little lower than angels and had been crowned with glory and honor. The…
Daily Devotions
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.” vs. 3 Psalm 116:1-5 It’s possible for some to live in this world without giving much thought to the passage of time or the inevitability of death. In fact most folks don’t care one bit to dwell on the prospect of dying–they’d much rather talk of something else. But realistically, sooner or later, whether through our own experience or that of…
Daily Devotions
When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’” vs. 39 Mark 5:35-43 What Jesus said to the mourners at the synagogue leader’s home was crazy–and they knew it! That’s why they laughed at him! They knew the difference between death and sleep, and so do we. That’s why we mourn when someone dies–it’s the natural thing to do. Of course Jesus paid no attention, went…
Daily Devotions
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” vs. 5 1 John 1:1-7 Some of those who have experienced what are sometimes called “near death experiences” report having had a sense of being drawn to a light, and that it gave them a great feeling of peace. Skeptics, upon hearing those stories, dismiss them quickly, saying that this is just what happens…
Daily Devotions
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.” vs. 4 Psalm 23:4-6 It’s no mystery why Psalm 23 is so frequently read at funerals and memorial services. Death is probably the darkest valley that we can endure. No matter what our religious beliefs might be, or even if they’re non-existent, death packs a powerful punch. Our friends and loved ones leave the land…
Daily Devotions
The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’” vs. 3 2 Kings 2:1-8 The Elijah-Elisha cycle of stories were a cherished part of Israel’s traditions, and the story of Elijah’s ascent into heaven in a chariot of fire became an important part of the messianic dream. One day Elijah would…
Daily Devotions
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” vs. 13 Early followers of Jesus expected him to come again to usher in the promised eternal reign of God, and when that much anticipated return was delayed, some began to worry about those who were dying. Were they out of luck? Would they miss out on…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 25:6-9 … “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.” vs. 6 As the people of God have looked toward the future, prophets like Isaiah have painted vivid pictures of the magnificent banquet that will be prepared for us by the Lord. This feast of victory will provide the best food imaginable, rich goodies…
Daily Devotions: May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020 John 14:1-6 … “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” vs. 1 It’s no accident that we most frequently hear these words from the Gospel of John in the context of a funeral or a memorial service. There are literally no more comforting words in all of Scripture. It’s all here, all the hope and promise of our life in Christ. Whenever we feel discouraged, whenever our hearts are broken,…
Daily Devotions: March 29, 2020
March 29, 2020 John 11:32-45 … “Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’” vss. 35-37 The underlying motivation behind the current worldwide shutdown is the fear of death. No matter how much comfort we might find in the certainty of the resurrection, death has never become a friend to us, except in…
Daily Devotions: September 2, 2019
September 2, 2019 For full passage click: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 … “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…” vs. 19 The Israelites had been set free from their bondage in Egypt by the grace of God, and had been formed into a people by their experience in the wilderness. Now they faced a critical moment–ahead lay…