The Word For Today by Bob Gass Tues 19 July

‘He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’ John 11:25 NKJV

Conquering the Fear of Death (2)

Years ago a best-selling country song said, ‘Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.’ Why? Sometimes it’s because we’re not sure that we’re ready. But you can be. How? 1) You can prepare spiritually and emotionally. Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ (vv. 25-26 NKJV). When you put your trust in Christ, death is not the end of you but the beginning of the best version of you. 2) You can prepare relationally. How? By letting the key people in your life know on a regular basis how much you care about them. You must also forgive anyone who has hurt you, and seek their forgiveness if you hurt them (see Mark 11:25-26). 3) You can prepare financially. One of Christ’s last acts on the cross was to commit the care of His mother to one of His disciples. Good stewardship requires that you leave a valid will with clear instructions concerning your earthly possessions and how you want your funeral to be handled. This may not be a pleasant thought, but it’s your spiritual responsibility. Paul writes, ‘I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better’ (Philippians 1:23 NKJV). Why did Paul say heaven was ‘far better’? Because God had already given him a glimpse into heaven. David felt the same way: ‘In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore’ (Psalm 16:11 KJV).