To my family and friends,
As you know or this may be a reminder, today is the one year anniversary that Dad passed away. “Passed away”…those 2 words I always thought were an “odd” choice to use when someone died. But since dad died I have begin to think of those words differently. They really are the “perfect” choice of words. Dad passed away one year ago today from this life into his eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ! The word “died” sounds so “final”, when a flower dies it’s gone, when a tree dies it’s gone…but we know for everyone who has placed their hope and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, death is not final, but yet just the beginning! The beginning of life eternal in the presence of the Lord! That is the Blessed Assurance we live our lives with daily. In Christ there are no good byes, in Christ there is no end.
As the 1 year anniversary of Dad's arrival in Heaven approached I have been thinking about how to make it a day of “happy” memories and not of our “last” memory of his time here on earth with us. So as I’ve thought about it…I thought well it has to do with food! We all know how dad loved to eat! I thought about “cooking” at moms…but that idea quickly left my head! Last week I was thinking about it again and the idea of lets go to one of his favorite places to eat…WW Cousins!!! He loved the burgers there and also the prime rib sandwich! I remember one time after leaving the hospital he wanted to go there…don’t think we did though. So tonight we will celebrate by going to one of his (many) favorite places to eat! The main thing is it’s “not” a day to be totally sad. It will inevitably be a day that makes us “feel sad”…but also a day to rejoice in the fact that dad has been in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ for 1 year! And that’s a reason to “celebrate”!
My prayer today is that every one of you would have that blessed assurance of living eternally with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Death is not final for anyone. When we all close our eyes in death and take our last breath we will immediately either open our eyes in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ to live with Him forever, or eyes will be opened to being lost eternally separated from God in a place you do not want to go, a place of never ending suffering and torment. The cool thing is God has given us the free will to choose! I pray if you have not yet made the choice you won’t let another minute go by without doing so by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, to not only dwell within your heart…but be on the throne of your heart. It’s the most important decision you will ever make in your life. It really is an “easy” choice.
If you're "not sure" you will see Jesus face to face...don't let another year go by...don't let another day or moment go by. Be sure today!
How to Receive Christ:
1. Admit your need. "I am a sinner." - Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). - Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. - Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Lord and Savior) - Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
What to Pray:Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
(taken from Billy Grahams book Foundations for Life)
Don't wait another day! Make Jesus Lord of your life! Share your decision with someone and ask them to pray for you in your new life with Christ and your walk with Him. Next, if you don't have a church home go with a friend or family member. Also, the Bible teaches us we are to be baptized into the "family of Christ" (not a church) by immersion. It's not the "water" that saves, it is an act of obedience. It's not about "religion"...it's about "relationship"....your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
3 comments:
Thank you for that Julie. Although it made me tear up, it has not been the only thing to do that. I am rejoicing for my husband of 51 yearts that he is in a better place than we are but like you said everyone can have that assurance if they give their life to Christ. I thank God that my three children and several of my grandcjildren have made that decision and I pray daily that the rest of them do. Also that son-in-law-and daughter-in-law have. I am anxious to spend the happy time tonight at WW Cousin's and will feel Marion's presence with me.
MAKE ME CRY, and I'm not even family!!! What a beautiful tribute to dear ol' Dad, Julie!!!! And I can see a resemblance between you two in the earlier years!!! Just loved strolling down memory lane with you! Nice compilation of pics and great message! I'm IN...made my decision to follow Christ 32 years ago. You're right...best, most important decision I've ever made! And so we can rejoice for your father, as Jesus paid the way for him to enjoy life everlasting with God! Hallelujah! And Ms. Faye, you are being prayed for throughout the day today, as this year has been the toughest! My mother has been through it too...7 years ago. Love you dear ladies!
Thank you so much for the beautiful memories of your dad. I miss him so much. I know he is smiling down on all of us as he and the rest of our family keep watch over us. I used to attend church just to set with grandma. While I set there Jesus found his way into my life thru her and he has truly blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. May the warm of your dad's touch and the brightness of his smile shine down on your celebration of his journey into heaven. God Bless and keep you all Love Kenny
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