Only one life, twill soon be past; Only what's done for Christ will last. C.T.Studd
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Have you ever made up a bucket list? First let me explain what I mean by the term bucket list - it is a list of things that you would like to do or things you would like to accomplish before your life is done. It can be a written list or just a mental list - just some things in your mind that you know you would like to do. Personally I have never written up a bucket list. I have thought of few things that would be nice to do - that being taking a road trip to Prince Edward Island. The other idea is to visit the land of Israel and walk where Jesus walked and experience the locations at which many of Jesus's miracles etc took place. It is unlikely that I will do either of these in my lifetime though due to family and health circumstances.
But thinking about the concept of a bucket list brings me to ask the question - What really does hold value in your life? or the question could be worded in a different way - If you were told you have only 30 days to live, what would you do? How would you spend your time? Would you go on a trip or have one last drunken party? Buy a new car or go sky diving? Would you care to earn more money or win the lottery yet? OR - Would you spend that time deepening your relationship with the Lord and spending it with your family? Personally I think most of us would want to spend quality time with our family and good friends, and walk closer with the Lord than ever before. We would want to be 100% sure that we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb - the Lord Jesus and we are ready to meet the Lord.
A few years ago a friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer and was told he had only 3 months to live. He spent those last three months wisely preparing to leave this earth. He realized that in the end all that matters is your relationship with the Lord - are you saved? and ready to meet the Lord. And the second thing that has any real worth is your family and relationships with friends and coworkers etc. These things became clear to him as he would meditate on his early morning walks when sleep just was not possible. As his health deteriorated he prepared for his auction sale, met with the lawyer, and catching up one last time with many old friends. What would you or I do??
There is a sense of urgency here! If we are honest enough to admit that we would live differently if we knew our time was short here on earth, then it only makes sense that we make those changes today - even though we don't know how long we have here or when our days will end. Anyone of us could go to bed tonight and wake up on the "other side". We have no guarantee that we will be here tomorrow, next week or next year. Prepare today to meet the Lord. Money cannot save - only Jesus can save! Come to Jesus Christ for salvation today! Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Bible says in Hebrews 3: 12-15
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Have you ever made up a bucket list? First let me explain what I mean by the term bucket list - it is a list of things that you would like to do or things you would like to accomplish before your life is done. It can be a written list or just a mental list - just some things in your mind that you know you would like to do. Personally I have never written up a bucket list. I have thought of few things that would be nice to do - that being taking a road trip to Prince Edward Island. The other idea is to visit the land of Israel and walk where Jesus walked and experience the locations at which many of Jesus's miracles etc took place. It is unlikely that I will do either of these in my lifetime though due to family and health circumstances.
But thinking about the concept of a bucket list brings me to ask the question - What really does hold value in your life? or the question could be worded in a different way - If you were told you have only 30 days to live, what would you do? How would you spend your time? Would you go on a trip or have one last drunken party? Buy a new car or go sky diving? Would you care to earn more money or win the lottery yet? OR - Would you spend that time deepening your relationship with the Lord and spending it with your family? Personally I think most of us would want to spend quality time with our family and good friends, and walk closer with the Lord than ever before. We would want to be 100% sure that we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb - the Lord Jesus and we are ready to meet the Lord.
A few years ago a friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer and was told he had only 3 months to live. He spent those last three months wisely preparing to leave this earth. He realized that in the end all that matters is your relationship with the Lord - are you saved? and ready to meet the Lord. And the second thing that has any real worth is your family and relationships with friends and coworkers etc. These things became clear to him as he would meditate on his early morning walks when sleep just was not possible. As his health deteriorated he prepared for his auction sale, met with the lawyer, and catching up one last time with many old friends. What would you or I do??
There is a sense of urgency here! If we are honest enough to admit that we would live differently if we knew our time was short here on earth, then it only makes sense that we make those changes today - even though we don't know how long we have here or when our days will end. Anyone of us could go to bed tonight and wake up on the "other side". We have no guarantee that we will be here tomorrow, next week or next year. Prepare today to meet the Lord. Money cannot save - only Jesus can save! Come to Jesus Christ for salvation today! Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Bible says in Hebrews 3: 12-15
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
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