Greetings, Altered Stories Family,

As I write, my thoughts go toward a subject that no matter who you are we all will face this reality 100% of the time, that subject is—death and dying.

Within the last two weeks in our family, Mike lost his brother-in-law, and we nearly lost a great friend who is like family to us.

For these reasons, I am reminded of the verse in I Corinthians 15:54b-55 that says, “Death will be swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (NLT). 

Sadly, not everyone has this hope. When someone dies without knowing the Lord, that person take his or her last breath on Earth only to take the first in an eternity no one wants…hell.  

In past articles, I shared the Gospel. If this is your first time hearing it, then let me introduce you to the Good News.

The Word of God says in Romans 3:10, “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one’” (NLT).   Then Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (NLT).

The Bible also says that God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence; however, He made a way for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross as a sacrifice to pay in full for our sin.  All one needs to do is to admit to God that they area a sinner and need His help.

Believe that God is who he says he is, Holy, but loving. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sin and that God raised Him up on the third day. Believe that Jesus is coming back in bodily form to judge everyone.

Finally, confess these beliefs to someone. You can write us, or you can tell a friend. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved” (NLT).

This is why we can smile, because even in such great loss, we do not grieve like those who have no hope.

Take comfort in this message, as I do. If you do not know the Lord, I pray that you will take the time to get to know Him. I hope when faced with the ugly reality of death, you can face it strong, knowing the grave will not have the last word.

God bless,

 Teresa