This past week I had the privilege of officiating the funeral service of a friend.  His name was Bill and we shared many special times over donuts at The Donut Den in Crest Hill.  Part of me says to each of you that I hope God graces your life so much that you, too, will have such a relationship with someone.  Another part of me is the one who is always humbled to proclaim at any funeral service…“Jesus defeated death forever”.  And…my friends who are reading this…I truly hope that you know at the very core of your being that one day you are confident to know that not only did Jesus defeat death forever…we are left us with the following promise from Jesus…from Revelation 21:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals.  He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.  Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”  And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children…”

The Victor is the One who created everything good in the beginning and the One who will restore, to all who believe in his name, everything good in the end.  Believe…in Jesus!

Readings this coming week:

7/16/18 Esther 5-6 Psalm 87 Galatians 4 Dale
7/17/18 Esther 7-8 Job 30 Galatians 5 Craig H.
7/18/18 Esther 9-10 Psalm 88 Galatians 6 Craig R.
7/19/18 Isaiah 1 Job 31 Ephesians 1 Karl
7/20/18 Isaiah 2 Psalm 89:1-26 Ephesians 2 Matt
7/21/18 Isaiah 3 Job 32 Ephesians 3 Bo