Friday, September 15, 2017

September 16, 2017

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, " Hebrews 9:27


You wouldn't want this guy for your doctor. He walked into the examination room and told his patient, "I have some bad news for you and I also have some worse news. Which would you like to hear first?"

"Oh, my," said the patient, "I guess you can give me the bad news."

"Okay, then," responded the doctor, "I'm afraid you only have 24 hours to live."

"My, gosh!" cried the patient, "What could be worse than that news?"

"Well," the doctor hesitated, "I meant to call you yesterday."

We get a chuckle from that story but those words must be incredibly hard to hear from a doctor.

Most of us live in dread of hearing those fateful words, "You are going to die." But it is a natural fact of life. You are born, you live and then you die. Everyone of us is facing the reality of death and the curious truth is the sooner you come to terms with your mortality the sooner you can enjoy living, and can begin to make your life count for eternity.

The writer of Hebrews wants to help you come to terms with the fact that you are mortal. And he does it by reminding you that you are eternal and how you live your mortal life has eternal significance. You are accountable to God and everything you do during your life has eternal consequences. 

The Psalmist wrote, "Lord, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom."

So, the Bible's attitude toward death is, "Deal with it!" And you can take a fatalistic attitude saying, "I will eat, drink and be merry before I die" or you can choose faith and make your life count for God.

Which will you choose?

How will you live today? 

Will you make your time count for eternity?"