1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ~ Hope

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, 

brothers, 
about those who are asleep, 

that

 you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

14 For since we believe that Jesus died 

and rose again, 

even so, through Jesus,

God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

15 For this we declare to you 

by a Word from the Lord, that we who are alive, 

who are left until the coming of the Lord, 

will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

16 For the Lord Himself 

will descend from heaven 

with a Cry of Command, 

with the Voice of an Archangel, 

and 

with the Sound of the Trumpet of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

17 Then we who are alive, who are left, 

will be caught up together

with them in the clouds 

to meet the Lord in the air, 

so we will 

always 

be with the Lord.

I was in a Bible Study Group when Obama came into office and pledged to disband Guantánamo Bay. Saying these men did not have sorrow for 911 and this was ineffective.  And the disbanding did not happen. In Bible Study, we wondered why the Departed photos, names and the hopes, family and dreams, of their heart and soul was not shared in great depth with the men in Guantánamo Bay.

And this year, for the first time, social media, began to tell the Souls of those departed on 911.  I had to read each Post.  And remember the lives, the people tremendously loved, who didn't go home to turn on lights at home for the evening, to have dinner, to be comfort, being with those they loved.  So many different lives, so much love. So much still remembered and missed. 

When we look at the photos of the Cross emerging the day of 911, we see the horror swirling around the initial photo. And the Cross is Strong.

Then the end of the day of 911:

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say in response to these things? 

If God is for us, who can be against us? 

32 He who did not spare His own Son 

but gave Him up for us 

all

1 John 4:9

This is how God’s love was revealed among us:

 God sent His one and only Son into the world, 

so that we might live 

through Him.

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: 

the LORD will 

give grace and glory:

 no good thing 

will He withhold from them that walk uprightly

And yet

all 

the times

God has to repeat,

"Fear Not!"

In the sheer scope

of

the Horror.

Matthew 27:46

About three in the afternoon 

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”

 (which means 

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

And we can see this displayed in the days after 911, in the Cross of 911.

We can see this displayed in the comments after the sadness and horror of the murder of Charlie Kirk.  Shocked, saddened, quickly things develop having an equivalent horror.  Creating a memory, adding to the pain. Comments containing a memorable dreadfulness. 

As we remember Charlie Kirk, we remember his advice to discuss ideology and not allow harmful words and violence to stop and take away positive hope.  To Proclaim. To have Gratitude. Love the Lord. Treat people respectfully. 

Remembering 

the Remaining

Honor

Charlie Kirk

always

lived Gratitude

always

wanted Freedom 

and 

Free Speech

1 Corinthians 16:13 

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, 

act like men, be strong.

Philippians 4:1

 

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, 

my joy and crown, 

stand firm thus in the Lord, 

my beloved.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing 

you may discern what is the Will of God, 

what is good 

and acceptable 

and perfect.

Ole Miss prays

  

Abba, Father

Father, in the day of grief, sorrow

and trouble,

We have Your Promises.

And in Jesus, yes, this is our Hope.

And in Jesus - this Hope, 

Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus

†