Today is a sad day for me. As I woke up thinking of the life and memories of my dear friend and extended family-whom will be laid to rest today- many thoughts ran through my mind. I started to deeply reflect on my life and the lives of some of those close to me and shared my sentiments with them. I will also share my thoughts with you and hope you will reflect deeply on your own life.

Good morning Family. As we reflect on Jude’s life and memories. I challenge us to reflect on our own lives and think about what really matters. As we can clearly see, life is so unpredictable and short. We are here one moment and like a vapor, gone the next. Death is no respecter of person, health, age, wealth, education, beauty, plans, etc; in the blink of an eye, at times when least expected, it comes for us.

If today were our last, would we be ready? Ready to stand before God almighty and give an account of our lives? What excuses would we give when questioned about why we have fallen short in certain areas? Let us reflect on our actions, thoughts, intentions and compare them with God’s word in the Bible; would He be pleased with our lives? Would our lives reflect His son’s (Jesus)? Would He see a repentant heart- I’m not talking about the occasional repentance where we ask God to forgive us for a random offense….and more often than not, we find ourselves right back repeating that same offense. I’m talking about a repentant heart which produces new behaviors, intentions, and thinking because our priorities have shifted from pleasing self to pleasing God.

I challenge us to not merely say Lord, Lord with our mouths alone and have lifestyles that look nothing like Him…. we’re only deceiving ourselves. God is a Holy God and He requires nothing less than holiness in every area of our lives. Let us reflect on Matthew 7:21-23, which says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

As the scripture clearly says, doing God’s will is more important than calling His name. Let us do God’s will by drawing closer to Him through His Holy Bible, prayer, and meditation. Let us not get so caught up in doing works that we neglect what matters to Him most, our hearts. Let us allow Him to transform, renew, and heal our hearts as we honestly open up to Him and surrender our shortcomings at His feet. Let us allow Him to humble our hearts and pray that He will strengthen us to walk away from the daily sins that enslave us. Let us strive to live a life of holiness before our holy God…not because we are perfect and will never fall but because every time we do fall, He has already given us the power through the blood of Jesus, not to remain in that fallen state, but to stand back up and continue walking with Him. Let us understand that in our own strengths, with the best of intentions, Holiness is unobtainable, which is why we need Him to help & guide us every step of the way. I don’t know about you but when the time comes and I stand face to face with my creator, the only words I want to hear are “well done my good and faithful servant” as He ushers me into heaven.

RIP Jean Jude Damas- You will be missed!

Relatable scripture

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13‭-‬15 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1th.4.13-15.NIV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21‭-‬23 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.7.21-23.NIV

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13‭-‬15 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.4.13-15.NIV