INTRODUCTION:
In life, we all face last opportunities that impact our life and the lives of others. It could be a conversation, a last meal like the last supper, a last meeting, or a last embrace.
Life is always changing and opportunities come and go. We never know for sure what tomorrow will hold, however, in Christ we have hope. True Biblical definition of hope is confident assurance. We have the confident assurance that our sins are forgiven, assurance that tomorrow will offer new challenges, and assurance that heaven awaits those whose faith and trust are in Christ.
Hope is not looking in the rear-view mirror, but looking through the windshields of life toward the future while hopefully learning from the past.
- MY LAST OPPORTUNITY
Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
When I said the words "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever, I saw her lips move to the words for ever. I then hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her I loved her. I'm so glad we had that time together for I never spoke to her again. It wasn’t but a couple of days later that I know that when she did open her eyes, she saw the face of our Lord.The older I get the more I think about regrets...things that I have done and things that I haven’t done. I don’t ever remember saying specifically, “Mom, I’m sorry for the times that I brought disappointment and hurt to you by what I said and did. Will you forgive me?”
Since she’s no longer on this earth, I have asked the Lord to tell her for me that I appreciate her and all that she did for me. I’ll leave the rest to Him.
- CHRIST’S LAST OPPORTUNITY
Christ never had to ask His Father for forgiveness for any sin because He was sinless. Having the sin nature, I will never be sinless, but I do strive to sin less. Every day we are given opportunities to respond as Christ would respond to life experiences.
Like Christ, over the past few years I've experienced a few occasions when I've been falsely accused and misunderstood. The fleshly response is to get angry and bitter. Too, it makes one cautious to even open one's mouth.
It has given me a greater appreciation for what Christ went through being falsely accused, sentenced and crucified. Though I was found innocent and not “crucified,” I experienced much pain, suffering and unjust consequences. Though the “nail prints” are still emotionally visable, It is finished.
I must confess that my fleshly, instinctive response is anger and a sense of wanting to get even. However, when I remember Christ's response, He prayed for His accusers and asked God to forgive them for they didn’t understand what they were doing to Him.
Therefore, I say, Father forgive them for they didn’t know what they were doing.
Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
It is our Christian calling to forgive.
Someone once said, “Unforgiveness has rightly been called the cancer of the soul, and it is perhaps the greatest block to emotional and spiritual healing. It gives room to bitterness, anger, hurt, rage and other tangled emotions that block our emotional and spiritual growth. Unforgiveness creates an inner prison, and the only key to open the prison door is forgiveness.”
My prayer is that God would overcome my pride, stubbornness and desire for revenge, and bring me quickly to forgive so that I may receive his abundant mercy and forgiveness showing love to other.
1 Thess. 4:9 But as touching brotherly love (phileo) ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love (agape) one another.
Unforgiveness creates a great tension of the soul (mind, will and emotions). It is hard to think straight, make right decisions, and feel towards God and others properly.
How can we release the tensions of the soul that afflict us?
Read God’s Word (think God’s thoughts)
Pray God’s Word (repeat God’s Words)
Do God’s Word (be doers of the word and not just hearers only)
3. OPPORTUNITY TO GET THINGS RIGHT
There is a direct connection between confession and good health.
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Many prevailing attitudes can bring health problems such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and eating disorders. Some overeat as a substitute for not dealing with such things as anger, frustation and depression.
- Confession gains respect (morally revered)
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. The word feared is respected.
- Confession cleanses the soul & gains God’s forgiveness
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When we are cleansed and forgiven by God, we can enjoy our relationship with Him and with others. We are able to see life from a different perspective and we are free to laugh at ourselves as we grow in Christ.
A woman bought a parrot for a pet. All the parrot did was to treat her badly. It insulted her and every time she tried to pick it up, it would peck her arm.
One day she got fed up with the parrot. It continued with the insults.."you're ugly! I can't stand you!" and it pecked at her arm as she carried it. So she opened the freezer door and threw him in and closed the door. From inside, the parrot was still going on for several seconds and then it was suddenly quiet.
She thought, "Oh no, I’ve killed it!" She open the door and the parrot just looked at her. She picked it up. Then the parrot said:
"I'm very sorry. I apologize for my bad behavior and I promise there will be no more of my bad behavior. From now on, I will be a respectful, obedient parrot." Please forgive me.
"Well OK" she said. "apology accepted". The parrot said "Thank you". Then the parrot paused and said, "Can I ask you something?" She said, "Yes, What?" The parrot looked at the freezer and asked, "What did that chicken do?"
4. SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUGH AND ENJOY LIFE
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22
"So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!" Psalm 32:11
Laughter is one of the greatest gifts God gave us to help us enjoy the human experience. Without it, life would be as dry as dead men's bones!
Perhaps you’ve never noticed this, but all the things that we laugh at are the very same things that make us angry or frustrated.
Humor is mostly about "things that go wrong." For instance, Look at political cartoons. They are often about things that are wrong with the politicians. Humorists call attention to all the things that go wrong in life and they make us laugh about it. They turn human actions into human comedy. If you doubt that humor is based on things that go wrong, check out a few episodes of "America's Funniest Videos."
Laughter is one of the most powerful tools we have to make certain that our daily mood and emotional state support good health. Humor and laughter lighten our burdens, inspire our hopes, connects us to others, and keeps us grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for dealing with problems, enhancing our relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.
Laughter is good for our health in that ... It is said that....
It relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
It boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving our resistance to disease.
It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
It protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect us against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
There was a church sign that read: Having trouble sleeping? Join us for our Sunday sermon!
- THE APOSTLE Paul’s last OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THOUGHTS INCLUDED:
- HOW TO HANDLE STRESS AND ANXIETY
Php 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- HOW MARRIAGES WERE TO WORK
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
- HOW FAITH AND LOVE WOULD STRENGTHEN US
1 Th 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. They were to exhibit a brotherly love “Phileo” and a personal sacrifical love “Agape” towards one another.
- THANKFULNESS TO THE CHURCH AT ROME
Romans 16:3-4 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Paul was so thankful for those who gave of themselves to him and his work for Christ.
Small, but mighty words are those of "Thank You."
- CONCLUSION: My Final Words
- In conclusion WE ARE TO AVOID Speaking Evil of One Another
Sometimes people speak words of evil judgment against one another.
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
This reminded me of what someone once said to D.L. Moody. Early in his Christian life, he was attending a prayer meeting and it was one of the first times he ever spoke in public. He prayed and then sat down. Moody is known for not having a pleasant speaking voice and the individual sitting next to him, leaned over to him and said, "Dwight, you'd be doing God a favor if you never spoke in public again."
I can’t imagine how many souls would have been lost if Moody had been discouraged to ever speak again.
It is not our place to sit in judgment of one another. That is God's business. Let us not become judges of one another and what God intends on doing with others for the sake of His kingdom. Let not the cares of this world overshadow God’s love and provisional care for you.
Come let us experience the joys and humor the Lord shares with us today, it may be our last opportunity this side of heaven.
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