There may be exceptions, but as a general rule, we humans like to have a purpose for getting out of bed in the morning.  There are, of course, those whose only purpose in life is to satisfy themselves.  They live to eat, sleep, play, be entertained, achieve their financial goals, etc.  The problem with this self absorption is that it must end when one draws his last breath—All is lost.

  But what if there were something for which we could give our all, and then, enjoy benefits beyond the grave?  The Bible clearly affirms that it is possible:  “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:19-20)”  But how can one lay up treasure in heaven when he has no access to heaven, at least not yet?

  The answer is tucked away in verses like these: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)” “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)”  “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31)”  These verses, and others like them, remind us that God created mankind for Himself, for His own pleasure, and glory.  God has designed that man’s greatest endeavor, his most noble, most rewarding purpose, is to glorify Him (God) with his life and substance.

  But God will not be outdone.  When you give yourself to Him, He gives Himself to you.  You can have a relationship with God, and a reason to get out of bed, that will reap the praise of God now, and then, His eternal fellowship and reward.  It all begins with a relationship with your heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, who promises, “…He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39)”

  Recently, I got into a discussion about the difference between Equity and Equality.  As it turned out, I had confused the meaning of the two words and needed a little reminder.  Very simply, equality is having the same status, rights and opportunities, while equity, as it is now being defined in our society, is everyone having the same things—exactly the same things.

  Practically speaking, there has been great diversity among us since the beginning of time.  From the creation there have been male and female, rich and poor, intellectual and ignorant, laborers and lazy, overweight and underweight, athletic and clumsy.  Some are employees while others are employers; some are healthy and others sickly.  Differences abound.  Some of our differences are the handiwork of God while others are the results of decisions that we have made (wise and unwise).  In the past, we have celebrated our differences and enjoyed our diversity, but now there are those who would illogically infer that we are, or should be, all the same.  Such nonsense would be laughable if they were not so serious.

  While we are all very different one from the other, we have, for the most part, at least in my lifetime, enjoyed equality in the application of laws, opportunities to excel, etc.  But still there are those who insist that they have been slighted by those of us who have accepted our station in life and press on.  Perhaps you have noticed, as I have, that those who complain the most are those who have contributed the least.

  Even in the spiritual realm there is diversity.  There are the saved and the unsaved, the godly and the godless, the zealous and the complacent, the wise and the unwise, etc.  To assume that we are all the same is equally ludicrous in this realm.  Nevertheless, God has graciously extended the same opportunities to all: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)”  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)”

  The lucrative industry of Abortion, that operates under the deceptive facade of Family Planning and Women’s Rights, has grown exponentially at the expense of millions of innocent lives.  Women are routinely deceived into believing that the baby boys and girls that they carry in their wombs are not truly “human,” but disposable “masses of fetal tissue” that are in no way viable or valuable, except for the advancement of medical science, which is achieved by marketing the bloody “mass” to the highest bidder.  While we shudder at the thought of the pagan practice of sacrificing children to an active volcano to appease an angry god, as a nation we turn our heads while greedy marketers and practitioners line their pockets with the proceeds from the slaughter of innocence.  Some of the same people who see no evil in this atrocity, shed tears and take up the banner of protest over the destruction of a tree, or the supposed near extinction of a bug.  Our reasoning is twisted.

  But don’t take my word of it.  Read the newspaper and medical journals and industry propaganda, for yourself.  And then, if you dare, consider for yourself the words of God, the giver of life.  He would have us believe that a child is His gift to human parents—the tender lives of which families are made.   “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3–5)”

  God has made it abundantly clear that the life of a child in the womb is a person, already known to Him.   He said of the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)”  The Psalmist concurs, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalm 139:14–15)

  Ichabod means, “the glory hath departed.”  In the biblical history of Israel, God manifested His presence to His people in various ways.  When they were delivered out of slavery and pursued by the armies of Egypt, God’s glory, or presence, was made visible to them as He stood between them and the camp of the Egyptians, in a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.  Later in the tabernacle built by Moses, and in the Temple of Jerusalem erected by Solomon, God’s glory was again known to His people by the Cloud and Light of His presence that filled the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies.  

  While God’s presence was manifested, the people of Israel could expect His blessing; He was their God and they were His people.  But in time their hearts grew cold; they forgot His laws and began to worship other gods, first in a syncretistic worship that included Him, and later, Jehovah, the only true God was excluded altogether.  Ezekiel 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:23 recounts the day in which the glory of God visibly departed from the house of God, and from the people of God.  Israel had made her choice.

  The scriptures state clearly that we are to learn from the examples of our forefathers in the faith.  But, as mankind is so prone to do, we have chosen to follow in the steps of those who forsook their God.  We, as a nation, have elected leaders who would erase, even the memory of God from our hearts, and have already spawned generations of godless sheep, programmed to be dependent upon men with impure motives.  Look closely; we are not “indivisible,” but divided.  We are no longer functioning as “one nation under God,” and it is obviously not “in God we trust.”  Today, as in the days of old, God’s glory hath departed.  We have chosen to exclude God from our lives and He, true to His Word, has allowed us that freedom of choice.

  Is there hope!  YES, the same hope that was offered to ancient Israel, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)”

 Between my wife and me, we have only one parent left, my mother.  I remember so well the passing of the other three.  In July of 2005, my unbelievably healthy father in law went to the hospital to confirm that he was in the midst of a serious stroke.  From that day forward, he could not walk or lift his right arm, his face was mostly paralyzed on one side, and his speech was almost unintelligible.  This dear saint, had celebrated over 50 years in the ministry.  He was scheduled to preach in a couple of days for an “Anniversary Sunday” at a church in North Carolina, but after that fateful day, this and many other events would unfold without him.  His life was permanently altered, his stride permanently diminished.  A year later, he died.

  As a pastor, I had heard of numerous illnesses and accidents that had changed lives forever, but it was even more sobering when it was so “close to home.”  As I reminisce, I am reminded of the words of the poet… “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

  Did you ever stop to think of what life will be like when someday you are not able to stop to think?  The day of opportunity will eventually end for all of us.  At any time, we could find ourselves at death’s door, or lying on beds of affliction in total dependence on others for the most basic and personal needs.

  The Bible also warns of this coming end of opportunity.  The apostle John recorded the words of Christ, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4).”   Wise old King Solomon observed, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).”

  Time is running out!  If you have not made reservations for your eternal home in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ, …behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2Corinthians 6:2).  If you are a believer and have wasted the stuff of life on frivolous pursuits, “Redeem the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16).”