As the seasons of our lives seem to be only memories now, I’m sure, like me you wonder how time passed so quickly? Some of those memories make you laugh, cry, and even marvel at how you managed to get through some of those deep valleys. Our thoughts turn to our loved ones and friends that have gone on before us, of course, we miss then … that doesn’t go away but as Christians, we have eternity to be with them again … don’t we?

Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about today. Today I’ll tell you how you can be sure where this adventure called life ends you will start a greater one and live forever. Let’s find out how it’s done, and what better example could we use than Paul. Let’s look at what he wrote to Timothy;

2 Timothy 4:6-8 ⁶  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Many people think about the last years of life as an opportunity to just relax. But this does not align with God’s purpose for us; He wants us to serve Him all the days of our lives.

Let’s look at the apostle Paul’s journey and explore what it means to finish well. He spent time pouring into others until the very end of his life. Consider the letters he wrote to Timothy from a prison cell prior to being executed. In every season of life, God calls us to serve others.

And notice how, when writing about his life, the apostle chose words descriptive of a battle. He understood the human struggle against sin as well as the challenges of pain and persecution in the trials we all face–even in doing kingdom work like preaching Christ to a fiercely resistant society.

This godly servant’s life was also marked by surrender. His mindset is obvious in these words: “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1). He was not afraid of Nero, nor was he struggling to stay alive. Paul trusted God to determine everything about his life, including where he would go, what he would do, and when he would die. Death did not scare him, because he knew he would dwell with Jesus forever.

God doesn’t require our lives to be perfect in order to finish strong. We can live life fully and be ready to meet our Maker by surrendering, walking victoriously with Christ, and serving others. If Jesus called you home today, would you–like Paul–be confident that you lived well until the end? Have you received Jesus in your heart? (John 14:6) It makes no difference how good a person you’ve been, how much you’ve given, or how many you’ve helped it won’t be enough to get you through the gates. (Ephesians 2:9). That sounds harsh I know but if you could pay your way to heaven that would mean even the worst sinner could be there, look how money and power corrupt our country. Only through Jesus Christ can you enter the kingdom of God and that means putting your faith and trust in Him and Him alone, not politicians, government, or a TV evangelist even. Go to Romans 10:9-10, read that, do that and mean it and your ticket is in hand, already paid for at the cross. once you’ve made that commitment pick up your bible ( if you don’t have one let us know and we’ll send you one for free, including shipping) and get into the living word. If you truly make that comment your life will change forever.

My prayer for you:

Heavenly Father, I ask forgiveness for our sins and your grace and mercy to abound.

Father, your word says you want no one to perish but to have everlasting life. Your word shows us how to do that in Romans 10:9-10, so today, right now, I pray for the person reading this message to ask you into their heart. It’s between you Lord, and them. You know our hearts and you know if the comment is real.  I pray for the lost and somehow, someway they learn about you and make the conscious effort to change their lives and ask you into their hearts.

You are our most high God and know the number of each of our days, I pray for all serving you, no matter their age, they will continue praising your name and being the godly example you expect them to be.

Lord, our country needs you, I pray for godly and righteous leadership to be put in place and all the self-serving, ungodly politicians to be revealed and dealt with according to your word. We need moral healing as well as physical healing and I pray your mercies for that.

I  pray you to radicate this COVID virus for our land, form the world, and healing to begin.

Lord, touch our president, and direct him in the way you want our country to go, give him strength and courage to follow your word and bring us back to a Godly nation.

We thank you, Father, for all your grace and mercy, we give you all the praise and glory!

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen