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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

"Exchanges"

"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality" (1 Corinthians 15: 53).

Yesterday we had the Memorial Service for my Mom. Those who follow this series regularly are aware she passed away last week. It was really a time of celebration and at her very specific request her two "preacher boys" each shared a brief message. There was also wonderful congregational singing, including two songs she had chosen, a number of tributes from family members and a special song by three of her grandchildren.

The message I shared had the daily text in mind.  At her transition last Wednesday Mom made a number of exchanges. She exchanged her broken, worn-out earthly body for a new one. I showed the congregation her pillbox, which required an extensive array of medications and pointed out that she wouldn't need these any longer. I lifted up her walker, that she just seemed to despise using, and pointed out that she wouldn't need it for her walks along the streets of gold.

She exchanged homes. She had a pretty good life relative to so many and really enjoyed living on this old earth. But now she's in a new home, present with her Lord and I believe meeting again so many that had gone on before her. (The older you get the more this aspect becomes part of heaven's appeal.)

Finally she exchanged her sorrows for a place there will be no sorrows. Although we have the blessing of peace and joy on this side, sorrow of one kind or another is always so near. Revelation 21:4 has a great glimpse of eternity. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

I ended my part of the service with a PowerPoint presentation of a song titled, "If You Could See Me Now" This song is written from the powerful perspective that a believer, upon their passing to life eternal, might express to those of us who remain. (An audio clip of this message and song is available below).

These promises bring such blessed assurance for those of us who remain. Let us stay faithful till we are also called home to be with the Lord!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer: Jesus, I consider the times we read about clothing in the Scriptures.  You mention how the lilies of the field do not clothe themselves, but you outfit them with a beautiful assortment of color.  The Scriptures instruct us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.   Over all these virtues we're to clothe ourselves with love which binds all of the other virtues together in perfect unity.  The Scripture also instructs us to daily clothe ourselves in protective Christian armor so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes.  The indescribable blessing that comes to those of us who clothe ourselves in godly attire prepare us for the ultimate final blessing of shedding our perishable, mortal, broken, and deficient bodies for heavenly attire.  Our heavenly bodies, supernaturally clothed, will live eternally without fear of death. No mourning, crying or pain will clothe these bodies because the old order of things will have passed away.  Clothe us today in the spiritual clothing that will prepare us to receive the imperishable clothing that comes when we pass from this life to eternal life. 

See this page for a tribute to my Mom, Georgia Mae Weber

Here are a couple of audio clips from the service yesterday that some of our readers may find interesting.
Brooksyne's tribute to Mom
My brief message at the service, which was followed by a recorded song that has a powerful perspective concerning what a believer might express to those of us who remain upon their passing to life eternal.
A real blessing is to hear the great passage in Revelation 21 read.

Practical note: For those who are accustomed to receiving these messages around 10:00 AM Eastern time please pardon the later timing of this message. Also I did not prepare a message yesterday due to the Memorial Service.  As you can imagine our lives have been quite disordered these last several days. I expect to resume my regular schedule tomorrow, which typically means beginning this process at around 5-6 AM and having it ready for distribution from 10-11 AM.

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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