Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17 (KJV)

Did you take the time to thank God today?  I mean really sit down and thank Him from the depths of your heart and tell Him “Thank You my LORD, for this moment, for this second, for another day of loving You, and serving You?”

In our life we can take for granted the little moments of time. We can very easily get distracted by circumstances or the indulgences of worldly scenarios or pulled in by unimportant matters. We an lose track of time as we hurry along the highway of life and all the chaos it can sometimes bring.

We need to slow down and realize that time is fleeting here on earth. But the eternity is forever. This is our temporary residence. Heaven is our permanent home in the not-too-distant future. Our spirit that will live forever is encased temporarily in the flesh. Our flesh and all else is temporary. Sure we have jobs to do here while in the flesh, but keep the Word of the LORD within your heart. Remember to whom you belong and to what purpose we are here.

It is a gift from the Father. We are here because of His gift of life. We are living this moment because of Him. We exist because of Him. And He will call us home one day. Are you ready for His call?

Christians are inherently blessed from the Father, He loves us beyond our comprehension. And when we accept Christ as our LORD and Savior, we are armed with His Spirit within us.

When we recognize that He died for us, defeated death for us, rose again on the third day and redeemed us with His precious blood. He paid the price for our freedom. He paid the price for our sin!  Now, my brothers and sisters – if that fact alone isn’t enough to give Him daily thanks, and devotion- then I don’t know what else to say-other than “He is worthy.”

“Dear LORD, my Father of Lights, thank You for this day to go forward in Your name, to honor You, serve You and love You to the best of my ability, and I realize it is only because of You that I am breathing and am alive, all glory and honor are Yours, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 
 Psalm 119:105 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”John 8:12 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.1 John 1:5 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Please don’t kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him. “The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.” Solomon said, “Don’t kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”
1 Kings 3:16-26-27(CEV)

We are all familiar with the story of King Solomon, the son of David, the great king of Israel. When David died, Solomon became the new king. He loved God and wanted to follow his father’s example.

One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon could have asked for anything: wealth, fame, power, or long life. But he did not ask for any of these things. Instead, he said to God, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So, give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”-(1 Kings 3:6-9).

God was pleased with Solomon’s request. He said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” –(1 Kings 3:11-14).

Solomon woke up and realized it was a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and worshiped God. He also gave a feast for all his court. Soon, Solomon’s wisdom became known throughout the land. He spoke thousands of proverbs and songs. He knew about all kinds of plants and animals. He understood astronomy and mathematics. He was an expert in architecture and engineering. He built a magnificent temple for God and a splendid palace for himself. People from all nations came to listen to his wisdom, including the queen of Sheba, who was amazed by his knowledge and wealth –(1 Kings 4:29-34) (1 Kings 10:1-13).

One day, two women came to Solomon with a problem. They lived in the same house, and each had a baby boy. Sadly, one of the two women found her baby dead. The mother of the dead baby switched her own son with the other woman’s son while she was asleep. When the other woman woke up, she found the baby next to her was dead. Upon looking closely, she realized that it definitely was not her infant. She accused the other woman of stealing her son, but the other woman denied it, vehemently. They argued and brought their case to the King Solomon.

Solomon listened patiently to both women and then said, “Bring me a sword.” A sword was brought to him. He then said, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other” (1 Kings 3:24-250).

The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” (1 Kings 3:26).

Then the king said, “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother-” (1 Kings 3:27).

All of Israel heard of the verdict that this new young king had given, and they feared him for they witnessed the wisdom of God was upon him, and in him, to administer justice –(1 Kings 3:28).

Solomon continued to rule over Israel with wisdom and justice. He also made peace with his neighbors and expanded his territory. He was blessed by God with riches and honor. He wrote many books of wisdom, such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. He praised God for his goodness and grace. He said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths-” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

King Solomon was the wisest king walking on earth, (other than the King of kings Jesus when He was here on earth for His mission and to save us) – the LORD gave him that gift due to his request. He rewarded him due to his unselfish answer, he wanted to be helpful and able to tend to his people.

What would you ask for if God said, “my child, what is it you would like to have?” Do you know what your answer would be? Thank about that, and before you do…know that God knows your heart and your answer already, so you can’t fool Him.

“Father, my LORD above, thank You for Your guidance, for knowing my heart, for knowing me better than anyone else on this planet, may I be Your faithful servant all the days of my life, may I walk in the Spirit of Christ, and may I do all I can to present Your name in honor and glory and be a witness to Your love in things I do, today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Hello Dear Brothers & Sisters,

I’ve written on this topic many times, in my books or articles and as recently as last week. But given that I am currently dealing with friends and family members facing “death watch” situations, I feel God laying it upon my heart to write about it some more. So, for those of you watching a loved one dying, facing a terminal disease, or end of life from old age. It is an emotionally draining period that will cause heartache, and a myriad of emotions that are explosive from within to without. And having run many support groups for people facing such issues, this topic was one of the “most popular” in terms of counseling. So, I will offer some words of advice based on my experience in this arena. May it be a source of comfort to those in need of this post.

May God be with you all.
XXOO

Watching a loved one die is one of the most difficult and painful experiences in life. It can cause a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, fear, guilt, and loneliness. However, there are some ways to cope with this situation and offer comfort and support to the dying person and yourself. Here are some of my suggestions based on this topic, along with some Bible passages that may provide hope and peace.

• Be present and attentive.
  One of the best ways to help someone who is dying is to simply be there for them. Listen to their stories, their fears, their hopes, and their regrets. Let them know that they are not alone and that you care for them. Hold their hand, hug them, or touch them gently. Sometimes, words are not necessary; just your presence can make a difference.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

• Respect their wishes and beliefs.
  Everyone has their own way of coping with death and dying. Some people may want to talk about it, while others may prefer to avoid the topic. Some people may have strong religious or spiritual beliefs, while others may not. Some people may want to be surrounded by family and friends, while others may want some privacy and solitude. Try to respect and honor their wishes and beliefs, as long as they are not harmful to themselves or others.  And please no matter how tempted you may be –do not impose your own views or expectations on them. Let them die with dignity and grace.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

• Share memories and gratitude.
  One of the ways to help someone who is dying is to remind them of the positive impact they have had on your life and others. Share some of the happy memories you have with them, the lessons you have learned from them, the qualities you admire in them, and the things you are grateful for because of them. This can help them feel appreciated, valued, and loved. It can also help you express your feelings and emotions and find some closure and healing.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” (Philippians 1:3-4)

• Pray for them and with them.
  Prayer can be a powerful source of comfort and strength for both the dying person and for yourself as well.
  Pray for God’s mercy, grace, and peace to fill their hearts and minds.
  Pray for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Pray for their salvation and eternal life.
  If they are willing, pray with them and let them hear your words of faith and hope. You can also read some of the comforting Bible verses about death and dying, such as John 11:25-26, Revelation 21:4, and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

• Take care of yourself.
  Watching a loved one die can take a toll on your own health and well-being. You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. You may neglect your own needs and responsibilities. You may isolate yourself from others or cope in unhealthy ways. However, it is important to take care of yourself, so that you can be a better caregiver and supporter for your loved one. Try to get enough rest, eat well, exercise, and relax. Seek help from others, such as family, friends, professionals, or support groups. Remember that God is with you and loves you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“May God be with all those passing on to their eternal rest, and may God’s Word and Spirit provide comfort and ease to the loved ones left behind, may they be filled with confidence knowing they will meet again one day, and at that time they will never have to say ‘goodbye’ ever again, as they will all share in the supper at the Lamb’s table, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Psalms 46:1- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

So how do we comfort someone who is in agonizing emotional pain? Someone who knows that life is fleeting, yet has lost someone near and dear to them? How do you reinforce their faith in God during their time of sorrow?

There are so many examples of hurt anguish and sadness. There are those who lose someone quickly and prematurely and without warning—How do you help those in this situation?

There are some who have had long fruitful lives and still don’t want to let go of their loved one. Someone who is blessed to have reached 97 years old and been married for 80 years? –How do you help those in this situation?

And then there are those who have tragically lost a child and are beyond “hearing or caring” about anything (rightfully so) –How do you help those in this situation?

Well—for all those examples above and many other scenarios of heart wrenching grief and tragic circumstances–there is one word–GOD!

Psalms 9:9-– The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

There are no words that will comfort someone in suffocating emotional pain and torment. However–God will always give us the right words to speak to those in discomfort. His Word will provide and sustain those in all stages of grief. His Word cuts right through to the very soul —“For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”- Hebrews 4:12 (KJV).

Holding someone’s hand, listening openly and without judgement, attending to their needs are all part of caring, and all align with His Word. Actions sometimes are bigger than words. But God’s Word always will be a moral compass in our handling of individual’s hurting, and caring is a big part of our Christianity.

When we take the time to really open our own hearts to those in need, in pain, and in times of chaotic and emotional upheaval, we are doing what we are called to do as Christians…Love one another…as Jesus commanded us to do (John 13:34).

When we do all these things not only will we be following His Word and obedient to Christ–we are drawing nearer to Him and the enemy will flee (James 4:8).

God knows all and obviously sees all. He even keeps tracks of all our tears we’ve shed. He knows the exact count! Psalms 56:8 – You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?

He is our stronghold in all times, good and bad. He encourages us and welcomes us to go to Him for all of our troubles, and He continuously assures us that He will care for us and protect us, and never leave us (Matthew 28:20).

 He constantly reinforces that we can trust Him and take refuge in us. Nahum 1:7-– The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Helping someone through a crisis, a death, a loss of magnitude is best provided when you seek Him and His Word. He will never fail to give you the right thing to say, or NOT to say. He will guide and lead you into all manner of speaking and actions. He is the curator of our whole existence. Trust Him and ask Him for help.

Helping people through issues is never easy, but with God in your corner rest assured that eventually their troubles and weeping will come to a halt. And His joy and Presence will overtake any sorrows a person is experiencing, eventually.

Psalms 30:5 …Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

“Father, may I provide the comfort and grace that only You can bring, through Your Word and spirit, may I ease someone’s burden today and everyday by Your example, and Your love as I navigate life’s highway, today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Psalm 145:18 CSB: “The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.”

This verse reminds us that God is always available and attentive to our prayers. He is not distant or indifferent, but close and compassionate. He wants us to be honest and sincere with Him, and He will respond to us accordingly. To spend time alone with God, we can start by calling out to Him in prayer, expressing our needs, desires, praises, and confessions. We can also listen to His voice through His Word and His Spirit, and trust that He will guide us and comfort us.

Matthew 6:33 ESV: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

This verse teaches us that our priority in life should be to pursue God’s will and His ways, rather than our own. He knows what is best for us, and He will provide for us as we follow Him. To spend time alone with God, we can seek His kingdom by studying His Word, meditating on His truths, and obeying His commands. We can also seek His righteousness by repenting of our sins, asking for His forgiveness, and living in His grace.

Mark 1:35 ESV: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”

This verse shows us how Jesus, the Son of God, made time to be alone with His Father. He did not let the demands of His ministry or the distractions of the world keep Him from spending time with God. He chose a quiet and secluded place, and He prayed fervently and intimately. To spend time alone with God, we can follow Jesus’ example by setting aside a specific time and place to be with God. We can also pray with passion and intimacy, sharing our hearts with Him and listening to His heart for us.

I hope these verses and comments have inspired you to spend more time alone with God. He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. He is waiting for you to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Spend time with Him and you know what else that is so amazing about God – besides everything-He is always waiting for you to show up!  Any time you show up, God will be right there with His arms open wide!

May God Bless you~

“Father, thank You for always being there for me! I love  spending my time with You and want to serve You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”