BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH: SCHOLAR? STUDENT?
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
WHAT IS AHEAD? I often listen to Doctor Laura. One of her questions is: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH? That space of time is seldom known. Some are short timers here. If the Lord tarries others might have a long time on earth. EVERYTHING FROM THE BEGINNING OF CREATION UNTIL NOW IS GOD PREPARING US FOR WHAT IS AHEAD? ARE WE READY? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH?
NATURE TEACHES US TWO STYLES FOR LIFE: INSTINCT AND LEARNING.
Proverbs 6:5 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. 7 Nobody has to tell it what to do. 8 All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions.
BEE: I love TO STUDY ANTS AND BEES. I ask for an ant farm in 1974 when I graduated college. For months we studied and read about ants and bees.
While taking a class in college I had a professor teach a lesson about BEES FLYING and how they communicate with each other. The doctor taught about the AERODYNAMICS of a bee’s body. The shape that causes much drag while moving through the air. The bee’s body is short and fat. The wings are also short. He went on to explain that the honey bee cannot possibly fly. The wasps are rounded and tapered to the back. The bee is not aerodynamic and there is much drag. The bee’s tiny wings span and heavy body are not conducive to flight. The professor when on to explain, GOD MADE THE BEE AND BLEW UNDER ITS WINGS AND TOLD IT TO FLY. SEEMS THE BEE LISTENED AND DID NOT KNOW THE LAWS AND ANATOMY OF AERODYNAMICS. WHEN GOD SAID FLY, THE BEE TOOK TO THE SKYS. He also said: PRAY THAT MAN NEVER LEARNS TO COMMUNICATE WITH BEES. IF MAN GETS THAT SMART, WE WILL NEVER HAVE NATURAL HONEY. WHAT WILL I DO BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH?
*INSTINCT: options, an inheritable tendency that does not involve reasoning, such as sleeping, eating, drinking, innate fixed pattern, a natural or inheritable aptitude, impulse, anger, fear, pleasure, panic, seeking, looking and grief are examples of instinct.
*LEARN: to understand or retain, to study, progress, growth, to read, apply knowledge, to gain or acquire knowledge, skill experience, to gain by understanding, instruction, new skills, to remember, visual learning, touching-smelling, auditory learning, experience, learning by doing.
*PURPOSE: goal, short term---long term goals, the reason something is done, why something exists, intention, aim, goal.
THE LONG HAUL? WHAT WILL I DO BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH? WILL WE RECEIVE THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD? WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS WE FACE TO ETERNAL SUCCESS BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH?
Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Proverbs 19:21 (MSG) We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD's purpose prevails.
Isaiah 46:10 (MSG) From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do,'
God had set a purpose that Jesus would be handed over to death. The redemptive plan is critical to our redemption and forgiveness. What am I going to do? Will I stay the same? Will I change?
HOW DO WE MEASURE? IT IS SAID ONE OF THE MOST DRIVING INSTINCTS IS SEEKING, FINDING… EVERYONE IS SEACHING FOR SOMETHING… LIFE TEACHES ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER MEASURES OF SUCCESS IS HAPPINESS, JOY AND PLEASURE.
July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was written. It says: LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. Freedom should bring more freedom, liberty, PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and economics. The Happiness comes from the pursuit of happiness. Are we physical beings on earth to find pleasure and being happy? Could God’s plan be we are eternal beings searching to find real meaning? THE LASTEST STATS I HAVE READ SAYS: 33% OF THE USA ARE HAPPY. The USA is listed as the 24th happiness nation in the world. Finland then Denmark are listed as the happiest nations in the world? Is happiness correlated to money and satisfaction? Could happiness be found in BALANCE OF LIFE and RELATIONSHIPS?
THE GREATEST ENEMY OF GOD IS IGNORANCE OF AND A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WORD. SEEMS WE GET LOST IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS…
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:13 (MSG) You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
Proverbs 3:13 (NLT2) Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
Proverbs 19:8 (NLT2) To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 19:8 (MSG) Grow a wise heart—you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you'll find a good life.
IGNORANCE IS A TRAP THAT DOOMS. ONE OF OUR ENEMY’S GREATEST TOOL IS IGNORANCE.
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
You cannot practice and believe what you don’t know.
1 Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Hosea 4:6 (MSG) My people are ruined because they don't know what's right or true. Because you've turned your back on knowledge, I've turned my back on you priests. Because you refuse to recognize the revelation of God, I'm no longer recognizing your children.
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
WE SEE IN PART. WE JUST SEE A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE… LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN… I SEE BROKEN PIECES… GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE.HAPPY ARE THE PEOPLE THAT FIND AND EXERCISE WISDOM. TRUST IN THE LORD AND LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING….
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5 (MSG) Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. 6 Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (MSG) We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
WHAT DO YOU WANT BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH? WHAT WOULD WE SAY IF GOD ASK US THE QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WANT? JUST ASK?
SOLOMON’S ANSWER WAS CLEAR. : UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. WHAT DO YOU WANT?
1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
1Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH. WE MUST APPLY EFFORT AND TAKE THE YOKE OF SHARING… LEARNING.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
ARE WE REALLY LEARNING, BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE ARE LACKING IN SKILLS AND WE NEED TO KNOW MORE.
I am told there was a happy old man. People came from far and wide to sit at this man’s feet and learn. One day a young man asked him: HOW DID YOU GET SUCH WISDOM? It was evening. The old man said: Saddle up the fastest horse and ride as fast as possible. Go due east until you come to a big river. Take these big saddle bags and fill them up with the rocks from the river bank. The young man rode for hours. He was so tired. He finally arrived at the river. He jumped off the horse and grabbed two handfuls of rocks and put them in saddle bag. He jumped back up on the horse and headed back to the old man’s house. The sun was coming up. The young man found the old man sitting in his rocking chair. The young man emptied the saddle bags. There was two handfuls of diamonds, pearls and rare gems. The young man now sees he had the potential of picking up much more than he had. He thought he was picking up rocks. He never realized the treasures that was before him. What might have been? This is the story of learning and education. In the darkness of the night he could have had filled his bags. He wasted the opportunities before him. He was lazy. He was in a hurry. He never valued the opportunity.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
COULD I BE MORE DILIGENT AND APPLY A GREATER EFFORT? Seems we are learning more and more about less and less until we finally know everything about nothing? What is truth? The truth shall set you free.
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH WILL I PLEASE GOD… DOES GOD APPROVE OF YOUR TIME, TALENT AND ENERGY USAGE? WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON DOING OUR BEST… STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED… PERSISTENT, ZEAL, IN EARNEST, ACCOUNTABLE, DILIGENT AND CONSISTENT IN GOD’S WORD.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT2) Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Philippians 2:12 (NLT2) Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH WORK HARD… TEN SUGGESTIONS? TEN REQUIREMENTS --- COMMANDMENTS.
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
THERE IS COMING A DAY BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH THAT WE NEED A CLEAR VISION TO DO MORE… A LITTLE DREAM? A BIG DREAM?
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
CONCLUSION: Today we have a society and church that seems satisfied with the STATUS QUO. We have a spirit of PERPETUAL BABYHOOD and little focus on maturity, change and growth. THE SPIRIT OF THE SAME OLD SAME OLD WILL HINDER GROWTH. Let us continue in the path of growth and learning..
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol..com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
WHAT IS THE ENEMY OF GETTING BETTER? BEING GOOD?
