Seek Daily Devotional (NBC) For July 29, 2024 : Topic – WORDS OF HOPE
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SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Monday, July 29
RBT: Isaiah 50-52
WORDS OF HOPE
Memory Verse: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13, NIV
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV
[13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
[14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
[15] According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
[17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
[18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.
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A preacher once called his family members together and told them about his departure. He had lived a long and fulfilled life of service in the ministry of God. He told them of how he knew, in his spirit, the day the Lord will call him home, and that he wanted them to be prepared for it. He instructed them not to observe any mourning rite, or tradition that is not found in God’s Word. Instead, they should rejoice because he would be with the Lord. After he passed away, his family members did just as he had instructed them.
We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We are citizens of the heavenly kingdom. So, when we pass away from this earth, it is not mere death, but a transition. Any believer who passes away goes to be with the Lord. Therefore, we should rejoice because we know we would meet again and live forever.
Have you lost a relative or loved one recently? Take solace in the fact that you would meet them again in heaven, if they were believers in Christ. This world is only a temporary place. Rejoice in this truth!
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Insight: This world is not our home. Let us daily rejoice in Jesus, our hope of glory.
Prayer: Lord, help me to constantly hope in You at all times.