Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Tag: Eternal Life

This life is not the End: Heaven is the Beginning In Christ Death has lost its Sting

Death Is Certain. So Is Heaven for Those In Christ

September 17, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I’ve been enjoying life for almost 66 years. This may seem like a long time for a 20-year-old, but in my mind, it’s very short. I’ve also seen and suffered from various types of diseases such as flu, pneumonia, colds, diabetes, mono, dementia, mobility, hearing, and eye issues. During this time, I’ve also lost loved ones to accidents, cancers, heart and liver failures. I even lost a friend to murder and know others who have lost loved ones to such crime.

Life is difficult at times.

In recent years, a virus (COVID-19) brought horrible deaths and extreme anxiety to this world, and we feared the horrendous pain, suffering, and loss it caused. Its existence spurred division among family, friends, and countries. Many felt the need to isolate themselves and became afraid to be around others.

For many, hugs and closeness faded into memories as fear of catching or spreading the disease became the new norm. A scratchy throat, the slightest sniffle, sneeze, cough, or faintest fever incited worry and fear. We were told to take precautions, use hand sanitizer, wash our hands, and practice distancing. Some wore masks, while others argued over their effectiveness.

All said, I personally refused to let fear control my life! Instead, I put my trust in God! This does not mean I would not die of the virus someday or lose loved ones to it.

One ICU nurse stated: “It takes who it takes.”

This is true of every ailment and adds perspective. I contracted this disease for the first time in 2021, and it hit me hard. In 2019, I found myself close to death with a pulmonary embolism (blood clots in my lungs and both legs). Throughout my life, I’ve had other close calls with accidents. Here’s the bottom line: We are all going to die of something, and none of us know when or how. So what actions should we take? What do I mean by “Trust in God?”

Some dare to blame God for the death of loved ones, murders, and accidents. God is never the author of moral evil; that is Satan’s domain. Yet disease, accidents, and death exist because we live in a world broken by sin since the Fall in Genesis 3. Scripture shows that God ‘sends rain on the just and the unjust’ (Matthew 5:45), and Jesus warned that those who died in disasters were not worse sinners than others (Luke 13:1–5). Death is inevitable, and none of us know when. Rather than blame, be prepared.

How? By learning what God wants you to know and following Jesus.

Jesus is everyone’s pathway to eternal life, where death, sickness, and pain have no existence. None!

This life is not the end; it’s the beginning!

When we are “In Christ,” we have chosen to take advantage of the Grace God offered us. In Christ, God has forgiven our sins, and our forever home is with Him. If we are “in Christ” and pursue a Christ-like life, we can live without fear of death; we can live instead with peace that surpasses understanding as heaven awaits. So why worry? In Christ, we can truly count it all joy!

In James 5:16, God points out that the prayers of the righteous avail much, so let us live fully by pursuing righteousness and praying with confidence that our prayers are heard. It is a great comfort to know our loved ones in Christ who lived accordingly are in paradise.

Scripture tells us: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

Always be prepared

  • * Matthew 24:36-51 (No one knows the Day or Hour)
  • * 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Fight the good fight)
  • * 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (God of all Comfort)
  • * Philippians 4:4-7 (The Peace of God)

How to be In Christ


Hear the Gospel: Romans 10:17; John 8:32
Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1; John 8:24; Romans 10:17
Repentance: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; Luke 13:3–5; Acts 17:30; Acts 3:19
Confess: Romans 10:9–10; Matthew 10:32–33;  Luke 12:8–9
Baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sins: 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; Matthew 28:18–20; Ephesians 4:5; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36–39; Mark 1:9–10; John 3:23

Additional references: Matthew 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–32; Philippians 4:4–7; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 56:3–4; Psalm 94:19; Proverbs 3:5–6; Proverbs 12:25; John 14:27; John 16:33; Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 13:5–6; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:31–32; Ephesians 2:8–9; Hebrews 9:27; John 14:6; Romans 8:18, 8:28, 8:38–39; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Revelation 21:4; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21, 1:23; Hebrews 2:14–15; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Timothy 4:7–8.

Life's bombs fall... Refuge is in Christ

The Bombs Fall on Everyone—Hope Belongs to Those in Christ

August 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I’ve seen films of war where airplanes dropped bomb after bomb after bomb, maiming, destroying, and taking lives. It seems life hits our families or us much the same way now and then, only the bombs are labeled “health”, “financial”, “stress”, “betrayal”, “loss”, etc. These bombs are not precise; they may hit once in a while or come as a barrage, landing on both those close to God and those far away. One minute, life is excellent; then suddenly, it’s a roller coaster (John 16:33).

For those in Christ building a firm foundation (Galatians 3:26-27), there is hope and assurance that these heartaches and concerns will all pass away, as they are not carried into eternity (Revelation 21:4). For those in Christ, there is always a bright future, a light in our bomb shelter of faith, in Christ our Savior (Romans 6:3-4, Romans 13:14).

Those in Christ who keep Jesus’ commandments always have refuge in God’s promises (Psalm 46:1), knowing this world is only a temporary home.(Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Whether our troubles are few or continually bombarding our lives, what really matters is Jesus’s promise of eternal life. In heaven, the challenges of this world will be gone forever. So, no matter what, we need to keep God First in our lives, follow Jesus ’ commands, follow the examples we find in God’s Word so that, as we trudge through the mud of life, we can be content in knowing we will eventually walk the streets of gold in new heavenly bodies for eternity. No tears in heaven, no sorrows given. All will be glory in that land.

Scripture tells us how one comes to be ‘in Christ’ and to ‘put on Christ’: we are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; see also Romans 6:3-4).

“In Christ” is where one finds peace beyond our understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 2:12, Matthew 7:24-25, Psalm 16:1, Psalm 46:1-5, Mark 8:34, John 14:27, John 15:19, John 18:36, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26-28, Hebrews 11:13-16, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 1 John 2:15, 2 John 15:19

God First!

Praying for the ultimate well-being of others: That they hear and follow the message of Christ Romans 10:17 – directly links hearing the message of Christ to faith Mark 16:16 – shows the response of believing and obeying (following) that leads to salvation 2 Peter 3:9 – reveals God’s heart for the well-being of all people through repentance

The Best Thing We Can Pray for Anyone’s Well-Being

August 22, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Do you pray for the well-being of others?

As I was praying I asked myself this question: What is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being? There are many possible answers: One might think of health, happiness, peace, Joy or maybe something more specific that we know they need or want. But, what is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being?

That they hear and follow the message of Christ!

Following Christ according to His commandments keeps us on a pathway towards eternal life with Christ, According to God’s word, to be “in Christ, ” we must hear the message of Christ, believe, repent, confess Jesus as the risen Son of God, and be baptized “into” Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of our sins.

We need to realize that when we come out of that watery grave, we are doing God’s will and have ratified God’s Grace through Jesus. At this point, we are forgiven! We are free from our past sins, beginning a new life as a new creature, and ready to move forward as disciples of Christ, enjoying all the blessings that come with our obedient faith, like the knowledge that we now have never-ending life available to us in heaven, a spiritual world not made with human hands, where there is no more pain, tears, or death. That if we have put on Christ, we have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us, helping us focus on righteousness and walk this world without being of this world. If we are IN Christ, we can take comfort in knowing the blood of Christ continues to wash us, even when we make mistakes.

So, what is the best thing for anybody’s well-being? – The message of Christ!

1 John 5:3; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:37-47; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 8:30-38; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:15-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 17:10; James 2:17-18; 1 Peter 1:17-25; 1 John 1:7; Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; John 3:5; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26.

God First!

66 Books of God's Absolute Truth - Learn them all

66 Books of Absolute Truth: Why We Must Learn Them All

August 21, 2026 / / 0 Comments

The Holy Bible contains 66 Books of God-breathed wisdom and instruction that our Creator assembled for our betterment and understanding. The Old Testament has 39 books of “before Christ” history, including hundreds of prophecies about Christ written hundreds of years before His birth. The New Testament has 27 books about the Son of God, Jesus, and how our souls can obtain eternal life with God in Heaven through Christ. Together, these books show how anyone can accept God’s offer of grace through obedient faith in Christ, and how we can each “Put on” Christ and be “In” Christ.

Scripture defines “obedient faith.” It tells us how to lay up treasures in heavenly places and have our souls live forever in a heavenly home not made with hands. God’s Word shows us how God extended grace to us through Christ.

Scripture states and gives examples that when we hear the message of Christ, this understanding leads us to believe in Christ. Still, Scripture also shows that belief alone is not enough, as it states, “demons believe and shudder” (James 2:19) Hence, our belief leads us to repentance (a decision to change direction and follow Christ), We then find we are to confess Christ as the living Son of God before others however; to have our sins forgiven we must also be immersed into the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of our sins, This according to to God’s word rather than mans idea’s is when we are forgiven of our sins and begin our walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-11; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21) New Testament scripture also stresses the importance of sharing the gospel and teaching others.

However, how can we teach what we do not know? – We need to study!

Our children need us to study! Why? – So we can accurately teach them God’s word and share the message of eternal salvation with them and to the whole world, according to God’s Will. Only through understanding and obedient faith can we know peace beyond our comprehension and have confidence in eternal life with Jesus. Don’t we want that?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

  • Grace: Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17, John 8:32
  • Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
  • Repentance: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
  • Confess: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
  • Baptism by immersion for forgiveness of sin: – Mark 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12; John 3:5; Ephesians 4:5; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 John 3:7; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 28:19-20

God First!

Not my will, but yours be done. Ultimate Control through love our salvation Follow Christ example - Love your enemy's

Exercising Control in the Face of Injustice

August 14, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Sometimes, controlling anger at injustice is a real challenge, and exercising control isn’t what we want; it can feel as if we’re choosing to absorb pain instead of doing something to stop it. The pain can feel unbearable at times, but with God, all things are possible, and it’s well worth staying the course and following Christ’s example.

Jesus exercised ultimate control; at any moment, Scripture says He could have called 12 legions of angels, and a Roman legion numbered about 6,000 men. The point is, Christ could have stopped absorbing all the pain He suffered, but he didn’t; Christ’s love for God and mankind was greater than every temptation to lose control or call it quits. Consumed with love, Jesus was determined to do His Father’s will; for this we should all be eternally grateful, for without His loving sacrifice we have no hope for eternal life in Heaven.

The trickle-down effect of Christ absorbing all that pain was our salvation. Jesus’s life, death, burial, and resurrection demonstrate God’s love for us. Every soul has the opportunity and promise of eternal life if we accept God’s grace with our obedient faith; Heaven becomes our home.

Jesus could have gotten angry and lashed out, as many of us might. He could have ended all of us at any moment, but instead, Jesus, being consumed with love and compassion, exercised ultimate control.

Jesus had experienced rejection before, and He knew what He was about to suffer was far beyond anything He had experienced. Knowing what was about to happen, Jesus was sweating blood on the Mount of Olives. He even prayed for a different solution, but if not, he wanted to submit to God’s will, not his own.

“And He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. And when He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” LUKE 22:39-44

Jesus submitted to God’s will, but instead of showing anger, He demonstrated love and restraint; Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. I admit this is difficult sometimes, but if it were not for our betterment, Jesus would not have told us to do so.

Also, remember what Jesus says in Romans 12:14-21 and trust Him.

  • Matthew 26:53 (12 legions of angels)
  • Matthew 19:26 (all things possible)
  • Luke 1:37 (nothing’s impossible)
  • Philippians 4:13 (Christ who strengthens me)
  • Matthew 5:39-44 (love your enemies)
  • Matthew 22:37-40 (Encompassing)
  • Romans 12:14-21 (I will repay, says the Lord)
  • 1 Peter 2:21-23 (Christ’s not retaliating when reviled or suffering)
  • Isaiah 53:7 (the silent Suffering Servant who opened not His mouth)
  • Philippians 2:5-8 (Jesus humbling Himself, obedience even to death)
  • Hebrews 12:2 (enduring the cross for the joy set before Him)
  • John 15:13 (greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends)
  • Matthew 26:39 (praying “not as I will, but as You will”)
  • Romans 5:8 (God demonstrating His love while we were still sinners)

God First!

No Excuses before Our Eternal Judge The Greatest Opportunity - Eternal Life

No Excuses Before the Eternal Judge

August 1, 2026 / / 0 Comments

We will all stand before God, and when we do, is there any excuse we can give to justify our rejection of God’s Grace and His Son’s Sacrifice? Is there any acceptable reason we can offer our eternal Judge as to why we followed our own ideas and desires rather than His intent for us?

—NOT, from anything I’ve read.

I once thought I could claim ignorance; however, God knows our hearts and would know if my actions were willful or truly ignorant. He knows if I study or just accept what I’ve been told. How stupid to think I could claim ignorance at judgment?

Knowing our Hearts means God knows the real reason behind every decision we make. Nothing is hidden from God! We will be judged according to God’s Word, so shouldn’t we get to know God through His Word? (John 12:48)

Every moment in this world, we choose to follow God or evil; there is no in-between. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and others as Christ loved us. (Mark 12:30, John 13:34-35) Why? Because this is not only our pathway to eternal life, it’s also how we obtain peace in our hearts that surpasses understanding in this life. Yes, God has extended His Grace to all who will take up the cross and follow Jesus. This means keeping His commandments, not our ideas, but what does His word say. (John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-5)

This is the Greatest Opportunity ever offered to mankind—“Eternal Life in Heaven.” Forever in God’s presence.

What an honor!

It’s hard to understand why so many of us trample on rather than respond with gratitude to all of God’s Love by giving God all of ours, but at one time, I was guilty of this very response. 🙁

God Breathed Scripture tells us exactly how to accept God’s Grace, how to follow Jesus and keep His commandments; it gives us our pathway to heaven, but none of it happens by osmosis; we must hear God’s Word, Believe, Repent (turn away), from our sins, Confess Jesus as God’s Son, and be Baptized (immersed in water), for the purpose of having our sins forgiven as stated in Scripture. (I provide these Scriptures in the hope that you will not just take my word but rather study for yourselves. Open your Bible and read the scriptures God gave us).

References

  • John 14:1-31 (the way, keep commands)
  • Philippians 4:7 (peace)
  • Revelation 3:16–17 (lukewarm)
  • Hebrews 4:13; 1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10, Matthew 6:24; Revelation 3:15-16

Hear the Gospel: Romans 10:17, John 8:32

Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19

Repentance: 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30

Confess Christ as God’s Son: Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9

Baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sin: Matthew 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God’s Word has the answers!

God First!

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