Attending funerals is never something I look forward to. In fact, I usually dread them…until I get there and remember that I’m there to celebrate the life of the person who died.
Last week, I mentioned the death of my friend’s dad. I struggled so much preparing to go to that funeral. But I tell ya, this man lived his life for the Lord. And he loved his family. And he wasn’t afraid to tell people about Jesus. He was constantly sharing about how God was blessing him.
This man had given his life to Christ and lived for him…every day.
His memorial service was a huge celebration because HE IS NOW FINALLY WITH JESUS!!!! And he’s walking again and talking and singing and dancing…all for the Lord!! Pain free…struggle free.
Oh the joy of knowing that we as believers have hope! The peace that comes from understanding that living on this earth is not all there is to LIFE.
“In this world, you will have troubles. But take heart. I have overcome the world!” John 16:33
I ask you…is there anything else that makes you more excited than that? Jesus has overcome the world for us!!
We. Have. Hope.
Thank you, God. We have hope.
That makes me so excited, I can hardly breathe.
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What are you grateful for this Gratituesday? Read the details here, then come link up with us so that we can come read about what you’re thankful for! If you don’t have a blog, leave a comment letting us know how God is working in your life.
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so true, so true. that hope is so great!
Well said! It is a great comfort to me when bad things happen to know that this life here on earth is not all there is, that we as believers are not home yet!
Laura-
You are so right. Funerals for people who are now with Jesus are very different. Although we still miss them here on earth, we can celebrate for them!
Toni
Praise the Lord! As I get older and see more of the suffering in our world, I long more and more for heaven. I’m so thankful that this sin filled world is NOT all there is. Thank you, Father!
HOpe is what keeps me going!
P.S. Two ladies subscribed to my daily devotional and I had a glitch and lost them. If you are one of the ladies who havent received anything since last week, please email me privately.
THanks
HOPE is our theme word for this the 13th year that our daughter has had 24/7 migraines. HOPE is the word for all parents of special needs children. HOPE is the word for all going through difficult circumstances… We REJOICE in spite of it all because we have HOPE because of JESUS CHRIST :)
Laura, your friends Dad was my friend! His HOPE sustained him because he fixed his eyes on JESUS!
GIGATTAATTGIG!
Amen! Things of this world don’t seem to matter so much when I can keep that particular fact in the forefront of my heart and mind!
(My gratituesday seems so completely trivial in comparison to your great tidbit of wisdom…)
Very well said!! When my Grandfather died I was very sad, until I read the letter he left for us all. He said please rejoice with me because I’m finally with my Father. I SO look forward to that day.
In the chaos of the world I find comfort in Jesus!
Absolutely true! Thank you for sharing this.
Loved this! I have seen bits and pieces of gratitude Tuesday but this is the first time I’ve actually gotten around to linking up AND reading the posts!
Fabulous! What a blessing!
Great post, and so true! How much we can celebrate the deaths of those that know the Lord!
Off topic here, but…didn’t know if you were aware of this bill that they are trying to pass that would make organic food a thing of the past, thought maybe you would want to blog about it to make others aware of it: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12671
oops, maybe I posted to soon…here is another website about it: http://crooksandliars.com/tags/sustainable-foods
I’ve enjoyed your Gratituesdays for a while now!
Thank you Jesus for taking the place of rotten sinners like me and your friends dad!
“When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand”
amen! We just read yesterday the story of nehemiah rebuilding the walls of jerusalem. Even though the enemies tried so hard to hinder the work, nehemiah stood fast! His hope and strength and faith were on the rock! Like kristen quoted…all other ground is sinking sand…..