Which Kingdom are You Living for? Does Your Life Tell Others How Much You Love Jesus?
“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world…But now my kingdom is from another place.’” John 18:36
I’ve attended and been the pastor at funerals and memorial services of many family members and friends. I know first hand that, when death visits your personal address book, it makes you really think about what has eternal significance. Faith, family, and character take precedence over fame, power, and fortune. It’s also a time to reflect on the lives of those who are no longer with us—what we can learn from them—what message they might have for us.
I’m reminded of the last scene in the movie, “Saving Private Ryan”. You may recall that Captain Miller had been seriously wounded and was dying by the edge of the bridge when the young Private Ryan came to his side. Captain Ryan looked into the eyes of the private, and he said, “Make it count!” The valiant leader was really telling the soldier that it was important that he effectively utilize the gifts and talents God had given him.
While catching a little TV one Sunday afternoon, I watched a church in Atlanta honor one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time, and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.
After a warm welcome, introduction, and enthusiastic applause, the gentleman rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate, to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak:
“When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me… the only thing that would comfort was this verse…
‘Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong…
Yes, Jesus loves me…
The Bible tells me so.’
Here is a new version just for us who have gray hair, white hair, or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others check out this newest version of “Jesus Loves Me”.
“JESUS LOVES ME”
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME…THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh so slow,
With my hand in His I’ll go
On through life, let come what may,
He’ll be there to lead the way.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME…THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
‘Have no fear, for I am near.’
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME…THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
When my work on earth is done,
And life’s victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I’ll understand His love
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME…THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.
YES, JESUS LOVES ME…THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.”
I hope you won’t wait until a friend or loved one dies to reflect on these important truths. We should live this life in a way that pleases God—make it count! But, we must never lose sight of the fact that this world is not our home. We need to prepare ourselves for the kingdom to come and spend time getting to know the One who loves us fully and unconditionally…and is preparing a place for us to spend eternity!
The Power of Truth:
“We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” 1 Chron. 29:15 (NLT)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4:7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3
Suggestion for Prayer:
Tell Jesus how much you love Him. Maybe you’ll even want to sing this new version of “Jesus Loves Me” to Him. Allow Him time to respond. You’ll be amazed!