The Edge of Seventeen

On October 28, my oldest daughter, Morgan Lee, will have another birthday. As is the case with every parent, one ponders such times as this; how quickly they've grown, and the road that's ahead of them. It goes without saying that the world is a far more sinister place than it was in 1982 when I crossed the same threshhold. Evil men and seducers have waxed worse and worse; just as the bible said would happen. The world is merging into a single governing entity; just as the bible said would happen. The great falling away is ongoing as many today no longer endure sound doctrine but rather, heap unto themselves teachers, having itching ears, just as the bible said would happen. As a result, Morgan is maturing into a far more deceptive world than the one that existed on my seventeenth birthday, a mere twenty four years ago. In additon to Morgan, we have three other children whos names are:

Megan Marie- age 13

Matthew Edward- age 11

Ryan Lane- age 8.

As you can imagine, their well being is formost on my mind as is the case with every parent; not only in the physical world, but, more importantly in the spiritual realm. Each one of them has an eternal soul that will remain LONG after this present evil world has melted with a fervent heat. We tend to throw the bulk of our effort into preparing them for the world that is now, but will soon not be, while neglecting the more important issues. I'm as guilty as anyone concerning this and we all need to give heed to the things that are of real importance. This doesn't mean that you take your family, head to the tallest mountain, and sing "I'll Fly Away." (even though the moment of our Lords return is always in the forefront of our mind) It means that you put your priorities in the proper order. In other words, planning for the road ahead is indeed important, however, even the best laid plans won't amount to a hill of beans if today should happen to be your final one on this earth. Believe me, I'm not trying to sound negative, ( if a person is born again, leaving this world is absolutly not a negative) I'm just trying to be brutally honest. Here's a few verses to explain where I'm coming from.

(Proverbs 27:1) Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

(Ecclesiastes 2:16) For there is no rememberance of the wise more than the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? As the fool.

(Matthew 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Just a thought before continuing. If Jesus was to be on the earth in a body of flesh today, how many churches would invite him to preach?

(II Corinthians 4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(II Corinthians 5:10-11) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made minifest in your conscience.

(I Timothy 6:7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (read this whole chapter; it's very enlightening, as is all scripture.)

(James 4:13-15) Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

(I Peter 1:24-25) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Here is the conclusion of this post: You are here for a very short time. Your time here can come to an end with little or no warning, You will stand before God and give an account of the things done in this life. It's good to have a plan for this life as we each are in this world and have to live day to day. But know also, that you may never see your plans come to fruition. The only thing that really matters is "DO YOU KNOW JESUS?" If you have never asked Jesus to forgiove you of your sin; to come into your heart and save you, please do it today. Eventually your final day WILL play out and then, all of your best laid plans will be nothing more than just that; "plans" that never came to be. But if you give your heart to Jesus, you'll have joy unspeakable in this life; be it long or short, and when it's over, eternal life with joy that you can't even begin to imagine. Please choose wisely.

If I had gone into eternity when I was seventeen, I would be in hell at this very moment with no hope whatsoever. There are no second chances after this life is over; there's no such place as purgatory and you don't reincarnate as somebody else. These are doctrines of men which have no scriptural backing. If, however, you sincerely ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and save you, he will do so at the moment you ask. Your name will be written in heaven and you'll be a new creation in Christ. He paid for your sins on the cross so that you could live forever with him in eternity. Please accept the gift of eternal life before it's too late