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2 TYPES OF PERSONS IN THE CEMETERY

In the foreground of this picture we see a stoned over grave. In the background we see a makeshift shelter for the homeless person.

This reminds us that there are at least two varieties of death: Physical death and spiritual death.

Death is separation.

Physical death is the separation of the human soul & spirit from the body.

Spiritual death is the separation of the unconverted person’s dead spirit from any relationship with God.

It is very typical that otherwise very much physically alive persons are at the same time very much spiritually dead!

Ephesians 2:1 & 4-5 –

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins … But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) …”

Which are you? Spiritually dead or spiritually alive?



DO SOMETHING

This picture was taken on March 16th. These Christmas Bazaar signs were put up in front of the hospital in November!

For months I had been driving by these outdated advertisements, judging them both to be an eyesore and an evidence of someone’s irresponsibility not to take down what they once had put up.

Finally it dawned on me that I should be the answer to my own irritation!

I parked my car, pulled out the signs and drove them away to a trash bin.

Problem solved, BUT I had to get involved and do something.

There are so many practical applications to this truth.

Pieces of trash on the ground to pick up.

Pieces of wrecked cars in the streets to move aside.

Pieces of broken children, who    are hungry for adult attention, acceptance, commendation and brotherly love, to glue back together with simple & sincere personal kindnesses.

There is a wonderful & inspiring young boy in Scripture . He looked around and saw that nobody was doing what perhaps many could have done.

He decided to do something.

John 6:8-9 –

“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ‘there is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”

Step up. Do something!



PLAN FOR THE TIME AFTER YOU

A British newspaper recently published some set & secret plans for Great Britain after Queen Elizabeth II dies. Currently she is well on in years.

Part of that once quiet and un-publicized (and some would say morbid) plan is to issue these three postage stamps.

It is not morbid to plan for the time after ourselves.

It is helpful to have life insurance and a last will and testament etc.

Even better, it is excellent to have lived in such a way that you have passed on (1) your saving faith in Christ and (2) your love for & commitment to Christ’s Church to your family members & friends who will survive you!

Plus, living daily with intentional kindness, grace, justice, generosity, worship & prayerfulness will leave a God-honoring legacy far more valuable than money and the things which money can buy!

With the Psalmist Moses, let us each pray:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.”

You won’t live forever, on earth at least, plan now for the time after you!



YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS

In Isaiah 49:16 God assured wayward Judah:

“Behold, I have a inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”

The Lord Jesus used the same “hands” Word Picture in the New Testament.

Jesus said to His believer-followers:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

(John 10:27-29)

Believer, you are in good hands!



BAAA!

These are Paul and Denise Worrell’s sheep and lamb.

That’s their chickens’ water bucket over the young one’s head!

Rescue occurred in time.

The Lord calls us His sheep. And He knows that we are ever-prone to wander away from Him into trouble! (Isaiah 53:6)

We are truly very blessed that the Lord Jesus is our Good Shepherd! 24/7. 365/y. (Psalm 23)

He will not see you starve or continue to look foolish.

He’s not only our Good Shepherd; He’s our perfect Shepherd!

Praise Him for His care for you!