ABSENT FROM THE BODY

PRESENT WITH THE LOED (James 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:1-21) Let us begin with James 5:7-11,where as a believer in God, we are encourahed to patiently wait for the Lord's return, yes, He promised to return and He will, in His time, when the time is right. We just have to remain steadfast even when we are facing dire trials and temptations. We are to remain patir=ent It uses the example of a farmer waiting for the rain to come to water the crops. After working for a farmer over the last number of years, I have seen how patient the yare and how dependent they are upon god, to bring those rains at the right time, and if He des not, excepting the fact that He is in control and knoe=ws whats best. Through it I beleive they trengthen their hearts and their faith gets even stronger, during those times. Some days you are just drawn in to their faith and their eager anticipation and prayers, it is not a passive inaction, but rather they have moved forward in faith believing God will answer. Also I have seen how that faith has paid off. Yes, the waiting and continuing doing, being active towards a positive end is being faithful, with a joyful anticipation of what God is going to do. It is not just simply passing time, by but doing what needs to be done to see the best resules what ever may come. It is like waiting for Jesus to return and fulfill His promise to come and take us home. This is a period of endurance, I say, it is kepong on keeping on no matter what. I have been holding onto the hope of heaven for many years now, I have come to realize, I can think about it coming in the next year or years, and hne it doesnt happen, I know its still not time.. I have maintained confidence over the years that God’s timing is perfect, and only He knows the day or the hour it will happen. My job is to be ready and waiting while doing what need to be done. (Matthew 24:36,Mark 13:3) I say with the Apostal Paul, in (2 Corinthians 5:8) "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" That is a promise I hang onto, as I navigate through the life God has given me here on earth. It will be a highlight of my life when it happens. As a christian it is my hope that my death will bring me immediately into the presense of Jesus. I will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye from earthly life into the eternal realm in the heavens.. That thought, as a loved one is taken and they know Jesus is a comfort in the bereavement proocess in missing them once they are gone. This I believe takes place, in the immediate present time as God takes people home to heaven through physical death.. I also believe it speaks of when Christ returns in the clouds to take us home. Personally I have a desire, to walk into the presence of God without experiencing physical death.. But that is not in my hands, God may choose to take me home to heaven before that day. I do not mind going before others, for it says, the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet them in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) I believe along with many others, that when the born again dies, my spirit will go to be with the lord in heaven, and when Christ returns, I will be given a new body and it will be raised to be with my spirit in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 5:1-6) We will go to be with the Lord immediately. So personally, I do not want to die, but if and when God choses, I have no Fear of Death. My faith in the word of God removes the fear of death, for this world is not my home, I am just passing through. I believe my momma,is somewhere over yonder, and she is like the old song says, calling to me, "Come Home, Come Home Its Supper Time." Fasther God, thank you for your love, your hope and your comfort in the promise that you will return to take us into Glory where we will for ever praise Your Holy Name. I look forward to the day, I will meet you face to face, when I will know as I am known. What a day tht will be. Oh, Lord Jesus, to gaze into your face and to see and feel that love, will be a special day. I will be able to do as Tomas did, and place a loving finger on the scares, that bought me my salvation.. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray AMEN