THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Do you remember going on camping trips?
Some of you can probably relate to this short story.
When I was a kid in Royal Ambassadors, our church counselors took us camping several times. I remember some wonderful times, and I remember some scary times.
One night, we had our sleeping bags all rolled out next to a GRAVEYARD! It was SCARY!
Then the counsellor began to teach us a song:
"Did you ever think, when the hearse rolls by,
that you might be the next to die?
They'll wrap you up in a nice clean sheet,
And put you down about six feet deep.
All will go well for about a week,
And then the coffin will begin to leak."
Right about there, I was gettin' a lil SHAKY!
Then, the next line!
"The worms crawl in, and the worms crawl out!"
YUP! That was IT! I rolled up my sleeping bag! I was going HOME!
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Heb 4:8-10
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
KJV
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Is death an uncomfortable thought for you to deal with?
Are you READY? 'Cause it could happen today! Jesus said, "...ye know neither the day nor the hour..." (Matt 25:13)
We are not guaranteed tomorrow!
Some people find their own death hard to deal with, difficult to consider.
Perhaps we can suggest three things that will help.
First, be FOCUSED on God's work for you.
You remember in Numbers 12 when Miriam and Aaron "...spake against Moses..?" They had become desensitized, internally focused and unaware of the needs of people around them. This lead them to speak AGAINST God's ordained leader. Miriam and Aaron wanted to find fault rather than be obedient. They said, "Well just look at him. Who does he think HE is? He's married a black woman!"
Let us remember that our work for God is the primary purpose for life on this earth after salvation. And we are to follow our God-ordained leaders, not speak against them. Let us be sensitive to God's calling upon our lives, focused upon ministry for His Name's sake, and willing to help others come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.
Second, be sure we are INVOLVED in ministry for our Lord.
When we are not involved, we become apathetic and lax. Laxness leads to "lukewarmness." And lukewarmness leads to God's displeasure! (See Revelation 3:16)
Plan your week with Jesus in the center, and plan your time with His ministry as the focal point.
Third, be OBEDIENT to the Lordship of Jesus.
If you are genuinely saved, your "want to" has changed. You "want to:"
pray, study the Bible, be regular in attendance, give regularly, and be involved in ministry. You "want to" because God's Holy Spirit indwells your person, and His will has become your will. Your battery may become weak at times, but you won't have a total breakdown!
Being FOCUSED, being INVOLVED and being OBEDIENT will change your perception of death. God says death is not an END, but a door to a NEW BEGINNING. It is, yes, leaving this life. But it is also entering "REST!"
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Love ya,
Bruce