New Apostolic Church Raleigh Congregation

https://www.facebook.com/share/18AcvKJMFL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Our little ones made this…

Today we focus on those in the realms of the departed. While we certainly want to be a vessel for those of our family and friends who we’ve known in life, we also want to be a vessel for those who may have entered eternity suddenly or in difficult circumstances and have become lost and are looking for the way to God’s altar.

However, to be truly saved, these souls who are in the beyond must have the same desire to come to the altar, call on our Heavenly Father, and receive that which is timely and necessary for their soul salvation.

When you call on our Heavenly Father, what are your expectations? Do you require an immediate answer to your prayer, or do you have faith that while He may not grant a resolution to your prayer right away, he will answer when the time is right?

While the last part of the first commandment reads: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”, the words of the second verse of Hymnal #189 (“I’m the child of a King”) show the reward for staying faithful to God and making Him our only one:

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
a sinner by choice and an alien by birth;
but I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down
an heir to the mansion, a robe and a crown!

I’m the child of a King! The child of a King!
With Jesus, my Saviour, I’m the child of King!

Additional Bible Readings
Romans 10: 9-13

Personal Reflection
As we come to another Service for the Departed, let us meditate on God's incredible plan of salvation which includes all souls both here and in the beyond, and what it means for all of us as we continue on our walk of faith to the goal.

The theme of our word is “We believe and pray.” This raises two questions we could ask ourselves: “Do I believe?” and “Do I pray?” Fostering both a strong prayer life and a strong belief in our Heavenly Father and His word is what keeps us moving forward to the goal.

When Jesus gave His life on the cross, it was not just for the living, it was also for those who had died before Him. He was the first to experience the resurrection, and this is something that we have the opportunity to experience as well when Jesus returns to take his bride!

Some on earth strive after the perfect body from a physical perspective, as God’s children, on the day when Jesus returns, we will take on the perfect resurrection body and garment that Jesus has worn since His resurrection.

We can see the benefit of striving and staying strong on our path of faith with those on earth, and those in the departed to the goal in the words of verse three of Hymnal #152 (“Stand up for Jesus”)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long,
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song.
For then the overcomer, the crown of life shall see,
And with the King of glory, shall reign eternally.

Additional Bible Readings
1 Corinthians 15:20
Philippians 3:21

Personal Reflection: Next Sunday we will celebrate Service for the Departed. Take some time and think of how we can be a tool and vessel of blessing for those in the realms of the departed so that they can also come and receive the blessings that we come for at the altar of our Heavenly Father.