Longing for the Last Trumpet - Crosswalk the Devotional - July 24

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( Longing for the Last Trumpet by Mike Pohlman Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. - [1 Corinthians 15:51-52]( Grandpa Erickson was a Navy man. That’s why there was a flag ceremony at his gravesite last Saturday. Having served in the South Pacific during WWII, Grandpa Erickson was appropriately honored with the playing of “Taps” on the trumpet and a “Final Salute” by two representatives from the United States Navy. The presentation of the American flag to his beloved wife Carol left few eyes dry. I had the privilege of conducting the gravesite service—no little pressure given that we’re talking about my mother-in-law’s dad. The pressure, however, was welcome as the funeral gave me the opportunity to offer comfort to a grieving family. I began my brief remarks by recognizing the two distinct emotional currents that undoubtedly flowed through the couple dozen people gathered namely, sorrow and joy. We experience sorrow at the loss of a loved one because deep down we know death is not the way it’s supposed to be. Therefore, we grieve. But as Christians we do not “grieve as others do who have no hope” ([1 Thess. 4:13](. Death will not have the final word; there is hope beyond the grave for those, like Grandpa Erickson, who die in Christ. We hear this hope, for example, when Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” ([Jn. 8:51](. A staggering promise, indeed. I concluded my portion of the service by acknowledging the Navy representative that would come forward to play “Taps” on the trumpet. “As beautiful as this will be,” I said, “I want to point us to another trumpet—one that will sound grander and more glorious than anything we can imagine.” [CONTINUE READING →]( You May Also Like: [10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Pastor]( Joe McKeever Listening to the gripes of the Lord’s people is standard fare for ministers. They ought to teach courses on it in seminary. Someone please tell the newly ordained to get ready. [CONTINUE READING →]( [10 Things Christians Shouldn't Say When Someone Dies]( Beth Ann Baus We should picture our loved ones bowing before the throne of God with every tongue, tribe, and nation. We should picture them in Paradise doing what they were created to do: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever! [CONTINUE READING →](                       Bible Trivia Question of the Day                                       What did God promise to the builders of the Temple in Hosea's time? A. that he would supply all the building materials B. that it would be more beautiful than the first C. that they would complete it in 3 days D. that they would never again be taken captive [ANSWER THE QUESTION →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2021 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](