All Saints Day: Wednesday, November 1, 2006

This is another day in the life of the church, All Saints Day. It has been celebrated since the 4th century. It is a day where we remember those that have gone on to be with the Lord and celebrate their life and their impact upon our lives. Today, take a moment to remember those that have gone onto to be with the Lord, and remember what they have done for you and for your faith. And, above all, thank God for those persons and those memories. And, then, try to make that same impact yourself on the life of another. You can read more about All Saints Day by clicking here.

New Testament Lesson

Revelation 21:1-6

This passage is the great hope of eternity. In eternity, in heaven, God will be our God and will walk among us, wiping every tear from our eyes. There will be no more sickness pain and death. There will be no more loss, no more hurt, no more of these things. In eternity, God will walk among us and will be be in our midst. And, we will be in His.

In this eternity, things will be as they should. The former ways are gone, and the way God intended it will be there. And, today, on this day, we think of those that have attained that perfect rest Jesus Christ, and we long for that ourselves. One, day we will cross the Jordan, and will stand on the shore of God. Just as sure as heaven is a reality, so is the reality that one day we will pass from this life into true life. One day, we will stand before the judgement throne of God. One, day, we will come face to face with our savior. One day, we will attain that rest and victory that is intended for the saints of God.

Oh when the saints go marching in, Lord I want to be in that number. That is a song many of us have sang in our lives. But, the truth of it rings true. One day, the saints will go marching in. Will you be in that number?

Gospel Lesson

John 11:32-44

We think that death has the final word. Our world thinks that death has the final word. But, we see in this passage that Jesus is Lord, even of death, and that the grave cannot and will contain His power. He is Lord of all, and for those of us that believe, though we shall die, yet shall we live. We will pass from this earth. We will pass from this life. But, one day, the same Jesus that called Lazarus from the grave will be the same Jesus that will call us forth from the grave as well.

For those of us that believe, the grave is not end. For those of us that believe, this life is not the end, but it just the beginning. Today, rejoice, for we have nothing to fear. Our Lord is Lord, and our God is God. Rejoice, He has conquer sin, death, and the grave, and to those of us that believe, goes this victory. Rejoice, for He is worthy to be praised!