Thursday, February 23, 2012
Weekend Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Not Afraid - Fear of Death
Read: Philippians 1: 19-26; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28
Think: As Pastor Ben talked about the fear of death I remembered a famous Woody Allen quote, “I’m not afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
It’s not death that’s so frightening for some of us. We’ve put our faith in Christ and we know the promise
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:13
But if you’re anything like me it’s the dying that scares us. As Paul faced imprisonment and the prospect of dying in a jail cell, he shared his view about life and death: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). What a perspective!
Death is our enemy as we read in today’s scripture reading, but it does not have the finality that some may dread. There is something waiting for Christ-followers beyond this life—something better!
Someone has said, “What the caterpillar thinks is the end of life, the butterfly thinks is just the beginning.” George MacDonald wrote, “How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.”
I love this paraphrase of Philippians 1:21, “To me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet!” (TLB). During our physical life, we have opportunities to serve Jesus. But one day, we will actually be in His presence. Our fear will fade quickly when we see Him face to face.
That has to be the “better yet” the Apostle Paul is talking about!
Do: Just affirm by faith today that you trust God at His Word- as a follower of Jesus you will not fear at what is after this lifetime.
Pray: God, thank you that you have such an amazing purpose and plan for us – and that it doesn’t end with this lifetime. I look forward to eternity with You. However my days end on this side of heaven, I will not fear, but TRUST in You! Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.