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As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we should never think of death and
dying as the end of the picture or a depressing state of mind. We are in
fact to look forward to that glorious day when God Himself will welcome us
into His kingdom to be with Him forever and ever. The Bible declares that
to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Our last breath
on this earth will be our first breath in Heaven above. If you have put
your faith in Christ, then this life is simply a precursor to the eternal
life that is ahead of you with Almighty God. (2 Corinthians 5:8-11)
Think of your life now and do your best to be at peace with everyone around
you being an example of the Love of Christ that is within your heart. As
His child on the earth, this life is temporary so do all you can to bring
Glory and Honor to His Name preparing yourself for Eternity that will last
forever. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) (Romans 12:14-21) (Ephesians 2:10)
I hope this message encourages your heart to think differently about your
eternal destination and know that no matter how long you may live on the
earth, it is but a drop in the ocean when compared to Eternity.
I HEARD THE MOURNING DOVE
God fills our lives with his unexpected touches of grace. These moments of
grace often go by unnoticed, because we often are looking for what I call
“The Big Woo” -- that big supernatural spiritual event that rocks the
foundations of our houses, thrills our soul beyond description, and clearly
establishes that God is at work in our lives. Unfortunately, when we're
always looking for “The Big Woo,” we often miss God's flood of tender graces.
Recently, a dear brother in Christ explained how his mother had sought to
tenderly warn him that she wasn't going to be coming home from the hospital
and tried to reassure him it was okay. “I heard the mourning dove!” she said.
For a woman of faith who had grown up in Arkansas, who had heard the
mourning dove each morning at breakfast and as she walked along the road,
this was a comforting sign that she was going home. No more dialysis, no
more blood work, no more trips to the hospital, no more difficult health
days. She had heard the mourning dove! She was going home! Sure, she had
regrets about leaving her beloved children and grandchildren, but she had
done her best to share her faith with them. They knew she loved them. She
knew they loved her. She had heard the mourning dove; it was time for her
to go home.
God gave this sweet lady a farewell episode -- a wonderful day to be with
her family and say goodbye. The next day she went home. Their hearts are
broken and overjoyed. Why? Because they love her and will miss her
terribly. Because they know that she was a lady of faith and that her
future rests secure in the hands of Jesus who had saved her. However, in
the middle of this grief-stained joy there is one special touch of grace
each will remember until that Day when they see each other again; she
heard the mourning dove. It was okay for her to go home.
I want to encourage you to listen and look around in your life. If you do,
I know you will see and hear God's tender touches of grace -- those tender
moments when he steps in and blesses our lives in ways too precious and
too unpretentious to be readily noticed. They are there, however, for us
to be blessed and to bless others. Most of the time, we can more easily
recognize these touches by looking over our shoulder at the past. But they
are here with us right now. Let's just be more aware, and more ready, to
receive this grace today. When we do, we'll find that what on earth may
look like a mourning dove, on the gracious side of heaven is really our
morning dove, as God awakens us to his New Day!
[God's People Say:] Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 [The Lord God Says:] I will turn their
mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of
sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:15-18 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that
weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of
all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with
all men.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: LOOKING FOR JESUS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem131.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: WHEN THE LORD CALLED MY NAME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony135.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
