*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 2019* *LIVING AND DYING IN FAITH* *TEXT:* JOHN 11:18-32.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 2019*

*LIVING AND DYING IN FAITH*

*TEXT:* JOHN 11:18-32.

_*🔑KEY VERSE* "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (JOHN 11:25)._

Men are known to be at their lowest ebb when death casts its dark shroud around them. They go about in symbols of grief: black armbands, dreary clothes, mournful look, unkempt countenance, imposition of graveyard silence in the home. They also take to wailing, community lamentation and blasphemous blame of God for the visitation of death. In other cultural settings, the bereaved turn to the idolatrous practice of necromancy: 'waking' the dead to find out who or what killed them so the family could revenge.

However, when our Lord Jesus Christ found Himself bereft of a loved one, He presented contrasting scenes. He cheered up the disconsolate family and identified empathetically with them. His conversation with Martha serves as a guide on how Christians should relate with grieving brethren. The Lord led the discussion to the issue of faith in Him that leads to resurrection on the last day for the true believer that endures to the end.

Moments of physical sadness or loss of an acquaintance through death should not be when we throw away our joy in the Lord's precious promises. Physical separation of a fellow follower of Jesus that results from death is only a step into eternity with Christ. Paul says we should not sorrow at such deaths, describing their repose as 'sleep' from which the Lord will wake them "with the trump of God."

But such an exciting experience and promise are for those who have received Christ as their Lord and are in earnest readiness for His imminent return. Such Christians are unmoved by the circumstances around them. While this encourages the believer not to be weary but to press on for more work for the Lord, it challenges the sinner to repent.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* Death for the Christian is calm sleep in the eyes of the Lord.

*COVER TO COVER* EZEKIEL 43-44.

*MEDITATION*

Mystery of life through faith in Christ

*1. Types of death in the Bible*
a. Natural death: Separation between the human body and human spirit Genesis 3:4, 5:5,8.
None, except by special divine revelation, knows when this death will happen. Man can hasten his divinely appointment with death but cannot delay it.
b. Spiritual death: Separation between the human spirit (the total man) and God. Genesis 2:17, 3:3. This person still has natural life but his spirit or inner man is dead and cannot really connect or communicate with God, no matter how religious or human efforts put in. This death is inseparable from sin. Every born human being is spiritually dead except when the life giving power of Christ is given to him Romans 3:23, Ezekiel 18:20.
c. Eternal death: Separation between the man and God eternally in hell fire. It is also called the second death. Revelation 20:6,21:8. It is the reward of spiritual death which is not exchanged for the life that comes from Christ. This state is eternally unchangeable in hell.
*Q* What are the other characteristics of the 3 types of death above?
*Q* Are you now free from spiritual death.

*2. Types of life in the scriptures*
a. Natural life. Every person, including fools, lunatics and the wicked, has this when he was born and it is given by Christ John 1:4,8. This qualifies those above the age of accountability to be called sinners, enemies of God and children of Satan or disobedience Colossians 1:21, John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2.
b. Eternal/everlasting life John 3:15,16,36,17:2.
It is a gift that only Christ gives. It is free because He paid for it on the cross. No man can pay the price. It cancels spiritual death and eternal death from those who has it. Nobody has it and enter hell (eternal death) with it. Nobody, no matter how religious or morally good, enters heaven without it. It produces new birth in the nature of every recipient. John 3:3,5. It is also called resurrection life because it resurrects the dead spirit of a spiritually dead person to life supernaturally so that the recipient will now be called a saint, friend of God and children of God I Corinthians 1:2, John 15:14, John 1:12. It is better experienced than explained.
c. Abundant life John 10:10. It is an overflow of everlasting life for those who ask and consecrate their lives to Christ in a deeper measure.

*3. Secret of experiencing eternal life*
a. Jesus is the Possessor and the Giver and none else v25 (text).
b. The only route to receive it is faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour who has the power to give eternal life v25.
c. Of course, there must be repentance from old views and sins from the heart and action.
*Observe* from (the text) v25 that he that believes in Christ, though he were dead (either physically or spiritually) shall live (through resurrection unto life or impartation eternal life). Whosoever is alive naturally (dead sinners can no longer believes in Christ) and believes in Christ, shall never die spiritually and go to hell fire while he is still retaining the eternal life v26.

*Lord*, I accept and believe that you only can give me eternal life. Let your power of resurrection enter my life and make me a child of God🙏
*Lord*, thank you for the eternal life you gave me. I want you to give me the abundance of it so that I will be living and enjoying heaven on earth🙏
*Pray* for someone who is religious but does not understand or accept the gospel🙏
*Pray* for the Spirit of life and resurrection to reign at the retreat.

*HYMN* Christ Jesus has the power

1 Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The power to forgive,
The pow’r to quicken whom He will,
And make the sinner live.
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
O tell it far and near!
O bring to Him your guilty heart,
And grace shall banish fear!
*Chorus:*
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The pow’r of God He wields!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
My heart surrender yields!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
I trust Him evermore!
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
I worship and adore!
2 Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The power to renew,
The pow’r to cleanse your heart from sin,
And make you wholly true.
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r
For evermore to keep;
O none can pluck you from His hand,
Or rob Him of His sheep! [Chorus]
3. Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The power to console,
The pow’r to carry all your care—
On Him your burdens roll.
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
To wipe the tear away;
O place in Him your confidence!
O trust Him, and obey! [Chorus]
4. Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
The power to destroy,
The pow’r to bruise your enemy
Who would your soul annoy.
Christ Jesus hath the pow’r,
When on your dying bed,
To give your soul the victory,
The pow’r to raise the dead! [Chorus]