Tuesday, October 30, 2007

All Saints Celebrations November 4th

Many times, I stated that this life is a journey to prepare us for our journey home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we become followers of Christ Jesus we become a priesthood of believers whose residence is not this world.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are
the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:9-12 NIV

My friends, as we continue on this journey as strangers and aliens awaiting our call home, we will have a blessed opportunity to celebrate those who went home in this past year. On Sunday, November 4th at all the worship services we will celebrate those who finished the race, kept the faith and received their reward before Christ. We will celebrate the saints, the priesthood of believers who celebrate at the great banquet feast.

I know my mother is a stranger no more to this world and she finished her race. Marlane and I look forward to honoring her. May we take the opportunity to do the same for those loved who went home since November 1, 2006 (see an associated article concerning the celebration in this issue of The Witness).

Grace and peace,

Jack

No comments: