For those afflicted with HIV and AIDS and for their loved ones, it may seem that this is the end of the world—but this world is not the end.

For those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and receive His offer of forgiveness, there is this wonderful promise Christ gave to someone grieving the death of a loved one:

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (Jn. 11:25-26).

This not only gives hope of life after death but also the hope of reunion for all who know the Savior. What great comfort this can be for the suffering and for those who love them.

Will you trust Him with your life, your heartache, and your eternity? If you will accept His offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life, He will make you His child and strengthen you for the journey that lies ahead— whatever it may bring.

If you already know the Savior, and are not involved in a Christian response to this global crisis, ask our compassionate Lord to guide you into opportunities where you can make a difference. In the midst of a world filled with pain, we can be His voice of comfort to the hurting, and His messengers of forgiveness and eternal life to those who are physically dying.

Lord, we ask You to help each of us to do what would please You in reaching out to this hurting world. Amen.

FOOTNOTES

1. www.mayoclinic.com/ invoke.cfm?id=DS00005

2. www.aids.about.com/ blwherehiv.htm

3. www.aids.org/factSheets/101- what-is-aids.html

4. www.ashastd.org/nah/tty/ ttyanswers.html

5. www.biola.edu/admin/ connections/past/03fall/aids.cfm

6. www.ashastd.org/nah/tty/ ttyanswers.html

7. www.who.int/hiv/pub/ epidemiology/epi2003/en/

8. www.mayoclinic.com/ invoke.cfm?id=DS00005

9. www.mayoclinic.com/ invoke.cfm?id=DS00005

10. The Healing Promise, Harvest House Publishers, 1994, p.208

11. ibid

12. www.baptiststandard.com/ 2002/6_3/pages/view.html

13. www.biola.edu/admin/ connections/past/03fall/aids.cfm

14. www.baptiststandard.com/ 2002/6_3/pages/view.html

15. www.biola.edu/admin/ connections/past/03fall/aids.cfm