"Life AFter Death"

  "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." (Rev. 12:11) These are those in heaven and their victory because of Christ Jesus.

  We face many obstacles, some greater than others. There are too many voices that we allow to direct us. Listen, dying is not our real enemy! Living without God is the real enemy!!! The blood of the Lamb means something or at least it should to us when we face health issues and death. It seems people's view of the blood of the Lamb expresses their view of life after death. There are those who aren't sure there is life after death. There are those who hope there is life after death. There are those who know there is life after death but it lacks beauty and power. And finally those who know the Lord lives, they too live even in the face of death.

  When it comes our time to die, and that day will come unless Jesus returns first, will we insist that God keep us alive or question His intention of taking us from those we love? Our faith in the Lord Jesus should lead us to facing the tough realities in this life knowing that God is moving us toward the completion of His loving and kind purpose - bringing us home to Himself! A faith that does not see that does not see any overcoming because of the blood of the Lamb. A faith that does not trust and commit our lives into the hand of the Lord even when facing death is a poor substitute for the faith offered in the Scriptures. It seems to me that we, in America, live in a constant state of anxiety about something because we put too much value on things and comfortable living while looking at painless, instant dying!

  The true purpose of faith and our existence should be shaped by One who chose to give up His life for us. Our faith should deepen and be shaped by the One who did not spare His own Son but brought Him to death for us - and He lives! What if our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who died in my place, had talked His way out of the judgment hall, avoiding the cross to save His own neck?