Heavenly Father I praise You for this morning and the weekend. I praise You for being able to go to church, for being able to get the wipers on my wife’s car fixed, seeing my daughter, and grandchildren yesterday. I praise You for the time You live with my family.
Holy Spirit in my lowest time after losing my son, and when we lost babies in pregnancies, I clung to the verses from Paul: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] I no longer have my son to talk to, hug or watch get married and grow old. Yet I know within my heart I will see him someday in heaven. I know that I must stay true to believing and following Jesus for this to happen. I can not cast away my faith and walk away from God, for he will not walk away from me.
Holy Spirit help me to live my life to the fullest of my purpose while here on earth. Help me to learn to love my family, wife, children, and grandchildren while they walk this earth. Help me to learn to show love to my neighbor. Help me to build Your kingdom while I am here and to tell of Your love and the hope that is within me.
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11