Grief

Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Does God Protect His Word (part 7)?

Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."

Here are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as He taught on the Mount of Olives. Leaving the city of Jerusalem, Jesus begins teaching about future events, prophecies concerning the temple and the return of Christ. The disciples ask, "what will be the sign of your coming at the end of the age?" (Mt 24:3; Mk 13:4; Lk 21:7) He answers, "the sing of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." (Mt 24:30) In other words, the sign of His coming will be His coming.

His coming will be preceeded by the "birth-pangs" of misleading false christs and the persecution of those who stand for the truth of the gospel (Mt 42:4-14; Mk 13:5-13; Lk 21:8-19). Past prophecies will be fulfilled and distress will grow as the deceptions of false christ's continue (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Mt 24:15-28; Mk 13:14-23; Lk 21:20-24) then the Son of Man will come (Mt 24:29-31; Mk 13:24-27; Lk 21:25-27). Count on these things as surely just as a tree gives its fruit in season (Mt. 24:32-41; Mk 13:28-32; Lk 21:28-33).

Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes that heaven and earth itself will return to nothing before His words fail. Consider the role of prophecy here. So much time passes between their giving and fulfillment that it seems as if the words are forgotten or delayed; however, the fulfillment is in God's time. What is truly remarkable is that the prophetic words are made sure because they are God's words. Any other word man speaks, any ordinance, law, utterance, assertion--all the memorable speeches and quotes--will vanish, empty, while the words of Christ fulfill. When the sun, moon and stars cease their proper function, His word will be accomplished.

The sign His word is protected is in His returning.

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