On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 9:21:35 AM UTC-5, Peter Cheung wrote:
> Rick’s mother is dead, this is his punishment from god.
My mother was a Christian. I am grateful to know I will see her again,
and not in her final state where cancer had made her so weak she could
no longer stand in her final days, but in a new glorified body like that
of the angels, strong and full of vigor.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+4%3A14-18&version=KJV
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which
are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not
prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Christians do not fear death. We actually have end-of-Earthly-life
services called "Homegoings" where a celebration of the person then
being with Jesus is had. We are sad they are no longer with us, but
we are glad for where they are, for to be with the Lord is far better:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A19-26&version=KJV
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your
prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing
I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so
now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by
life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet
what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and
to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and con-
tinue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me
by my coming to you again.
We desire to depart from this world, but to remain here is more needful
so that those who are not yet saved, but will be, that they should both
hear the message and be guided by those who are mature in the faith be-
cause there is a real enemy, Satan, who seeks continually to destroy all
things of Christ, even our faith, our witness, our goals.
Satan is always attacking, and we (Christians) are always guiding people
rightly, and being guided rightly by others ourselves.
You must look deep into Christ, and into a purposeful study of scripture,
to not be consumed by our enemy. But when we put on the whole armor of
God, we are made effective warriors against Him.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A11-18&version=KJV
Truth. Righteousness. Salvation. The preparation of the gospel of
peace. Faith. Spirit. Prayer. Supplication (asking God for help).
The fully-armored Christian does not wear outer armor, but spiritual
armor. All of those traits are invisible to our flesh, but are of
the spirit.
You have much to learn about Christianity, Peter. It is before you
if you can get past your own disbeliefs about it. God will open up
your understanding, draw you to His Son, give you eternal life, and
teach you more than you could've imagined was possible to know. I
pray you do. I would like to call you "brother" in Christ.
--
Rick C. Hodgin