When there's no translator God still communicates!
On Sunday night I attended a funeral service. (Please pray for their family and friends to make it through this difficult time) There were quite a few differences compared to services I normally go to, the main one being it was a Spanish speaking service.
Although there wasn’t a whole lot I could understand I did know that something amazing was taking place in the sanctuary. The Spirit of The Lord was resting in that house. As praises went up it didn't matter what I could or couldn't understand because God's Spirit has no boundaries and neither does his love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1Corin 13:4-8). What he needed me to understand regarding the hearts of the people was clear. What he needed me to gain from the experience was also clear. Here are some reminders I was able to take away even with the language barrier:
On Sunday night I attended a funeral service. (Please pray for their family and friends to make it through this difficult time) There were quite a few differences compared to services I normally go to, the main one being it was a Spanish speaking service.
Although there wasn’t a whole lot I could understand I did know that something amazing was taking place in the sanctuary. The Spirit of The Lord was resting in that house. As praises went up it didn't matter what I could or couldn't understand because God's Spirit has no boundaries and neither does his love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1Corin 13:4-8). What he needed me to understand regarding the hearts of the people was clear. What he needed me to gain from the experience was also clear. Here are some reminders I was able to take away even with the language barrier:
1. When in mourning praise your way thru!
I saw people hurting, their deep wounds of loss and sorrow filling the brim of their eyelids crushed me. Yet they pressed thru with tears streaming and praised a God who is Sovereign. A God who is able to comfort. The word doesn't say God will be with you in the good and that's it. No it says “lo I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave you or forsake you (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5)! This means in the good and the bad he will be with you. In the joyous moments and in pain he will not let go of you. If we are committed to holding on to him it doesn’t mean we won’t feel pain but you will ultimately feel his peace and strength to move forward!
2. When you call on him he will be there.
God is faithful to us and he showed that by settling his Spirit in that place. Where the Spirit of The Lord is there is liberty (2Corin 3:17). Freedom to praise and worship in spite of such horrible circumstances is a type of liberty most can’t understand. But as our praise and worship go up (in and out of the sanctuary) God responds…he answers (Ps 67:5-6). He knows and has heard the cries of his people and he will react (Exod 3:7). Remember this!
3. She lived on earth and is living again in heaven
On this resurrection week it's important to remember the purpose of Christ’s journey! He died and rose again so that at some point we may rise with him and live eternally with our Heavenly maker (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Although death hurts us the departed is living peacefully and joyously with our King! This wife, mother, aunt, friend left a host of grieving family and friends behind but there were a host of angels who welcomed her into her soul’s final home (John 14:1-3).
Glory to our Father and Creator for sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins and rise up once again that 3rd day (John 3:16; 1Corin 15:3-4)! Because of it we all have a relationship with God that does not end with our bodies final breath! Take a moment and think about what the resurrection means to you and your family!
If you don't believe in Jesus Christ or God at all, you definitely don't have to. But God does desire a relationship with you once again. If you want more in this life and the next please receive him as your personal Lord and Savior. Believing in your heart that he was sent by God to remove all your sins just so you can be made righteous (put in right relationship) with God and confessing that you want him to come into your heart is all it takes! (Romans 10:9-13)
Did you receive Christ into your heart today? Click here because we want to know ;)
I know it seems like a long way off but your eternal life is on the line. Ultimately it's your choice :) God bless!
Truth Study this Friday!!!! Will you be there? Sign up now
I saw people hurting, their deep wounds of loss and sorrow filling the brim of their eyelids crushed me. Yet they pressed thru with tears streaming and praised a God who is Sovereign. A God who is able to comfort. The word doesn't say God will be with you in the good and that's it. No it says “lo I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave you or forsake you (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5)! This means in the good and the bad he will be with you. In the joyous moments and in pain he will not let go of you. If we are committed to holding on to him it doesn’t mean we won’t feel pain but you will ultimately feel his peace and strength to move forward!
2. When you call on him he will be there.
God is faithful to us and he showed that by settling his Spirit in that place. Where the Spirit of The Lord is there is liberty (2Corin 3:17). Freedom to praise and worship in spite of such horrible circumstances is a type of liberty most can’t understand. But as our praise and worship go up (in and out of the sanctuary) God responds…he answers (Ps 67:5-6). He knows and has heard the cries of his people and he will react (Exod 3:7). Remember this!
3. She lived on earth and is living again in heaven
On this resurrection week it's important to remember the purpose of Christ’s journey! He died and rose again so that at some point we may rise with him and live eternally with our Heavenly maker (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Although death hurts us the departed is living peacefully and joyously with our King! This wife, mother, aunt, friend left a host of grieving family and friends behind but there were a host of angels who welcomed her into her soul’s final home (John 14:1-3).
Glory to our Father and Creator for sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins and rise up once again that 3rd day (John 3:16; 1Corin 15:3-4)! Because of it we all have a relationship with God that does not end with our bodies final breath! Take a moment and think about what the resurrection means to you and your family!
If you don't believe in Jesus Christ or God at all, you definitely don't have to. But God does desire a relationship with you once again. If you want more in this life and the next please receive him as your personal Lord and Savior. Believing in your heart that he was sent by God to remove all your sins just so you can be made righteous (put in right relationship) with God and confessing that you want him to come into your heart is all it takes! (Romans 10:9-13)
Did you receive Christ into your heart today? Click here because we want to know ;)
I know it seems like a long way off but your eternal life is on the line. Ultimately it's your choice :) God bless!
Truth Study this Friday!!!! Will you be there? Sign up now
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