“Life doesn’t make dreams. Dreams make life” (from “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream” November 17, 2023 ESPN+ documentary about Shohei Ohtani [大谷 翔平], the Japanese professional, two-way baseball pitcher and batter). Ohtani’s outstanding performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the Major League Baseball All-Star Games are only past events from his now famous “dream board.” World champion is his vision for the future as Ohtani #17 moves from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers with an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract, where he deferred accepting payment of $680 million until 2034, so the Dodgers would be free to recruit other players to help the team achieve the goal of becoming World Series champions. Christians are wise not to be led astray by a dream not from God. “If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6 KJV). If Shohei Ohtani can be motivated by his love of baseball and dream of MLB championships, why can’t disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ dream of bringing life to a world of lost sinners in need of a Shepherd, because of our love for Jesus? “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). LORD, You alone can grant me those dreams for Your Kingdom. And, You alone will fulfill them. Amen and amen.
Life
Riddle of Life
Riddle me this. How can a disciple not experience physical death, yet every disciple, including the departed, put on immortality? Simple. Rapture and resurrection. Disciples who are physically alive, when the LORD returns will be raptured, that is, immediately caught up and transformed into someone with an immortal, undying body. Already departed disciples will be resurrected with also an immortal, undying body. “51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1Corinthians 15:51-55 KJV).
We Need A Miracle 