A Glimpse of Heaven

A Glimpse of Heaven TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, NIV). TODAY'S WORD: God longs to give you a glimpse of heaven while you are here on earth. He wants to show you His plan and bring it to pass in your life. Have you ever thought about how God’s will is accomplished in heaven? In heaven, God’s will is automatic. There are no opposing forces, no doubt, no enemy or anything that would come against His will. On earth, His will is done in our lives, first, when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior; and then, we must choose to come into agreement with His will on a daily basis through our thoughts, our words and our actions. On earth, we have to stand against the forces of doubt and darkness. We have to refuse those negative, self-defeating thoughts. As you open your heart to the Word of God and invite His will to be done in your life, you are coming into agreement with God. And when you get in agreement with God, there is power! As you declare what God says about you, you will experience all He has for you and see a glimpse of heaven in your life here on earth! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, I come to You today and invite Your will to be done in my life. Have Your way in my heart and let everything I do bring glory to You in Jesus name. Amen. PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy_aw6qJ_3U

To Comfort the Dying, First Conquer Your Fears

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 17, 2014

“No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.” (Psalm 89:48 NLT)

Before you can help anybody who is facing death, you’ve got to deal with the fears in your own life.

Death exposes the hidden fears in us. When we feel exposed, we typically hide. We’ve been doing it since Adam and Eve hid from God because of their nakedness.

What are the fears that you have with people who are dying?

Maybe you’re afraid you’re going to say the wrong thing. You’re afraid that you’re going to make matters worse. You’re afraid that you’re going to mess up. And as a result, you don’t do anything.

I can’t count the number of people I’ve been with as they took their last breath. I’ve watched many, many people die. Let me just put your mind at ease: It is almost impossible to mess it up. They already know they’re dying. Just by being there, you will make a difference.  

Contrary to Lifetime TV movies, there are very few “Hallmark” moments when people die. People don’t sit up in bed and say, “I love you!” and then die! It just doesn’t happen that way. There are very few grand statements or bold gestures.

Death is really quite ordinary. There’s nothing spooky about it. It’s not scary. It’s not weird. People just stop breathing. One moment they’re here, and the next they’re not.

The Bible says, “No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave” (Psalm 89:48 NLT). The biggest mistake you can make with somebody who’s dying is simply not being there because you are afraid. Once you face your fears about death, you’ll be able to help a friend face their own fears when the time comes.

Talk It Over

• What are your fears about witnessing death? Where do you think your fears come from?
• Why do you think it’s so difficult for people to talk about death?
• What does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ say about death?