I was talking with a group of guys over the weekend about money. They seemed mesmerized and obsessed by the fact that I made multi-millions of dollars and it seemed at times that no amount of talk seemed persuasive enough to dissuade them from their belief that money is what it’s all about and money is THE “bomb”. In fact money won’t even come close to giving them the peace, joy, and love in their lives that they innately desire. (Ask anyone who has it.)
I told them that fame, power, and the achievement of big things won’t do it either. Even my pointing out that plenty of people had amply demonstrated that fact including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobaine, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, innumerable lottery winners, and famous athletes with mega contracts. Tons of wealthy, famous, powerful people with all kinds of accomplishments are miserable, so miserable in fact that after they turn to alcohol, drugs, failed marriages, and hedonistic wild living, and they discover that nothing fills the void in their hearts, many end up taking their own lives.
They need to try God.
I told those men that the entire world had it backwards. The overwhelming majority of us are madly chasing everything but the right things. I warned them, “I’ve tried a little of everything that this old world has to offer and I can truthfully say, that you won’t find what you’re looking for in a needle, a crack pipe, a line of cocaine, a barroom, a bedroom, smoking a joint, a big bank account, a private jet, a yacht, buying a big fancy car, Bearer bonds, a Rolex watch, achieving business success, or buying star sapphire jewels. All that stuff gets old after a while and you sadly shake your head and say is this all there is to life?
The average person lives 77.9 years and then we live forever, either in heaven or hell. If you knew that you were going to die today at 3:00 p.m. what would you pack for your trip today? THINK ABOUT THIS! Selah… Would you bring some cash, that new Armani suit, that big swimming pool, that new bass boat, those golf clubs, that super bowl ring, or maybe some of those gold coins you’ve been buying in case Obama gets re-elected and the economy and our country tanks?
Hmmm… We aren’t allowed any of those things in heaven or for that matter hell. When we die we only take what we’ve done in this world. So I can tell you unequivocally, that all of us are already packed and ready to go face God at this very moment.
Are you ready, or do you need some more time? If you need more time, you better get going because time is running out, at least according to the Bible.
The guys that I was speaking with this weekend were in a state prison in Dallas Texas. I was there as a platform speaker for the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions prison ministry event. A new record was set with over 800 Teammates going into 18 units in the Dallas Fort Worth area. 4,234 inmates made life changing decisions for Christ. 1,572 for the first time! Praise the Lord!
We didn’t get paid to go to this event; in fact most of us paid our own ways. We missed two days of work and our weekend. I missed some good football games including the Georgia Dawgs; I missed opening day of deer season in my area; golfers missed spending beautiful days on the links, and we all missed spending time with family and friends.
What I gained was seeing people who would otherwise go to hell find Jesus Christ and are now going to heaven. I got to see tears rolling down hardened men’s eyes as they realized that as tough as they are they still need God to heal them. I witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit moving through prison yards and pods and the awesome feeling that comes from seeing men and women wonderfully come to Christ. That cannot be bought for any amount of money.
Recently my father was interviewed about his role in World War II. He is 91 years old and still has a sharp mind and they wanted to talk with someone who could remember what it was like. They filmed him for several hours and finished up by asking him how old he wanted to live. He responded he wanted to live to the ripe old age of 95 and then die at the hands of a jealous husband.
He of course was joking and spends the better part of his week preparing his Sunday school lesson that he still teaches to a class of 12 senior adults. He will be taking 40 years of teaching Sunday school on his trip as well as many other good works that won’t get him into heaven, (only the blood of Christ manages that feat), but his works will enable him to enjoy it more when he gets there.
Dad made a valid point with his joke though. So many people in life really do have worldly goals, or in fact are flippant about facing death. I’ve seen that type mood dramatically change when a bad medical test result indicated in clear terms that there is an end to this life and we won’t live forever in these flawed bodies. The thought of facing almighty God today just might get us to thinking about this eh? Selah…
It was interesting to me this weekend to attend the 40 year celebration where Bill Glass was honored for starting his ministry. Over 1,000,000 souls have come to know Christ during that time and will spend eternity in heaven. Millions of others will come to know Christ through the testimony of those who found Jesus through this ministry. It has changed countless lives, saved billions of dollars in recidivism, saved marriages and brought estranged families back together. Ironically Bill stood at the podium as he preached at his celebration and said he wants to die at 95 years old preaching the gospel to lost souls in a prison yard.
He is packed and ready for his trip to eternity and when he arrives he will be greeted by a swarm of those folks… I have no doubt…
The Bible asks a simple question in Matthew 16:26 that we all need to keep foremost in our minds as we head out this week, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Nothing is more important. But you are right most of us do have some time yet on the clock. And with that in mind we are in great jeopardy and our country will lose a great deal if Obama and his antichrist agenda is re-elected tomorrow. If you haven’t already voted, please vote for Romney today! Much is at stake! (*sic)
*Note: it was hard to get that point in and I know it doesn’t fit the theme today. No letters please…
Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’