Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15
God’s Word is a collection of 66 Books with One Author, God. God’s Word was written over a 1500-year time span, which means it was written over 40 generations. God had His Word written by more than 40 writers, from every walk of life: kings, peasants, philosophers, fisherman, poets, etc…. God did all of this so we would know Him and know who we are in Him. As God used Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to write 1 Thessalonians 4, we read in verse 15 today, the confirmation that what they were writing was “by the word of the Lord.” God does not want us to have any doubt that what we have in the Bible is His Word. Today we read that if Christ comes back for His church while we as Christians are still living on this earth, we will not lead the way into Christ’s presence. The reason we will not lead the way is that those believers who have already died are already in Christ’s presence. All of the saints (Christians, holy ones) who have experienced physical death have been in the presence of Christ since the day they were called home. What is left behind by all the saints who have died is nothing more than an empty shell. The body that is buried, cremated, or donated to science is nothing more than a mode of transportation that is no longer being used. God wants us to know that though our brothers and sisters in Christ are no longer here, they are alive with Him.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been called home?
2. What did you learn today that changes the way you see life and death?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!