Death – Not the End!

For Saturday, May 31, 2025:

Luke 12:4 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.”

We all need a reminder from time to time that death is not the end. If we are truly believers, we should be confident that our earthly demise is simply the start of our journey into the next reality. Jesus will personally welcome us into the life after this life where he has prepared a place for us. Believers get to spend eternity in God’s presence, a land where joy never ends.

When Paul’s life was threatened, he debated allowing himself to be killed vs fleeing to stay alive. He could make a case for either decision. If alive, he could continue evangelizing, sharing Jesus’ truth with more and more people. Then they too would be saved. But if he died, he’d fall into Jesus’ arms in the heavenly realm. Life’s burdens would end. Tough choice!

Ultimately, Paul opted for life. I believe that was the right decision. Remember, God always chooses life. We are to live as long as God wants us to live, doing the work he has given us to do. God will decide when it’s time to call us home.

Jesus preaches: “Fear not! After you’ve been killed, nothing else can hurt you!” Implied in this statement is that following our death, everything will be OK. In fact it will be far better than most people expect!

When someone dies, people often say, “They’re in a better place now.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship