"Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away."
Matthew 24:35
Every year at our school's Fun Fair, there's a big tank of goldfish. The kids throw ping pong balls into small fish tanks, and if they get on in, they get to take a fish home. You can imagine the excitement, right? We brought one home ourselves one year. The boys put their new fish into the fish bowl, added rocks and decorations, and fed the fish diligently. Every day they watched their new pet. And they were so proud.
And then the day came. The boys woke up, and the poor goldfish was floating on top of the water. I gently explained to them that the fish died, and among tears, we said a prayer and flushed the fish down the toilet. It's something that has to be a part of parenting. Flowers that were lovingly picked have to be thrown out. Pets die. Even grandparents and close relatives pass away.
Unfortunately, death is a part of life. It's been a part of our lives ever since the day Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. It can be very difficult, especially when someone we love passes away. It seems like the end. There's nothing harder than facing tomorrow without the person you love.
Read our scripture verse for today again, though: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." This verse should bring us so much comfort, as should these words: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) How wonderful is that? Jesus came down to earth to die for our sins. He came to die, so that we would live forever with Him in Heaven. As much death and decay we see on this earth, it's never forever.
Think of it like this: Death is never "Goodbye." It's just "See you later!"
Dear Heavenly Father, We see so much death in our daily lives. So many things--and people--pass away. Help us remember that this life is not the end. Thank you for sending Your Son to take on death for us, so that we may live forever. Keep us strong in that knowledge, until the day that we live with You in Heaven. Amen.
Read our scripture verse for today again, though: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." This verse should bring us so much comfort, as should these words: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) How wonderful is that? Jesus came down to earth to die for our sins. He came to die, so that we would live forever with Him in Heaven. As much death and decay we see on this earth, it's never forever.
Think of it like this: Death is never "Goodbye." It's just "See you later!"
Dear Heavenly Father, We see so much death in our daily lives. So many things--and people--pass away. Help us remember that this life is not the end. Thank you for sending Your Son to take on death for us, so that we may live forever. Keep us strong in that knowledge, until the day that we live with You in Heaven. Amen.
Oh what a wonderful discription of such an important thing...God bless those that still keep him (Our Savior)in their live's and school's. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteLove,Debbie
Thank you so much for this day's devotion. On Tuesday, when this was posted, I was preparing to tell my preschool class that one of their classmates isn't at school, but she is in Heaven with Jesus. I reminded them that Ansley loved and trusted in Jesus and that she is with Him. She is happy and healthy and smiling because she and her family are with Jesus. We are sad for us, but happy for her. We will miss her, but that she will be there when we get there. It was a very difficult thing to have to talk about with 4 year olds, and I pray I never have to have a talk like that again, but I am so thankful for the hope that Jesus gives us...and thankful that I teach in a Christian preschool where we talk about Jesus every day.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for these devotions. They speak to my heart in a way I cherish. May God continue to inspire you to write these wonderful devotions.
Blessings-
Andie