A Change of Venue
My friend Joann passed away from a stroke just as the coronavirus began to spread in 2020. At first her family published that her memorial service would be at her church, but then it was determined it was best to hold it at a funeral home to control the size of the group attending. The new notice online read: Joann Warners—Changed Venue.
Yes, her venue had changed! She’d gone from the venue of earth to the venue of heaven. God changed her life years before, and she lovingly served Him for nearly fifty years. Even while she lay near death in the hospital, she asked about others she loved who were struggling. Now she’s present with Him; she has changed venues.
The apostle Paul had the desire to be with Christ in another venue (2 Corinthians 5:8), but he also felt it would be better for the people he served for him to remain on Earth. He wrote to the Philippians, “It is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:24). When we grieve for someone like Joann, we may cry out to God something similar: They’re needed here by me and many others they loved and served. But God knows the best timing for their change of venue and our own.
In the Spirit’s strength, we now “make it our goal to please [God]” (2 Corinthians 5:9) until we see Him face-to-face—which will be far better.
When I Don't Feel Okay: Teen Devotional Part 2
Join part 2 of 'When I Don't Feel Okay,' a 20-day devotional series designed for teenagers to read, reflect and respond to God's Word during challenging times.
Find more devotionals for teenagers, children and families here: familydevotion.org.
Day 20: A Powerful Word
Today’s Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13
The word of God is alive and active (V.12).
When a teenager in Singapore named Poh Fang learned about Jesus’ love for her and trusted Him as her Saviour, her parents weren’t sure about her new religion. So they sent her older sister with her to church to keep an eye on her. But something happened that they…
Day 19: Being Thankful
Today’s Bible Reading: Numbers 11:4-22
Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them? (V.22).
The pain of my long-term illness and limited movement finally caught up with me. I started to become very angry and always snapped at the people closest to me. I never thanked my family for their help, but always said they weren’t…
Day 18: The Cross
Today’s Bible Reading: Colossians 1:9-23
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (GALATIANS 6:14).
Long before Jesus was born, the cross had been used as a means of torture and death. In 519 bc, for example, King Darius I of Persia crucified 3,000 enemies in Babylon. This type of execution was later used by the Romans for…
Day 17: Reason to Sing
Today’s Bible Reading: Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things (V.1).
When I was thirteen, my school made us take four ‘life skills’ courses: cooking, art, choir and woodworking. On my first day in choir, the instructor called us one at a time to the piano to hear our voices and place us by our…
Day 16: Praising God's Goodness
Today’s Bible Reading: Psalm 136:1-15
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever (V.1).
Someone in our Bible study group said, “Let’s write our own psalms!” At first, a few of us groaned. This didn’t sound like much fun at all. But after a few minutes of having a go, we all quickly got into it. Soon…
Day 15: Strength in Suffering
Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-23
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (V.21).
When eighteen year old Sammy trusted Jesus as his Saviour, his family rejected him. But the Christian community and church welcomed him, encouraging him and paying for his education. Later, when his story was printed in a magazine, he received more…
