Good Morning All,
With all the news in the world, in our surrounding communities and the iconic deaths the past 7-8 days my thoughts have ventured into what Solomon said in Proverbs 27.1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow…” I am quite sure the 2 out of the four deaths that were reported within the celebrity rank and file had no thought as to the end of their life here on earth. It brings about this question: “How often do you and I truly think about our days on earth coming to an end?” In discussing this topic I hear the regular rebuttals like: “I am too young to worry about that now” or “Just enjoy the time you have, there are plenty of days to give thought to death”. Yet, just a hand full of days apart two well known people at the age of 50 died. Sure, one can surmise that the other had cancer and knew death was near and another was 86 and sickly. But what about the two that were 50? 50 years young I have to say? Furthermore, I have a lady in my church who just turned 92 and she drives herself back and forth from church every week. So despite one’s numerical age, death can still be a shock and a surprise.
Well, where do we go now? The thought is that no matter how old or young you may be, your life is but a moment…a twinkle in the eyes of time. James said in: James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We are truly promised less than tomorrow, we are not promised the next second, in a moment, in the blink of an eye you or I could draw our last breath and then what? Friend, there are 24 hours in a day, which is 1440 minutes, which equals 86,400 second… close to 155,000 people die every day. Nearly 2 every second (1.7939814814815/sec). That is every single day. Then what?
Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27. Concerning the 4 celebrities lost to eternity, by all accounts known to the public to date: McMahon died a devout atheist, Fawcett a Roman Catholic (with no record or report that she gave her life to Christ – although what may or may not have occurred in the last moments is between her and God), Jackson a raised Jehovah’s Witness who ‘converted’ to Islam in 2007 and Mays I have no idea. Of a truth it is appointed unto men (everyone) once to die…but after this the judgment. It is a sad day to reflect on these lives that ended in a moment, whether known or unknown, because afterward came the judgment. Where do you think their judgment fell?
Words of encouragement, I know, not too encouraging are they? Well they can be, because if death’s door is opened for you today, you can enter in with all assurance that your judgment is paid for. We have been found guilty, but One took our place. Will you know today about that One? Do you know today that if you fall within the numbers of the 155,000 that your judgment was upon the cross of Calvary and in the shed blood of Jesus Christ? My prayer, my hope and my heart’s desire, that all reading this today will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through a heart that repents and believes on His name for eternal life. No we cannot boast ourselves of tomorrow, but in Christ Jesus our Lord we can of eternity. Think on these things today, for time is short.
Have a wonderful day.
Today in History:
1776 – Mission San Francisco de Asís is founded on the site of the future city of San Francisco.
1854 – Congress ratifies the Gadsden Purchase, agreeing to pay Mexico $10 Million for Parts of Arizona and New Mexico.
1925 – An earthquake levels much of downtown Santa Barbara, CA.
1953 – President Eisenhower signs legislation creating the Interstate Highway System
1995 – In a post-Cold War show of international cooperation, the shuttle Atlantis docks with the Russian space station Mir.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
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