Minister's message - Past to future

Submitted by Rev. V. Young, Retired

September 11, 2026

Key points from this story:

• Dolly Parton inspired many lives
• Jesus is the way to salvation
• God's love brings everlasting life
• Trust in Christ for peace
• The world faces many challenges
• We must do God's will to live forever

A beautiful butterfly winged her way to Heaven this week. She left many wonderful memories behind. In her lifetime Dolly Parton had heartaches but she gave much joy, love and peace to all. She sang the song "He's Alive" with the jubilation of one who has experienced the freedom God gives through Jesus Christ. (Song written by Don Francisco)

Jesus says in John 14:6-7 "I am the Way - yes, and the Truth and Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me." John 14:1 gives us added peace - "Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am." John 14:11 - "I am in the Father and the Father is in me."

Jesus said "The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. No one can kill me without my consent - I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me the right." John 10:17-18

For years Jewish people have sacrificed animals, - oxen, sheep and goats - to shed the blood for their sins. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the ultimate sacrifice for sins. In scripture it says "All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God and are justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23) Christ was our blood sacrifice. He bled and died on the cross for us. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it but to save it."

The world is now full of wars and rumors of wars. The weather patterns are upset. Earthquakes, floods and disasters fill daily news reports. Mans inhumanity to man is unbelievable. Our Lord tells us to trust in Him and all will be well in James 2:1. "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to our Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is our atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world."

1John 2:15 exhorts us "stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God. For all these worldly things, these evil desires - the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance (fame) - these are not from God. They are from the evil world itself. And the world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever. We have peace in Christ." Romans 5:1 - "So now since we have been made right in God's sight by faith in His promises, we can have real peace with Him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."

Prayer: Lord, forgive my sin. Help me to live serving you. Amen

Scriptures from "Living" Bible