"COMFORTING SCRIPTURES"

Good Evening to All!

My heart and my mind have been consumed with sorrow, the feeling of loneliness in a "sea of people". Even though I know there are many people just like me who mourn the loss of our wonderful friend, I can't seem to gain strength. I know there are friends of Neita's that have known her ALL of her life, friends who she taught in Sunday school, friends who she "mentored", who probably feel as lost if not more lost that I, so to those friends I say, "my heart goes out to you". I loved her dearly and I know it will take a good while before the sting of loss eases.

From My Bible Promise Book I read these scriptures hoping to ease my pain somewhat. They did reassure me, but the pain is still there. Maybe there is someone out there in blogland who has just lost a loved one or friend, and maybe these will reassure you as well.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me.
Psalm 49:15

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Proverbs 14:32

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8:51

For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

He will swallow up death in victory: and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; ... Isaiah 25:8

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37

The answers to last night's Bible Challenge are as follows:

1. b) Aaron (Exodus 7:19-20)
2. d) lice (Exodus 8:16-17)
3. d) made it stand still for a whole day (Joshua 10:12-14)
4. Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-35)
5. c) Elijah's cloak (2 Kings 2:13-14)
6. a) faith (Matthew 21:21-22)
7. b) Peter healing a crippled man (Acts 3:1-8)
8. True (Acts 6:8)
9. c) Aeneas (Acts 8:32-34)
10. b) Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)

I hope you did well on the Challenge. Remember, the best way to get to know God's Word is to "hide it in your heart".

Good Night To All and May God Bless!

"Facing Death with Reassurance"

Good Evening to All!

First, before I broach this subject, please let me assure anyone who is going through grief from the loss of a loved one at this time, this post is not meant to be callous or distasteful. It is not meant to make light of your sorrow. I just feel that this subject needs to be approached.

When I know loved ones of the people who pass, I never know what to say to them. I want to console them, but just like when my mom and dad passed away, I know I didn't want to hear all the "cliches" such as "they're in a better place", "at least they aren't suffering now", or "they're better off because they're with Jesus". Yes, I would venture to say that all those are true, but when you're looking at the rest of your life without the physical presence of a loved one, those are sentences you really don't want to hear. I know as I said, I've been there.

Since I have developed a serious relationship with Christ, He has opened my eyes and my heart to many things. One of which is what I say to people now for a loved one's passing. I always let them know that I am not going to say all the cliches, but even though we mourn the physical loss of a loved one, we should also rejoice in our spirit because they have met their Ultimate Goal.

To be in God's presence should be all of our Ultimate Goals. This one goal is what we should all strive for, to live a long God-fearing life, and when we leave this earth, enter into heaven for an eternity with God. There is a difference in "being happy" and rejoicing in the spirit. Rejoicing in the spirit is not being "happy" , but satisfied in the spiritual sense that they are with their savior which is the Ultimate Destination.

I hope I didn't stick my foot in my mouth too far. I am just trying to tell people reasons why they should not be bitter at God for their "loss". Then again, as I told someone in a comment today, I'm somewhat of an "odd bird". I would NEVER take my own life, but if God were to take me home today, I wouldn't be upset. I'm not afraid of death. I don't like the way this world is going, and I look forward to spending an eternity with my LORD.

That being said, He does not make these things happen, He allows them to because as I persistently state, He can see from the END to the BEGINNING. We must remember that God Always Knows Best.

Today's Seed: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15) A reference verse is Revelation 14:13. Then I heard a voice form heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on'". "Yes", says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

We don't want to talk about it. We don't want to think about it. But death is part of life. Sooner or later the death of a loved one forces us to face death--up close and personal. As we get older, we're touched by death again and again--a parent, a dear friend, a spouse, or even a son or daughter. Death plays no favorites. It comes to all of us. "Death is the destiny of every man" (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

When a loved one dies--either slowly or suddenly--we may be angry and strike out at God and feel that God has abandoned us. In this dark time we need to hear the words of the psalmist who tells us that there can be joy in death. Joy in death? How can this be possible, we ask through our tears?

The answer? As death draws nearer, so does God. Death comes in God's time, and God watches over each of us and knows when we will need him most. The Bible assures us that when loved ones die, they are precious to God--as precious to Him as they are to us.

The good news for believers is that when we reach eternity---God will wipe every tear from our eyes. "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Dig Deeper: The Hebrew word for "precious" is yaqar, which means valuable. God puts a high value on each of us. Precious also means "carefully watched over." It's comforting to know that we are carefully watched over by God.

Background Bulb: Psalm 116 is part of what has been called the Egyptian Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118). They were used in worship at Passover when Jews remembered their slavery in Egypt and God's deliverance. The psalms were recited or sung before or after the special meal. Before Jesus and the disciples left the upper room to spend the night in the Garden of Gethsemane, they sang the Hallel. Perhaps Jesus was thinking of his own death as He sang these words.

Weed & Water: When someone close to us dies, we're consumed by a myriad of feelings--anger, loss, and sometimes guilt. We may have left things unsaid and undone. Our loved one may have left things unsaid and undone. We might be angry that our prayers of healing were not answered the way we wanted. We feel our loss keenly. In the midst of our tears, we can know that God is with us, sharing our feelings and providing hope.

Think about it: What words come to mind when you think of death?
How does knowing that your loved one is precious to God help you?


Prayer Pot: Lord, I'm glad we are precious in your sight. Carefully watch over . . .
(Insert someone's name who you know is having a difficult time dealing with the loss of someone). Whether it be recent or a distant loss it hurts just the same.).

Take-Away Idea: When death is near, God is nearer.


Good Night to All and May God Bless!

Our Final Victory

Image by Zombie Inc. via Flickr

Good Evening to All!

Before I get into the "meat" of my post, I see this picture come up constantly on Zemanta, with the caption, "If Jesus is God Himself, then who is He praying to? Well, I have an answer. Yes, according to 1 Timothy 3:16, ) Jesus Is God who came to earth to walk among us, and in Isaiah 7:14, and Matthew 1:23 Where the angel said they were to name him Immanuel or "God with us". There are many other scriptures that point to this conclusion. He is also a Spirit, therefore the "flesh" is praying to the Spirit or Divinity. Ok, I finally got that off my chest. I doubt if the person who entered this picture on Flickr reads my blog, but I see it all the time, so I felt the need to answer the question.

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When the perishable has been clothed with imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true; "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The Sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Reference: New King James Version: 15:53-57- The living will receive a body that is not subject to death. Satan's apparent victories in the Garden of Eden and at the Cross were reversed by Jesus' death and resurrection. From the vantage point of Jesus' victorious return, Death and Hades (the grave) have no real power over Christians, because Jesus has already conquered both. We participate in His victory. The Corinthians were to continue steadfast in the work of Christ, specifically because of the resurrection. Your labor is not in vain: All the work that we do for Christ will be rewarded according to 1 Cor. 5:10, Rev. 22:12.

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My 2 Cents

It's hard to believe that my "take" is short but sweet tonight. I usually have at least a nickel's worth.

I am so looking forward to the day when my body will be changed. No more pains or sickness, No more worrying about trying to look 30 again. (Weight-wise). I am really looking forward to facing God and hearing Him say "well done thou good and faithful servant."I know he will look at every aspect of me except for my weight.

Good night to All and may God Bless!