A Thankful November: No Fear

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

 Yep, I don’t have to fear dying. And for the most part, I don’t.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’s name. 

My hope is not a fleeting desire for something in the future, but it’s hope in the more archaic, biblical sense of the word: a firm confidence or assurance of joyous everlasting life. My hope gives me no fear of death, and it’s a rock-solid assurance because it doesn’t rest on my own feeling, even my own best feelings (or sweetest frame), which can be fickler than sunshine during a Vancouver winter, but on Christ’s perfect, historical work. The foundation on which the firm assurance of my joyous future is built is Jesus’ blood (his sin-bearing death in my place) and his righteousness (his perfect record of obedience counted as my own).

It’s through trusting in Jesus’s Name (that’s short-hand, sort of, for what Jesus has done—his work, what he accomplished) that I have no fear of death. After all, he took my sin and gave me his righteousness. What would I be afraid of?

Today I’m thankful for that. Christ’s work, and all the good things that come with it, including deliverance from the fear of death, is the centerpiece—wouldn’t you say?—of God’s good gifts to us.

Other thankful folk 

• Ann B is thankful for answers to prayer.
  
• Bugblaster is thankful that he’s learning humility through Scrabble, at least I think that’s what he said.
• Islandsparrow is “thankful for the Internet as well - and facebook - that’s how I keep track of my traveling boys!”
• Juanita is thankful for friends.
• Cheryl is thankful for dog walks, too.

  I just came in from walking my dog Piper (after John) in the forest perserves near my home. I treasure that time with my buddy and with God. There is something to be said for walking your dog under God’s beautiful sky! I am so thankful to Him.
  

• Connie is thankful that God has redeemed (and is redeeming) one of her daughters. There’s more, too, so read her post.
• Carla is thankful for work.
• Kim in ON is thankful for girl talk.
• Kim of Hiraeth is thankful for good results from Ivy’s blood work, and Trader Joe’s Pure Liquid Castile Soap.

Doesn’t that list make you thankful, too? Why don’t you participate in being thankful with us? Here’s how:

• Mention something you’re thankful for in the comments here, and I’ll include it in one of my thanksgiving posts, or
  
• Email me to tell me what you’re thankful for and I’ll include it in one of the thankful posts, or
• You may post your thankful thought(s) on your own blog and send me the link(s), and I’ll link to your post.
• If you’ve posted something thankful and I missed it, please remind me. 

What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?

At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ’s left hand,[1] and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences,[2] shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them;[3] and thereupon shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever.[4]

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A Thankful November: Keeping in Touch Electronically

Kim is thankful today for exactly the same thing I am: the ability to keep in touch with our children via the internet. Oldest daughter flew to Amsterdam overnight and this morning I awoke to an email message from her saying, “I’m in Amsterdam!” Yes, it’s not much, but it’s 100% better than 9 years ago when oldest son, almost 19, travelled by himself to Italy for a month. A phone call once a week was about all we could expect, since there weren’t many places for travellers to go online back then and pay phones were hard to come by, too.

 

Other thankful folk

• Ellen is thankful for “His fullness, that He is in me, and for the grace I receive from Him like wave upon wave… “
• Kevin is thankful for “the mercies shown to me and to our church.”
• Carla is thankful for lots o’ stuff, including Junior Mints.
• Connie is thankful for fall foliage.
• Ann B is thankful for life.
  

Doesn’t that list make you thankful, too? Why don’t you participate in being thankful with us? Here’s how:

• Mention something you’re thankful for in the comments here, and I’ll include it in one of my thanksgiving posts, or
  
• Email me to tell me what you’re thankful for and I’ll include it in one of the thankful posts, or
• You may post your thankful thought(s) on your own blog and send me the link(s), and I’ll link to your post.
• If you’ve posted something thankful and I missed it, please remind me.