Standing Firm

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.                                                                                                     - Revelation 20:6

There are a number of thoughts on the meaning of the 'first resurrection'. For some, the first resurrection is the rapture of the church. But not all share in this idea. Other believers think of the first resurrection as their baptism. This is where this writer falls. That doesn't mean other beliefs are wrong, only that my baptism saved me from death; hence a resurrection.

I read that the first resurrection is the heavenly life of souls who have died in Christ before His second coming. That's you and me when we die; it is our loved ones who believed and lived their lives as Children of God.

Luke 21:19 "Stand firm and you will win life."  To me, standing firm is daily living up to my baptism, my resurrection from darkness into light. Recently I have been reading through my journals from the past 20 years. They are quite eye-opening.

At the beginning of this adventure, I was trying to learn more about myself and my faith journey. I can say that this reading material has blessed me with the realization that God has been chasing me down for years. Initially I was under the impression that my relationship with Jesus began to grow in 2008, but in fact it was bubbling way back in 2001.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

                                                                                                                            (1 Corinthians 15:58)

At The End of The Day, You Get To Go Home

It’s hard to be a parent. As my son approaches his 11th birthday, I am challenged even more to make sure he is equipped for life in the world. His father and I know he is going to meet people who will tease him, challenge him, and outright try and make life hard. Instead of trying to stop every bully, we are trying our best to help Evan know how to handle himself in rough situations.

At the end of the day, though, we remind him that you will be coming home to us. Evan knows that home is a safe place where he can be honest with his struggles, get help where needed, and be ready for the next day.

Our scripture today offers that same type of hope. God has sent us out into the world, but he does not sugar coat it, he says plainly that we will be persecuted, betrayed by family and friends, and some even put to death.

Jesus states that we will be hated because of him, but hope come when he calls us to stand firm because he will give us wisdom to speak. Our accusers will not be able to resist or contradict the truth we speak and ultimately, we will win life. Persecution, hate, betrayal and death are not to be taken lightly, but God will equip us to resist the evil that people will send out way and in the end, we will get to go home to him.

Read today passage here. Luke 21:12-19