First, I want to ask you to forgive me for missing so many devotions. I had a very painful case of shingles and suffered for about two weeks. What finally got me out of bed unfortunately was the sudden and untimely death of my very dear sister Retha. All the family got together on Saturday and tearfully remembered our dear sister. On Sunday we celebrated her life with singing masterfully led by Allen, Shelly and Pam. Mark and our Pastor H.E. Cardin played guitars and Weston on the saxophone. The old Durkee Road Church now The Turning Point Church was filled to capacity with the many people who’s Retha’s life touched. I think that there were 100’s who watcher online.
This was said about Retha, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies… She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:10, 20) Retha worked for several years in the World Missions Department and knew the names of every National Overseer, wife and children. She met them each year at the General Assembly and had us, her family, pick them up at the airport and made sure they had places to stay. So, they all knew her and knew she was praying for them. This was the most TEARFUL and JOYFUL funerals I have ever attended.
That night, as I lay in bed, I thought of Her and Dave Cabales LEADING WORSHIP in heaven (that’s what they did so well here on earth) as this is happening, “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “HALLELUJAH! FOR OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY REIGNS. Let us REJOICE AND BE GLAD and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE INVITED TO THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9) When is this event going to take place? Let’s let Jesus answer that, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree (Israel): When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY till ALL THESE THINGS take place.” (Matthew 24:32-34) All these things include, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘THE ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16) The Jews go through the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation! What about Christ’s Church? The beast the anti-christ, “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know WHAT IS RESTRAINING (katechō: to hold back, detain), that he may be revealed IN HIS OWN TIME. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE (the Holy Spirit in Christ’s Church) WHO NOW RESTRAINS WILL DO SO UNTIL HE IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. And THEN the lawless one WILL BE REVEALED, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4-8) When will He be taken out of the way? “…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP (harpazō: to snatch away rapturo in Latin) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we shall ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham