CARPE DIEM!
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Have you ever heard of carpe diem? It is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day!” You and I only have so many days God gives us on this earth. Life is short … just like a morning fog, here one minute and gone the next (James 4:14). So what are you doing with your life? How are you making it count? Are you seizing the day?
Life is made up of opportunities. Each day, God gives us opportunities to make a difference for the Kingdom of God ... to yield to His Spirit … to get right with Him … to seek and grant forgiveness … to witness for Jesus Christ ... to help and encourage those in need ... to speak a word of blessing to those who are hurting ... to let the Lord work through us so men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. What are you doing with the opportunities God is giving you?
FUNERALS
As a Pastor, I have the honor and privilege of conducting funerals. While all funerals have a note of sadness and loss, some are filled with joy, knowing that the deceased is not really dead and gone, but alive and gone to heaven. People who live for Christ and "carpe diem" leave behind a wake of blessings for those who know and love them.
Think about your funeral. What will it be like? Will the preacher have lots of great things to say about the way you lived, loved, and served the Lord? Will everyone rejoice because they know you are in heaven?
MEETING JESUS
I often think of the day when the Lord calls me home, and I finally meet Him face to face. My overwhelming desire is to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:23). No doubt that is the greatest of all rewards for any Christian ... knowing that we pleased the Master, did His will, and were faithful to Him.
I believe that commendation from the Lord only comes when you and I seize the day! God has much He wants to do in and through your life and mine this day. Ask Him to show you what to do. Let Him control your life and guide your way. Be quick to obey His voice and His promptings. Make changes where He points out areas of sin and selfishness that desperately need the cleansing and changing power of the cross and empty tomb.
TODAY
All we have is today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. Today is a gift from God. That is why we call it the present. So unwrap your present and carpe diem for the Master. You will be so glad that you did!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. I would love to hear from you and read how God is working in your life for His glory. You can contact me at pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.
Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
SPECIAL OFFER
AND FOR A DONATION OF $25 OR MORE: You will not only receive the Booklet “Strong Faith for Tough Times: When the Impossible Meets God,” but you’ll also receive Pastor Jeff’s brand-new 6-message CD Series “The School of Prayer.”