WHAT WILL YOUR TOMBSTONE READ?
WHAT WILL YOUR TOMBSTONE READ?
October 2021
It's the time of year where people engage in Halloween and horror activities. Personally, I'm not a fan. It doesn't seem to me these things flow from the throne of God, and in fact, come from the opposite. However, since we do want to be relevant, as a church and people of God, I'll move this month's blog in that direction, sort of.
Several of us have just returned from the annual Dove East Coast Leaders Conference. As usual, there is much to process and apply (29 pages of notes worth). One of our speakers described an especially memorable scene I'd like to recreate for you with this article.
He spoke of a time in his older teenager/young adult son's life where the young man was making poor choices. You know. A lot of us have been there. Sexual promiscuity, mind altering drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.
The father drove the son out to a cemetery. They got there, and the son looked uneasily at his father and asked what was going on. The dad suggested they get out and walk around. He asked his son to look around at the headstones. Later, he asked him what he saw about the lives of the people on those headstones. The son replied, "not much". Exactly the point, replied the father. What we make of our lives now will be distilled to just a few words on a headstone at the end of it all. James 4:14 says, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
So let's make the most of every minute of this life while we can! Let's "store up treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Treasure is linked to the heart. What does our heart long for? Does it treasure the things of this world like money, fame, possessions, security, success, power, and influence? Or is our heart longing for Jesus to be the greatest treasure in our life, both now and for eternity? (biblestudytools.com)
As we consider what kind of legacy we may leave, here are six ways we can shape our legacy to be a long-lasting one, and store up treasures in Heaven:
We need a new heart. Colossians 3:2 says "set your mind on things that are above, not things that are on earth."
Help the poor and those in need. (Luke 14:13-14)
Take risks that will honor God. When we are not tied up with fear and anxiety over money and the values of this world are no longer ours, we can live in abandonment to God's will with open hands!
Live a simple life. We need to hold everything loosely in this life as we fix our gaze on the eternal. (Hebrews 12:2)
Seek the Kingdom of God first. (Matthew 6:33)
Trust the Promises of God and do not be anxious! (Matthew 6:27)
With this type of lifestyles, there's no horror, and nothing to fear! Happy Fall!
October 2021
It's the time of year where people engage in Halloween and horror activities. Personally, I'm not a fan. It doesn't seem to me these things flow from the throne of God, and in fact, come from the opposite. However, since we do want to be relevant, as a church and people of God, I'll move this month's blog in that direction, sort of.
Several of us have just returned from the annual Dove East Coast Leaders Conference. As usual, there is much to process and apply (29 pages of notes worth). One of our speakers described an especially memorable scene I'd like to recreate for you with this article.
He spoke of a time in his older teenager/young adult son's life where the young man was making poor choices. You know. A lot of us have been there. Sexual promiscuity, mind altering drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.
The father drove the son out to a cemetery. They got there, and the son looked uneasily at his father and asked what was going on. The dad suggested they get out and walk around. He asked his son to look around at the headstones. Later, he asked him what he saw about the lives of the people on those headstones. The son replied, "not much". Exactly the point, replied the father. What we make of our lives now will be distilled to just a few words on a headstone at the end of it all. James 4:14 says, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
So let's make the most of every minute of this life while we can! Let's "store up treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Treasure is linked to the heart. What does our heart long for? Does it treasure the things of this world like money, fame, possessions, security, success, power, and influence? Or is our heart longing for Jesus to be the greatest treasure in our life, both now and for eternity? (biblestudytools.com)
As we consider what kind of legacy we may leave, here are six ways we can shape our legacy to be a long-lasting one, and store up treasures in Heaven:
We need a new heart. Colossians 3:2 says "set your mind on things that are above, not things that are on earth."
Help the poor and those in need. (Luke 14:13-14)
Take risks that will honor God. When we are not tied up with fear and anxiety over money and the values of this world are no longer ours, we can live in abandonment to God's will with open hands!
Live a simple life. We need to hold everything loosely in this life as we fix our gaze on the eternal. (Hebrews 12:2)
Seek the Kingdom of God first. (Matthew 6:33)
Trust the Promises of God and do not be anxious! (Matthew 6:27)
With this type of lifestyles, there's no horror, and nothing to fear! Happy Fall!
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