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| Elder Willie Harris Jr's blog |
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How do you prepare for death? We can only prepare for the grave through faith in Christ.
Psalms 49:15 (NLT): "But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave."
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV): "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus demonstrated His power over the grave. He resurrected Lazarus and Jairus' daughter. He came out of His own grave after the Crucifixion. The living Christ saves all who come to Him giving them eternal life.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV): "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Jesus is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him. No one can add to what Jesus did to save us; our past, present, and future sins are all forgiven.
Are you prepared to meet your God? Prepare is an invitation to repent before you face the judgment of God. We're not prepared to live until we're prepared to die.
Luke 9:24-25 (NIV): "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"
Are you prepared to escape the grip of the grave? You can break the grip of the grave by putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
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Psalms 119 176-day challenge: Today's verse is 161.
We had a great time at our Fall Renewal services last week. Minister Harrison kicked things off talking about stripping off the old nature so you don't give the devil opportunity in your life. Pastor Snead encouraged us that our wings are almost ready if we just wait on the Lord and don't give up. Minister Clanton finished things off by exhorting us to cry out to God and worship Him so that we can be delivered from captivity. It was truly a great time of renewal!
Don't forget to sign-up by this Wednesday for the upcoming Spiritual Enrichment class starting on Oct. 12th. Sign-up at the Welcome Center.
I will not be a church next Sunday as my wife and I will be cruising on the high seas to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Keep us in your prayers as we are traveling.
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How do we prepare for death? We cannot prepare through increased wealth.
Psalms 49:16-17 (NLT): "So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave."
Expensive homes do not increase the length of life. Earthly honor and glory fade; they cannot prevent death. Wealth is worthless in the grave. We can't take wealth with us.
Ecclesiastes 5:15: "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand."
All the pomp and circumstance you get in this present life will perish with your last breath. The grave levels the playing field between the "haves" and the "have nots". Remember the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. Despite all the wealth of the rich man and the lack of wealth of Lazarus, both men died. They had death in common, but their eternal destiny was vastly different. Therefore it is foolish to be jealous of unbelieving wealthy people for their doom is sure. Though they enjoy great splendor and prosper in this life, they pass away into darkness, taking nothing with them.
The advice of the Psalmist is clear: do not be dismayed or overawed when a man grows rich. A proper perspective is necessary for spiritual discernment of life. The destiny of the righteous is far better than the fleeting glory of the wicked. Let us not fret over those who gain earth's temporary trinkets.
Psalm 37:1-2: "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."
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How do we prepare for death?
We cannot prepare through increased education.
Psalms 49:10 (NLT): "Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind."
Degrees cannot deliver us from death. Educated people have been unable to find a way to escape life's common end. Eternal life cannot be gained by accumulating facts on healthy living. Even the wisest have been unable to avoid the grip of the grave. Medical science comes up empty in its search for a pill to give eternal life. Science has been studying cryogenics (just like in the movies) so you can one day freeze someone and bring them back years later. No matter what medicine or science comes up with, death is inevitable. Miracle drugs work only for a season. Many diseases have been conquered, but life still ultimately ends.
In spite of earthly honors (degrees, achievements, etc), we all march steadily toward the grave.
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Psalms 119 176-day challenge: Today's verse is 154.
Thanks to all the Couples who attended the Couples Retreat yesterday. We had a great time and there was a lot of kissing going on as well!! The next Couples event will be to go see the movie, Fireproof. If you are interesting in going, contact the Couples Ministry.
The Couples Ministry is also sponsoring a voter registration drive. Oct. 10th is the last day to register, change your party affiliation or your address. I also encourage young adults who are now voting age to register to vote.
Our Fall Renewal services will be taking place on this Wednesday through Friday starting at 7pm. Everyone is invited to come and bring a friend.
Don't forget that on Oct. 26, we will be having our Family & Friends Day. We're asking for members to donate bottled water, punch, desserts, and money to help us purchase food that hospitality will cook and prepare.
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