Wow - The Mayans Were Wrong!

I guess I should return the Mercedes.

Really, I didn't think we were gonna die.

Last May, Tom and I were at a Marriage seminar in Ft. Lauderdale. Someone famous predicted the world would end on May 21. My brother-in-law texted me. His question had to do with that.

"Should I repent, or have another bowl of ice cream?"

My response, "Repent, and then have another bowl of ice cream."

Two facts I know about the end of the world: No one knows when it will be except the Lord, and like the Boy Scouts, we need to be prepared.

But how do we prepare? First things first—get right with God.

Ephesians 2:1-5CloseEphesians 2:1-5 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.* He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) states, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is not at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—It is by grace you have been saved."

Throw yourself on God's mercy and accept the free gift of salvation through Christ's work on the cross. Ask someone on this site. Or email me.

Probably, you've already trusted Christ alone for salvation. How else can you prepare for the end of the world? (Besides a second bowl of ice cream.)

I call it I2H—Investing In Heaven. Since all this stuff on earth is gonna burn one day, why waste time and money on it? Sure, I need some stuff. But not a lot. And not the best. The stuff I invest in furthers my ministry.

For instance, I need grown-up clothes so I can speak to women. I wouldn't want them to see me now, while I'm writing this article. It would be downright scary.

So I have a friend of mine go with me to the store and tell me what to buy and what not to buy. Because writing and speaking are my gifts. My friend has the good taste gift.

So friend, what are your gifts? Invest in those.

I invest in people, too. I have two coffee/lunch dates this week. I try to buy if I can swing it. It's an investment in eternity for me. We sit and sip coffee and talk about whatever is on our minds. What's ailing our hearts. Priceless.

Another key investment for me is time spent in God's Word. The Bible says it is food for our starving souls. It feeds mine. Right now, Tom and I and a few friends are Reciting Romans. It's called—you guessed it, R2. We're not trying to recit the whole thing at once but little by little, chapter by chapter, we're learning it. I'm even vlogging about it.

Memorizing God's Word is worth the time because it's an eternal investment. I Timothy 4:8 states, "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." (NLT)

What's in your heavenly portfolio? Is it light? Think about this—you're not dead—yet.

Invest wisely.

But you can eat that second bowl of ice cream.

But, for heaven's sake, take the Benz back.

Copyright © 2012 Pauline Hylton. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.