HERE AND HEREAFTER

Two elderly ladies were sitting on the porch rocking and talking the day away. Said one to the other, “Sally, do you ever think of the hereafter?”

“All the time,” came the reply. “Every time I go into a different room I look around and say to myself, ‘What did I come here after?’”

An amusing little story that we can use to remind ourselves of one of life’s most important realities: while we live in this world, we must prepare ourselves for the next. Many live as though this life will never end, or that the next one will never begin. I recall seeing a tombstone that read: “I lived all of my life expecting to die – but not this soon.”

We all marvel at the persistence and power, the determination and drive that the Apostle Paul had in presenting the message of salvation. His audience would change, his location would be different, and his conditions would vary. But one fact remained constant: “The necessity to turn from sin, get closer to God every day of his life, and grow his faith in Christ as Lord.”

This message is for the “newly saved” as well as the “elders of the church.” There must be that moment in everyone’s life when we surrender ourselves completely to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But, there are also many other moments in life when we pause, confess our sins, repent, seek forgiveness, and prepare to meet the Lord! Are you ready to face Him?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your salvation. We want to live life knowing that we may meet You sooner than we had planned. So, convict us every day of our sins. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21