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If I were to inform you today that I have been told by the doctor that I only have just one more month to live—how would you feel? I suspect that as ones that have known me for many years that you would be stunned, filled with sadness and sorrow and groaning. At some point your thoughts would turn to my wife of now 43 years, and my daughter and grandsons, and then you would think of what my absence would mean to you.
If I indeed reveal this to you today, I in-turn would hope to comfort you by my calmness and peace, in spite of such news, by my knowing that all is well between my God and me. With such a short time left for me, I would take the next 2-3 weeks to make sure that all is in order for my loved ones and for you for when I am no longer here. Am I about to make such an admission; have I been informed that in about a month’s time or less my body will die and I will pass into the presence of God? Although it is without any notice possible, no, I have no knowledge of such a home-going date. Why, then, have I used such a heart-stirring introduction? I have imposed upon your emotions for your benefit. This is what I am addressing today: If you were informed by your doctor, with no doubt about the medical diagnosis, that you only have 30 days (or 60 days, or even 6 months) to live, what would you change about your relationship with the eternal God and the soon Judge of your earthly life? What would change?
† Hebrews 9:27 ... it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment ... [Also referenced: † Mark 8:34-35, † 2 Cor 5:6-11, † 2 Timothy 4:6-8, † Rev 22:12] I ask you again, and I am as serious about this as anyone would be about needing brain surgery: If you were informed by your doctor that you only have a very short time left to live, are there things that you would change about your relationship with God? I’ll drive the point home even more profoundly: If you were to unexpectedly pass into His presence in your sleep tonight—would you be ashamed at the review of your life—especially of the last few recent years and months? You [that sit under my teaching gift] are no strangers to one of my original sayings over the years that for those that die as true Christians and go to Heaven that Jesus will ask this, “What did you do with the Life I gave you—let’s take a look.” With that event in mind, and the fact that that very question was declared by someone in a prophetic word some 18 months ago, are there things right now that need to be changed about your relationship with God? Are you continuing to allow things in your life today that determine that your direction at death is not Heaven but into the preliminary torment of Hell and eternal damnation (I-pray-not)? As those claiming to be believers, we cannot live like those who are today on the way to Hell and think we are going to Heaven when we die. † 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. [Also referenced: † Luke 16:13-14, † Mark 8:35-37, † Matthew 7:21-27, † Romans 14:11-12] Frankly, I am very concerned about what I see (or fail to see) in the lives of those that call themselves a Christian and believe they are a follower of Jesus when clearly (by their lack of piety and spiritual growth) they are not following Him at all. At Luke 16:14, in a fashion, Jesus said it this way: You cannot live these two lives at the same time—one thinking all is well involving God and your salvation while continuing to live the world’s way. [Referenced: † Luke 9:57-62, † John 10:27, † Matthew 10:37-39] In the minds of most of today’s professing Christians, their interest and commitment to following Jesus Christ as His disciple is not unlike something else I have witnessed in others many times—a person that joins a local health club or gym. [Think about this example in spiritual terms.] A man or woman come to believe they need to do something to help their physical bodies stay fit or get fit and so they enthusiastically pay the initiation fee and agree to pay the monthly dues required to join a health club. They might even pay extra to have a personal trainer. They set a schedule to show up 2 or 3 times a week for their workouts and do a pretty good job for a while, but eventually the novelty wears off, the money it costs may get tight, they have other things they would rather do than go sweat and ache, and their faithfulness begins to tail-down—they lose interest and go less-and-less until they come to actually despise the time and the cost of that fitness club membership. Soon they are going maybe once weekly and as soon as their commitment is fulfilled—they no longer go to the gym. [Referenced: † Luke 14:25-33]
About this followership of Jesus—being His disciple ... I leave you with this thought intended to spiritually sober you up from any worldly drunkenness: If in 30 days you are going to meet your Maker—would you change anything? The lion’s share of those professing to be followers of Jesus Christ simply and in truth—are not His disciples! It is a completely separate lifestyle than what we each had before we were supposedly born again from above. It is a life dedicated to getting to know the Word of God and His Son Jesus as both a friend and the lover of our souls. It is a daily existence that is Heaven-bent on pleasing God in our thoughts, words, actions, and faithful discipleship practices. In these ways, a man or woman (you!) can be ever-ready to unexpectedly stand face-to-face with your Creator and Judge and have no shame or regrets. † Isaiah 26:7 The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. [Also referenced: † Matthew 11:28-30] As a conclusion, let’s now put the sharpest point on today’s message: Are you ready - right now - to suddenly and without any notice [are you right-now-ready] to face the Lord Jesus Christ and you know beyond all doubt that you are clean of all sin and that there are no issues of unforgiveness in your life? If you do not now know this—that needs to change today because we are not promised a tomorrow on the earth! The Apostle Paul said we must “Examine ourselves”. That is an everyday routine for a true follower of Jesus Christ.
† 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. . .
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