Love to hear from and know who is listening
When Joyce and I go camping we have this routine we go through before we leave for our trip, to make sure we are fully prepared for our camping trip. We check the weather forecast to make sure we pack clothing that is appropriate for the temperature, long sleeve or short sleeve shirts and jackets if needed. We count out socks and underwear so that we have a clean pair for each day. Since we both love to cook over the campfire we plan out a menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner items, then we go the grocery store and buy the groceries we will need to make each meal, because there is limited space in the camper refrigerator and pantry. We pay very careful attention to preparing each detail of our camping trip so that when we arrive we can sit around the campfire and relax.
I heard a story the other day about two men who just loved the game of baseball. John and Josh loved baseball so much it was an obsession for them. They traveled all over the United States so that they could say they had watched a ball game in every stadium in the league. The men so loved the game they thought it must certainly be a part of heaven, because it just wouldn't be heaven without baseball. So they made a pact with each other, whoever died and went to heaven first would return and tell the other if there was baseball in heaven. One day John died unexpectedly. Josh attended the funeral of his best friend and in his mourning all most forgot about their pact. Then a few days later Josh was awaken from his sleep by John's voice. The two visited and finally Josh asked his buddy the question, “is there baseball in heaven?” John replied, I have good news and bad news for you Josh, to which Josh replied, “I can't wait, give me the news John!” John said, “Josh the good news is yes there is baseball in heaven, the bad news is your pitching in tomorrows game!”
I tell you these stories to make you stop and think, what are you spending your time preparing for? Do you spend your time preparing to go on vacation? Do you spend your time working and saving for your retirement? Do you spend your time taking your children to school events? Maybe you spend your time worrying about things you can't control, like the weather, what people think about you or if you will get that promotion at work. While none of these things are evil, they certainly are not the best investment of your time. No one is promised tomorrow. Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ where all will be tried in the presence of God?
Luke 12:20 NIV But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?
The Bible tells in us that everyone is going to stand before God one day and give an account of their life on Earth.
Romans 14:12 NIV So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
If you had to stand before God today, what would He say about your life? Would you hear God say: Well done, good and faithful servant or would you hear him say: Depart from me you workers of iniquity for I never knew you? That day is coming for each of us, and none of us knows the day or hour it shall happen, so we must prepare to stand before God. How do you prepare your life for that day? First you must receive Jesus into your life as your Savior. Then you must daily live your life pleasing to God. Loving God with all our heart, soul and strength and loving your neighbor as much as you love yourself!
