Beech Tree News Network

 “One” is an interesting word. “One” stands for unity and wholeness. It tells us how many churches Christ established (Matt. 16:18). “One” is what Christ prayed that His disciples would be (Jn. 17:21). It also represents the number of times we get to live in this world! We have one chance to live and no guarantee how long our lives will last (Prov. 27:1).
 
    One’s life is temporary. Since this is the case, let us do as the Ephesian letter instructs and “redeem the time” (i.e., use our time wisely and properly) rather than waste, kill, or otherwise mutilate the time we have! The passage of time is deceitful in a way, for there is no pain or other such notification associated with its passing. Time passes by and we often are blissfully unaware. Yet, no force on earth can stop time from passing, so we need to make the best of what we have!

    We have only one chance at life. Think about your age. Do you realize that you get to be your age once? You get to live today only once! If the Lord wills that we live tomorrow, then this day is gone forever and it’ll never come back. If He does not will that this world stand to see another sunrise, what have we given in exchange for this day? Just as the mist disappears off the lake, so also one’s life vanishes quickly after being born (Jas. 4:13-15). Knowing this fact, what will we do to make sure our lives have meaning and purpose?
    
    Further, we only get one chance to raise our children. Just as parents’ lives pass quickly, so also our children’s time passes quickly. Though we wish they would stay the same age, we know our children will not stay their current age all their lives. Time continues to move along, and that little 5 year-old swiftly turns 25, 35, 45, 55, etc.!
 
    God has placed a great responsibility upon parents to teach their children His way (Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4). Parents need to realize that there is a precious soul that has been given to them for a little while, and this person is aging just as the parents are (Jas. 4:14). If parents shirk their responsibilities in teaching and training, then Satan is more than willing to teach them (I Pet. 5:8)! I get only one chance to bring my children up right, and to teach them, not only the facts concerning living on earth, but more importantly, the facts about how to get to Heaven (Mk. 16:16)! There is only one opportunity while they are in my home and under my roof to teach them about the Lord, about His sacrifice (Jn. 3:16), about God’s love (Rom. 5:8), and about my being willing to sacrifice and live for Him in order to go to Heaven (Rom. 12:1-2)!

    Finally, we get only one chance to be saved. Yes, folks will pour their lives into many noble pursuits. Yet, all of these are meaningless if our souls are not right with God (Matt. 16:26). Today may be our last chance to make our lives right with God (Ps. 90:10-12)! We have a “narrow window” of opportunity to make our lives right with God and we must make the right decision before it is too late! Life does not allow “do-overs”! Let us not shirk our responsibilities, or waste our lives. Let us submit our wills to God’s will and live a faithful life to God!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program on 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167