Every Day is Counted!

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
May 3, 2011

There have been several major events this past week reminding us of how fragile life is. Starting with the storms in the South that claimed so many, then the news broke of Tom Powell and his massive heart attack and then yesterday’s late night breaking news of Bin Laden’s death.

We continue to pray for Tom and his family and the racing community. Tom has been involved with many of our lives and he so looked forward to this year. The resounding thought I heard as people talked to me about it was what great shape Tom is in and how unexpected it was to see him go down like this. I will share my answer below.

Last night we were relaxing and the news began to trickle in and then flood the TV that Bin Laden had been killed. On one hand I congratulate the men that fulfilled the mission started by President Bush. On the other hand it is a person, a human died. Our prayer was for his salvation.

As I thought about those in the storms, Tom and Bin Laden I thought in each case, they did not plan on the day that was in front of them. Those in the South did not think, “This would be a good day for a massive storm and be killed in it.” Tom did not go to bed thinking this would be a good night to have a heart attack, but God does know each day. Those are not my words, they are God’s words. You don’t want to listen to mine, but God’s – YES! Read what God has to say about this:

Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."

Job 14:5 "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."

Acts 17:26-28 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'."

Hebrews 9:27-28 "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Let me share a few thoughts. In the verse from Psalm we are reminded that life in fleeting. Daily I am reminded as I see the kids grow, how fast it is going. We are here and can enter into eternity so quick. In Job we see clearly that God has the days counted out. This does not give us an excuse to neglect our bodies, they are a temple that we are to care for in several ways, eating right, exercise, not placing chemicals in our body, etc. In Acts we see God has placed us where He wants us and set the time. He also gives us the reason – to reach out for Him and find Him and once we find Him we are to be pleasing to Him by walking faithfully and obeying Him. Hebrews does echo a penetrating warning – we die and then face the Lord in judgment.

With all this said it brings me to a driving point – are you prepared? I hope so. I hope you have bowed before the Lord and sought His forgiveness and given your life, this day, to God. I hope you are following Him, obeying Him, walking in faith. Please do not miss it, don’t miss salvation, eternity in Heaven with God.

See you at a track soon,

Todd

If this has stimulated a question, please let me know and we can search God’s Word for an answer together. Feel free to contact me at: torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com, 608-630-7301 or 512 Chippewa Court, DeForest, WI 53532