‘Absent from the body, present with the Lord’

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is des troyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:1-9) January 8th, 2024 Alton’s tent was taken down and we celebrated his departure to Heaven! He was a Christian man whose life was lived serving God the Creator.

Knowing that there is no death for the Christian, it was celebration rather than sadness. Yes, we will miss him, but we look forward to seeing him when our tent is taken down. Amen!

So we will praise the Lord! “For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised” Ps.96 We praise God and give Him thanks for the time we had with Alton, as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend.

The Testimony

We praise God for Alton’s testimony as a Christian and what Jesus meant to him. He loved the Lord. He was saved Dec. 24, 1965.

Alton was a beautiful and living example of a born again man of God. He lived his life praising God and always giving thanks for all that God had done. He loved to serve the Lord and was very confident and secure in his salvation. Why? Because of God’s Word! Because Jesus is alive!

He loved to share the plan of salvation with unbelievers, see them saved and then baptize them.

Since 1965 he has praised the Lord and waited for the day when he would be with the Lord. He knew that at anytime his tent would be taken down and that he must be ready.

So Jan. 8, 2024 at 2:30 am God called him home. Today he is with the Lord, his family and friends who were Christians. I believe a beautiful reunion and praise service is taking place.

His home is now Heaven, an address that will never change!

If you want to see Alton or your Christian loved ones in Heaven you must come through Jesus. You must confess your sin. Ask forgiveness of sin. Place your faith in Jesus. Trust Him as Savior.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 4:6).

When the day comes for your tent to be taken down, you too can be in the presence of Jesus Christ immediately, with your family and friends.

“Absence from the body, present with the Lord.”

The Tent

The tent is a picture of our present earthly body. It is temporary, weak and without much beauty. But the glorified body we shall receive will be eternal, beautiful, never show signs of weakness or decay.

One day Believers will receive a wonderful glorified body, suited to the glorious environment of Heaven.

We are confident that when “When we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.”

Because God’s Word is true! Because Jesus is alive!

Death cannot claim a Christian!

We know that When a believer dies, the body goes to the grave, But the spirit goes to be with the Lord.

When Jesus returns for His church, He will raise the dead in glory and the body and spirit shall be joined together for a glorious eternity in Heaven.

We Look for His return! We desire the new glorified body!

DEATH holds no terror for the true believers.

We have the Victory! Victory in Jesus!

When our tent is taken down, let us be able to say: I am ready! I have fought the good fight! I have finished the race! I have kept the faith!

BECAUSE Jesus will return very soon!

Remember to Praise the Lord!

He is our Creator! He is all knowing, all powerful and all present.

Be thankful for our salvation, His love, mercy and grace. For He is Awesome!

Unbelievers, your tent can be taken down anytime! Where will you spend eternity? Heaven or hell?