Live Like You Were Dying
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Revelation 21:1-4
I don’t know about you but I get really tired of watching the news on television, even the news channel I frequent the most. It’s as if there is nothing good going on in the world today. If I had enough money I would start a station that only shared Good News. As I was watching the news and listening to all the complaining I was reminded of something Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.” Don’t let the world pop your bubble, you were created for good works, you were created for greatness because of Jesus Christ.
Sadly though, we live in a world of social media where people who are not making a positive difference in the world seem to dedicate their lives to tear down those who are trying. That’s why its important for us to stay grounded in the Word of God as the apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” So then, how does God transform us and help us to make sure we don’t end up going down the wrong path? Hebrews 12:2 says, “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.”
Those who understand the Word of God know there is a happy ending awaiting those who place their hope and trust in Jesus Christ one day. Following Jesus doesn’t mean we won’t have bad days, it simply means not a single day will ever be wasted. Following Jesus is what gives purpose to our day and to our lives, hope for the future and joy in the moment. Following Jesus is resting in the knowledge that God is in control even when the world appears to be out of it. The world wants peace but true lasting peace isn’t the absence of war. True peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord and enjoying Him.
Do you want to get the most out of today? Imagine if you will that today was your last day on earth and you were going to meet Jesus tonight. How would you want your last day to be? Hopefully you wouldn't go sky diving or Rocky Mountain climbing or ride a bull for 2.7 seconds named Foo-man-choo. Seriously, what would your focus be? What would matter most? Living like we were dying isn’t morbid or defeating, actually it’s empowering as it’s the best way to get our priorities straight and to put life into perspective. Try it and see. Living with the end in mind just might be the best day of your life! And most likely, you will get to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again!
“And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
Revelation 21:5-7
I LOVE YOU!
Revelation 21:1-4
I don’t know about you but I get really tired of watching the news on television, even the news channel I frequent the most. It’s as if there is nothing good going on in the world today. If I had enough money I would start a station that only shared Good News. As I was watching the news and listening to all the complaining I was reminded of something Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.” Don’t let the world pop your bubble, you were created for good works, you were created for greatness because of Jesus Christ.
Sadly though, we live in a world of social media where people who are not making a positive difference in the world seem to dedicate their lives to tear down those who are trying. That’s why its important for us to stay grounded in the Word of God as the apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” So then, how does God transform us and help us to make sure we don’t end up going down the wrong path? Hebrews 12:2 says, “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.”
Those who understand the Word of God know there is a happy ending awaiting those who place their hope and trust in Jesus Christ one day. Following Jesus doesn’t mean we won’t have bad days, it simply means not a single day will ever be wasted. Following Jesus is what gives purpose to our day and to our lives, hope for the future and joy in the moment. Following Jesus is resting in the knowledge that God is in control even when the world appears to be out of it. The world wants peace but true lasting peace isn’t the absence of war. True peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord and enjoying Him.
Do you want to get the most out of today? Imagine if you will that today was your last day on earth and you were going to meet Jesus tonight. How would you want your last day to be? Hopefully you wouldn't go sky diving or Rocky Mountain climbing or ride a bull for 2.7 seconds named Foo-man-choo. Seriously, what would your focus be? What would matter most? Living like we were dying isn’t morbid or defeating, actually it’s empowering as it’s the best way to get our priorities straight and to put life into perspective. Try it and see. Living with the end in mind just might be the best day of your life! And most likely, you will get to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again!
“And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
Revelation 21:5-7
I LOVE YOU!
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