"FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?"

"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14). Recently, we have learned of the deaths of several of friends of ours who were near our age (82). Just this morning, Friday, 10/13/17, a young friend in Opp announced the death of his father, and a good friend of ours. I think of of Psalm 90:10: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." It makes us think more of our mortality. We have less years ahead of us than ever before. But it is not how long we live, but how we live while on this earth.That is why the Psalmist wrote, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (90:12). We do not know the exact number of our days, but, the important thing is that we be prepared when life ends for us on this earth. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). The Preacher wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." If we learn how to live, we will know how to die. I thank God often for the longevity of our lives (82), and the longevity of our marriage (62 years); however, we know of a certainty that we are nearer to heaven (by His Grace), than ever before. Remember that death is not a respecter of age. The old must die and the young do die. Please obey the will of Christ (Mark 16:15, 16);and the commands of the Holy Spirit as spoken by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:36-38).