FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END

At seventy-five Grandma Faith learned that cancer would soon take her home to heaven. She had been a faith-filled Christian all of her life. Realizing that her time with her family on this earth would soon be over, she called all of them together. After they gathered around her bed, she said in a calm, steady and joyful voice, “For many years I’ve shown you how to live like a Christian. Now I want to show you how to die like one!” Life after life was important to her.

Life after life was important to Paul, too. He planned for it, prepared for it, and personally looked forward to the time when he would be with his Lord. From the day he met his Savior, his values changed and his view of “things” on earth was different. Not only did he see life from an eternal perspective, but the only desire he had was for others to see life the way he did: through the eyes of the risen Christ. No matter what, Paul believed that Christians have a faith that makes life enjoyable and endurable, and hope to die with. The joy and happiness that came to him from serving his Lord satisfied his every need no matter how horrible his circumstances might have been. Paul understood that this life is temporary and transitional and that there was more than what is seen.

His words in Philippians “For me, living is living for Christ and dying is even better,” reminds us that “life after life” will be far better than “life as it is” if we have faith and hope in Christ.

Prayer:  We look to You, Heavenly Father, for faith for today, hope for tomorrow and purpose in between. Fill us with love for You and the lost whose lives are in our hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:      For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:20-26