My wife, Renee, has a big court case coming up so I’m doing the weekly shopping. After two minutes of scanning every bag in the flour section, I turn to the wise older woman on my left. “I’ve found everything except what I’m looking for. Do you have any idea where the almond flour is?” Just then I spot it.
The older woman laughs. “Happens to me all the time at my age.”
“You mean our age,” I joke.
“What? I’m 83.”
“So? I’m older than you: I’ve died twice.”
“What?”
“I’ve died twice, so I’m older than you. It was hard to resuscitate me both times.”
The woman looks down. “All of my friends have died.” I don’t say anything, so she continues. “And now my husband is in the hospital.” After that, she is lost in thought.
How good is it that we can thank the Lord every day for what His Word tells us about death? It’s not all pleasant, but it’s certainly hope-filled. Death is not the end!
Biblical Examples to Heed
Like Job, I cling to God, who loves me and is in control (Job 1:21).
Like Isaac, I am blessing my family for generations to come by passing on a spiritual heritage to my children (Genesis 25:19).
Unlike Asa, I want to be true to God more than ever in my old age (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Like Esther, I act courageously even when I’m afraid of dying, knowing God is in control (Esther 4:16).
Like the Dying Thief, I can trust God today and receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a place in God’s family forever (Luke 23:42).
Like Lazarus, I believe God will raise me from the dead (John 12:11).
Like Epaphroditus, I am willing to risk my life for the work of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:30).
Like John, I believe Jesus Christ is coming again! (Revelation 1:9).
Biblical Truths to Affirm about Death
I believe everyone is lost and dying until God finds, rescues, and saves them (Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:16; Romans 3:12; 1 Peter 2:25).
I believe the wages of sin is death (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:3-4; Genesis 5:5; Numbers 16:38; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 1:18; Proverbs 10:16; Proverbs 11:18-19; Isaiah 22:14; Ezekiel 18:4-17; Romans 1:32; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:21-23; Romans 7:5; Romans 8:2-13; Galatians 6:8; 2 Peter 2:12-13).
I believe God doesn’t want any to perish, but all to repent and choose life (Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 30:15-19; Isaiah 30:18; Luke 21:18; John 3:16; John 10:28; John 11:26; Acts 27:34; Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
I believe God one day will destroy death (Hosea 13:14; Isaiah 25:8; Luke 20:36; 1 Corinthians 15:26; 1 Corinthians 15:54-56; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 20:14).
Biblical Truths to Affirm about Eternity
I believe God is eternal, without beginning or end (Genesis 21:33; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 93:2; Psalm 102:24-27; Isaiah 40:28; Isaiah 44:6; Micah 5:2; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 1:8).
I believe Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead three days later (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:60; Mark 15:46-47; Mark 16:6; Luke 23:53; John 19:42; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
I believe Jesus repeatedly appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:16; Luke 24:36; John 20:19; John 20:26; John 21:1; Acts 10:40; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
I believe nothing is more pressing or urgent than for someone to make sure he or she receives eternal life (Isaiah 55:2; Habakkuk 2:13-14; Matthew 19:16; Luke 10:40-42; John 6:27; Acts 16:30-31; 1 Corinthians 7:30; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 12:16; 1 Peter 1:24-25).
I believe the wicked will perish if they refuse to turn to God for salvation (Leviticus 26:14-18; 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 34:21; Isaiah 13:11; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 2:5; Galatians 6:7).
I believe the Lord is and will be the judge of all, living and dead (Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 7:8-11; Psalm 9:7-8; Psalm 50:6; Psalm 62:12; Psalm 75:7; Psalm 96:13; Proverbs 24:12; Isaiah 33:22; Matthew 19:28; John 9:39; Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Hebrews 12:23; James 5:9; 1 Peter 2:12; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 14:7).
I believe God will judge the wicked who refuse to repent (Genesis 19:24-25; Joshua 24:20; Deuteronomy 28:15-19; Psalm 26:9; Isaiah 1:20; Jeremiah 15:6; Romans 2:5-6).
I believe those who refuse to repent will face eternal destruction (Isaiah 8:22; Matthew 25:41; Philippians 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 2:4; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:6; Jude 1:13; Revelation 16:10).
Biblical Truths to Affirm about Heaven and Hell
I believe God one day will make new heavens and a new earth! (Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:26-27; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:1).
I believe I will receive a new body and spend eternity with God in the new heavens and new earth (John 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
I believe in the reality of hell (Job 31:12; Proverbs 2:18; Matthew 5:22-30; Matthew 7:13; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 23:15; Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:43-47; Luke 12:5; Romans 8:38; James 3:6; James 5:3; 2 Peter 2:4).
Biblical Commands to Obey
I thank the Lord Jesus for dying in my place for my sins (Isaiah 53:8-12; Matthew 27:35; Mark 10:45; Romans 4:23-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 1 Peter 2:24).
I have trusted Jesus Christ and thank Him again right now for giving me new, eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14; Mathew 19:29; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 11:25-26; John 17:3; Acts 11:18; Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 5:11-13).
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