“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
THIS HE SPOKE SIGNIFYING BY WHAT DEATH HE WOULD GLORIFY GOD. (John 21:17-18)
Peter
This verse and history tells us that Peter was martyred. He knew beforehand when and how he would die. The Lord had shown him.
“…knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.” (2 Peter 1:14)
This is the reason he slept in perfect peace the night of his execution (Acts 12:6-7). The angel had to strike him to wake him up. Jesus told him that he would die in his old age. Peter wasn’t old yet, so he knew he would not be executed by Herod.
But outside of martyrdom, we all have a promise of long life we can claim, especially if we live right.
“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”(Psalms 91:16)
Did you know that when, and even how we die, is more up to us than the Lord. Listen to the words of Paul
PAUL
“according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also CHRIST WILL BE MAGNIFIED IN MY BODY by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and TO DIE IS GAIN. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; YET WHAT I SHALL CHOOSE I CANNOT TELL. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is FAR BETTER. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith…” (Philippians 1:20-25)
You see, Paul had a choice whether he would die or not. He knew it was far better to go than to stay, but for the sake of ministering to the saints he chose to stay. That is the attitude I have chosen, too, because I’m just getting to the place where I can be of maximum blessing to the saints myself. But that is not always the reason believers want to live. To be a blessing to others is the most godly reason to keep on living. To live selfishly and do what you please is not a glory.
Ever since my recent long bout with sickness, I talk to the Lord about death and my departure quite often. He told me He would carry me to an advanced old age. That this was my most fruitful decade. That He would make me a father to many. That I would love the saints as John the beloved loved the saints. That He would satisfy me with long life. Those are personal promises to me. I believe them all. And you can too!
LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY AND MAKE A PACT WITH GOD
Make a pact with God. After all, He’s your Father. Live until you’re satisfied! If you are living for God, you have say-so in how and when you depart from this life. You not only have a love relationship with God as your Father, but you also have a working relationship with Him. If you are really living for Him, He is your employer. I don’t know about you, but I have made an agreement with Him. You can, too. Believe it! It’s all in the Word.
I LOVE THE YOUNG GENERATION
I love these young evangelists I’ve recently connected with from CFAN. Some of them are such excellent and honorable young men. One said to me the other day concerning our calling to win souls and evangelize the nations, “Let’s do this until we die!”
Another said, “Let’s do this for the rest of our lives.” I love that heartfelt attitude toward living for the Lord and laboring with Him in the harvest fields of humanity. What else is there? Why are we here? Isn’t it to preach the gospel and to make Jesus known, and be a blessing to humanity?
I have another older friend who like me, is now in his 60s. Recently he asked the Lord for 20 more strong years to labor for Him. I like that!
Your older years should be the most fruitful and blissful years of your life. Why? Because you have more life experience, glory, and wisdom to give away to the younger generation. Your gray head is your glory! Although my wife insists I color it! LOL! I tell her, “Sweetheart, why are you wanting me to cover my glory?”
“Because it makes you look ten years younger!” she says. Haha!
What is it with some of you wives and women? You want the best of both worlds. A younger looking man with glory and wisdom. As they say, it’s a woman’s world! LOL!
NEVER FEAR DEATH
If you are a believer, never fear death. To die is to gain. According to the Word of God, to die is far better than to live. Never feel sorry for a believer who dies. They are with the Lord and wouldn’t want to return even if they could. Oh glory to God! Hallelujah!
Oh friend, if you don’t know the Lord and have not really been living for Him, you can change right now. Surrender your life to Jesus. He loves you so much! His goodness and mercy is reaching out to you right now in your hour of need. You will never regret your decision to live for Him. I love you so much and want you in heaven with me forever. What is that worth to you?
Just say these words from your heart:
“Jesus, I give you my heart and my life right now. Be my Lord and Savior. From this day forth I will do my best to follow You and live for You.”
Abundant grace and peace to all.
Please share this with others who need to receive this message. For more heartfelt messages like this please, please subscribe to our blog at Holy Fire Ministries. I want you to be well fed.
Comments