If there is one thing that we can be sure of it is that each one of us will eventually die. You don't get out of this life alive! And because we know that, and because all human beings gather things around them, like moss gathering on a stone, we all need a Last Will and Testament, spelling out exactly which of our possessions we are leaving to whom, even if we do not have very much in the way of earthly goods.
If we do not leave a Will we cause unnecessary problems for those left behind, unless there is only one left behind, who can then do according to his or her own wishes.
And whilst it may be important to us to leave our descendants or spouses our earthly goods, there are other treasures which are more important to leave them.
Jesus also left a will and testament. Paul tells us the following about the last supper Jesus had with his disciples before He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane:
"After the same manner also He took the cup, after He had eaten, saying, This
cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me." 1 Cor. 11:25
We wish for our children to have a home after we are gone. That is why it is so important for us to try and ensure that our homes are fully paid at the time of our demise, or that we at least have bond insurance cover to pay off the balance outstanding at our death, so that they will own a bond free home.
Jesus also promises us a debt free home. He said:
"In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
So there is an ETERNAL home for each one of us not only left to us by Jesus, but PREPARED for us by Him.
We leave treasures to our heirs so that they will remember us - why? Because we hope that will ensure that we live on in their minds (if not forever, then at least until they die).
One of the treasures that Jesus gave us is eternal life! Not the thought of eternal life, not life until we die, or our earthly heirs die, but the real thing - life for all eternity!
We want to make provision so that our children will have an education, even if we should no longer be around to see them benefit from it.
Jesus said:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that
he may abide with you for ever; ... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:16,26
We want our children to be couragous, not fearful, to live peaceful lives... Jesus said:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27
We want our children to have enough to eat and to wear and to feel valuedas a person. Jesus said:
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life
more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the
air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by
worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about
clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor
spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is,
and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you,
O you of little faith?" Matt. 6: 25-28
Does it not make sense to make sure that we, and our children, are heirs of the Lord Jesus Christ who has provided everything we may ever need? How do we do this?
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you." Matt. 6: 33
1. Accept Christ as our personal Saviour;
2. Live a godly life as an example to our children;
3. Lead our children to the Lord.
It is never too late to do any of the above. Even if our children are already grown and have flown the nest - even if we are already in your 80's or 90's or have reached 100, still, it is possible for us to achieve the above.
The other night I was listening to a radio programme regarding the human brain. The learned medical men told that grooves have developed in our brains as a result of everything that we have learnt and done and experienced to date. Something like the old grammophone records. So the same tunes are being played all the time... the same actions, the same habits, the same thought patterns... like eating, riding a bike, driving... automatically, experiencially developed over years, of which the first six years of our lives are, of course, the most important. But they also told that new brain cells are developed all the time... and unless we USE THEM in new directions, for new hobbies, new topics of learning, forming new habits, we will never use them... they will be wasted.
This has been proven... think of a person paralysed in an accident, losing the ability to walk, because of an injury to that part of his/her brain which controlled the action of walking who has had to learn to walk all over again.... or talk again... or write or paint with his/her toes... or speak through a opening in the throat...
" And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God." Rom. 12: 2
So, if we have not lived according to God's will to date, let us renew our minds, starting now, storing the knowledge of God's word and will in our minds, using those new stem brain cells, and making new grooves in our minds and those of our children teaching them how to live according to God's will and to become heirs not only of us, who can only leave them temporary treasures, but heirs to God who has made them heirs with Christ of everything in heaven for all eternity.
Thank You, Lord, for our minds, which You have created so wonderfully to enable us to be renewed at all times. Thank You for leaving us Your Word and Your Spirit to teach and to guide us to become heirs of the Father. Help us not to waste those new brain stem cells which You give us daily.
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