WHERE OH DEATH written by Donna ( Ensign) Woods

 

Where, Oh death, is your final threat ?

I fought a good fight....the goal has been met.

So very tired, I grew fragile and weak...

I anxiously waited for the Lord, I did seek.

In calm silence, I closed my eyes...

And saw a multitude of angels fill the skies...

It's time !...It's time !....The Lord was calling my name....

Oh death !!!....What a blessed...awaited gain !!

No more suffering or pain to entwine...

Replaced by peace, not subject to time.

Where, Oh death, is your labored sting ??

In the arms of Christ, I hear angels sing.

In the radiant glow of Heaven's glorious light....

Oh such wondrous reward for my earthly fight !!

He opened wide His arms to lovingly embrace...

As He wiped all tears from my face.

The jaws of death could not hold onto me

But set me free....for eternity.

Where, Oh death, is your fatal bite ??

In the arms of Christ....I  HAVE  WON  THE  FIGHT !!!!!!!!!

Disney World and Heaven by Joyce Schafer

I recently had the privilege of experiencing Disney World through the eyes of a child-not just any child but two of my granddaughters.  I saw the way their eyes sparkled when seeing the beauty of the light parade and the smiles that life- size Mickey and Minnie brought to their faces.    It made me think that this is how I will feel when I first see heaven.    Instead of cobbled streets  there will be streets paved with gold and instead of pretend characters and electric lights, we will get to see the real thing in God and Jesus and the Light that will be shining will take our breath away.  It will truly be a magical time.  Disney World might be advertised as the happiest place on earth but I guarantee you that compared to Heaven it will be a pale comparison.

Jesus reprimanded his disciples when they tried to turn the children away because he knew that little children see things so much clearer than adults.  Adults tend to spend their time doing what is expected of them while a small child actually experiences life more honestly.  If they are hungry they eat, if they are sad they cry, if they are happy they radiate joy,  and they are so capable of giving unconditional love.  I am sure this is why Jesus said we need to become like a little child in order to enter the gates of heaven.   Just as a little child is totally dependent on their mothers and fathers for everything, we need to be totally dependent on our heavenly father to satisfy all of our needs.  As adults it is so hard to give up control but it is so necessary to achieve Peace and to realize our ultimate goal-HEAVEN.

Mark 10:15  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

CRUCIFY HIM by Donna (Ensign) Woods

They didn’t sing, “How Great Thou Art”.
They didn’t parise Him with a joyful heart.
Instead, they screamed, “Crucify Him!!!”
As He prepared to die for all our sin.
Barabas was released from prison, and set free,
But Jesus was led away to die for you and me.
So many laughed, and mocked His name,
As He was nailed to the cross for all sin and shame.
I’m sure He shed a tear or two,
As He prayed to God for me and you.
Jesus prayed for believers to be united as one
As the Father is united with His son.
His love and compassion is so great,
Here in the midst of so much anger and hate.
His beloved Peter denied Him three times that night.
The number of times we’ve denied Him is a terrible sight!
They cast lots for His clothes and mocked Him with sneers
While Mary and the others watched with heart-felt tears.
A King with no jewels to adorn
Only a dirty…bloody crown of thorns!
From the sixth hour until the ninth, the sun refused to shine.
As Jesus died for all sin…theirs, yours and mine…
Close your eyes and feel the awesome power of it…
“Father unto your hands I commit my Spirit.”
We were all there, you and I…
For each of us… He chose to suffer and die.
It doesn’t matter how great or small our sin and shame,
The price He paid for it was still the same.
The sights and sounds of that crucifiction day
Should make us all eager to bow and pray.
The sounds of a nail, being pounded into His hand…
We should still hear it…echo across this land.
Imagine the blood…crimson upon His face
As He hung there…in YOUR place!!!
Joseph took His body to the tomb…His burial place
Later, they found only the cloth, He was gone…without a trace.
Can you imagine their horror and dismay??
They thought someone had stolen their Lord away.
The angel said, He is not here, but do not weep.
Jesus rose from the dead to fulfill the promise to His sheep.
Then, He went to Heaven, to prepare us a place.
Through Baptism, He blesses us with His saving grace.
You are the one He loves and adores…
But, It’s Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours!!!
Imagine…looking into Jesus eyes, as He died for you.
Then search your heart and ask…”WHAT AM I GOING TO DO??”

Heaven to Me by Dena Wilkinson

Heaven to me is the true land of the free,
With no tears, sadness or pain.
My eyes will see Glory as I hear the old story,
And hear them announce my full name.
I'll look over yonder with awe and with wonder
At the faces of names in the Book;
With the angels I'll praise the Ancient of Days,
And experience joy with each look.
My lips won't quit singing as I hear joy bells ringing
As the Creator is seated on high;
Because heaven to me is the true land of the free
Where I plan to go when I die.

I Can Only Imagine by Theresa Zuber

John 14: 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so,
I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back
and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side.
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me.
I can only imagine

CHORUS:Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah; will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son.
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever - forever worship You.
I can only imagine.

Performed by Mercy Me(c)1999
Simpleville Music(ASCAP)Words and Music by Bart Millard

Have you taken some time to imagine what heaven might be like? The line of this song that says, “Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?” How out there is that? When I picture heaven, I never picture myself dancing in front of Jesus. But, if Ed McMahon showed up at my door with a 10 million dollar check, you couldn’t hold me still. I’d be dancing all over the neighborhood! Why would my joy be less?

And the part that says “Or in awe of you be still” You know me; I always have something to say. Most often when I think of heaven, I picture calm and peace and love; which are really more feelings, than visions. I do envision a choir of angels and of course, I couldn’t help but sing with them. ”When all I have to do is forever – forever worship you.” But being still?

Revelation 21:21 “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”

Even if you have a good imagination, everything that we can think of will pale in comparison to how breathtaking it will truly be. In the book of Revelation, John uses the rarest jewels and gems to describe what is indescribable. Streets paved with gold is unimaginable enough – but gold so pure it is clear??? A gate made out of a single giant pearl? It’s like trying to describe a rainbow to someone who has been blind since birth. Indescribable.

Spend some time today, thinking about what it will be like to be in the presence of God Almighty. I can only imagine standing there in complete silence, as my lack of true knowledge astonishes me in His presence. I imagine being awestruck at the beauty and magnificence of his heavenly creation. But “I can only imagine.”

Rev 19: 6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."

Judgment is real. Heaven is real. Hell is real. The choices I make today have eternal repercussions. There is something better out there and the reason we’re never satisfied is because “we are not of this world.” But one day, we’ll go home to our heavenly Father - and oh- “I can only imagine.”

Rev 20: 11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Father God, help me to never be completely content with my life on earth, because I know that you have much greater plans! I know that my human mind can’t fathom the magnificence of heaven – of you. Just help my simple mind to understand that it IS real and that missing out means eternal separation from you. Lord, that is something I cannot imagine – and never want to. What I long to experience is complete peace and beauty. And one day – I’ll no longer have to imagine.

My name’s written there…is yours?

“Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah; will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine”

We will be Changed by Theresa Zuber

Some people embrace change but most seem to be resistant to big changes. Especially changes that they are unsure of: new software at work, a new boss, a new low-cholesterol, low-fat, high fiber – (read “low taste”) diet, Wal-Mart redesign—you know when they move stuff around and you can’t find anything!!!

Have you ever noticed that our never-changing God is all about change? Seasons, the weather, the orbit of the planets are always changing. Puppies mature into dogs, tiny babies grow up – sometimes taller than their parents, and seeds sprout and grow into something completely different! Clouds in the sky are constantly shifting and moving into various formations and sometimes, they disappear altogether.

Jesus ministry brought about HUGE changes. Some people accepted the truth, others resisted and held onto what was familiar. Even today, those who recognize him as the Messiah- the Savior-the Christ and accept him are eternally changed.

1 Cor 15:51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

If you don’t like change – look out! Heaven is bound to be different than your life on earth. Don’t worry. You’re going to love it!!! Start practicing now and embrace the changes in your life. Who knows what God has in store for you?!

Crown Him with Many Crowns by Theresa Zuber

I recently was looking for new music for our praise team and I came across a new version of “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” I found that title to be interesting and began to search through the Bible for a scripture reference that would explain what the song meant. I’d like to take you down the path that God took me.

Imagine the scene when the 3 wise men came to see the tiny Messiah. Scripture does not state that they were kings, but that’s the mental picture we have as we see them approaching in all their glory with a full entourage of servants accompanying them. You can imagine them kneeling in respect at the feet of this new king of all creation and not only laying their gifts at his feet, but humbly removing their crowns as they sense they are in the presence of true nobility.

Now… fast forward to eternity.

Rev 4: 9-11 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

So a glimpse of heaven that we see in the book of Revelation shows that the twenty-four elders laid their crowns at the feet of the true King. How humbling – to fall down before the one you know is truly worthy of all glory, honor and power. Can you imagine how pitiful a person must seem to even stand in proximity of our awesome God? Jesus even showed that humility himself:

Phil 2 tells us that Jesus considered himself nothing when he left the glory of heaven and came to earth.

Phil 2: 9-11 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And another glimpse of heaven:

Rev 19: 11-12 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

Crown him with many crowns… Does that give you a new concept? All that we are is nothing in comparison to the awesomeness of our Lord. Today, lay your crowns at the feet of true greatness.