Previous Service
Welcome
“The rose was beautiful with a lovely fragrance. Our Lord was called, ‘The Rose of Sharon’, perfect, holy and majestic radiating His glory to those who trust in Him. Let us worship Him.”
Stella
Worship
Word
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matt. 5:4
Jesus is teaching His inner circle of committed disciples about what life is about in the kingdom. Whilst God is not actually mentioned it is implied by Jesus that God will be the One who comforts those who mourn, those who put Him first (cf. Matt 6:33). For isn’t this one of the reasons Jesus came – to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all who mourn, and to provide for those who grieve? cf.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.
Isaiah 61:1-3
When we are in a place of deep mourning we can think that this will never end, that we will never get over it, but as time passes the pain does get less. It is a great comfort to know that the Lord is near and working to help us in every conceivable way,
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Ps. 34:18
We can feel terribly alone during such times but the fact is that the Lord is especially near and with us always during these times, even carrying us (cf. ‘Footprints in the sand’). When my sister died, back in 2003, I was so concerned for her two children, (then aged 13 and 15 years) as they, along with her husband, were always together – whenever you saw them it was always the four of them together. The two children both showed me some letters their respective friends had written to them during their very difficult days and I was amazed at the wisdom, the compassion, the understanding these two friends displayed – How come? Because they had lost their own mother two years previously,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Cor. 1:3-4
God comforts us directly and also through others!
Furthermore, it is a great help, to think of our loved ones who have left us, and to know it that they are now in the immediate Presence of the Lord of Glory, for whom these words will be eternally true,
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Rev. 21:4
The Lord may comfort us directly, or through others, or both. The fact remains, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted,” Amen!
Quote of the week
“He is preparing an eternal place for you”
Author Unknown
Verse of the week
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:16
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the lives of Christian brothers and sisters who have passed on, for their inspiration, commitment and their display of love for You; that they loved to tell others about You and Your amazing grace. Thank you for the certainty that they are now with You sitting at Your feet, where Your love surrounds her and makes her complete. Lord, be with family members that they have left behind, friends and everyone at church. Comfort us with Your unending love in the name of our Lord, Saviour and Friend, Jesus Christ, Amen!