Love Is More Powerful Than Death

Death has not won.  Love is more powerful than death.  Love will last forever, for God is love.

These words were spoken by T.D. Jakes at Whitney Houston's funeral.  I love how God spoke such powerful words through T.D. Jakes.  He stated that he knows "it seems like death has won.  How Cain killed Abel and how Noah died even though he survived the flood.  Isaiah and many more from the bible eventually passed away, and death seemed to win.  But 2000 years ago, Jesus came and said hold on death.  I have overcome the world and I have overcome death.  Death will not win and it will not  be the end ."

I grew up listening to every single one of Whitney's songs.  For me and my friends, her voice was the one that we aspired to have.  I remember we used to practice singing "I Believe The Children Are The Future" in my friend Kashae's bedroom, using a brush or a pencil as our microphone.  I never even got close to Whitney's gifted voice but I will always love every song she ever sang.

I know that Whitney struggled with drugs in the past but I also believe that she knew the Lord.  Was it enough to make it to heaven?  I don't know.  I hope so but only God can say for sure.  I think we would be surprised who we might see in heaven.  One thing I do know is I will be there.  When I die, I am confident that I will take my seat at His feet and be blessed.  Yes Lord.

For more about salvation and heaven, see "Salvation Is A Free Gift" and "Every Man For Himself (Woman Too)"

Every Man For Himself (Woman too)

When it comes to salvation, it is up to you to make that decision to accept Christ as your personal saviour and walk with Him.  Your faith in Him will save you.  Your works do not pay your way but w/o works, faith is dead.  Last week at church, the pastor asked, "How many of you know without a doubt where you are going when you die?"  I raised my hand and a handful of other people including my 15 year old daughter and her friend.  There were many people that I know personally who should have raised their hand.  If they don't know where they are going when they die then they have missed a major factor of their faith .  Either that or they weren't bold enough to claim eternal life in Heaven before a church congregation.  Now if you are unable to do that in the church house, will you have the boldness to speak about eternal life to others?  That is an important factor in evangelism and witnessing.  You must know where you will spend eternity and be able to help other's understand how you could possibly know that.  How could you be bold enough to talk about heaven and tell people how to get there? 
I have heard a lot of Christians admit that they aren't sure if they will go to heaven when they die.  Honestly, there was a time when I wasn't even sure myself.  My Mother was the one who assured me to know and believe without a doubt that I will spend eternity with God as long I continue to follow Him, trust Him and have faith.  Don't just take my word for it but study God's word to show yourself approved.  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

No one can pray you into heaven after you die.  Some people believe that if you die in a fallen state of grace, you will go to purgatory (between heaven and hell) while your living relatives pray you into heaven.  Really?  What is a fallen state of grace?  Does that boil down to not being perfect when you die?  Well that means we will all end up in purgatory waiting for our loved ones to pray for our salvation?  If that be the case then Jesus would've never had to die on the cross for us.  Jesus is the only way to eternity with God aka heaven.  Salvation is a free gift, and it's up to you, not your mother, not your father, not your sister, not your brother.  Please understand that grace is going to lead you home.
 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever  1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 .