Weekly Thought – August 1, 2017
Fred’s use of “I am convinced” evoked confidence. His children were sure whatever followed those words were bedrock truth. He often took subjects and outlined his beliefs. In preparation for the memorial service honoring the life of a friend’s son, he laid out what death taught. At the end of the list he made a final comment to his secretary Margie Keith before she typed the material: “I believe” should be changed to “I know.” Fred was convinced.
Be looking for details on the BWFLI Mentoring Roundtable. This new initiative will help our Christian schools develop “what’s next” strategies.
Death’s Lessons
Death congeals my beliefs:
1) I believe in eternity. We don’t simply cease to exist; we go somewhere. My father, mother, and sister are somewhere called eternity. And where they are, they are free from death. The last enemy has been conquered.
2) I believe in justification through faith in Christ. I know of no one who has lived so purely in this time frame to merit eternal life. It is a gift.
3) I believe death is our enemy. It can hurt us, but not devastate us.
4) I believe in the Comforter. I have experienced the comfort and peace that passes understanding. Furthermore, I have the testimony of truthful friends who have this same experience. I feel order even in this chaos.
5) I believe in the healing power of tears. Tears wash clean like a spiritual detergent.
6) I believe good can come from hurt – even a hurt this deep. Death can be turned to life through the power of God.
7) I know this long, dark night will eventually end. I know it both by faith in His promise and through past experience.
8) I believe the dead in Christ will be reunited. I believe in the hope of joining together in heaven otherwise we would grieve “as those without hope.”
9) I believe this life is the practice and the true game comes in eternity – some leave the practice field early.
10) I believe those who die “now know as they are known.” To me, that is the most exciting part about death. Just to know what has only been seen through a glass dimly is the hope of earth and joy of heaven.
This week think about: 1) What do I believe about death? 2) How clear am I on the Christian’s afterlife? 3) Who needs me to encourage them with the hope of heaven?
Words of Wisdom: “I believe should be changed to I know.”
Wisdom from the Word: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38,39 NET Bible)