1 CORINTHIANS 15:51

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2007

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE?

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51 (NKJV)

In our part of this world, we are ready for a change to warmer weather, and others are ready for change from the heavy snows, winds, rains and other inclement weather. The stores are hoping that people are ready for a change to spring and summer clothing. Many seek a change of residence or employment, even of lifestyle, Unfortunately, few are ready for the change that St. Paul talks about.

St. Paul tells us that at an unknown moment when the Lord returns and life on Earth ends, we shall all be changed. He says in the next verse that this will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye--not as long as it takes to blink the eyelid--but as quick as a twinkle, we shall all be changed. That is even quicker than instant death due to an accident, a murder, a tidal wave such as was in Indonesia, a hurricane, a tornado, a bolt of lightning, or any other kind of sudden death. In all of these, there is a moment of pain or fear before the deadly event occurs; yet if we have not given our life to our Lord, even that moment does not give us enough time to make that decision.

The doctor tells us that we have a terminal illness and have maybe days, weeks, or months to live, but cannot give us an exact date. People react differently to that news. Some make no changes in their way of life. Some turn to prayer and the reading of God's Word, not for healing, but that they might receive the forgiveness of sins and eagerly await the day when they are called to Life Eternal.

We have been given the diagnosis that we are spiritually terminally ill. Here again, no date is given, just a promise that we will all be changed. Here is the difference. When death comes before the return of Christ, our souls rests until the day of His return. When Christ returns, without further warning, the living and the dead will all be changed. To those who believe and live that belief, the Lord will say, Come ye blessed of my Father. To those who have chosen not to be a follower of Christ, He will say, Depart from me. Are you ready for a change that WILL come in the twinkling of an eye?

WE PRAY: LORD, send your Holy Spirit upon me and fill me with eagerness to live in your Name. Help me to not be afraid of death or of Your return on that Last Day, but to look forward to being received into Your Everlasting Arms of Love. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Simply ask yourself if you are ready for that moment when your life on earth ends. If you make plans for a vacation or even for a simple event for today or this week, do you spend just as much time preparing to be with Jesus in His Everlasting mansions?