Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

28 October 2024

Reading From John 11

“Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, ‘Unwrap him and let him go!’”

 –John 11:40-44

     This miracle, as well as His own resurrection, sets Jesus apart from all other humans who have ever lived.  No one else has ever raised the dead.  He alone is fully God and was fully man and belief in Him is required to experience our own resurrection and be with Him in glory.  In John 11, Jesus sets an example for us in prayer.  God the Father and God the Son are of one mind and our thoughts are known by God even if we do not say them out loud.  But when we are praying with others, it is edifying for them to hear the words of our prayers. 

     When I am raised to life again at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (if I am not taken up in the Rapture before I die physically), every particle of my body will be miraculously reconstituted and reunited with my spirit to form my new resurrected and glorified body.  Along with all of my brothers and sisters in the Lord, we will be united with God in perfect harmony and our sanctification will be made complete.  We will be perfectly conformed into the image of Him who made us and we will  rule and reign with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth. 

“Lord, bless us with the strength and encouragement we need to endure to the end.  This world is filled with tragedy, darkness, despair and disillusionment.  Help us, Lord Jesus.  Fill us with Your blessed hope of Your glorious appearing.  In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 –Titus 2:11-14