When We Die

The enemy has been defeated

Death couldn't hold you down

We're gonna lift our voice in victory

We're gonna make your praises loud

We lift your name up!

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What happens when we die? We go to heaven.

As Christians, we think we know what happens when we die. We get to go to heaven and have eternal life. Shouldn't this excite us, and let us be unafraid of death?

Today, I read in 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter is a heavy chapter for me. Paul writes about Jesus' resurrection. Paul writes about who buried Him, and who saw Him rise. Paul explains that Jesus proved to every person that there is life after death, that resurrection can happen. Paul went on sharing about death, and what happens when we die.

Why do we die?

V22-23 We die because we belong to Adam. Because Adam sinned, we sin, and the punishment for sin is death. BUT because we belong to Christ, we will be given new life.

So when we die, there is hope, not sadness. V42-44 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.

When we die we live again! We are being transformed into our heavenly bodies. Here is the rest of chapter 15 that I couldn't break into parts because the WHOLE thing is worth reading.

⁵⁰ What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

⁵¹ But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
⁵⁵ O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

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Satan thinks that death is his victory. But oh is he wrong! Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, death is now means Satan has been defeated. Death does not mean the end of life. It means the beginning of eternal life. A life better than earthly life. A life you get to live next to our Lord. A life of all knowing. A life of no school, work, stress, emotion, money, dos and donts. A life you can ONLY achieve if you live your earthly life the way God wants you to.

Will you achieve eternal life? Will you defeat Satan?

An Audience of One

Lately I have been struggling with being a more "God like person" if you will. When put in certain situations, I act like someone who is not following this great and mighty person. God calls us to not judge. To love your enemy. To love everyone because we are all children of Him. I find myself day to day getting those automatic thoughts when I see certain people. If I see a car with huge rims, I think mexican and ghetto. When I see funny clothes that aren't "in style" I laugh. I see a guy thats older with a creeper mustache I think he is going to hurt me. When I see smoking I think rude. It goes on and on and needless to say, I want that to change. I have been praying lately about my actions and help with looking at people the way Jesus sees them. They are no different than I, because we were all put here with one power, God. Other than judging, I also seem to say the wrong things, or act the wrong way in situations. I am almost afraid to be embarrassed or not be "cool" because of they way I live my life. I do not have this problem with my friends and community that also love and know Jesus Christ. However, when I am at work or in public and something will come up, I will almost conform to that crown to "fit in." I'm not saying if they smoke, I start smoking. But just the little things, like certain remarks on people, etc.

Saturday night I went to this conference for the Garden where Darren, our pastor, explained our view or mission of the church. There was one section Darren touched on which stuck. Darren said he wants us all to be disciples, he wants us all to know how to pray, how to pray for healing, how to talk to people and invite them in to this wonderful life. He left us on this note: Do you live a life work following?

Do I live a life worth following? I say no. Yes, I love and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, yes I do my best to serve Him, yes I go to church and life groups, Yes I have SOME things right. BUT there are things I need work on, things Jesus would never do, things I wouldn't want others to do in the name of Jesus Christ. I need to drive better, slower, less angry. I need to have more patience with "dumb people." <--I need to not think people are dumb, they just think differently than me. I need to stop caring what people think of me and start showing I love Jesus and they should too. I need to stop avoiding conversations that could turn into sharing of the Good News. I need to see the world Jesus sees it. I want God to brake my heart for what breaks His. I want God to open my eyes to the things unseen. I WANT TO LIVE A LIFE WORTH FOLLOWING!

Last night at church I asked Hartley to pray for these things I've been struggling with, and during the prayer she said "let us be an audience on one" I want to start living for an audience of one. and that one is God. He is the only one that matters in the end. He is the one that will judge me when time comes to. He is the one that can say "well done good and faithful servant" Let people think I'm crazy. Let people think I'm weird. Let them see I am different. I will be crazy, weird, and different to live this life worth following.

Today is the day to change. And people reading this; be my accountability.