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Thank God we serve a living Savior who promised to go with us even until the end of the age. He cares so much for each and everyone of us that He continually intercedes for us at the throne of God (He. 7:25). No problem is too big for Him and none is too small. The apostle Peter told us that we can cast all of our cares and worries upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Pe. 5:7). We don't serve a cold distant theoretical God, we serve a living and active Savior. As the song says, "You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart." On that note I would like to relate an experience to you that I hold dear to my heart. I call it my "Fish story." Back in the early 80s, our son Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, right out of high school. Before he left, we rented a charter boat to go salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. We fished all afternoon without even a nibble. It was getting dark and the boat captain was ready to head to shore. I looked and saw the utter disappointment on my son's face and prayed,"Lord, you knew where the fish were when you told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the ship - The Draught of Fishes - Luke 5:1-9." Instantly, Don and my daughter Teddi had simultaneous strikes on their lines and each caught a good sized salmon. Shortly after, Marie caught a good sized brown trout, which was the best tasting fish I have ever eaten. Lastly, I caught the smallest salmon of all. My niece Claudia lived fairly close, and she grilled some of our salmon and trout and we all had a feast. I mentioned to Marie that I had prayed there in the boat and she replied, "Let me tell you something. You weren't the only one praying." I have often referred to this incident as a milestone on our walk of faith. More than once, we've looked back to it when faced with a problem. Recently we and others had been interceding with the Lord to supply Don with a steady job. As we continually sought the Lord, I couldn't help but think of the poor widow pestering the unjust judge to have her petition granted - Parable of the Unjust Judge....Lu. 18:1). And continually our cry was, "Lord, You know where the jobs are." Bottom line: Don just got hired with a local school district. Another milestone on our walk of faith that points to our living and abiding Savior. John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Because I live, you will live also. Calvary was just a few hours away. Jesus knew that he would soon be sentenced to death in Pilate’s judgment hall. He knew the agony that He would face and was well aware that the burden of all of man’s sins would be laid on Him. He also knew that He would rise again in three days. Death was simply an unpleasant although necessary interlude. Man could kill His flesh but they couldn’t kill the God who dwelled within Him. He, the living Word of God, has always lived as an integral part of God’s person. He was in the beginning with God and was God. He came into the world as a man to accomplish our redemption and soon would be returning to the bosom of His Father from whence He came. Hebrews 2:10 tells us that Jesus, by tasting death for every man, led many sons to glory. By His resurrection, Jesus became the first fruits of them who slept (I Cor. 15:20) Because He conquered death, death can have no dominion over us either. For the believer, death is simply a necessary transformation from mortal to immortal. When we hear the trumpet of God, the grave won’t be able to hold us. Our bodies may have totally dissolved into dust, but when the archangel gives a shout we will be instantaneously reconstituted and join our Lord in the air (I Cor. 15:23). Because He lives, we have the privilege of receiving His Holy Spirit, by which He lives in us. Jesus said that He would go with us, even unto the end of the world. As the song says, "Because He lives, we can face tomorrow." We can walk through this world without fear, knowing that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Because He lives within us, we can overcome the spirit of anti-Christ that is running rampant throughout this world (I John 4:3-4). We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but our risen Savior does. We, like the early Christians, are not immune from tribulations and the wrath of man. Thomas saw His nail scars and declared, “My Lord and my God,” and was forever changed. Peter, who had denied Him, saw the empty tomb and was never silent again. All of the apostles but John died a martyr's death. They had been eyewitnesses of the resurrection and ascension and nothing that man could do could ever make then deny Him again. The Romans slaughtered Christians by the thousands. They were fed to the lions, burned at the stake and tortured for mere amusement, but most did not deny their Lord. They had met the risen Savior and had an unshakeable confidence that their death would be nothing more than a temporary unpleasantness. They knew that because Jesus lived, they would live also. I Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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