'death' Tagged Posts
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…
Daily Devotions: July 19, 2019
July 19, 2019 For full passage click: Colossians 1:21-23 …And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—” vss. 21-22 The Church has done a good job of proclaiming the death of Jesus as the means of our reconciliation to God. We’ve heard that story year after year in our worship. It’s the core…
Daily Devotions: June 2, 2019
June 2, 2019 For full passage click: John 17:24-26 …“Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” vs. 24 Jesus is conscious that the love that sustains him has been present from before the foundations of the world. As John puts it in other places, Christ is the Alpha, and through…
Daily Devotions: May 24, 2019
May 24, 2019 For full passage click: Revelation 22:1-5 …“And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” vs. 5 It’s hard not to think of death as we look toward the future. All of us have had loved ones die, and we know that one day our time will come, too. It’s inevitable! No matter how hard we…
Daily Devotions: May 10, 2019
May 10, 2019 For full passage click: Revelation 7:9-17 …“for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17 One of the visions John shared with his readers has given believers of every time and place a measure of comfort in their encounters with death. He describes a great white robed choir standing…
Daily Devotions: May 4, 2019
May 4, 2019 For full passage click: John 21:1-14 …“Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” vs. 4 There was nothing about the appearance of the man on the beach that reminded the disciples of Jesus; but when their nets were filled with fish after following his instructions, one of them shouted out, “It is the Lord!” When they came ashore and found the man preparing breakfast they were…