What Is The Use of Life?

Maybe you are faced with a loss so great that no words are adequate to express your feelings.  Or perhaps you know of someone who is undergoing such agony.  What help can you be?

"What is the use of life?"
Are deterioration and death the only alternatives?

NO!!!

GOD HAS COME TO OUR HISTORY THROUGH JESUS.
This is a statement that is objectively real.  The death of Jesus on the cross doesn't make sense unless you recognize that He did this to give life beyond this one.  Life without pain or suffering... Taking Jesus seriously involves discipleship which is not an easy solution but it is a powerful one!  IT IS THE ONLY COMPLETE ONE!

SO...
What help can you be to your friend?  Don't underestimate the power of your presence if your heart is illuminated by faith in Christ.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOURSELF?

“I do not know what to do with myself” is a common complaint. You can’t do much with other problems until you deal with this one.

What JESUS did with Himself.  He used His life on earth for a purpose that was greater than the moment.

He kept the Father’s will always in mind.  Remember:  “He who sacrifices his conscience for a selfish ambition burns a beautiful picture to obtain the ashes.”

You can decide to correct some destructive habits:  jealousy, temper, etc.  Not easy, of course, but diligent effort will produce amazing results.

Try doing something that you know God will approve.  “All evil is due to unused life.”  (Erich Fromm) e H

Have you found rest for your soul?

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Jeremiah 6:16

Our lives are determined by the choices that we make at the “crossroads” of life.  So we ought to examine the ideas that we are allowing to use us.  The prophet’s advice is to consider GOD, OUR CREATOR.  By honestly considering His word we can learn what He wants us to do.  Then by a willingness to put His commands into practice we find life that is fulfilling and productive…truly
“rest for our souls.”

Does this sound simple?

In fact, it is…quite simple but not superficial!!

There will never be a better time than the present for each of us to consider the commands and blessings of God.

Did you make a difference today?

In the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill encouraged and challenged his people:

“There is a place for everyone, man and woman, old and young, hale and halt: SERVICE IN A THOUSAND FORMS IS OPEN. From the highest to the humblest task, all are of equal honor; ALL HAVE THEIR PART TO PLAY.”

These principles apply to each of us today.  You and I can make our part of the world better. Remember:  “Service in a thousand forms is open to each of us.”

So you and I must choose: to make a difference for good or to become a tool for evil to triumph by our simply doing nothing. 

Are these your characteristics of success?

Success depends upon our having eager minds rather than being satisfied with just turning the pages of the calendar.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EAGER MIND

1.      Promptness.  The eager mind is known for enthusiasm.  It is better for the pot to boil over than not to boil at all.

2.      Spirit of inner happiness.  This is found through a personal association with the Christ.  Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”  John 6:63

3.      Generous.  After all, “…for God loves a cheerful giver.”

4.      Steady and Persevering.  God will not examine us for medals but for scars obtained in active service.

Who is the center of your life?

“The trouble with the human race is that no one wins it.”

To win the individual has to choose to become mature or to remain childish.

CHILDISH:

Sheds tears over trifles...performs only if attention is received…takes the blessings of life for granted…no intense sense of obligation.  All of this adds up to being SELF-CENTERED.

MATURITY:

Sheds tears of concern…sympathy is your pain in my heart…fulfills the duties whether there is applause or not…maintains a sense of gratitude…recognizes the beauty of duty.  All of this adds up to be GOD-CENTERED.

GOD CENTERED = VICTORY

Want LIFE to CHANGE for the BETTER?

A famous scientist observed, “It takes an unusual mind to comprehend the obvious.”

It is obvious:

That communities would be better when the citizenry is willing to think about the future, to plan for it, and to work diligently for productive goals.

It is obvious:

When you and I look into a mirror, each sees one person who can contribute to whatever changes are needed.

Comprehension of the obvious:

I must be willing to become the CHANGE that I want to see.