Thursday, July 28, 2016

"I'm dying."



 I’m dying. Rather dramatic statement, isn’t it?  No, I don’t have any current medical condition (that I know of) that makes my demise imminent. In fact, my current life expectancy is about 22 years, according to a calculator posted by the Social Security Administration. But, as experience has taught me, things can change in an instant. Ben Franklin wryly observed that the only certainties are death and taxes.  Whether there are 22 years or 22 days left in this earthly journey, I am dying!  (News flash- so are you!)  Some of you are feeling some pity for me right now and thinking, “Jerry has spent too much time at the cemetery.”  Perhaps you are right. But, I prefer to think that I am living the wisdom of God.

What do we do with this knowledge of mortality? Will we allow ourselves to slip into a depression because of it?
Should we begin to chase the ephemeral pleasures of life ‘eating, drinking, and being merry’ desperately?
Or, should we soberly decide to live and love, making the most of every opportunity? The answer is obvious to me, but here is the counsel of the inspired Word.

James, brother of Jesus and pastor of First Church, Jerusalem, wrote "Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15, NLT)  Moses, prince of Egypt and leader of Israel, prayed - "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. … You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. …  The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. …Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:1,3-4, 10, 12, NIV)

There are so many joys to be found in each day.
We can savor a meal, lovingly prepared.
We can let the love of friend and family enrich us.
We can do our work with diligence so that there is a legacy of something improved. 

In short, we invest our days, not just spend them! 
All the while, we keep our mind on eternity. In Christ, that knowledge loses any fear.  We can know we are held secure in His love, right with God, and ready to enter His Presence at any moment.  If we have lived well, keeping accounts paid, offering love, freely forgiving, taking advantage of no one – we can anticipate a rich reward from the One who sees all, knows all, and forgets nothing.

Dying? Yes, we are. For me it is not the dying thing that is so bad. It’s this aging! But that is for another blog.  Keep Heaven in your heart. Walk with God today and, sooner than you think, you will walk right over the edge of time and into His eternal life. Joy unspeakable!

Here is a word from the Word - "Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27, NLT) … "so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house," (Hebrews 10:19-21, NLT)  "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT)
___________

Cornerstone

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name

Christ alone cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour's love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

He is Lord Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne

Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan | William Batchelder Bradbury
© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055

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