At this time of the year , November precisely, we often remember and celebrate the lives and commitment or our beloved ones who gave their lives in order that we may have and enjoy relative peace. Our memories of them is a continuing source of encouragement and strength to our lives as individuals, as family members, as friends and as patriots. There have been moments of tears, deep sighs, thoughts, dreams and heartfelt expressions. Different emotions and sentiments are expressed, based on the depth of love or closeness with these dear, departed ones. Life is a mixture of sweet and bitter; pleasant and painful; joyful and sorrowful experiences. Some of these losses both recent and from distant past still feel fresh or are being continually refreshed.
In the midst of our pain, sorrow, loneliness, anxiety and grief, Jesus Christ offers us comfort, companionship, peace, hope and joy. Wars and hostilities, both internally and internationally have raged and are still raging. From the 1st and 2nd World Wars, to regional wars, civil wars and onslaughts of terrorist activities, human lives continue to be undervalued and wasted. Hostilities are still going on in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Nigeria. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has not been easily resolved. Abuses of military and economic powers continue to promote and fuel acts of terrorism and vandalism across the globe.Some individuals and nations are guilty in this regard.That is why irresponsible and barbarous groups as IS and Boko Haram are still flexing their muscles. The International Community looks relatively helpless! BUT THE TIME FOR UNITED NEUTRALIZING ACTION IS NOW, BEING ALREADY OVERDUE!
Christopher Foster once said:
“The memories we cherish are enduring, the pains and sorrows we feel do not often pass quickly, and we are conscious of our lives continuing to be changed by the past and the present. Often we are sustained by the love and care of others who support us while, for many, faith nourishes us with the promise that eternal love binds us together in life and death.”
It is only good and worthwhile to look after the families and dependants of the departed fallen heroes and heroines!It shows more how truly appreciative we are. On the same not ex-service men and women should be properly looked after, including those who have become disabled!
Thomas Attig said:
“As we cherish memories we return to freshen and deepen our understanding of those who have died, attend to them again, bring them closer, embrace them in their absence, reconnect with some of the best in life, feel grateful, feel the warmth of our love for them, sense that they are grateful for our remembering and feel the warmth of their love for us.”
Human beings throughout history look confused and helpless in the face of death. Death strikes when he is ready. Death is the common enemy of mankind! We are limited and powerless, but God Almighty knows it all. God has power over life and death! Jesus Christ has defeated death!
Jesus said: “I am the living one! I was dead, but I have authority over death and the world of the dead. ” (Revelations 1:18).
Death came because of sin. Mankind was designed by God to live forever! The corruption and wickedness in the world is the fruit of sin and death is the due reward. At the right time in history, God took the initiative to rescue mankind from sin and death. He did so through Jesus Christ. God then made it possible for us to receive his nature and thus become free from the power of sin and its consequences, which are spiritual and physical deaths. These bring in sicknesses, diseases and all kinds of woes! Jesus Christ delivered us from all of theses woes which come from disobeying God. Jesus set us free.
The Bible states: Being now made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord(Romans 6:22-23).
Jesus Christ died for our sins to pay the wages for us. He arose from the dead to make us assured of pardon and give new life from God[the God-Kind-of Life] to us.
The Bible states: If you shall confess with your mouth, Jesus as Lord and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart a person believes and is made righteous and with the mouth he confesses and is saved. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10, 13.
Jesus is alive. Death is vanquished! Because Jesus lives, all those who believe in him shall live also. For the believer in Christ, death is not final. At resurrection God gives those who believe new bodies; bodies which never die. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26a).
Overwhelmed by the problems of life, Jeremiah encouraged himself in the prevailing power of God Almighty: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. A time is coming soon when there shall no longer be wars. When Jesus comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then people of every nation shall not learn about wars. Swords shall be converted into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. (Isaiah 2:2-4)
Life is full of choices. We make choices daily. The choices we make affect our lives presently and for the future. Each person needs to examine his life and make a U-turn back to God. A good gift offered needs to be received in order to be owned. God offers us his peace. Peace in the heart and mind; peace at home; peace in our communities; peace in our nations and peace in our world.
Prayer: O LORD of peace; Thank You for the offer of your peace. Help us to accept the peace you have given through your Son Jesus Christ, who has made peace between us and You. Forgive us of our failures and trespasses. Help each one of us to repent and be converted to You. At this time of remembrance, we thank you for the lives of millions of our people across nations of the world who fought and served in various wars, so that we may have relative peace. Help each one of us still alive, to humbly examine himself, call upon Jesus and receive your pardon and inward peace. We ask through the same Jesus Christ, who is the coming Prince of Peace; King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.
AgapeFocus 
Recent Comments