Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Easter Confidence!

Dear Friend,                          

A common English euphemism when speaking of a person who has died is to say that he or she has, “passed away.” My mentor in the faith, Jim Tozer, encouraged me not to use that expression because it hides the reality of death and simply to say he or she died.

When my mother was in her last months in a residence for senior citizens, she told me that that the staff there didn’t speak of residents as either passing away or dying but of “going celestial.” Mom and I would often laugh about that euphemism because it sounded lot nicer than “passing away!”

My mother did not “pass away” or “go celestial” (though it makes me smile to think of her that way).  Mom died.  In fact, three other people dear to me died that year.

I remember people telling me that I had wonderful memories, which is true.

I had said similar things to grieving people. I realized that while I did have wonderful memories, it was not the memories I had but the absence of my loved ones that dominated my emotional wiring. That is what grief is all about.

Yet, even that grief was not a hopeless grief because of the genuine confidence about the future that Easter brings. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13”

“I am the resurrection and the life [says Jesus]. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 I do!  Hallelujah! I pray you do, too!

Joy to you - Stan

© Copyright 2021 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

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If you have lost a dear one, what words did you find most comforting?

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 For your own Easter Confidence, you may use this prayer, or one like it, to affirm your trust in Jesus:

     Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life. I know that you died for my sins on the cross and you give me the gift of forgiveness.

     I want to live my life for you. I want to follow you as Lord of my life.

     I trust that you will make me into the person you want me to become.

     Please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I may share this faith and love with other people.

     I offer this prayer with thanks in Jesus’ name.  Amen

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Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash‍

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