One Rule ~ Well Observed ....

“One rule, well observed, will make all other rules superfluous: let prayer be uttered as in the very presence of God – poured into his ear as from a miserable sinner who deserves his wrath, but to whom for Christ’s sake he extends his infinite mercy.” (William G. Blaikie’s For the Work of the Ministry, pg. 177)

How often do we forget God's very Presence in our lives? Prayer becomes rote, we do it with the intent of our hearts but do we pray in the mind set of being in His Presence? We set at the foot of the Cross, pour out our hearts in praise, thanksgiving and requests, but are we humbled in being in His presence?

I work as a CNA in a retirement home and recently lost a resident on my shift. I work the 10:30pm to 7am shift and the person passed on around 3am. It is a thing for workers in a nursing home to open a window and allow the spirit of the deceased to depart. As a Christian I find this disturbing. I did not do it and the daylight shift about had a fit. Oh well!!! ....

The person had no family only a POA and her daughter there with the resident during the last hours on this earth. I have peace that I gave the resident the best possible care I could. During the night hours as I took care of the resident I talked to this person and prayed aloud for them. I knew the person was a Christian. This, too, brought about a peace I had for this resident. After the person passed on the POA talked some about the life of this person. I got a glimpse into more of the personal aspect since the resident could not speak well theirself. The POA was becoming distraught and I asked her if she was a Christian, she stated she was and I said to her then you do realize that at the very moment the resident took their last breath that they was in the presence of Jesus? Through tear filled eyes she looked at me and said she did not think of the passing in that way, she was too distracted by her loss. We all have been there and react differently to death. One minute here on earth and the next in the presence of the Almighty!!! When an unsaved person passes on I am heartsick for the soul of the person. Hell and torment is their lot. I am at a loss of words to the family and friends. I am sorry for the loss and have deep sympathy and share that but I can not share the joy of Christ with them, I can not share with them the glory in death.

We often hear people stating they don't want to die alone. As a Christian we are never alone, there is always the Three with us. I appreciate my prayer time in His Presence. Let you not forget He is there with you during your time in prayer ... and always ...

"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?” 1 Cor.15:54,55 ESV"

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13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev. 7:13-17 ESV

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Blessings,
Pam <><