September 25

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” - Matthew 16:26

Watching the politicians posturing for position on the greasy pole of power, brought to mind the Roman Emperor Charlemagne, a powerful man in his lifetime. Legend has it that before his death he commanded that, after he died, his body was to bee entombed sitting upright on his throne, crown on his head, sceptre in hand, and royal cape draped around his shoulders. In addition, he wanted an open book placed on his lap. That was A.D. 814.

Two hundred years later Emperor Othello allegedly ordered a team of men to open the tomb and report if the legend was true. They found Charlemagne just as he's ordered two centuries earlier. The sight was gruesome – tilted crown, moth-eaten royal cape draped around a disfigured body. Among this decay, open on skeletal thighs was the book Charlemagne had requested – the Bible - one bony finger pointing to Matthew 16:26 – our scripture, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

This is a timely and pertinent question for us all at this time in history. The world dangles it's attractions and entertainments in front of our eyes, luring our children with promises of power – enticing them to live for the moment....there's always tomorrow....tomorrow they, and us, can think about giving our lives to Christ. But tomorrow may never come.

The story's told of James, a young man in the prime of life – successful career, good salary, engaged to be married. Only one thing was missing....he was yet to give his life to Christ. James attended church occasionally and was having Bible studies. Every week the Pastor would ask if he had yet made a decision. “Pastor,” James said, “If I get baptised now before the wedding, my fiancee won't marry me, but as soon as the wedding's over I will be baptised straight away; I will Pastor, I promise, I will!” A few days later James kissed his future wife 'goodbye,' as he left her home to go into town to make the final wedding arrangements. On the way James's car skidded on a sharp bend and plunged over a steep cliff. James was killed instantly. In those last moments, did James give his life to the Lord?....no one knows.

Let us not take the risk. “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you “indeed, the right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Our song today is by The Hoppers, “He Wrote My Name.”

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here