One month ago a friend's 58 year old husband died unexpectedly. We just never know when it is 'our time'. We live as if we will go on forever. Many people live like there are no tomorrows. Luke 12:20 says "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' The Bible says in James 4:14 "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Picture that! A vapor, like steam, that just floats away. What are you doing in this life to make a difference and are you leaving a legacy that others will be able to see you loved the Lord? Death is a part of life. We all seem to expect we will live to be 80 or 90 but we do not know. Live fully and make each day count!
My friend Barb went to be with the Lord back in the early 90's at the young age of 44 after a short bout with cancer. In her obituary it had this verse from Philippians 1:22-24 and it says "Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you." She left a true legacy.
The minute you are born you begin to die. It is true. One day we will all stand before God. Atheists do not think so but as the 60's TV character Gomer Pyle used to say "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!" It is true. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says "Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." There is a heaven and there is a hell.
Psalm 39:6 says "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it." We build big homes, buy all the fancy things we think we need to be happy, but in the end none of it goes with us to the cemetery. As I heard once, there are no U Hauls following the hearse to the graveyard. What are you doing to leave a lasting legacy? If you are a parent are you instilling God's word into the hearts of your children?
Who are you building your foundation on? Do you know if you died today you would go to heaven? Hell is for those who reject Jesus Christ. The lake of fire is a real place. It is a place where God is not there and you will be in constant torment separated from God forever. There is hope and there is forgiveness. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Do you know if you died today you would go to heaven? I mean do you really know? Church membership is not the key to heaven. Being in a certain denomination is not the way to eternal life. Simply being baptized as a baby is not enough. You have to ask Jesus to be Lord of you life and live for Him. Say "Jesus come into my life. Forgive me for not living for you. I want to live for you and serve you Lord. Come into my heart today and save me." You can pray that prayer now and let Jesus be Lord of your life.
John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked but he wants all men to repent and turn to Him. Ezekiel 33:11 says "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?" Jesus died so that all men might have eternal life.
Where are you today? Do not take a chance. We do not know when we will breathe our last breath. Turn to Jesus today. He is waiting and wants to be Lord of your life. Proverbs 27:1 says "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth".
Start living like today may be your last. If you do not have the assurance you will enter heaven upon your death why not say that prayer today?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for preparing a wonderful place for us after our time here on Earth is over. Father help those skeptics who can not seem to grasp that hell is real. Some reading this may not believe or we may know of someone who claims there is no God. Forgive those people and turn their hearts to you Lord. Help me Lord keep my heart turned to you and live for the kingdom of God each and every day. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link to enjoy a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/5wWDhl_nICc
Book suggestion:
First of course is the Bible but after that is "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist" .
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