LIVE WISELY ...

This week the Christian faith lost (in this life) one of its great spokesmen in Chuck Colson.  He was a glowing example of a transformed life, a brilliant speaker, an articulate defender of the faith, a dedicated servant of prisoners and a tireless advocate for the betterment of society.  He wasn’t a perfect man, but he was a good man.

King David prayed to God: "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."  Psalm 39:4

Chuck was 80 years young at the time of his home going and since his conversion to Christ; he intentionally lived with the end in view.  Colson understood that he had only one short earthly life to accomplish something significant for the Lord, and he lived with great gusto to that end. 

James the brother of our Lord wrote in chapter 4 of his letter, ¹⁴ “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.”

It is no different for us.  Our earthly life is so microscopically small in relationship to eternity, and it passes seemingly in the twinkling of an eye – even 80 years.  From time to time we should pause and reflect up on who and what we are living for, the manner of our lifestyle, and the legacy that we will leave behind for others. 

One news commentary stated, “In 2008, Colson was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for “his good heart and his compassionate efforts to renew a spirit of purpose in the lives of countless individuals.”

What will you be remembered for when your earthly life transitions into your eternal life?  What will be said about you and your life contributions?  Who will you have influenced and will that influence have been for the glory of God and the good of mankind?

We read in Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

The meaning of the original Hebrew is a request that God help us realize how short our lives are.  The implication is that when we realize how little time we have left to live, we should live it wisely.”

May we be challenged by these Biblical truths and by the example of Chuck Colson to live each day wisely - starting today!

EASTER???

John 20:1 - 18

THE CONFUSION

¹ Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ² So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

·        This week ask a few people about the meaning of Easter and about the empty tomb.  Listen to what they have to say the meaning of the holiday and to their explanation as to why the tomb of Jesus is empty.  Would you describe them as being more Convinced or Confused?

THE EXAMINATION

³ So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴ Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

⁶ Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷ as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.

⁸ Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹ (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) ¹⁰ Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

·        After you talk with people about the meaning of Easter and the subject of the empty tomb, challenge them to honestly examine the historical facts concerning the resurrection of Jesus (offer to provide one of the JESUS books that Grace makes available for this purpose).

THE QUESTION

¹¹ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹² and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³ They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

¹⁴ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

·        Ask some people this week who Jesus is to them [Liar? Learned Teacher? Lunatic? Legend?  Likeable Guy?  Lord?] and whether they feel they have or can have a personal relationship with Him.

THE REVELATION

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

¹⁷ Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

·        Pray that the Lord will reveal and make Himself known to the people you have talked with and that they might respond positively to Him.

THE CONFESSION

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

·        Use the week of Easter to talk with others about your faith in Jesus … it’s a choice that I hope you will take advantage of.