The Land of the Living and the Land of the Dying

THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND THE LAND OF THE DYING

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116.115

Realizing that he would soon be gone from this world one day, the evangelist, D. L Moody said to a friend. “Someday you will read in the papers that D.L.Moody is dead! Don’t believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now...”

In his final hours before passing to his reward he awakened from a sleep and said, “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. It this is death. It is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go…” And his final words were, “This is my triumph this is my coronation day! It is glorious.”

Is death the end for you or the beginning?

"And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27, NLT

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from amazon.com

Famous Last Words

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV)

"Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!" said Karl Marx, when asked by his housekeeper what his last words were.

But the last words of some Biblical characters really reflects the quality of their lives. When Paul reached the final days of his mission here on earth he looked back and said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course..." In contrast when King Saul came to the end of his days he had to say. "I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly..." How will you end your days? Will you be able to look back with satisfaction and a feeling of fulfilment or will you be filled with regrets at having played the fool and wasted your life?

Don't wait until it is too late. Do something about it now. "Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS - 365 Bible thoughts to ignite your day. Available from Amazon.com

The Fear of Death

"And the last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:26, NLT)

The greatest fear of all is the fear of death. The good news of the gospel is that Christ has won victory over death, and no man or woman who trusts in Jesus Christ needs to be afraid of death.

Christ came to deliver you and your loved ones from the fear of death? How? By dying in your place, that you and I might never have to know real death.

God has delivered from the fear of death those who trust His Son. That's why David could say, in Psalm 34, " I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (v4)

Will it be fear or faith for you, as you face another day? Will you receive His Son as your saviour and your Lord?

From the book, DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. Available from Amazon.com