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dealing with death

 


Death is something we all have to deal with, and I choose to take a few minutes as we close the week to give you some thoughts and maybe some perspective.


Psalm 117:15  NLT 

The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.


It is comforting when we know that person we cared about was a Christian.  We know the promise of Scripture that even in death there is spiritual life, future in heaven and being with God.


I recently lost my uncle.  His death was difficult but also a blessing because he had been very sick for several months.  Another friend in our church lost her brother in law after a brief battle with cancer.  Last week a man close to our church passed away, and he was young, in his 30’s.  Even though it was some time ago I lost both my parents.  Last evening I was talking with a young lady from our church who still struggles with the death of family members, some recent and some years ago.


Death is difficult, but we have a God who loves us, has a plan for our lives and is with us through every thing.  I want to remind us of a couple promises.


Psalm 34:18  NLT  

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.


He is close to us.  That is a promise.  Turn to God when you are struggling, hurting, troubled or down.  As an old song I remember says, “He is as close as the mention of His name”.  The more time we spend with God and listening to God, the more His presence and how close He is to us becomes our reality.


2 Corinthians 1:4  NLT  

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.


God comforts us, but we also comfort others.  That is one of the sweetest things I can tell you.  Just showing up for someone else means a lot.  Maybe a card sent.  Maybe a text.  But show up for one another and see how God uses that.


Who is it today that needs to be comforted?  Step out and be a blessing to others.


On another note, our church is involved in an outreach ministry called the Grill Walk.  A ministry in Oklahoma, Forgotten Ministries in Enid, has seen God do so many awesome things and so many have been saved through this simple ministry of offering hamburgers and praying for those we give them to.


Please pray for our church and join us at the Martinsville Walmart this Saturday, November 22nd, from 1 till 3pm.  Pray for those who will be served and prayed for, and please pray for those who will be serving.  God is good!

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