And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15)
I love it when people tell me "oh, I have time to repent, Jesus isn't coming back today and I can always go to him on my death bed and be forgiven". It sends a cold chill up my spine and makes me shudder in disbelief at the audacity of the excuses some people have in not turning to the Lord! It makes me want to stand outside with a sign that reads "Mark 1:15" just so that some will google it to see what the verse is. Unfortunately, most of them would chuckle and go back to their solitaire game.
The time is NOW!!! Many have no problem praying when faced with sickness, loss of income, or trials. How quickly the attitude changes when the prayer is answered. Praying each and every day (whether life is "good" or not), reading and studying God's word, thanking him for all that we have and all he has taken from us, is what we are called to do! Believing the Gospel is to follow it's commands and make an honest attempt at living a dutiful life in service to the King. It's not something for "other" people to do - it's for each of us to do!
No, you don't have to get up before the sun and sit and write a devotional. No, you don't have to go door to door telling strangers that Jesus is Lord and that he's coming back. No, you don't have to spend 24/7 with your nose in the Bible. You do have to read it and implement it into your life. The expression "there is no time like the present" is well spoken with regard to your spiritual well-being. "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" is another well thought out piece of advice. Create a new habit - set your alarm twenty minutes earlier. When it goes off, hit the "snooze" and spend the first nine minutes just talking to God. Thank him for allowing you to wake up. Thank him for the ability to get out of bed. Thank him for the bed you are able to get out of! When the alarm goes off again, hit the "snooze" again and grab your Bible off the night table. Read. Spend the next nine minutes in his word. When the alarm goes off again, get up, turn it off and continue on in your routine. You've just spent 18 minutes with God!
Find what works for you, but work at what you find. Give God the honor and glory for your successes and offer him the praises and thanksgiving he deserves. Don't be afraid to tell him you love him. Don't be afraid to lift your hands in praise! Allow him to strengthen and guide you throughout your day and do everything with the knowledge that he is glorified in what you do! Be a shining example of his goodness! Be who you need to be, for HIM!!!
