May 2018 Branches_web

anches
SOUTHWOOD
her will hopefully remember her for the good things. Caroline
will doubtlessly will be remembered by the people to whom
she would give this advice: “Know how much it means to say
hello to someone. One of my friendships started over a dumb
conversation on color. People miss out on knowing other people
by not saying hello. It’s so easy to say hello, and it only takes
two seconds.” Caroline’s “hello” to everyone she sees speaks
volumes. She welcomes people into the Lodge with a smile
and dives into hearing about their lives. Miss Jewell knows that
saying hello to a freshman girl who is uncertain of being at High-
Life could change both of their lives for the better and that they
can encourage one another in truth.
Share this truth with your senior: Jesus lived, died, and lives
again for them. Jesus had so many one-liner, mic-drop phrases,
but there’s one in particular our kids going into college should
remember. Jesus’ “senior quote” should be known by his
people. On the cross as Jesus gave up His spirit he proclaimed
“Tetelestai”- at least that is what is written in Greek. In English
we read “tetelestai” as “It is finished." This is the truth: Jesus
died on the cross to save repentant sinners from death and to
give them eternal life with Him. He did not just tell them the
truth, He lived and died and was resurrected so that it would be
truth. This is what you should know about Jesus’ profound and
beautiful senior quote: the word was a verb that was indicative,
meaning that it was factual; it was a perfect verb, which means
it has ongoing results: and it was either middle/passive, which
means that more than likely it was finished by one person on
behalf of another. Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection
are facts. It is truth that should be remembered and held onto
and those who hold it will never meet anyone who knows better
than them. There are ongoing results from Jesus’ life, death,
and resurrection, which means whenever someone repents and
believes in Him, they are saved into eternity with Him. Jesus
lived, died, and rose again on behalf of all who will believe.
All believers live in the already/not yet of the gospel. They are
saved, but they are still sinners on earth while they will be saints
in heaven. Believers should take every opportunity to stop and
reflect on what Jesus has done for them. Christians go on a
journey of self-discovery to realize who they are in God’s eyes
just by seeking Christ. The Good News of Jesus Christ is lifechanging
truth that needs to be shared with the world! It cannot
just be shared through words, but through the way one lives life!
Christians are like seniors about to go to college. They must
make decisions daily to seek Jesus above all else, they must
know themselves, they must know the truth, and they must be
prepared for Jesus’ return and be prepared for the goodbyes
and the good times ahead. Remember Jesus and what He said
in John 19:30: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is
finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”