Strike Three
And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it."
Luke 17:22 ESV
HA! I forgot where I paused my Scripture listening from yesterday. For a couple weeks I was listening to Acts. This week I'm back in Luke. When I'm somewhat melancholy, discouraged or sad, I often turn to the Gospels. Reading about the words and life of Jesus is a great comfort to me. The best way to know how to live and what God is like is to see Jesus. He is the very image of God. If you see Him, you've seen the Father. Jesus is the ultimate Example for us how we should live, and the direction of God's heart is fully realized in His actions and words.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:16-20 ESV
ANYWAY, the first thing I heard some minutes ago when I pressed play in my Winamp playlist was the following verse, one I've already mentioned once, insomuch as I've mentioned it twice. Now thrice:
Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Luke 7:14-15 NKJV
In case you can't tell, I like this verse about the young man. I feel it is the call of Jesus Christ, the power of God through the Holy Spirit spoken into my own life to also rise. There is a day coming when at the sound of a trumpet, the dead will rise. I hope to be among them, or else to be caught up together with them in the air.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:5-11 KJV
Call me broken record boy. I need to read the Word of God a thousand times seven, so bear with me if you have to hear it thrice. Don't take that as a promise this will be the last time!
By the way, if you don't connect with this "young man arise" verse solely because you are a young woman instead of a young man, try this one on for size. Sorry for not sharing it earlier. I've heard it several times too.
While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Luke 8:49-56 NKJV