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A
Wonderful Message
They
both have been battling cancer.
Both have endured similar struggles that often
accompany the disease.
They are sisters – in Christ (Galatians
3:26-27). They
even share almost identical names: JoAnn and Joan
(also pronounced “Jo-Ann”).
One
(JoAnn) finished her courageous battle with cancer in
death yesterday.
The other (Joan) continues to fight her battle
with a strong faith and a marvelous attitude.
When
the realization came that JoAnn’s struggle was
drawing to a close, she sent a message to her
fellow-sufferer and friend, Joan.
The message was communicated through their sons
who graduated high school together.
The message was one of faith and hope.
The message was brief but powerful.
JoAnn told Joan that…
“Everything’s gonna be okay.”
How
can everything be okay when you’re facing the trials
– even the life-threatening storms – of life?
JESUS
would love for you to know…
Everything
is gonna be okay because Jesus died on the cross for
our sins. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to accomplish a
special mission: to provide salvation from sin. For this reason Jesus died on the cross as payment for the
sins of the world (1 John 2:2; 4:9-10).
His blood covers the debt of our sin when we in
faith
(Acts 16:30-31) and repentance
(Acts 17:30-31) are baptized
(immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and continue to
follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).
Everything
is gonna be okay because Jesus rose from the dead.
“He was
delivered over to death for our sins,” but He
“was raised to
life for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
By His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus
defeated death and won the decisive victory over the
one who “had
the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews
2:14). His
resurrection guarantees our own resurrection when He
returns (1 Corinthians 15).
Because of Jesus, death does not have the final
word!
Everything
is gonna be okay because Jesus is preparing a place
for the faithful child of God.
Jesus’ disciples were troubled with the news
of His departure. He
comforted them saying, “Let
not your heart be troubled; you believe in God,
believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you
may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Thomas
was confused about the way.
“How can we know the way?” he
asked. Jesus
said, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me” (John 14:6).
Thank
you, JoAnn, for reminding Joan and the rest of us that
everything IS gonna be okay because Jesus IS the
Way – the way to forgiveness and eternal
life in a wonderful place called Heaven.
YOU
can also have this assurance if you will trust and
obey Christ.
Won’t
YOU?
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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