What if today were the day? (archive)

What if today were the day? Am I ready?

 

No one woke up today saying to themselves, "wow I hope I die today” or “ I think I might die today.” That is not the way any one thinks normally. My question though is what if you did, are you prepared? I am not talking about having made all the arrangements at the local funeral home or having your best suit of clothes or favorite dress picked out, I mean your soul, your eternal destination. Do you knowfor sure, have absolutely no doubt at all what will happen to you when you die? In life most people like to be certain about things. Most of us like to know for sure about what we are doing or how to do it. Eternity can have that same assurity if we just make a desicion that can and will forever change our lives here on earth and beyond. Many today will tell you, "well I will worry about that later" or "I hope everything will be ok" or even worse "when I go I will just be dead and nothing else." My heart, my true desire, is to help everyone understand that there is more, there is life beyond this world and it is forever. Indeed it is the most important desicion that you will ever make. I am so proud to be called of God. I am so proud to be doing the work He called me to do. I lived for many years without Him and when I look back and realize how blessed I have been and how blessed I am to still be here it truly amazes me.

My faith means everything to me. I look back over my life and wonder how in the world did I make it before now. I always knew there was something more, but I never understood the need for it to be personal. I want to share my heart with you today. I want everyone to see and understand and completely know that there is more. We live from day to day often wondering how things will turn out. Would it not be nice to at least know one thing for sure? One of the best feelings in the world is to be able to lay down at night and know that if you do not wake up that all is well. This is not to be morbid or having a death wish. Knowing that you know is a great feeling. We all like to be sure of things. There is nothing more important to be sure of than what eternity holds for you. There are lots of false teachings in the world today, but there is only one truth and His name is Jesus Christ. I pray for the words and wisdom each week to share something special with all of you that will be a help, that will be a challenge and that will cause you to grow in your faith. My faith changed my life and for the first time ever I found what real peace is all about, it's not in the world, it is within. I firmly believe that we are living in the final days. Some would argue that and say “well that has been said for a long time” or “the last days have been going on since Jesus ascended” and while both those statements are true, the events of our world today tell us that time is drawing near. I feel and urgency in my spirit and that is to share this Gospel truth with everyone that I can. I truly pray each and every service or class that we have here at FBC will give an opportunity for someone to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and give Him the chance to come into one’s heart and make their life complete. I may sound like a broken record to some as I continue to speak on being ready or prepared for what lies ahead as it pertains to eternal things. That is not my intention, but I once had someone ask me, “will you always preach salvation?” and my response was “yes or at least until everyone gets saved!” What do I mean by that? Do I think everyone in the world will get saved? no, many will say no and continue to live however they want, but I feel in my heart as believers in Christ we have the greatest news in the world, that a person can give their life to Christ and be eternally saved and be forgiven of their past sins. If indeed we have this knowledge then we absolutely should share it with all that we can. This is not only the Great Commission, but it is just right. We all have loved ones and friends that we know if today were their day they are not ready. The real question is that if we know this have we taken time to tell them there is a way they can be ready? I am very excited about what God is doing here in our church. I feel His blessing upon us. I look forward to the days ahead and what He has planned for us. May we have an obedient spirit and do as He says do. May we strive to be of Him and not of the world. I am honored to be here serving as your pastor. I am very happy with my place in life right now. I preached a sermon years ago that many people truly enjoyed. The title was “What is better than going to Heaven?” Most people would answer, nothing is better than that. I would argue that there is one thing, and the one thing better than going to heaven is taking someone with you. Let’s get busy telling people about Jesus and the wonderful change He can being to their lives. If we do as He has asked us to do, we will not be able to contain the blessings He will send our way. God bless you all. Please know I am here for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Pastor Andy