August 21, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I have noticed in sporting events that competitors work hard late in the game. As the clock ticks down to zero, the losing side presses to score with the hope they can make up for lost time. Every second counts and in some cases even fractions of a second. Time is important. There is only so much of it available.

Life is not all that different than these contests. There is a limited amount of time for each of us. However, when was the last time you thought about the ticking clock of your life. For the non-Christian every passing second places you closer to an eternity of separation and judgment apart from Christ. This is why it is important for you to believe in him for salvation. The time is now.

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart… because if you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:8b-9).

For the Christian, every passing second places you closer to eternal joy with God in heaven. How then do you want to spend the time while you wait? Of course every person needs appropriate rest and recreation, but are we making the most of the clock? Will we be able to give a good accounting of the time we spend on this earth? Do we live for the moment or for eternity?

Friend, why don’t you make the words of Moses and Paul your own prayer for this week:

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may get a heart of wisdom. Help us to make the best use of the time.” (Ps. 90:12 and Eph. 5:16a)

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder