AT THE END

There are many "ends" in life, but the biggest one is when life itself comes to an end.  A lovely young lady came to the end of her life recently.  The funeral of this friend of mine was a true blessing to me and others.  My friend had the privilege of planning her own funeral.  The statement she wanted to make - what she wanted everyone to leave knowing - was that the most important thing of all in our time on earth - is Jesus.

It is sad knowing she is gone, but how thrilling to know that (as she put in her obituary) she was "sure of her salvation".  She wanted the funeral to be a celebration of her life.  She wanted the songs to be about salvation. She even made sure the service included an invitation for people to accept Jesus. 

I've been to a lot of funerals, but can't remember one that stuck with me like this one has.  We can labor and stew over many things while we live on this earth; we can succeed or fail, we can enjoy life or not. The fact is, what we gain here in THIS life is not something that gets us to heaven.  Only belief in Jesus, and asking His forgiveness, gets us eternal life.

My friend was SURE of her salvation and understood completely the need for others to have it. She had one last opportunity to tell that to others - at her funeral. Thank you my friend for a testimony like that!

John 5:2-4  says "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life".

GOD WATCHES OVER US

Parents watch over their children. When they start to walk we catch them when they fall. When they cross the street,we teach them when to cross. When they learn to drive we remind them of the do's and don’ts of driving.

I was watching my hummingbird feeder the other day. The male hummingbird perched at the top of the bar the feeder was hanging on.   The bird reminded me of how God watches over us.   He was moving his head to and fro – over and over- guarding the feeder.   If another bird came – he scared it off.     He was ever present –it seemed – so diligent at his post!  I am reminded of this type of "guarding" in Psalm 121:

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?

 ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;

 ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.

 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

 ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;

 ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

It is good to know that the Lord watches over me – when I sleep, when I come and when I go, keeping me from harm.   Sometimes I forget this and rush through my day; not realizing I had that “help” that the psalmist talks about.

Remember how it felt to know as a child someone was watching out for you? It feels good to know God is watching over me now.

MY GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR GOD

Imagine with me two boys talking – “my dad is really smart” – “but my dad is smarter” says the other.  “My dad is really strong” – “Bet my dad could beat your dad up” says the other. “My dad is stronger than your dad”.. 

We were singing a song at church that had the phrase “our God is stronger – our God is greater” – and it reminded me of two kids arguing about their dad.  Then I was reminded of a story in the Bible where there was a “showdown” between two gods – the god Baal (who supposedly had power over rain,wind, and clouds) and Yahweh (the one true God).  

It seems that king Ahab had disobeyed God and began embracing and worshiping the god his wife Jezebel believed in – Baal.  Because of this disobedience – God (through the prophet Elijah) proclaimed a drought on the land of Israel.  After some time, Elijah decided enough was enough and there was a showdown between the prophets of Baal and himself.  

1Kings 18:21 – then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him.  But if Baal, follow him”. 

So the contest began.  Two oxen were brought out and two alters set up.  The prophets of Baal leaped about and called on their god – even cutting themselves with swords – for a whole day – and NOTHING HAPPENED.  Then Elijah prepared the alter by cutting the oxen – laying wood there and he even put a trench around it and filled the trench with water. He also had water poured on the sacrifice as well as all of the wood.  He had this done three times – so all was soaked with water.  Then Elijah called upon God to show the people that He was God – in order that the people would turn back to Him.

And God showed up!  Fire came down and consumed the sacrifice, the wood and even the stones and all of the water was licked up that was in the trench!  The people’s response was “Yahweh, He is God”.

This story reminds me that God is all powerful – and that HE is the one in charge of things.  And He can stand up to ANY situation and let His power be known. 

It also reminds me that He shows His power – so that others will believe in Him.