I was reminded of this scripture this week when talking to a family member who had heard about several people that she admired had gone to be with the Lord:
Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15
Death is something you think about at a time like that and after it happens to many friends it may be something you think about often. I don't worry about or dread it, but I do think about it more these days after losing some dear friends who were my age.
I also think about things that I really do not understand completely about the christian life and wonder how I could have attained this advanced age, and not come to a conclusion about any of them.
I had another conversation last week with a family member about the old subject that has been haunting us since "we became charismatic ": does God want everyone to be healed?
I am satisfied with my own answer but can't effectively defend it. There seem to be different scriptures that support whatever point you want to make about the question.
My thoughts begin to go in a wrong direction toward doubt and I put them aside but they continued to try to come back.
Me, thinking. |
This morning when I listened to Focus on the Family and Family Life Today, they both aired old interviews with Chuck Colson, who went to be with the Lord Saturday. It was such a blessing to hear his testimony again and about how pride ruled the first part of his life before he met the Lord and before he went to prison for his part in Watergate. Pride is another battle I face at times, so it's always a blessing to be reminded how much God hates pride.
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23 NLT
Bob also reminded me Sunday of Mark 10:44, "And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all". I don't think we realize as women, caring for our family, how important to God our work is or that we are going to be the "chiefest" in heaven. Even though we serve everyday, all day, and sometimes all night, sometimes (or most of the time), my attitude could improve.
And that's not even all! This morning, I watched Joel Osteen and he talked about procrastination and how when there is something that we are told to do, we put it off, and postpone God's blessings. He also said that when a thought first comes to us that there is something we need to do, we have grace to do it. As we put it off, that grace is gone and the task gets more difficult. I know that is true from my experiences. I got an assignment while watching and I am going to go start on it right now!