Scripture

I wanted to share some Scripture verses that have touched my heart over the last few days.  All the people that spoke, my cherished brother-in-law, our wonderful Elder Kirk, and dear friend Ron used God's Word to bring comfort, understanding and reassurance to this sad time in my life.  They too, brought forth the message of hope that my Mom lived for.

2 Tim 4:6-8  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

1 Thess 4:13-18  Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of  God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore, encourage one another with these words.  

1 Cor 13:4-7  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self- seeking it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

Micah 6:8  He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Psalm 121  I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.    He will not let your foot slip--He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm--He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  

1 Cor 15:42-44  so will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;  it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

1 Cor 15:54-55  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortal, 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?  

All these sum up my Mom's life and her passing.  The tell of how she lived and the hope she had in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  God has woven together a beautiful story in her life and death.  And one day, we His children who share in this resurrection, will join her in Heaven.  Her hope for each of  you is that you would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, to share the joy and hope she had in Him.

I echo her prayer for you all, that you be drawn to the Lord.  Whether to a closer, deeper walk with Him if He is already Your Savior, or to Him as the One who can save and change your life, the one who can make you new, not in a physical, perishable body, by in your imperishable spirit.   Amen