ONE THING TO BE SURE OF BEFORE DEATH!

ONE THING TO BE SURE OF BEFORE DEATH!

          This week a missionary friend passed away in the Philippines after a frustrating and lingering illness. His mind was sharp right up to the end. I know it may sound macabre but I have a recording of one of his last phone messages. It is haunting. He asked for care for his widow and then closed with a simply “goodbye”.

          Maybe it’s all the birthdays, but I have recently received calls from casket manufacturers trying to sell me my final bed! Of all the telemarketers these are the most unsettling. What’s up with these people? If I bought a casket where would I store it? I hardly have room for the riding mower!

          Recently there has been a movie made about two men in a hospital room. Both are told they would die so they write out their “bucket list”, a list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” I suppose there is any number of things that should be considered before one “passes” if we only had some clue as to how much time we had left. We don’t.

John Baptist was in a prison in Jerusalem because he dared challenge the morals of King Herod “for John had said unto Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:18) John knew it would not end well for him. He knew his life’s purpose and he had performed faithfully his assignment. It was time to go but one item of utmost importance plagued his mind. Had it all been for nothing? Was Jesus who he claimed to be?

Matt 11:2-3 KJV

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

          Here is one thing to put at the top of your “bucket list.” Find out who Jesus is! Make your calling and election SURE! With all your heart pray: “God, I thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die for me. I acknowledge my sins and repent of them. Please come into my heart and be my Savior. I give you control of the rest of my life.”

Dear Lord, because we can not know what tomorrow holds, help us to make sure to know the One who holds tomorrow. AMEN