~ XOCHITL Dixon- "I settled into the church pew behind a woman as the worship team began playing 'I Can Only Imagine.' Raising my hands, I praised God as the women's sweet soprano voice harmonized with mine. After telling me about her health struggles, we decided to pray together during her upcoming cancer treatments. (Google image, (Worshipping the Lord in church.)
A few months later, Louise told me she feared dying. Leaning onto her hospital bed, I rested my head next to hers, whispered a prayer, and quietly sang our song. I can only imagine what it was like for Louise when she worshiped Jesus face-to-face just a few days later. The apostle Paul offered comforting assurance for his readers who were facing death (2 Corinthians 5:1). The suffering experienced on this side of eternity may cause groaning, but our hope remains anchored to our heavenly dwelling—our eternal existence with Jesus (vv. 2-4).
Though God designed us to yearn for everlasting life with Him (vv.5-6), His promises are meant to impact the way we live for him now (vv. 7-10).
As we live to please Jesus while waiting for Him to return or call us home, we can rejoice in the peace of His constant presence. What will we experience the moment we leave our earthly bodies and join Jesus in eternity? We can only imagine!"
Father, when we learn to acknowledge someone elses' pain and struggles, may we support them with our friendship and prayers. If the time comes that they express their fear of dying, may we be ready to encourage them with a favorite song we are familiar with, and to share our faith in Jesus with them. May we acknowledge that the suffering this side of eternity may cause groaning and sorrow of spirit, but use us as ones who encourage others to believe that they will see Jesus face to face if they are believers.
If they don't know Jesus personally, help us share His suffering, death and resurrection of Life, so they can get to know Him, too, and have eternal existence with Him!
Now, we can only imagine what that will be like, but once there, the joys of heaven will overtake us with pure happiness, free from pain and tears!
I ask for Your help, Father, that You can use me to reach out to those who are desperate to know Your Peace while still allive. I pray for this in the name of Jesus!
Amen.
921-925 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
921- Eph. 6:13a "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God."
922- Is. 25:9a "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is or God; we have waited for him."
923- 2 Cor. 9:8a "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you."
924- 2 Thess. 1:12a "That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you."
925- Ps. 105:5a "Remember his marvelous works that he hath done."
Quote for today-
~ God will show you His way through various forms, such as studying His Word, listening to other believers, and obeying the nudges of His Spirit.
Words from the Father in a journal:
"In applying what you've read in My Word, you'll see that you're discovering the reality of Truth working out in your everyday life. Be willing to learn, so I can show you more of what I have for you."
~ Special words of encouragement-
~ Clarence L. Haynes Jr.- "If you are in Christ, then one day you will be in heaven with Him. Our job is to prepare for heaven now while we are alive on earth. You do that by being the person God has called you to be and doing the things God has called you to do. There is no better frame of mind than having an eternal one. This will help keep everything in proper perspective. The highs and lows of this life are nothing compared to what God has in store for us when we get to heaven. Let the truth of our eternal home be a reminder that it will be worth it all in the end."
Upcoming posts:
4/8- SINGING PRAISE
Krystal Weeks
15th- JESUS IS STILL HERE
Julie Grenness
22nd- COFFEE BREATH
Adam Holtz
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
No comments:
Post a Comment