Monday, April 3, 2023

Reflection - Richard DeHaan - What Does Your Life Say?

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 45, "What Does Your Life Say?", Page 52.
By Richard DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author
 

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
PHOTO: You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read boy everyone. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3

A woman asked an acquaintance whose husband had recently died: "Did he have any last words?"

"No," said the widow. "He slipped away so quickly that we didn't have a chance to talk about anything."

"How sad." the friend replied. "It must break your heart."

The widow graciously responded, "Oh, don't feel sorry for me. I have something better. I recall so well the night he testified in church about his faith in Christ. I also have the wonderful memory of his consistent life that spoke far more effectively of his devotion to God than a few comforting comments in his final moments."

It's wonderful to have that kind of testimony. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul used two word pictures to describe the type of influence we should have on those around us. Our lives are to be a fragrance, sweet to believers but repulsive to the unsaved (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). And we are to be like living letters that speak well of our Lord and the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

A deathbed testimony of one's faith can bring comfort to those who sorrow, but a faithful life is even better. That's something to keep in mind as we evaluate how our lives are being viewed by others. At our own death, the testimony of our lives will say even more than our final words!

The memory of a faithful life speaks more eloquently than words.
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You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read boy everyone. - 2 Corinthians 3:2

 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. - 2 Corinthians 3:2PHOTO: You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read boy everyone. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
Picture posted by Pr. Michael Jannett on 27 May 2015
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https://diggingdaily.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/img_6178.jpg
https://diggingdaily.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/a-living-letter/


A woman asked an acquaintance whose husband had recently died: "Did he have any last words?"

"No," said the widow. "He slipped away so quickly that we didn't have a chance to talk about anything."

"How sad." the friend replied. "It must break your heart."
 

 A woman talking to an acquaintance whose husband had recently died.
PHOTO: A woman talking to an acquaintance whose husband had recently died.
Picture posted by Laura Williams on 12 February 2020
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https://www.health.com/relationships/things-never-to-say-to-a-grieving-widow


The widow graciously responded, "Oh, don't feel sorry for me. I have something better. I recall so well the night he testified in church about his faith in Christ. I also have the wonderful memory of his consistent life that spoke far more effectively of his devotion to God than a few comforting comments in his final moments."
 

 The widow graciously responded
PHOTO: The widow graciously responded, "Oh, don't feel sorry for me. I have something better. I recall so well the night he testified in church about his faith in Christ. I also have the wonderful memory of his consistent life that spoke far more effectively of his devotion to God than a few comforting comments in his final moments."
Picture posted by Sprichwörtern und Redewendungen
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It's wonderful to have that kind of testimony. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul used two word pictures to describe the type of influence we should have on those around us. Our lives are to be a fragrance, sweet to believers but repulsive to the unsaved (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). And we are to be like living letters that speak well of our Lord and the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).


 Our lives are to be a fragrance, sweet to believers but repulsive to the unsaved (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
PHOTO: Our lives are to be a fragrance, sweet to believers but repulsive to the unsaved (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). And we are to be like living letters that speak well of our Lord and the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
Picture posted by 🦋Godsgirl@Godsgirl3074 on 22 June 2018 at 10:25 pm
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https://twitter.com/godsgirl3074/status/1010166957738479616?lang=zh-Hant


A deathbed testimony of one's faith can bring comfort to those who sorrow, but a faithful life is even better. That's something to keep in mind as we evaluate how our lives are being viewed by others. At our own death, the testimony of our lives will say even more than our final words!
 

 A deathbed testimony of one's faith can bring comfort to those who sorrow, but a faithful life is even better.
PHOTO: A deathbed testimony of one's faith can bring comfort to those who sorrow, but a faithful life is even better. That's something to keep in mind as we evaluate how our lives are being viewed by others. At our own death, the testimony of our lives will say even more than our final words!
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The memory of a faithful life speaks more eloquently than words.
 
 

 Reflect and PrayReflection - Richard DeHaan - What Does Your Life Say?
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 45, "What Does Your Life Say?", Page 52.
By Richard DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author


Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

 Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html



Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 45, "What Does Your Life Say?", Page 52.


Links
Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html


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