Tuesday, November 12, 2019

GOOD REASONS TO NUMBER YOUR DAYS - If Jesus does not return in our lifetime, we must be prepared for physical death. There is no pain in death for the believer. However, there will be pain before the judgment seat of Christ if we have wasted the precious days that were given to us from God. We do not know for sure if the day we spend is our last day on this earth. If we miss opportunities of divine callings, we may never get to redo that moment. Our earthly possessions are not going with us to heaven. We have need of things for survival, yet we must be careful not to put too much value in them. Instead we should use our financial resources to further the gospel of Jesus — leading to the eternal rewards of seeing many people come to Christ.


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Number Your Days
6 Good Reasons To Number Your Days
by CRYSTAL MCDOWELL


God has put eternity into the hearts of all people. Although many people deny the reality of living forever — everyone will either one day rejoice in heaven or suffer in hell.
If Jesus does not return in our lifetime, we must be prepared for physical death.
There is no pain in death for the believer.
However, there will be pain before the judgment seat of Christ if we have wasted the precious days that were given to us from God.
Check out these 6 good reasons we need to number our days on this earth.
The key to numbering our days carefully is to remain closely connected to the Savior in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.
-  Reason #1 - Tomorrow is not promised to you
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
The sudden death of a loved one reminds us of our mortality on this earth.
How could it be that someone we see alive now be dead in minutes or days? Yet it happens every day.
We are reminded that we must work every day for the Lord as if it were our last. Not in a frenzied panic, but rather thoughtful and careful consideration.  
We do not know for sure if the day we spend is our last day on this earth.
-  Reason #2 - Life on earth could be shorter than you think
“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?’” (Luke 12:20).
The rich fool invested much of his time and effort towards building earthly riches — only to find himself unable to breathe one moment longer than God allowed.
We are not only aware of our own mortality but of the brevity of life of people younger than us. We can be responsible in our savings, investing, and preparing for our families just in case the Lord calls us home.
However we must also spiritually invest enough so that we would not be lacking in heaven due to poor planning.
-  Reason #3 - Many missed opportunities cannot be restored
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:15).
The problem with decisions we make in life is that we may not always get a second chance. If we miss opportunities of divine callings, we may never get to redo that moment.
When Moses hit the rock instead of speaking to it, God would not allow him to enter the Promised Land even though Moses begged him to change His mind.
While there is hope even after a missed calling, we must make the most of every opportunity.
-  Reason #4 - Relationships with family and friends could end without warning
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).
We can easily take our family and friends for granted — assuming that they will always be around and available.
Yet that is not the case, our closest companions could be snatched away at a moment’s notice and we do not want our last memory to be overwhelmed with regret.
We love, hug, and speak tenderly to those who God has placed us around knowing that we don’t always get a second chance in our relationships.
-  Reason #5 - All earthly possessions have limited value compared to heavenly rewards
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’” (Luke 12:15).
Most of us have to work in one way or another to provide for ourselves and our family members.
However we must remember that our earthly possessions are not going with us to heaven. We have need of things for survival, yet we must be careful not to put too much value in them. 
Instead we should use our financial resources to further the gospel of Jesus — leading to the eternal rewards of seeing many people come to Christ.
-  Reason #6 - Future reward awaits those who make the most of their time in the Lord
“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).
There are rewards for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Lord will give to each of us based on the measure of the work we completed in His name.
We number our days in order to accommodate God’s will and plan for our lives.
Just as getting a promotion and pay raise are significant in this world — it will be of even more significance when we get to heaven.
Number your Days Carefully
Since tomorrow is not promised to us, we can take hope that our God is the God of the past, present, and future.
He makes all grace abound towards those who love Him to accomplish His purpose for their lives.
The key to numbering our days carefully is to remain closely connected to the Savior in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.
The Lord has cautioned us in His Word -
“…  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:16  (ESV)
Consider your position now before the inevitable happens.

Crystal McDowell and her husband of 22 years raise their five children in the Midwest. She writes, speaks, and teaches with a passion to encourage women with Biblical truths. As a freelance writer for over 12 years, Crystal has written numerous Christian curricula for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She gives weekly words of encouragement on her blog: Crystal McDowell Speaks
https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/6-good-reasons-to-number-your-days/

Settle that sin issue by saying this prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I surrender my life to You.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus Name. Amen.”


6 Good Reasons To Number Your Days

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