Reincarnation

Read Acts 17:16-34

For the Hindu, you are an eternal being that has been “reincarnated” in your present form. You may not have a memory of your previous incarnations, but you have always existed and will continue to exist in future incarnations once this current life is done. The estate and circumstances of that future incarnation depend on your behavior in this incarnation. Basically, it’s all about karma… the good and the bad you do, and the balance between them.

Jesus’ truth is that we were created in the image of God. We have been given the gift of this life! It is precious and has purpose! When we die, this life ends, but by faith in Christ, there is a new, resurrected life that will last forever!

Hollywood has long been infatuated with the thought of reincarnation and hundreds of films have planted the ideas in people minds that they might well live again, and again, and again! Yet many people fail to see the utter hopelessness of reincarnation. What would ever make a person think that ‘life after life’ could be a progression upward!

You may have heard, “Well, maybe I’ll do better in my next life.” How sad to be stuck on a never-ending track to an unachievable perfection. True resurrection offers hope. It makes a big difference.

Resurrection

Read Hebrews 9:27-28

I was 12 years old. I sat on the linoleum floor in my Grandpa’s kitchen surrounded by a dozen cousins, my parents and 6 families of aunts and uncles. We were about to have lunch before going to church for my Grandma’s funeral. It was understandably quiet, even in that crowded kitchen. We were waiting for Grandpa as he slowly came to the table and sat down. He folded his hands, bowed his head and prayed a prayer I will never forget.

“Dear Lord, thank you for giving us Mummsie all these wonderful years, (his pet name for Grandma). We thank you that her suffering is over, and she is now home with you. Bless us all now and all the days you give us. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Grandpa knew the scripture and knew it well. Grandma knew her Lord and their life together of over 55 years was blessed by their faith in our Lord and commitment to each other. That day he taught us all the real difference that the scriptural truth of resurrection makes! He would have echoed the wonderful words of Hebrews 9, “so Christ will appear a second time, to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Grandpa came and lived with my family. Speaking of “eagerly waiting”, he joined Grandma in heaven just 1 year later. The truth surely made the difference for them and for me!

The Life We Really Need

Read John 6:1-69
A day in the life of our Lord would be a good title for John 6, well it was a day and then some. The day began with the feeding of the 5,000, a momentous demonstration of our Lord’s power in meeting the simple need to stay alive.

Next our Lord appeared to the disciples, walking on the water, in rough seas no less! Another indication of His power, this time over nature, yet again to stay alive.

The next day a crowd gathered, word spread quickly even then, and many of the crowd of yesterday got to Capernaum looking for Him! When they found Him He let them know if they were looking for mere food from Him they were looking for the wrong thing. “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst! They looked for power to provide for this life. Our Lord offered power to give them life as His people, on earth and eternally with him in heaven. His next words made it so clear. “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Such is His promises to us all!

Prayer for the Living

Ask the Lord to increase your sensitivity to people’s issues of life and death, resurrection, and life after death, that you might be able to listen to them, understand them, and offer clarity about the gift of eternal life in Jesus.

Pray for a person you know who seems to take seriously reincarnation, whether prompted by Hollywood films, or just casual conversation with other. Pray that they seek information and clarity from Christian friends or leaders.

Pray for families whose loved ones are near death, that they receive ministry care and support from friends or loved ones that truly relies on the truth of a loving, forgiving God who promises eternal rest to all who know Him by faith!

Pray for Hospice Care workers who have the opportunity to hear and respond to their patients who may have questions regarding end of life issues.

Pray for the ministry of Christian campus personnel: professors, administrators, chaplains and parents who are in a position to speak the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to college and university students who may be struggling with issues of reincarnation.

Pray for the students who are exposed to reincarnation teachings whether through reading assignments, group discussions, bull sessions or just personal curiosity.

Pray that teachers, pastors and church leaders take opportunities to bring up the issues of life and eternity in regular preaching and teaching.

Talk About Life

Become informed about reincarnation, so that you can be more aware of what is currently being taught and promoted with people.

Search scripture for those great truths of God that spell out God’s gift of eternal life, His overwhelming grace and those passages that spell out God’s great and loving purposes for us.

When given any opportunity to speak about the issues of reincarnation, give clear unequivocal witness to your sure hope in Jesus. Tell God’s plan for a fallen world, to offer His full and free forgiveness, to give life, strength, and purpose to life now, and by faith in Christ to give the sure and certain promise of life eternal to all.