In the Book of Acts we read, “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:11-13) I have always liked Paul he was one tough man. Paul knew his time of death was soon at hand and he also knew following the Lord will would hasten his death. We all think about dying and the older we get the more we are preoccupied of thinking about our end, but Paul was more concerned about the will of God for his life then his life. Now I would like to think that I would die peacefully or at least gracefully. But probably, when my time is at hand, I will be kicking and screening like a crazy woman. None if us want to die. Many will say they are not afraid to die, well I am not sure of that. Many make grand boastings, but when it is their time I believe they will be like all of the rest of us and desire to hold on to this life long as possible.
On a recent flight coming into the airport there was so much turbulence I was really scared. David reached over and we held hands. I could see the ground and we were still a long way up in the air. Faith flew out the window as I wondered if the engines fail would I pass out or be fully awake as the plane hurtles to earth. I was not ready to meet God that day and frankly I am not ready today. Oh my sins are forgiven and I should die I believe I will go to Heaven, but that day and today I have no desire to see God. Death seems rather scary – the unknown. Yet people die every day some to their eternal reward and some to their eternal damnation, both is our choice. Either we play by God’s divine spiritual principles while we are alive and kicking or we send ourselves to the place of eternal separation from God, a place of gnashing of teeth, where the worm dies not, Hell. A few years ago there was movie called Ghost where this guy is killed, but still lingers on earth to help his girlfriend avoid the same bad guy that killed him. In one part of the movie another bad guy runs in front of a car and is instantly killed. He sees himself dead on the car and sees the hero of the movie (who is dead also) then these dark shadowy beings come and drag the bad guy away. Personally I think something like that is how it will be for some. We choose our paths here on earth which in turn reveals what path we go when we die. And I truly believe if it is not our time to go we will not. So although none of us are ready to die let us plod on following the Master, Jesus Christ, who showed us how to die and will lead us where we are to go in life and into death. Lastly I am reminded of the final words of Dwight Lyman Moody, one of America’s most famous Evangelist, Preacher, Bible Teacher, Publisher, and so much more. On his death bed it is said his final words on earth were, “so this is death, welcome death.” Let us so walk with the Lord that we will be able to welcome death the end of our earthly life and go forth into the next life God has for us. Like Paul, let us so walk with the Lord we too will be able to say, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Written by Karen Stahl
On a recent flight coming into the airport there was so much turbulence I was really scared. David reached over and we held hands. I could see the ground and we were still a long way up in the air. Faith flew out the window as I wondered if the engines fail would I pass out or be fully awake as the plane hurtles to earth. I was not ready to meet God that day and frankly I am not ready today. Oh my sins are forgiven and I should die I believe I will go to Heaven, but that day and today I have no desire to see God. Death seems rather scary – the unknown. Yet people die every day some to their eternal reward and some to their eternal damnation, both is our choice. Either we play by God’s divine spiritual principles while we are alive and kicking or we send ourselves to the place of eternal separation from God, a place of gnashing of teeth, where the worm dies not, Hell. A few years ago there was movie called Ghost where this guy is killed, but still lingers on earth to help his girlfriend avoid the same bad guy that killed him. In one part of the movie another bad guy runs in front of a car and is instantly killed. He sees himself dead on the car and sees the hero of the movie (who is dead also) then these dark shadowy beings come and drag the bad guy away. Personally I think something like that is how it will be for some. We choose our paths here on earth which in turn reveals what path we go when we die. And I truly believe if it is not our time to go we will not. So although none of us are ready to die let us plod on following the Master, Jesus Christ, who showed us how to die and will lead us where we are to go in life and into death. Lastly I am reminded of the final words of Dwight Lyman Moody, one of America’s most famous Evangelist, Preacher, Bible Teacher, Publisher, and so much more. On his death bed it is said his final words on earth were, “so this is death, welcome death.” Let us so walk with the Lord that we will be able to welcome death the end of our earthly life and go forth into the next life God has for us. Like Paul, let us so walk with the Lord we too will be able to say, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Written by Karen Stahl
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