A Father's Legacy

Deuteronomy 26.1-11

Family History is very interesting. Where we came from personally is part of our story. I can go back to my great grandparents on both sides.  I've been to their graves, been to Ellis Island, with my family, and saw Grandpa Albert Mancini's name engraved on the wall that surrounds it. He turned 8 on the boat from Italy to New York.

A Godly Heritage in a family is a blessing. A father on earth who is part of God's family, whose name is written down in heaven, is a blessing to his family, blessings that even go well beyond the years of his life on earth.

A loving faithful father has children that are blessed.

There is a focus here on Jacob, a confession of faith that as they gave their tithe to the LORD their father was a wandering Aramean.

Let's look closer at this family history, this godly heritage, this influence of faith over hundreds of years that brought about God's Promises in the nation of Israel.

1. The LORD is Faithful to All His Promises. -v.3
the land the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us...

This act of God was not on the basis of their performance or even their obedience. It was based upon His Word to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is sad how Ishmael and Esau are left out of these promises of the land. God promised it to Abraham and then to his son, Isaac, and then to Isaac's son, Jacob, who had a name change by the LORD to Israel. The generation that went in were receiving God's Promises and Blessings of 100's of year before.

I look at our nation today, how God's Word is being ignored or discarded and the very foundations of family and faith in our society are being eroded. I realize that the blessings from the past, the Promises God made to our forefathers are still intact. We need to heed II Chronicles 7.14 today.

Yesterday as I was going into Southside Hospital to pray with Bob Pawson I saw a mother and daughter of about 7 outside in front of the huge American Flag there. She was trying to count the stars. So I helped her, explained why when Betsy Ross, made the first flag it had white stars on a blue background. I could see the mother was new to our country, the little girl understood and we talked about how the stars are in heaven and how this nation was formed by God.

God's faithfulness to His promises in Israel is the godly influence of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob (none of them perfect but all of them men of faith).

A father's faith influences generations way beyond his time.
Romans 4.13-25
God is saying Abraham's faith was so strong it even has influence today under the New  and Eternal Covenant!
v.17 He (Abraham) is our father in the sight of God in Whom he believed.
The legacy of a father going on for over 4,000 years now.
A father's influence goes on for a long time and on into eternity.

One reason is...

2. God Works Through Families. - v.5
President Ronald Reagan said, "As goes the family so goes the nation." He was right. No nation has held together if the family structure caved in. It is self destructive.

Look at the creation of man, the founding of Israel, the New Covenant and all of them came through families!

These statements, confession of faith, took the father worshiping with the first fruits, the tithe, back over 400 years in the nation/family history.

Go back 400 years in our nation to 1612. Our nation was just getting started and there were families here. The total population in 1610 was 3,800! Yes that right, a population in this land of America was smaller than the population of the Village of Brightwaters! 300 years later there were 76 million and 100 years after that we tripled in size!

We call our founders- the founding fathers. We call our first President, George Washington, the Father of our Nation- this is in the current publications put out by Immigration Services for Citizenship exams!

Finally on this journey of faith... this forming of a Father's legacy...

3. God Brings us to the Place He Wants us in. vs.6-11
A literal place like with this wandering Aramean Genesis 28.10-22
It is also a spiritual position. Where does God wants us to be?
He wants us in:
* A Place of Brokenness Genesis 32.6-7, 22-32, Hosea 12.3-5
* A Place of Being Receptive to His Spirit-v.7 Genesis 35.1-7
* A Place of Seeing Him work wonders.-v.8, Genesis 33.4-5
* A Place of a Servant vs.9-11, Genesis 47.1-10
We can be a blessing when we become a servant of God.

This family was far from perfect. It experiences great stress and sometimes this was a result of their own sins and poor decisions but God was faithful and is to this day to Israel.

Isaiah wrote (27.6) Israel will bud and blossom and fill the world with fruit.
When plants bloom they undergo stress. If our stress is given to God, if  we trust in Him when things seem out of control, if against all hope we hope and stand upon His Promises, we can be used by Him to be a great blessing to others. That is the story of the hymns, many works of art, many missionary stories and the list goes on.

A Father's Legacy is faith in God and His Promises, Obedience to His Will and Joyful loving Service to the LORD Jesus.

That is the legacy that lasts eternally!

Being People Of Compassion

Deuteronomy 24.10-22
Colossians 3.12-17

The most compassionate organization on earth is the Church of Jesus Christ. Throughout its history it has left in its path a string of hospitals, schools, orphanages, homes for unwed mothers, food pantries, clinics, homeless shelters, rehabs and a host of other entities which clothe the naked and feed the hungry and visit the sick and imprisoned.

Some of the criticism leveled at us has been justifiable. There have been sincere, albeit, misguided attempts at times, to do God's Work with less then actions of pure love and desirable results. Over the years there have been hypocrites like Annanias and Saphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit and what church has not had a Judas show up in its history?

Yet, I find myself often going back to the words of Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the Methodist Missionary to India, "The church with all her faults is still the best serving organization on earth. So get in and serve!"

We are to reflect Jesus, our LORD. He is the Head of the Church. We are to have His mind, His attitude. Over and over again we see His compassion in the Gospels:

Mark 1.41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His Hand and touched the man.
Matthew 9.36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 15.32 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people, they have been with Me three days and have have nothing to eat. I do not want to send the away hungry or they might collapse on they way.
Matthew 14.14 When Jesus landed and saw  a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

We see that Jesus had great compassion- we are to follow Him.

In this section of Deuteronomy we see how Christ fulfilled this and we as His followers, His Body, of which He is the Head are to be. We are called to be people of compassion.

1. To Those In Debt To Us. - vs.10-15
Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

Moses is instructing the people to treat the poor with special grace.
As believers and followers of Jesus we are to have compassion on those in need. Our hearts are to be full of mercy for them.

Romans 13.8 Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another.

Give freely even to those who cannot pay you back. We are in their debt.
May the LORD fill us with His Spirit to be full of compassion.

2. Have Mercy on The Extremely Needy. vs.17-18

The alien
The fatherless
The widow
All of these have special needs, emotional needs.

The alien is in a country that is home to us but not to them.
The fatherless literal orphans, also those forsaken by their parents (Psalm 27.10)- many today like that.

Today around the globe the Church ministers to those in each of those groups. Think of the orphanages, the Christian Adoption Agencies.
When World Vision was started in 1950 by Bob Pierce, who attended Pasadena Nazarene College as a young man, he drug his filming equipment all over Asia, particularly through Korea after the war ended, came back tot he US and would go around to churches and show his films and make appeals for people to help and within 15 years World Vision was caring for 65,000 children in 20 countries. He died at 64 years of age in 1978 but the work continues with the two Christian Relief Organizations he began: World Vision and Samaritan's Purse. Franklin Graham was trained to take over when he was dying with Leukemia. Franklin saw a branch of Samaritan's Purse spring up World Medial Mission. Today a doctor can go and serve in a Third World Country on his vacation through them.  Our own denomination, because of the mission work of the past, now has a child sponsorship similar to World Vision, through our missions. You can go to www.nazarene.org and find out about it. You won't hear much about this in the mainstream media this evening but Heaven is recording these things for eternity.

Moses is giving the people God's Word. Remember where you came from, have mercy on those in need. Have compassion. Reach out to those from others places in the world who have come here to America. Show the love of Jesus to those who are fatherless or without a husband.

Beware of this new phenomena called Compassion Fatigue. Jesus dealt with it when He said to His disciples, "Come lets get some rest."

But a great problem facing us is on the other side of the coin...

3. Watch out for Greed!  vs.19-22
Give to people freely. fields, vineyards, olive groves were open to the public for gleaning. If someone was hungry a meal was always available in Israel!
Luke 12.15
These items have spiritual significance. No charge for the things of God.

Be like Christ, Be People Of Compassion.

Encouragement For the Battle

Deuteronomy 20.1-4
Ephesians 6.10-18

There is a definite relationship between these two passages.

It was and is by the LORD, and only by the LORD, that victory is won.

God gave us His Word, in part, because He knew we would all need to be encouraged as we fight the good fight of the faith, contend for the faith,

There is no way I want to minimize the intensity of the battle we are in or in any way underestimate our foe, the enemy of our souls, Satan. I do believe we need to be aware of his schemes. Part of M.O. is to get us to put too much emphasis on his power and his work and not enough on the LORD's. We ought to talk more about heaven and less about how horrible the times are. They are challenging and evil but the LORD is great. How Great Is Our God!!!

We can become weary in doing good. In our struggle against sin we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and not on the roaring lion. Its when a person gets their eyes off Jesus that Satan can pounce on them. Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12.3).

We all need to hear this message! God's Word to the Israelites tells us how to face the enemy. The LORD wants us to be encouraged in Him in this spiritual battle we are in. Let's learn from His Word today.

1. Do Not "Size Up" the Enemy. -v.1
Satan is a formidable foe. He has a well assembled army but by looking at its size can cause us to fear.

I love the account of Elisha in II Kings 6 when the Arameans had "surrounded" him and his servant in Dothan.
vs.15-16 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" "Don't be afraid, the prophet answered, "Those who are with us are more than hose with them."
Moses speaking of the Exodus:
"Do not be afraid of them, because the LORD, your God, Who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you."

For encouragement in this spiritual battle we are in:
Remember past the victories. They can stir our faith, fan into flame the gift of God within us. Reading my journals does that- just this past week I read about Open Hands, the ministry we had among the homeless and destitute of the downtown area of Bay Shore before the revitalization took place. I read how we began by faith, how Joe InFranco came to me in prayer meeting and offered us the building rent free, how Peter Pan gave us gallons of soup, how Bagel Boss donated bagels and we were up and running. It is amazing how this little church was used to help in a substantial way for that season. I read in my journal about the call from the pastor of the largest church (over 100 times larger than us) in the area and how he said, "I want to turn our soup kitchen over to your church. We just hand out food but you guys are caring for the people's souls." Remember the way God has worked in your life!

2. Listen to the Word Of God. -vs.2-3
God's Word speaks to our hearts as we face the enemy.
Psalm 20.7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 33.17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

God's Word tells us of His Presence with us, His Almighty Power and His Supreme Authority.
Remember Jesus' words, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." Matthew 28.18

Finally Be Encouraged in this spiritual battle you are in because

3. The LORD Owns the Battle- v.4
David's words to Goliath and the armies of Israel and the Philistines listening.
It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's.
Psalm 33.16-19
The LORD, Our God, is with us.
He fights against Satan.
He gives us victory.

Faith is the Victory!

New In Fillings With His Spirit

Acts 2.1-21, 4.23-31

The first lines of the history of the church are describing a prayer meeting (1.12-14) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is foundational to the church's beginning(s) and to its continuation. I'm amazed at where the church ended up in some quarters.

They were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost.They had been there 50 days before for Passover. They were required to go to these Feasts under the Old Covenant Law. The disciples had returned to Galilee and now were back in Jerusalem at least since Jesus' Ascension into heaven 10 days before. They remained in Jerusalem for 10 days after. Then the Day of Pentecost, which we celebrate today, came.

Jesus had been speaking to them about the Spirit being outpoured and His followers being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Even John the Baptist spoke of it. Matthew 3.11
John 7.37-39
John 14-16
Acts 1.1-14

On the Day of Pentecost the first fruits of the wheat harvest were presented to the LORD, reminding Israel how utterly dependent the nation was on the LORD (of the Harvest). So it is with this Birthday of the Church. We are totally dependent upon the Spirit. We are a spiritual body. The greatest need the church has is to be filled with His Spirit and led by Him. Jesus said that it will be by love that all men will know we are His disciples. The fruit of the Spirit is love. We cannot have agape love without the Spirit producing it in us.

In Acts 4 we see the church on trial, being threatened and what do they do? Raise money? No. Start a public relations campaign? No. Try to promote tolerance? No. Offer Cultural Sensitivity in Jerusalem so people will understand them? No. They pray and ask for a new infilling of God's Spirit.

We don't know how many days or weeks or even months from Pentecost this was- the measurement of time is not the issue. The need for power and for God to work through them was paramount. These men and women who were baptized with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost found themselves in need of a fresh new infilling afterwards.

What brings this about?

1. We Must See Our Need Of It. vs.23-24
Circumstances certainly indicate it today! We need it!
Why is god working in greater ways in Third World Countries today? Why are some areas in the world today like the Book of Acts?

Part of this is we have technology, we have methods, we have programs, we have the media but what we really need is a fresh new infilling of God's Spirit, a baptism of love!

Sometimes our hearts sense it- something is missing.
Concern for God's Name/ His Work can bring us to see the need of it. Does He still do it today?

I love the testimony of R.A. Torrey, an associate of D.L. Moody:

I shall never forget the eighth of July, 1894, to my dying day. It was the closing day of the Northfield Students Conference- the gathering of students from eastern colleges- Yale, Amherst, Dartmouth, Harvard and others. Mr. Moody had asked me to preach on Saturday night and Sunday morning on The Baptism With the Holy Spirit. On Saturday night I had spoken about "The Baptism With the Holy Spirit: What It Is, What It Does, The Need of It and the Possibility of It." It was exactly twelve o'clock when I finished my morning sermon, and I took out my watch and said, "Mr. Moody has invited us all to go up to the mountain at three o'clock this afternoon to pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. It is three hours to three o'clock. Some of you cannot wait three hours. You do not need to wait. Go to your rooms, go out into the woods; go to your tents; go anywhere where you can get alone with God and have this matter out with Him."

At three o'clock we all gathered in front of Mr. Moody's mother's house (she was then still living) and began to pass down the lane, through the gate and up the mountainside. There were 456 of us in all; I know the number because Paul Moody counted us as we passed through the gate.

After a little while Mr. Moody said, "I don't think we need to go any further. Let us sit down here." We sat down on stumps and lay on the ground. Mr Moody asked, "Have any of you students anything to say?" I think about 75 of them arose, one after the other, and said, "I could not wait till three o'clock; I have been alone with God since the morning service, and I believe I have the right to say that I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit."

When the ttestimonies were over, Mr. Moody said, "Young men I can't see any reason why we shouldn't kneel down right now and ask God that the Holy Ghost may fall upon us just as definitely as He fell upon the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. Let us pray." And we did pray, there on the mountainside. As we had gone up the mountainside, heavy clouds had been gathering, and just as we began to pray those clouds broke and the raindrops began to fall through the overhanging pines. But there was another cloud that had been gathering over Northfield for 10 days, a cloud big with the mercy and grace and power of God; and as we began to pray our prayers seemed to pierce that cloud and the Holy Spirit fell upon us. Men and women that is what we all need: the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

2. We Must Also Have a Desire For Him To Use Us. vs.29-30
A filled gas tank may bring peace of mind but it is no good, neither does it fulfill its purpose it the car is just sitting in the driveway. You need to use it!

Use us to meet the need or answer the problem like they did here.
Enable us to speak Your Word with great boldness.
Confirm it with miracle, signs and wonders for Your Glory.

3. We Must Be Ready To Move With the Spirit. -v.31
Ezekiel saw God's Throne and it had wheels - Ezekiel 1
He is moving today!
Moving on His Church
Moving in the World
Moving people to Him
Move with the Cloud!

Habakkuk's prayer Habakkuk 3.1-6 Prayer of the early church. Prayer for us!

The Fellowship of the Tithe

Deuteronomy 14.22-29

The first time we encounter the word "tithe" which means tenth, in the Bible is in Genesis, when Abram is returning from a battle after a victory over Kedorlaomer (14.17-20). Melchizadek, King of Salem, (Jerusalem), came out to meet him, bringing bread and wine. He blessed Abram. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Abraham, a friend of God, gives a tenth to this Priest, Melchizadek. The first time we see the tithe in God's Word there is fellowship going on, a time of thanksgiving, a time of gratitude to God.

As Moses continues his final message to Israel, he speaks to them about the tithe, giving 10% to the LORD. It is not given as a cold command rather in the spirit of love which Abraham gave it and the way God's people are to honor Him under the New Covenant.

The tithe is to be given to God out of love for Him. It is a spiritual act of worship, distinct from the way we pay taxes, very different.

Look at the  things the LORD had Moses speak to Israel about in regards tot he fellowship of the tithe.

1. The Tithe Teaches Us To Revere the LORD. -v.23
Revere= respect, honor, awe We learn, it teaches children, sort of an on the job training.
The tithe shows we have:
*Responsibility- It is given because He has given. It is a response of love.
*An Acknowledgment of His love and provision- Israel was a nation of farmers and shepherds. God blessed the work of their hands. They acknowledged the blessings they had were indeed from the LORD God.
*A Share in His Work.
*Laying up treasures in heaven. The tithe is a tangible connection between heaven and earth.
*The tithe was a reminder eaten in the LORD's Presence.
The tithe is 10%. God is interested in proportionate giving- why Jesus said what He said about the widow's mite (Mark 12.41-44)

2. The Tithe is God's Way of Funding His Work. -v.27
The Levites- Numbers 3
They took care of the practical, physical aspects of worship.
The Tabernacle- the tent covering
Its furnishings
The frames, door posts, equipment, crossbars, etc.

I believe we misrepresent God by inferring that He is in need. All things are His. He doesn't need our support to stay in business. It is actually we need Him.

Under the New Covenant Ministers in the church I Corinthians 9.7-14, II Corinthians 9.6-11

We are the assessors- even determining what (the amount) of what we will give. This is done by direct contact with the LORD. Wonderful things happen in these times with Him and after.

Giving is not be an occasion for shrewd calculating but rather joyful worship. Our giving is to be cheerful- hilarious.

3. The Tithe Given to the LORD Means Blessings Will be Given by Him. -vs.28-29

God's blessings motivate us to be a blessing.
It is more blessed to give than to receive so the giver is always the most blessed.

The Promise Malachi 3.10 stands for us.

There is fellowship in this. Proverbs 19.17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward Him for what He has done.

Eternal Blessings Matthew 6.19-21 Treasures in Heaven

There are great blessings in tithing. Obedience brings joy. Revering His Name brings God's favor. Being a part of God's Work is exciting. Blessings come in abundance.

Malachi 3.10

The Family: Ideal and Reality

Hebrews 11.17-22

The Bible doesn't flatter its heroes. It gives us vivid details of their lives, both their faithfulness and their failures. We see that many of God's men and women had their dark side.

In our scripture reading this morning Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and his sons had their their struggles with sin.

In Genesis 2.15-25, 3.8a we see the Innocent Family- Adam and Eve before sin came into the world... naked and not ashamed- complete openness- nothing to hide. In Genesis 3 through sin this innocence is removed and the are covered and hiding.

In Ephesians 5.22-6.4 we see the Ideal Family.

When we read the remainder of Genesis we see the realities of family life under the curse of sin. There are no more innocent families and there certainly no ideal families. Every family has its problems! Even Jesus' family when He was here on earth would verify that! John 7.5

Let's look this morning at the beginnings of this nation of Israel. We read this week in Deuteronomy 10.22 Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD, Your God, has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

1. Abraham, the Father of the Faith, shows us what can happen with blended families. vs.17-19

Isaac, his one and only son
Genesis 16.1-5, 21.1-21

Abraham had sons by 2 different women.
Abraham had to make a very tough decision. 21.8-14
v.18 Ishmael, father of the Arab people, in the Koran he is the focus.
The Arab-Israeli conflict is  family feud.

We see another problem that often occurs inside of families...

2. Playing Favorites -v.20
Genesis 25.19-34, 27.1-45

Isaac loved Esau
Rebekah loved Jacob- both were deceitful- Rebekah deceived her husband and son! Jacob, his father and brother.

When a parent plays a favorite with one child, jealousy and resentment are put in the hearts of the other child/children. This sin went on into the next generation. What Jacob learned from is mother he then put into practice with his own children and Joseph.

Genesis 37.3 Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age. There is never a good reason for this! What problems it caused for Jacob, Joseph and the whole family! The pain it brought to them was incredible!

Favoritism needs to be cut out of family relationships.

And yet God worked through this mess! His Sovereignty is amazing! He rode His Purposes out through this family, fractured as it was.

3. Jacob, Who was Married Twice- v.21

This of course was in a time of ignorance of God's law. In this case however Jacob began to reap what he sowed with his father, Isaac- deceit. It continued through his sons. This sin got into the family way back when Abraham deceived Pharaoh about Sarah.

Finally,

4. Children, Adult Children, who fall short of God's Best/ His Promises vs.21-22

Genesis 48.3-19/ Numbers 32.33

Families are neither innocent anymore nor ideal, including the family of God!
Learn the lessons of the past.
Forgiveness is a key.
Remember  there is a Sarah in the Old Testament and an Elizabeth in the New because the LORD is faithful to all His Promises even down to old age!!!

What God Promises

Deuteronomy 11.22-32

There are tremendous promises for Israel in Deuteronomy. These.... words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert. These promises were based on loving God, obeying Him and holding fast to Him.

Before they entered the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants, before Joshua took the position of leadership in this nation, the LORD had Moses address Israel. He charged them to be faithful to the LORD in three messages within the Book of Deuteronomy. (c.1-4, 5-26, 27-30)

In chapter 11 there is the description of what will happen in a life the obeys Him therefore taps into these wonderful promises.

1. He will Accomplish His Will In our Lives. vs.22-25

His will for Israel. vs.22-25
v.23 the LORD will drive out the nations larger and stronger than them
He will take care of those who come against them.
Psalm 33.17-18 A horse in a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.

See God purposes here: to bless all the nations on earth through Israel. These nations in the land were very wicked. They did detestable things (12.31) To establish Israel so they could fulfill God's promise to Abraham and His seed, to have them serve Him as a holy nation and to have the priesthood functioning, the other nations had to go. (vs.24-25) It was God's will to establish them.

His will for His Church.
To be holy. I Peter 1.13-16
To be full of love for each other. John 13.34-35
To be a Spiritual House I Peter 2.4-9, Ephesians 2.19-22
Priests, Witnesses to the World. Not coming to Jerusalem but going into the world.

His will for you.
Personal
Specific
Fit into His plan. Living stones built together into a Holy Temple

If we obey Him He promises...

2. Showers of Blessings vs.26-32

What it is not:
-not necessarily material wealth. Those who have it use it for the kingdom
-not freedom from trouble. John 16.32 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
-not pain free living.

It is the joy of walking with the LORD.
The fulfillment of knowing God and being known by Him.
Peace that surpasses all understanding Philippians 4.6-7 Often seen at Christian funerals.
Having our eyes opened to God's goodness.

Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ around the eternal and everlasting.

The benefits, the blessings that come from knowing the LORD- He loads us with them.

Finally if we obey Him, God promises...

3. Freedom From Curses. vs.26-32

Freedom from guilt and condemnation.
Freedom from the consequences of personal sin.
The curse of no hope.
Spiritual emptiness/spiritual blindness

God hath not promises skies always blue,

Flower strewn pathways all our lives through,

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Then one day when our work is done,

He'll take us to heaven beyond the sun,

Forever with Jesus and the family of God,

Be faithful to Him as you walk on this sod.