11-22-23 Pearl Lowery
Notes
Transcript
Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs 31:10-31
Special Music: Lead Me Home - 4:24
Welcome:
I would like to thank everyone for your attendance today.
We can see from the number that have been here this morning that Ms. Pearl was loved by many.
That testifies to the way that she lived her life.
And she will be missed,,, as we continue in the days and weeks ahead.
Jesus said it best in John 10:10 “ I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”
This is our celebration of Ms. Pearl's life today.
We do not come to mourn.
We come to celebrate a life well lived.
Let us pray:
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Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this earthly life. We thank you for the life of our sister in Christ, Mrs. Pearl B. Lowery,,, for the years you gave her and the character that you shaped in her. We thank you for her life, for every memory of love and joy, for every good deed and every sorrow shared with us. We thank you for the rest in Christ she now enjoys. We thank you for giving her to us for a time, and we praise you for the glory we shall share together for eternity. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
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Reading of poem:Tammy Lees
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Special Music - Re-Write Dancing In the Sky - 4:00
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Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death.
Because I live, you shall live also.
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Obituary:
We have gathered here today in God's presence as family and friends,,, to praise God and to witness to our faith,,, as we celebrate the life of Mrs. Pearl B. Lowery.
She lived in Sumrall, MS, and was 80 years old,,, when she passed from this life,,, and into life eternal,,, Sunday, November 19, 2023.
Mrs. Lowery was a retired School Bus Driver and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Douglas Lowery.
She is survived by two daughters, Leisa Johnson and her husband Jeff of Sumrall, MS,,, and Tammy Lees and her husband Tommy of Sumrall, MS; nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
She lived a long and fruitful life as she touched many,,, on her journey,,, passing through this world,,, on her way home!
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Special Music: Go Rest High On That Mountain - 4:22
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Message:
Ms. Pearl was a hard working lady,,, someone that took care of her family the way that she was taught by her mother!
She has passed those skills down to her daughters,,, Leisa and Tammy,,, as well,,, at least,,, I'm sure she tried!
No,,, seriously,,, I know that she did,,, she was shown the way that she should work,,, and I know that Leisa and Tammy have learned that as well!
That's why that this scripture was chosen for today:
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Proverbs 31:10-31
And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Proverbs 31:10–31 (HCSB) —
10 Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22 She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29 “Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 31 Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen.
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These verses,,, are talking about a woman that is one to be admired,,, one far more precious than jewels,,, one that a husband trusts!
In return,,, verse 12 says: 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.
Then,,, verses 13 thru 27 gives a list of all of the many things that she is able to accomplish.
And when this was written,,, women were not given any respect,,, or definitely not like they deserved,,, and in many places,,, it's still true today!
But in spite of that fact,,, this woman was able to accomplish all of these things,,, and because of that,,, she was a woman that was very valuable!
It's not necessarily that these types of women were hard to find,,, but instead,,, they were the type that everyone should be looking for,,, being sure that they weren't overlooked.
I believe that Ms. Pearl was this type of woman.
I've heard Leisa and Tammy's testimony of the way that they have been taught,,, the way that they were raised!
The way that they looked up to her!
In verse 28 it says: 28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
In this case,,, we change sons to daughters,,, and Leisa and Tammy have already done that,,, and I'm sure that if Mr. Doug was here,,, he would praise her as well!
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But the most important verse is verse 30 that says: 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
Especially the last half of that verse,,, a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
This is important for us all,,, men and women!
When we realize that God,,, our Creator,,, is so far above us,,, so much more than we can ever be,,, or ever imagine,,, we have no choice but to hold Him up in reverence,,, along with fear,,, when we think about how mighty He truly is!
We must remember,,, God is that powerful,,, but yet,,, at the same time,,, He loves us greatly!
And,,, He wants the best for us,,, that's why He sent His son,,, Jesus Christ,,, to earth,,, to die on the cross for our sins,,, so that our relationship can be restored,,, and we can have our own personal relationship with God,,, right now,,, each and every day while we are here on earth!
We can have the help of the Holy Spirit,,, helping us and guiding us,,, so that we can remain on that narrow road that many fail to find!
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If you are here today and you don't know the love of God the way that Ms. Pearl did,,, I urge you to read the Bible,,, seek God's word,,, ask questions,,, truly seeking an answer,,, and I assure you that God will answer you!
Seek the advise of another Christian,,, ask me,,, anyone will help you,,, just be sure that you don't put off finding the answer,,, because she would tell you that this is too important to wait,,, it must be done today!
I'm sure that she is seeing things that we can't even imagine,,, and she would love for us all to be there as well.
She left us a fine example to follow,,, lets be sure that we use that to our advantage!
I also want to add that we,,, as Christians know that this is not the end!
Pearl has made her choices,,, now it's up to us to make those same choices!
Choices that decide whether it will be heaven or hell,,, eternal consequences that must be made today!
And the right choice can only be accomplished,,, by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior!
John 3:16 says: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
He loves you that much,,, but it’s a choice that you will have to make,,, no-one can do it for you!
So make sure that you make the right choice today!
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For the family,,, for her daughters Leisa,,, and Tammy,,, the grandchildren,,, the great grandchildren,,, all of you,,, the family and friends that are here,,, the days ahead will not be easy.
But you know that Ms. Pearl would want you to remember the good times,,, and forget the bad,,, because that's the way that she was.
We've seen that from the very beginning,,, the way that she has helped so many over the years,,, so she has left us an example to copy,,, so that we can live a life dedicated to helping others,,, so that we can obtain our own "crown of life".
The days ahead won't be easy,,, and they will take time,,, but eventually the good memories will keep coming to mind,,, and they will crowd out the bad,,, and then,,, once again,,, she will bring smiles to your faces,,, when you remember the good times that you had,,, and God will help you along the way,,, just trust Him,,, and follow His guidance through the journey that's ahead for each of you.
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Let us pray:
“Eternal God,,, we praise you for the great company of all those who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor. We praise you for those dear to us whom we name in our hearts before you. Especially we praise you today for Ms. Pearl,,, whom you have graciously received into your presence. To all of these,,, grant your peace. Let perpetual light shine upon them; and help us to believe where we have not seen,,, that your presence may lead us through our years,,, and bring us at last with them into the joy of your home,,, not made with hands,,, eternal in the heavens; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
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Special Music: Holes In the Floor of Heaven - 4:49
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