This past Saturday, pop icon Whitney Houston, was laid to rest after an untimely death at an early age, which stunned her many fans. Throngs of her adoring fans stood with signs, pictures, balloons, and flowers outside the Baptist church in Newark, New Jersey where her funeral was held.
Famous people seem to get a better break at funerals. Lots of folks there, many news stories at no charge to them, and non stop talk of the wonderful life they led. Everyone seems to be great at the end so it seems.
The indisputable fact of life is we all will die. Many people live like there is no consequence and atheists laugh off the after life or heaven and hell. Guess what? You will either go to heaven or you will go to hell whether you believe the Bible or not. Period. End of story. Why chance it? Your life could end today in a head on crash, a heart attack, a stroke, an unexpected illness, or a myriad of other things. No one knows when. Young people die, babies die, celebrities die in their forties like Miss Houston, and people die late in life. Nobody can predict it. This could be your last day on earth. We are all valuable to God whether we are a platinum album singer, bank president, business leader, politician, teacher, homeless man or factory worker. There is not some social class to get into heaven. It boils down to have you asked Jesus into your life.
Do you know if you were to take your last breath you would spend eternity in heaven? I did not say "are you a good person" or "are you a church member" or "have you worked on lots of church committees" or "have you gone to Sunday School class" or "are you baptized" but do you know Jesus as your saviour and has your life been lived for Him? Does your life reflect Him?
Is your life ready for a 'Home Going' to heaven? Are you sure? We can not assume just because we were in church every Sunday that is what is required. People who have rejected Jesus during their life will not be with Him in heaven but it is never too late to ask Him into your heart.
1 Timothy 2:4 says "who wants everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." Ezekiel 18:23 says "do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather am I not pleased when they turn from their wicked ways and live?" James 4:13-15 says "Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Psalm 90:12 tells us "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Do not live like death will never come because believe me it will and it may catch you off guard. But guess what, once you are dead you can not decide to accept Christ. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart."
I can not imagine someone not wanting to be sure they are going to heaven. In Romans 3:23 it says "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Acts 3:19 says "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord". Repent means to turn away from. When you know something is wrong do not keep doing it. Ask God to help you. He is ready to save. Give your heart to Him today.
PRAYER: Father I know my days are numbered here on this earth. Help me to make a difference for the kingdom of God during the short time I am here. Help me to not get caught up in the craziness and sinfulness of the world but to be set apart for the work of Christ and let me leave an imprint for you when I leave this earth. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/iB-yX5p0p4I
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