TUESDAY JOY IN ASHES; Pastor Cecil A. Thompson October 31, DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
October 31, 2017

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“JOY IN ASHES!”
Isaiah 61:3
“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

A gravesite is not the usual place for a happy reunion, but it was just that last Friday. As I approached the graveside a young woman greeted me and introduced herself. It turned out that I had officiated at her wedding over seventeen years ago.

From that first introduction I was soon surrounded by others I had known before. The somber occasion quickly became a rather joyous time of meeting and greeting several young women who had been children or even not yet born way back then.

As we took the time to honor the memory of the woman who was being laid to rest, it struck us all that life does pass by quickly -- and because this life will soon pass, it is important to live our life for Christ.

Since we have been blessed with a new life in Christ, in our times of sadness there can and should be a joy in the ashes. We truly do not grieve as do those who have no hope. Our hope and joy is in the Lord!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

- - - Pastor Cecil
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