Recently I was called to the house of a man dying of cancer. He was in the final stages and would most likely not survive 90 days. His wife was with him. As I was traveling to see him, I prayed for God's guidance and that I would speak His words not mine. You can imagine the thoughts in my head; would he give the remainder of his life to Jesus Christ? Would he and his wife be transformed by the power of God? I saw a valuable truth that day. People generally die as they lived. Everyone has a "god;" it just depends on what you choose to worship. The dying man's only concern was a debt from 17 years ago that had been repaid only he had forgotten it. At one point the wife took the Lord's name in vain and he cussed (not about the debt but just in the normal course of the conversation). I spoke firmly about the language and stated that if it occurred again I would depart immediately. Their "god" was money. He actually had a large paper cup by his bed within arm's reach filled with $100 bills. Here was a man about to slip into eternity with no concern for his soul. His devotion was to money and not the true God. The Bible is true when it says: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24 This man had served money his life and that was his "god."
Where is your heart's devotion? What has your heart? Is it God or something else? The point I want to make today, is that whatever you spend your life serving is mostly likely what you will die serving. If you are a child of God, then you need to spend your life serving your Savior. That service begins with devotion. Pray for passion for the Word, for prayer and for a closeness with Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Today examine your heart. Find out where your passion is; when you find that passion, you will find your "God." Don't wait until you are on your death bed, because most likely by then your heart is settled and will not change. Give your life for Christ! Live your life for Christ! Have a passion for Christ! When you do, your heart will have true devotion for God.
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