Whatever you are doing right now, halt!  Stop doing whatever it is that you are doing.  Pause…rest…sit still.  This is no time for any type of multi-tasking.  I need to have your focused, undivided, and total attention…..not for long, just for this discussion.

I am as serious as a heart attack, and believe me, I know what I am talking about.  I need you to be just as serious as I am for this discussion.  Turn off the radio, cell phone, T.V. or any other noise or distraction.  I must have your mind locked in to what you are now listening to or reading.

Remember when you first possessed something…no matter what it was…that was extremely valuable.  Do you remember that this precious “something”  not only cost a lot of money, but also required a mighty sacrifice on your or someone else’s part in order to obtain it?  Did you notice that whatever “it” was that you held in such a lofty, revered, and valuable position was also recognized, esteemed, and highly “prized” by lots of other people too?  Oh the joy!…that this item brought into your life….and that it was yours!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime possession.  It was valuable beyond most people’s understanding.  It was one of those “things” that everyone wants, but only a few actually possess.  This item, once it belonged to you, brought peace, life, joy, and happiness to you.  It ushered in health and prosperity to whoever owned it.  It was something everyone wanted, longed for, and greatly desired.  The sad fact was that this valuable item although available to anyone who really wanted it, was possessed only by those who would take the necessary steps to acquire it.  Therefore, because it required effort to obtain, it was held only by a minority of the population. 

Think about this…it was highly valuable, highly desirable, and greatly beneficial to life itself, but you had to first know about it and then do some required effort before you could obtain it……it was available to all, but possessed only by a few.

Have you now identified what ever “it” is in your life?  Do you have a mental picture of “it”?  I hope so.

Whatever “it” is for you….cling tight to it.  Use it!  Don’t Waste It!

A Story Please……Many years ago in a small community in the heartland of America an aged old man lived all by himself, almost a recluse.  There was a small church within this community.  The church members had for years, nay, decades been concerned for the old man.  They had tried time and time again to befriend him, to reach out to him, to embrace him into their spiritual fold…..all to no avail.  The members had prayed for this man’s Christian salvation for decades, but he refused to respond or attend any activities to which he was invited.  He grew older and weaker as time continued to pass.

As it usually goes in small communities, most folks know all about all the other people’s lives as well as the comings and goings of the entire populace of the town.  The word was out that a special, well-known traveling evangelist was to preach a sermon in their little church.   When Sunday morning came, for some strange and unknown reason, the old man showed up to hear the itinerant preacher deliver his message.   At the conclusion of the powerful service, during a hymn, to everyone’s amazement, the old man stood up, walked straight to the preacher, and took him by the hand.  The two of them sat down together in the front pew of the church as the congregation was dismissed.

God opened the old man’s heart to the Gospel of Christ, and he was saved from his sins and given eternal life…..But that did not stop him from sobbing and saying, as the tears ran down his wrinkled face,….“I have wasted it!  I’ve wasted it!”

Oh dear ones, please listen….No matter who you are, what your background, what you think or how you conduct yourself, you are a creation of God Almighty.  God knew you in the womb.  He knitted you together and fearfully and wonderfully designed and made you.   He has a master plan and purpose for your life.  It is the greatest gift you will ever be given… But…you must understand and accept His gift before you can receive the blessings of this Gift.

Every person reading or listening to this blog fits into one of only two separate categories.  You are either a Believer or a Nonbeliever.  That’s It.  It is either one or the other.  A “sort-of” or “partial” believer is, in fact, a nonbeliever.  Life is that pure and simple.  There is no middle ground.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then you are known as a Christian.  Therefore you are not your own.  Christ has bought you at the price of his own death.  By becoming a true believer, you now belong two-fold to God:  He (1) created you and He (2) bought you.  You are His! And that means your life is not your own.  It is God’s.  Now God’s Holy Word, The Bible, says as a Believer you are to “Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (see 1Cor 6:20).   You see, God made you for this purpose.  THIS IS THE MEANING OF YOUR LIFE!….To Glorify God in your body and in your spirit in everything you think, do, and say.

Now if you are not a Christian, what I just described is what Jesus Christ offers to you:  doubly belonging to God, and being able to do what you were made for,…what you were made to do…Glorify God with the living of your life, so as to be able to rule and reign with Him throughout all eternity.

Now I will admit to you that what I just said may not sound too exciting to you, at least at this very moment.  This Glorifying God business may mean nothing to you at present, but if you will simply trust God with your life now and forever more, invite Jesus Christ into your own heart and accept the Truth of the Gospel of Christ, then you will be saved from your sins and have eternal life!  You will then become a Believer and receive all of the blessings Christ has for you.  You will be able to live a life created for joy, and you will be able to live your life on purpose for THE LORD !

Allow me to share with you a quick word of caution.  The path of God-exalting joy will cost you your life.  There is a price that must be paid for all great success.  You should well know by now that there is no such thing as a free lunch.  Jesus said in His Holy Word, “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”  In other words, it is better to lose your life than to waste it.

If you believe in Jesus Christ and you live happily in The Lord, and you live in such a manner as to gladly make others glad and happy in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full!

Listen or read very carefully.  Some of you will die in the service of Christ.  That will not be a tragedy.  Treasuring your own life above Christ is a tragedy.  

Most precious and treasured friends, remember…..You only have one life.  That is all you have!  You were made for God.  DON’T WASTE IT!

Peace and Love to All of You………Poppa Bear