Meaningful Mourning

FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL SCRIPTURES:   MATTHEW 5:4 (The Message translation) 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you." Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (NKJV Translation) Meaningful Mourning Mourning was expressed in many ways in the Bible. Here is a list of a few examples. Can you find the common denominator? 1. by weeping #Ge 35:8 marg.; #Lu 7:38 etc. 2. by loud lamentation #Ru 1:9 1Sa 6:19 2Sa 3:31 3. by the disfigurement of the person, as a. rending the clothes #Ge 37:29, 34 Mt 26:65 b. wearing sackcloth #Ge 37:34 Ps 35:13 c. sprinkling dust or ashes on the person #2Sa 13:19 Jer 6:26 #Job 2:12 d. shaving the head and plucking out the hair of the head or beard #Le 10:6 Job 1:20 e. neglect of the person or the removal of ornaments #Ex 33:4 #De 21:12,13 2Sa 14:2 19:24 Mt 6:16,17 f. fasting #2Sa 1:12 g. covering the upper lip #Le 13:45 Mic 3:7 h. cutting the flesh #Jer 16:6,7 i. sitting in silence #Jud 20:26 2Sa 12:16 13:31 Job 1:20 These methods were to make a public display of a hurting, lonely, broken heart. Jesus gave the best way to handle the passing of a friend or loved one. The Bible says there is a time to morn and so mourning is not a bad thing. So in today’s verse we find how to make it a meaningful time. This verse says we are to be congratulated when we mourn because we shall be comforted. God cares when we are in pain and He is the remedy for a broken heart. Jesus wept on the occasion of the Lazarus death. Jesus weeps with you as you mourn and sets his plan to comfort you in action. He has designed a custom made comfort especially for you. Let your faith shine as you lean on Jesus in times of grief. He has promised to be there through it all.   Joy of His presence awaits you in the morning. PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear Heavenly Father I choose to lean on you and await your comfort with gratitude.

The God of the aged

A timely message from May 25,1856 by Spurgeon The God of the aged “Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4 Suggested Further Reading: Psalm 71:1-18 Middle aged man! Listen to what David says, again, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Go on, then, unsheath your sword once more. “The battle is the Lord’s;” leave your declining years to him, and give your present years to him. Live to him now, and he will never cast you away when you are old. Do not lay up for old age and keep back from the cause of God; but rather trust God for the future. Be “diligent in business;” but take care you do not hurt your spirit, by being too diligent, by being grasping and selfish. Remember you will “Want but little here below, Nor want that little long.” And lastly, my dear venerable fathers in the faith, and mothers in Israel, take these words for your joy. Do not let the young people catch you indulging in melancholy, sitting in your chimney corner, grumbling and growling, but go about cheerful and happy, and they will think how blessed it is to be a Christian. If you are surly and fretful, they will think the Lord has forsaken you; but keep a smiling countenance, and they will think the promise is fulfilled. “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Do, I beseech you, my venerable friends, try to be of a happy temperament and cheerful spirit, for a child will run away from a surly old man; but there is not a child in the world who does not love his grandfather if he is cheerful and happy. You can lead us to heaven if you have got heaven’s sunlight on your face. For meditation: Elderly believers—the Bible tells us about their testimony  (Psalm 92:14,15;  Proverbs 16:31), their teaching (Titus 2:2,3) and their treatment (1 Timothy 5:1,2). note: This sermon was substantially repeated at Stambourne, Essex, two days later on the commemoration of the jubilee of Spurgeon’s grandfather, Rev James Spurgeon. Sermon nos. 81-82 25 May (1856)

BLESSINGS EVEN IN TRIALS

FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL     SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 5:1-3 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. BLESSINGS EVEN IN TRIALS God is waiting to bless those whose hearts are breaking because of sons and daughters, moms and dads, brothers and sisters who are fighting a life threatening disease. God wants you to know that He hasn’t forgotten you and He will draw nearer to you more than ever before. We can thank God and Praise Him because He has promised to give you strength in the toughest of times. He knows every tear drop and is waiting to hug you and give you comfort. If you trust Him and have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior then the Bible reminds us that “Joy comes in the morning”. I sat at the bedside of a football team mate in the last stages of cancer. The Morphine did not cancel the pain and yet he talked to me about the love of the Lord. He was trying to imagine how Heaven would be and joy filled his soul as he concentrated on living eternally in heaven free of imperfection and walking with Jesus. We prayed thanks to God for what He had prepared for my friend. At the end of the prayer He asked me to get his parents. I told his parents that he was asking for them. He told them I love you mom and dad. His dad asked if he was in pain and he smiled a big smile and in perfect peace he said “no all is good.” His dad said then close your eyes and rest. He said “Jesus” and closed his eyes and went to meet Jesus. “Oh death has no sting but is swallowed up in victory by Jesus. PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear Jesus we pray for all the victims of cancer today and the loved ones who are walking the passage with them. May their faith give Godly comfort which this world cannot give. We pray for a cure to be discovered soon. In Jesus name, Hallelujah, Thine the glory. Amen