Sunday, December 8, 2013

Raised Up With Christ

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

It was on this day, 24 years ago, that my sister, her husband Bob, and her daughters Vicki and Anne went home to be with Jesus. Tragically killed in a domestic violence incident—our loss was Heaven’s gain—they have been raised up and are with Jesus Christ. It isn’t any easier to write about this than it was a year ago. (You may go back and read my December 8, 2012 blog.) There is still a void in my heart and within my family. That is always apparent at family gatherings…but this year we barely acknowledged their absence at our recent get-to-gether. Next year we will celebrate 25 years. Celebrate? Did I say that correctly? How does one “celebrate” the loss of 25 years. We’ll celebrate their life. We will set our mind on things that are above—as Paul taught the people of Colossia. For all of us have died with Christ…having been baptized and gone down and then raised up. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God…He lives in us. 

Training Tip – As I’ve said before, teaching is best done by example. Teach your children to respect others. Show respect for your spouse and your children—treat him or her with the same respect that you would show Jesus. If necessary, keep telling yourself that—treat others as if they were Jesus Himself. Jesus was a great example to us…for showing respect to others and being devoted to His Heavenly Father.

Lord, as You taught us through Paul in Romans 12:10, help us to be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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