Death...where is they sting?

Isaiah 25
8HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH FOREVER. THE SOVEREIGN LORD WILL WIPE AWAY THE TEARS FROM ALL FACES; HE WILL REMOVE HIS PEOPLE’S DISGRACE FROM ALL THE EARTH. Lord'

Jeremiah  8
18You who are my Comforter [a]in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

My heart is faint within me. Yesterday I went to visit a friend. We met at church probably 30 years ago. We became friends instantly because we both had small children. She had three boys and one girl. I had three boys. We were both married and stay at home moms. 

We would take the kids to the parks together and do other activities. My husband and I eventually moved an hour away and changed churches, but Teri and I still tried to do some things together with our kids and we definitely talked on the phone frequently.

One day, she called and said her husband, an ordained minister, was divorcing her. We had several evening phone discussions as she worked through this period of her Christian walk.

My husband and I then moved to Texas and Teri and I lost touch for the most part. Thank goodness Facebook came into existence about four years and we were reunited long distance. At least we knew what the other one was doing. She had put herself through school as a para legal and was now working. Her oldest was headed to Bible college. She and her daughter were going to finish their four year degrees together!

Eventually, my sons married and started their families. Well, living 18 hours away from where two of the three boys still loved wasn't working for my husband and I. So, we started searching for jobs back in Indiana. I found one right away and we started the moving process. My husband finally had the chance to start his own business. God was in the whole situation, but that is another story!

Teri saw on Facebook that we were moving back and immediately started a house hunt for us. She even bicycled through her subdivision regularly to see if she could find anything for us and report back to us the information...wouldn't it have been fun to live near each other!

We did find a house only a ten minute drive away from where Teri lived. We were regular shoppers for our grandchildren and sometimes ourselves! Neither she nor I knew other people our age who had children and grandchildren and were Christians, so we were quite the pair! We didn't get to see each other often as we were both busy with work and grandchildren, but we'd call each other randomly to see if we could get together to shop, to watch a movie together, just to talk. 

We finally decided we needed to lose weight and started going to the community center together to "workout!" Things started to unravel quickly as she was called on to babysit her grandchildren at a moment's notice...which she was happy to do! Then she started having pain when we were able to get together to work out.  Christmas season came around and we were too busy to work out. 

The day after Christmas, I received a text from Teri's daughter. She said that Teri had been rushed to the hospital in severe pain. Then we found out Teri had cancer, and they did surgery. She went through chemo. They thought they had it. We didn't get together as much as our schedules just didn't match, but we still tried and succeeded on occasion.

Then she went in for a check up to see how "things" were and they found more cancer. Another surgery and radiation. This time the recovery didn't happen and her intestines revolted by shutting down almost completely. Their was damage from the radiation and she has been in and out of the hospital since. She finally gave up her job six to eight months ago as she can't even eat anymore and the pain is increasing. The pain is so great she can't walk anymore either. Her Mom moved in to take care of her as she needs 24 hour care.

They found out a month ago she has cancer yet again in three different places. They gave her radiation, but can't do surgery. She is in pain. Her children are bringing her grandchildren to see her at home in her hospital bed. She is alive right now because they are feeding her through an IV. I saw her last night and her pain is too great. Her children and her Mom just finished planning her funeral.

I say all of this to say one thing. Teri is a Christian. Although she is suffering much in this life time, she has great hope! She knows that when this life is over, she will be in heaven with the Creator and Savior of this world!!!! What joy to be able to walk and talk with Him unashamed of the mistakes we have made because they are already forgiven through Christ!

I read my devotional today, and it was about death's sting...or the lack of it. Because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins, and our belief in Him, we are made holy and can go to be with our holy Father in heaven when we die on this earth.

Death has no sting! Death has no victory! Sure my friend is in pain. Everyone who knows her is in great emotional pain and grief already. But victory is around the corner for her as she will enter Heaven's gates soon! Her children are Christians also, so they, in their grief, know this hope also!

I Corinthians 5:15 - below is a commentary on this verse from Matthew Henry. Although it is very old English, it still explains the hope we have despite death!
I Corinthians 15:55

King James 2000 Bible O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? Commentary Matthew Henry Commentary 15:51-58 All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse 58, we have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Commentaries

Thank you, loving Father in heaven, for Jesus Christ, our only way to heaven. Thank you for loving us so much that you want us with you even though we mess up all the time. Thank you that we are forgiven for ask of our mistakes and sins through Jesus Christ. What hope you have given us! Thank you for Teri's friendship. She has been a better friend to me than I have been to her. Please forgive me for that. Please open the hearts of those who do not know this hope. Let them understand this hope. I pray that you will ensure all my friends and family will be in heaven with me, please, father! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

What is going on in our country today?

I just finished a weekend of fun and celebrating as my son and daughter-in-law threw a big birthday party for my youngest grandson who is turning five this week. We had a great time. It was super exciting to watch our grandchildren play with other children and see how they have grown and matured in their social skills and their love for each other. The parents were exhausted at the end and so were we, but everyone agreed it was a great party. What a beautiful retreat from what is going on in our country today. 

Today we turned the TV on and glanced at Facebook and we were brought back to the tragic reality of the broken world we live in. What is going on?

I read my devotion for today. Here are the scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9What do workers gain from their toil?
10I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race.
11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
13That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
14I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. 
 15Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.[b] 

John 16:33
33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:20
 20Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

So, we are supposed to have times of rejoicing. We are supposed to have times of sorrow. The world will be happy we are sorrowful sometimes. That sounds like right now, doesn't it? But there is more...in all things, "take heart!" for Jesus has overcome this world and our grief will eventually turn to joy. Amen! Now, the real work begins...What does that mean? How does that apply to us? How in this crazy mixed up world do we take heart, what about our grief, what about our joy?

Today, in our country, we are experiencing, what I safely believe to be a continual increase in the racial divide. Blacks are afraid for their lives; they fear they will be stopped by a policeman and killed. Policemen are afraid for their lives. True the data shows that there are more whites killed by policemen than blacks, but it also shows that more blacks are killed in "routine" stops than whites. There are lots of facts out there...all of which can be skewed to support which ever argument you want to make.

We are also experiencing the Black Lives Matter movement. It was originally intended, I believe, to bring attention to the fear blacks feel towards law enforcement...whether you feel that the fear is justified or not. Unfortunately, it has grown to encourage the killing of police officers just because they are police officers. So, now BLM is countered with All Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. 

The media, is provoking and stoking the fires of fear and anger. They love a good story and the more anger they can instill, the more stories they will have. You ask, well aren't they just reporting what is happening? Are they? Or are they selecting what they want us to hear/see for their own agenda. If you disagree with me, tell me the good things that are happening in your area that were reported on the news last night! Was the focus upsetting or joyful news? Aren't there lots of good things happening?

So, what is the answer? Where do we go to find the facts? What are we to do?  Our nation is in a downward spiral, and we don't seem to be able to stop it! 

A woman who goes by the name Shontell wrote this on a blog today in response to a lengthy conversation about the current situation in our country-racism in particular:

"My prayer for this new generation is that they won't be so jaded that it hinders them from stepping up and standing firm. I'll pray for your boys, too. No doubt the enemy meant all of this to breed a little more fear. But no thank you, sir. We fear the Lord alone, so get behind me where you belong." - See more at: http://www.shannanmartinwrites.com/2016/07/dear-white-christian-women.html?m=1#sthash.aCwroMUe.dpuf

...and there I found my answer! How easily I forget to "take heart!" How quickly I forget to stay in God's peace. How maddening that I forget that there will be mourning and gladness and life happening all the time even though I may not be in sync with it. How sad that I forget that Jesus Christ has already overcome this world!

Instead, I, and the rest of my country, have let Satan have the upper hand. We have allowed him to create this division. We have allowed him to create anger amongst races. We have allowed him to turn a blind eye to police injustice when unjustly killing someone. We have allowed him to convince people that killing policemen is okay in retaliation. We have allowed Satan to rule the day with revenge from every side! We have become fearful, because we have allowed Satan's lies, trickery, and deceit to reign.

If we will cling to scripture, pray unceasing, all these fears will not be fears. They will still exist, but they will not be a fear for us, as our focus is on Christ! There would be no need for revenge. There would be no desire to kill...anyone for any reason.

We live in a fallen world and Satan is doing His best to create havoc. He us doing a great job in the states right now. We, all Christians, have to remember that Christ has already won this battle and that we need not be afraid. We should seek God's wisdom in everything, pray unceasing, and tell Satan "get thee behind me!"

Someone stopped me and said they have a word from God for me!

Yesterday, I was waiting in the truck for my husband who is a real estate agent. The woman he was showing a condo to came out, saw me, walked around to check out three place outside. My husband came out and we drove over too a second condo she wanted to see. They couldn't get in yet, so she flashed over at me again and came over to the truck...apps e early to say hi!

When she got to the truck, she said she had a word from God for me. I was excited, yet hesitant. She told me God told her to tell me He loved me, that everything would be all right, and something else I can't remember because she was talking pretty fast and my mind, quite frankly, was reeling. We spoke for a little while about our gratitude for God always having a plan and her having the feeling she should come over to talk to me. Then, with most eyes, she prayed a very considerate and compassionate and thoughtful prayer for me. We both said amen and she left to get into her car. She set up another appointment with my husband to try to get in to see the second condo next week. 

I was left to figure out what had just happened. I have not stopped thinking about this.I was so bowled over by her coming up to me that I wanted to try and understand how what she told me fit into what I was currently doing. I can't figure it out. I spent most of my conversation with her thinking in the back of my mind how this might apply to me. What is on the horizon? Is something good our bad going to happen? Is this preparing me for something bad? 

I spent so much time thinking about me that I didn't ask about her at all. I didn't find out anything about Ashley except she had a daughter and a little boy on the way.

Then she prayed for me. I had a nagging feeling I should have prayed palso, but I didn't. I sat and let it all sink in. Then we said our goodbyes. She was happy and a little overwhelmed to be used by God this way. Although I think she was probably used to it. I was in shock too be the recipient of a word from God through someone else...this hasn't happened before.

Since then I have been consumed with worry about what is going to happen. This morning, I think I am realizing that I handled the whole situation incorrectly. 

I considered this moment with Ashley, the young woman, all about me and something God was going to do for me or to help me through. In reality, maybe God had sent this young woman over to pray for me so that I could pray for her...which, sadly, I did not. What if she needed prayer? After all, she was pregnant, working, her husband travels in a Canadian baseball team, and she is looking for a condo.

What if I was supposed to ask about her life to see if I could be an encouragement to her as she was trying to be for me. What if God put us together so I COULD HELP HER? Or so e could help each other

Oh my! I have been perplexed since meeting her, worried, excited, concerned, puzzled, prayed for myself, prayed for people I know who are sick, prayed for people who have cancer, all to try to figure out why God wanted to tell me these things.  I could be all wrong, but after praying for Ashley, I think He wanted me to minister to her! 

My most frequent sin has happened again. I always think everything is about me. Everything is almost always about the other person when God is in control!!!!!

I will hopefully see her next week when my husband shows her another condo. I will pray with her next time for her, not me, and ask about HER instead of being consumed about me!

Father forgive me for thinking everything revolves around me. Thank you for the positive word from Ashley, maybe it means you already knew I would think about myself and not her and that you want to reassure me that everything will be okay...I will get a second chance to do the work you want me to do...talk to Ashlee about what is going on in her life and pray for her! Thank you for your generosity and your bigger plans that I cannot begin to understand. The next time I am perplexed about why someone is telling me what they are telling me, please, Holy Spirit, take over and show me that it is really about ministering to the other person! That you have a plan that includes me, but is for the other person! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.