A
daily, Bible-based
perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Wednesday,
June 15, 2005
"I Can't Wait"
"I Can't Wait"
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die
is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
Recently a Christian friend passed away after a long life of service for Christ. At his Memorial Service many shared wonderful tributes concerning the blessing he had been to them. He had worked for many years in prison ministry which yielded much fruit from his labors. Several he had touched through this ministry stood and blessed him.
Before his death, in the final stages of his illness, family members asked him how he was holding up. He looked up at them, gave the thumbs up sign and declared "I can't wait!"
We recognize that both our life and time of death are in God's hands. The stunning perspective of Scripture is, "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).
Paul's perspective on life and death expressed in the daily verse is so liberating. After his conversion on the Damascus road he experienced the great joy that comes to those who live for Christ. It wasn't by any means an easy life but millions since have testified to the joy of serving the living Christ. Many of us have sung the Gaither tune, "life is worth the living just because He lives."
Yet Paul realized that the ultimate experience in his life was yet to come when he expressed "to die is gain." The word translated "gain" has the sense of advantage. In fact a few verses later Paul says, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Phil. 1:23). Several years later Paul is writing his final letter to Timothy and he was aware that "the time has come for my departure." What solid resignation I see in these words as he faced the martyr's death, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
Today, what a joy it is to follow Christ and to have a deep, abiding assurance of His love and the promise of a glorious future. When the time comes for our departure we "gain" and are better by far. Praise the Lord, we who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ are children of the King!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's note: Many of you reading this daily encouragement have a full agenda today. I got started at 5 A.M. this morning since we've invited guests for breakfast and dinner and I have several things I want to accomplish throughout the day. I can become so involved in my plans that they become the entire focus of my attention. But I desire to have a walk much like Paul's when he wrote, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
"Lord, I want You to be at the center of my thoughts, my attitudes, and my actions as I go about this day. In my conversation may my words represent You - Your compassion, Your tenderness, Your forgiveness and Your understanding. May the countenance on my face radiate the beauty of Christ who dwells within. As you grant me the desires of my heart may all glory be given to You. In Jesus name, Amen."
Recently a Christian friend passed away after a long life of service for Christ. At his Memorial Service many shared wonderful tributes concerning the blessing he had been to them. He had worked for many years in prison ministry which yielded much fruit from his labors. Several he had touched through this ministry stood and blessed him.
Before his death, in the final stages of his illness, family members asked him how he was holding up. He looked up at them, gave the thumbs up sign and declared "I can't wait!"
We recognize that both our life and time of death are in God's hands. The stunning perspective of Scripture is, "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).
Paul's perspective on life and death expressed in the daily verse is so liberating. After his conversion on the Damascus road he experienced the great joy that comes to those who live for Christ. It wasn't by any means an easy life but millions since have testified to the joy of serving the living Christ. Many of us have sung the Gaither tune, "life is worth the living just because He lives."
Yet Paul realized that the ultimate experience in his life was yet to come when he expressed "to die is gain." The word translated "gain" has the sense of advantage. In fact a few verses later Paul says, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Phil. 1:23). Several years later Paul is writing his final letter to Timothy and he was aware that "the time has come for my departure." What solid resignation I see in these words as he faced the martyr's death, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
Today, what a joy it is to follow Christ and to have a deep, abiding assurance of His love and the promise of a glorious future. When the time comes for our departure we "gain" and are better by far. Praise the Lord, we who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ are children of the King!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's note: Many of you reading this daily encouragement have a full agenda today. I got started at 5 A.M. this morning since we've invited guests for breakfast and dinner and I have several things I want to accomplish throughout the day. I can become so involved in my plans that they become the entire focus of my attention. But I desire to have a walk much like Paul's when he wrote, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
"Lord, I want You to be at the center of my thoughts, my attitudes, and my actions as I go about this day. In my conversation may my words represent You - Your compassion, Your tenderness, Your forgiveness and Your understanding. May the countenance on my face radiate the beauty of Christ who dwells within. As you grant me the desires of my heart may all glory be given to You. In Jesus name, Amen."
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Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
©
1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission;
and the King James Version.
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Statement: "I am
created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I
have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My
mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to
prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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