If you will allow me to, I want to honor my mother.  One year ago today, she died suddenly of a heart attack in her home; she was 63 years old.  This has been a very painful and devastating year for myself and my family as we have walked out our grief, but thanks be to God, not without hope.

My mother had a good heart and she always made sure I was active in church.  She is the one who taught me of Jesus!  She was very prophetic, she loved her family, she loved the Lord, was a great hair dresser and cook, and she had a marvelous sense of humor.  She is greatly missed.

The Lord brought this song to my heart and said to me that this is the song that my mother sings now in Heaven!  This is the overflowing love of a heart that is truly free and face to face with Him.  Oh, how I am rejoicing with her today!  She is completely free in every way!  She is completely happy!  She is at complete peace and rest!  She is complete in Him!

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 

1 Thess. 4:13-17

Like me, if you are grieving the loss of someone you dearly love, know that you are not alone.  There is a God who deeply loves you and has made a way for you to have hope.  He can meet you in your lonely and devastated place and speak amazing love to your heart….

He also declares over you today a way for a  NEW HOPE…an eternity filled with complete peace and freedom.  Hope for life abundant, now!  And even, hope for those left to grieve your passing when He calls you home.  Jesus is the answer to complete Hope.  He holds the keys to death, Hell, and the grave because He conquered them!  And this is the same God, through Jesus’ salvation that will be with you always.

“That 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  Romans 10:  9-13

Oh, when we see Him face to face how we will thank Him!  So, if we can thank Him THEN, then we can thank Him NOW!  If we can thank Him for his deliverance when the freedom is complete, then we can thank Him NOW!!  Join with me today and make this song your anthem!

Thank Him for WHO HE IS!  He is worthy!