Monday, September 28, 2009

Oh Death, Where is your Victory?...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 29 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.



This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from I Corinthians 10-16.

These passages are so full of blog posts... it was going to be really hard to narrow down which passage or passages I wanted to share. However, with the events of early Monday Morning... I am compelled to share this.





I Corinthians 15:54- 57

When the perishable puts on the imperishable,

and the mortal puts on immortality,

then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."

"O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin,

and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God,

who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.






This morning we received news that a dear friend had passed away. She had been sick. She had been in the hospital. We had visited her several times - even just Saturday. She was released to go home on Sunday. She entered her eternal home sometime during the night.




I think I have been in a numb shock all day. Once again I have had to go about the "normal" stuff - because I have my precious grandbabies on Monday's. But I have had such a heavy heart.


Certainly not for her. She died the way that I have always said that I want. Go to sleep in your bed one night - and wake up in the presence of our King. The one who gives us the Victory - Our Lord Jesus Christ! That is glory! I can get so excited just thinking about what she is seeing and what she is doing today.



But this particular family is ALMOST family to us. Our roots go deep and long with them in multiple directions. We know and love her husband, her children, her grandchildren. As a matter of fact, her grandson and my son are best friends and are together serving our country in Afghanistan. (Which means - be praying for him too - because I do not think he will be able to come home)


But that is not all - we know and love the extended family too. We know her brothers and sisters. Her brother was our pastor when we were called into ministry. He married us - licensed and ordained Hal into the Gospel Ministry. He baptized my father. He ordained both of our dads as deacons. You get the picture here.


We are really close to her nephew and his family.... I mean really close. Some of our best friends on this earth...


I could go on and on... trying to explain... but really can just say - they are ALMOST family to us. And we love them all like family.


And no, we do not grieve as they do - but almost.




But I love these scriptures. Because we do not grieve as those who have no hope - no we do not.


Because - oh Death where is your victory - oh death - where is your sting....

We have victory through Jesus Christ Our Lord.



Oh.. she knew our Jesus as her Savior - and today she is with Him. VICTORY!

And because we know Jesus as our Savior - one day... we will be with Him. And that will be Victory!


(And we will be re-united with this precious one and the many others in our lives who have gone before us). That is good stuff!


Now, your turn.


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5 comments:

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Comforting truth from His word...praying God's comfort for you and this family as you grieve your precious friend. What precious comfort it is to know that your dear friend is home with our loving Lord...

Bless you...

Janet Benlien Reeves said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be praying--especially for the grandson. Thank you for sharing your encouraging/comforting thoughts.

Tricia said...

We too have been shocked by her passing, we could not believe it when we saw the email...

I did not have a post for today, it has been busy and I have not had the time for blogging... but I did want to stop by :)

Blessings and prayers...

Jennifer said...

What a precious promise for such a time as this....certainly will be praying for her son so far away right now! (Praying for your boy as well!)

Linda said...

DeeDee I am sorry for the loss of your special friend. I know that you are all grieving,...and yet, not as those that have no hope. It is such a blessing to know she is with Jesus.

I prayed for her family, and especially for her grandson. I know that it will be hard on him if he can't come home for the service.

The scriptures are so appropriate at this sad time,...and because she is with her Lord, the sting is not as bad, because Jesus has her with Him,...He won the victory!

May God bring comfort to you all at this time.

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits