Life Journal, September 15, 2009
Today's readings: Ezekiel 38, 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

What Really Matters

Scripture

And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20.11-15

Observation

Someday it will matter if our name is in the Book of Life and what we have done here on earth with our lives.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

So many people worry about the "end times." They spend lots of time trying to figure out when it is going to happen. I think there are more important things to worry about--because we don't know when Jesus will return (Jesus tells us that ONLY the Father knows when it is going to happen).

Our first concern is that our name is in the Book of Life. Have I given my life to Jesus--really given my life to Him?? If I have it will show!!!

Next--what am I doing with my life. If I am going to stand before God someday and answer for what I have done, then I think I should be thinking about what that might look like. What took first place in my life? Who/what did I serve? Who did I love? Who did I share the love of God with? Did I love the unloveable? Did I reach out to the poor and homeless and hungry? Did I make a difference in the name of Jesus? Did I live for myself or for Jesus??

Rather than worry about when all of it is going to happen, I need to focus on the here and now--who is in charge of my life and how I am living my life. I have some work to do!

Prayer

Father God, help me to focus on living my life for You today. May I be found loving You, loving others in Your name, and impacting the world for You! May I never settle for anything less--because in the end, nothing else will matter!