Tears Shall Cease

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 21:4)

As you know I lost a co-worker, a friend, and fellow sister in Christ in a fire just recently. Her 12 year old daughter made it from the fire but the mother at 33 didn't. - This blog was birthed from this tragic inicident.

Yes, we shall come to this if we are believers. Sorrow shalt cease, and tears shall be wiped away. This is the world of weeping, but it passes away. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth, so says the first verse of this chapter; and therefore there will be nothing to weep over concerning the fall and its consequent miseries. Read the second verse and note how it speaks of the bride and her marriage. The Lamb's wedding is a time for boundless pleasure, and tears would be out of place. The third verse says that God Himself will dwell among men; and surely at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore, and tears can no longer flow. What will our state be when there will be no more sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain? This will be more glorious than we can as yet imagine. O eyes that are red with weeping, cease your scalding flow, for in a little while ye shall know no more tears! None can wipe tears away like the God of love, but He is coming to do it. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Come, Lord, and tarry not; for now both men and women must weep!

Serving God Not Man

"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

Paul was obviously not worried about trying to please the people around him. It's not that he didn't care about others. It's just that he was focused on serving the Lord. Many times you maybe too worried about what people think of you, which inhibits you from following God with your whole heart. Instead, follow those God-given desires with reckless abandon, because all that will matter in the end is fulfilling God's plan for your life. You are called to serve God without reserve, so fulfill His plan without letting others sidetrack you.

Let Us Pray: God, help me not to be sidetracked by what others may think of me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What Would You Have Done?

Would You Have Done The Same?

"There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won't take it away from her!" (Luke 10:42)

You can learn a lot from the story of Jesus' visit to the home of Martha and Mary. While Martha busied herself preparing a meal, Mary sat at Jesus' feet drinking in each word of what He was teaching. When Martha realized that Mary wasn't helping her, she marched over, interrupted Jesus, and said, "Lord, this isn't fair. I'm in here doing all the work!" Jesus' reply must have stunned her: "Martha, you're stressed out about so many different things. Only one thing really matters, and Mary has chosen what's best." In effect, Jesus was telling Martha to slow down and enjoy the moment. He could easily be saying the same thing to you! Perhaps you're too busy serving God to enjoy the blessings He's bringing into your life. If so, look at your schedule today and choose what is best!

Lord, thank You for wanting to bless me. Give me eyes to see when I should serve and when I should just sit at Your feet and listen. In Jesus' name. Amen.

*Devotion taken from Today's Word Joel & Victoria

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW? I GOT TAGGED

The rule was simple share 8 strange or unique things about yourself. So here are eight for the record!

1. Even though it's been some time, I still consider myself the prodigal daughter who found her way home. I share that to give God the glory first and foremost. There were many times when I could have, should have been dead. Yet HE protected me. Even when I rebelled and turned my back on Him...He never gave up on me; - And I praise Him. Therefore, the first unique thing about me is that it is very hard for me to "give up" on a person.

2. I detest liars. They eat at the very core of my being. It's actually in my profile where I state: "If you have to lie, pass me by."

3. You know how you hear of some people not watching television. Or even some people who don't drive. Well, guess what, this one might surprise you. Since the year 2000, 95% of the time I do not use the telephone. Nor do I have a cell phone. (I know that is a hard concept for people to believe or grasp -- but it is true.) I am giving you the unique things about me (wink).

4. My hearing is impaired in my right ear (damaged ear drum) -- nope I don't wear a hearing aide. But I did bump my music back in the day so much so that I am paying for that now.

5. I tore the ligaments in my feet years ago in my prime during a photo shoot that I was doing for a wedding (I was the photographer). It would be from that point on that I would no longer be able to wear heels. (Now that is a bummer for me, heels do something for any woman). [wink]

6. I was on the road to becoming a psychologist before my call came into nursing.

7. The kitchen is my least favorite place. In fact I drudge that room. Whereas the bathroom is my favorite place of all.

and finally....

Number eight, which sums me up pretty much: I am a complex, peculiar, unique, individual created by God with a purpose.

God bless all of you on your spiritual journeys!! - Love you in the Lord, Jack