by Dr. Paul Chappell

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."

2 Timothy 4:5-6

Today may be the day you meet God.

Former General of the Salvation Army, Dr. Paul Rader, once visited Rome. Seeking to get a feeling of the tragedy his former brothers and sisters in Christ experienced during early persecutions, he visited many famous sites of torture and martyrdom. One such site, perhaps the most famous of all, was the Coliseum. As he stood in the Coliseum, gazing at the stands, the sand, and the cavernous holding rooms below the floor, he reflected on the great price Christians had been wiling to pay to advance the Gospel. Commenting on his time there, he had this to say about the site:

"I stood uncovered to the heavens above, where He sits for whom they gladly died, and asked myself, 'Would I, could I, die for Him tonight to get this gospel to the ends of the earth?' I prayed most fervently in that Roman arena for the spirit of a martyr, and for the working of the Holy Spirit in my heart, as He worked in Paul's heart when He brought him on his handcuffed way to Rome. Those early Christians lived on the threshold of heaven, within a heartbeat of home, no possessions to hold them back."

The price Christians have been willing to pay throughout history to advance the Gospel is astounding. From believers in Bible times, to Christians under Roman rule, to those in Europe during the Catholic influence, to many around the world today-many Christians have faced harsh consequences (even death) for proclaiming Christ. Yet most of them willingly gave their earthly lives to advance the Heavenly cause.

When witnessing during an oppressive time, many Christians had to be ready to give their lives at a moment's notice. Discovery, imprisonment, or betrayal could lead to death for these Christians. Yet they were more than willing to give their lives. They lived "within a heartbeat of home."

As Paul sat in prison, writing his last letter to Timothy, he made note that he was ready to meet his Saviour, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." Paul knew his time on earth was ending, and he was prepared to meet God.

You may not live in immediate danger of martyrdom, nor do you have to fear for your life, but God still desires for you to live within a heartbeat of home. As the hymn says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through."

Sometimes possessions, goals, ideas, and hobbies can keep us from being fully prepared for Heaven. While not inherently sinful, such pursuits can draw us away from God. Sin can also creep into our hearts so that we are unprepared for meeting God.

Take a minute to examine your heart. Are you prepared to meet God? Is there any sin that's unconfessed or any pursuit that is taking you away from God? Make sure that in all you do, you keep a right relationship with God. Live each day within a heartbeat from home.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 103-104 | 1 Corinthians 2