ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER “MORNING LIGHT,” Oil Pastel

Today is All Saints Day. Do you consider yourself a saint? That was how our sermon opened today. It’s hard to imagine myself as a saint, with all my flaws and worries. I tend to try and figure things out for myself too often and eventually realize I should’ve known that God had things all planned before they even happened. Because He is God, we can be assured that we are His saints, whether our lives are smooth sailing or on the rocks. That sainthood was bequeathed to us by His only Son, Jesus. The closing hymn was “There is a Higher Throne,” and I quickly pointed out to my daughter that I wanted that played at my funeral. The words incredibly describe what’s waiting for us on the other side of death. While we still walk the earth, we can claim our sainthood too – not by anything we have accomplished. Only the love of an unconditional God who loves us beyond death.

“There Is a Higher Throne”
Song by Keith & Kristyn

There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known
Where faithful ones from every tongue
Will one day come
Before the Son we’ll stand
Made faultless through the Lamb
Believing hearts find promised grace
Salvation comes

Hear heaven’s voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory, wisdom, power
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore

And there we’ll find our home
Our life before the throne
We’ll honor Him in perfect song
Where we belong
He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King
We’ll reign with Him

Hear heaven’s voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory, wisdom, power
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore
Forevermore

Thank you, dear LORD Jesus for your amazing plan for salvation of the entire human race. Because of you, I have become a saint. Your love endures forever.