Michael Jackson
Farrah Fawcett
Ed McMahon
Billy MaysDeath is for Everyone
Within the past week we have seen a lot of news online, papers, and tv about the deaths of these celebrities. Billy Mays died yesterday of an apparent head injury from a plane ride. The most notable were Michael and Farrah both dying on the same day last Thursday and then this past Tuesday Ed McMahon died, which he was 86 and had serious health issues.
It seems Americans are very attracted and interested in Celebrity news, that is why there are so many entertainment websites, magazines, and tv shows, but especially when celebrities die, we cannot get enough of it. I have even caught myself being interested when certain people died like Tim Russert and Heath Ledger. I’m not sure why we are so attracted or interested when these celebrities die. We can call it a tragedy, a life cut short, sad, or whatever and every celebrity and their lifestyle and situations were different, but for whatever reasons we are drawn to their deaths.
The reality is that death is not a respecter or persons. In Acts 10:34 Peter reminds us that “God does not show favoritism” or as the King James puts it, “that God is no respecter of persons.” Being famous, rich, popular, or a celebrity does not keep you from facing your death whether timely or not. I’m not sure death is every timely for any of us, whether it’s expected or not. Research has shown 1 out of 1 dies. It’s a fact, reality. We are all going to die. The only exception is if we live long enough for Jesus’ return.
People die every day and it may not get the headlines of Farrah or the publicity of Michael Jackson, but one stat I came across today said that every minute 108 people die in the world. Regardless of how often or how many die, the point is death is not avoidable. We can eat healthy, avoid germs, get face lifts, and tummy tucks, and exercise, and we’re still going to die. Happy Monday, haha. God wants us to take care of ourselves and not hurry our deaths, but my point is, death is something that is coming whether by accident, disease, unexpected, fat or thin, young or old.
The most important question for us to really be asking ourselves is are we ready to die? Are we preparing for what is to come? I’ve heard it said and I say it often , how we live everyday determines our destiny. If we believe in God and believe there is a heaven and a hell. Believing in them are not enough, we must act upon what we know to be true. If we believe in God and believe in eternity, we must choose to act on our belief in God and not only seek Him, but allow Him to come into our lives, and follow His plan for salvation and take that commitment serious. Then everyday of our lives we must learn, grow, develop, make an effort, and mature in our faith. Our goal shouldn’t be to not go to hell, but to get to heaven to be in the presence of God. Sometimes I think people think just believing is enough and it’s not. Sometimes I think people go to church or become Christians because they don’t want to go to hell. No one wants to go to hell, but that shouldn’t be our motivation. Our motivation should be our love and commitment to God.
God has defeated death, hell, and sin through His son Jesus. The victory has been won. The price has been paid. The offer is still standing. Accept Jesus and be faithful and live beyond physical death. Die to the world, but live forever with God. Or live your life only for yourself and this world and die twice. Die physically and spiritually because hell is the absence of God and the absence of life. Choose life. Don’t focus on dying, but focus your days on living and living with God and for God. Now that’s some news we should spend time spreading.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Within the past week we have seen a lot of news online, papers, and tv about the deaths of these celebrities. Billy Mays died yesterday of an apparent head injury from a plane ride. The most notable were Michael and Farrah both dying on the same day last Thursday and then this past Tuesday Ed McMahon died, which he was 86 and had serious health issues.
It seems Americans are very attracted and interested in Celebrity news, that is why there are so many entertainment websites, magazines, and tv shows, but especially when celebrities die, we cannot get enough of it. I have even caught myself being interested when certain people died like Tim Russert and Heath Ledger. I’m not sure why we are so attracted or interested when these celebrities die. We can call it a tragedy, a life cut short, sad, or whatever and every celebrity and their lifestyle and situations were different, but for whatever reasons we are drawn to their deaths.
The reality is that death is not a respecter or persons. In Acts 10:34 Peter reminds us that “God does not show favoritism” or as the King James puts it, “that God is no respecter of persons.” Being famous, rich, popular, or a celebrity does not keep you from facing your death whether timely or not. I’m not sure death is every timely for any of us, whether it’s expected or not. Research has shown 1 out of 1 dies. It’s a fact, reality. We are all going to die. The only exception is if we live long enough for Jesus’ return.
People die every day and it may not get the headlines of Farrah or the publicity of Michael Jackson, but one stat I came across today said that every minute 108 people die in the world. Regardless of how often or how many die, the point is death is not avoidable. We can eat healthy, avoid germs, get face lifts, and tummy tucks, and exercise, and we’re still going to die. Happy Monday, haha. God wants us to take care of ourselves and not hurry our deaths, but my point is, death is something that is coming whether by accident, disease, unexpected, fat or thin, young or old.
The most important question for us to really be asking ourselves is are we ready to die? Are we preparing for what is to come? I’ve heard it said and I say it often , how we live everyday determines our destiny. If we believe in God and believe there is a heaven and a hell. Believing in them are not enough, we must act upon what we know to be true. If we believe in God and believe in eternity, we must choose to act on our belief in God and not only seek Him, but allow Him to come into our lives, and follow His plan for salvation and take that commitment serious. Then everyday of our lives we must learn, grow, develop, make an effort, and mature in our faith. Our goal shouldn’t be to not go to hell, but to get to heaven to be in the presence of God. Sometimes I think people think just believing is enough and it’s not. Sometimes I think people go to church or become Christians because they don’t want to go to hell. No one wants to go to hell, but that shouldn’t be our motivation. Our motivation should be our love and commitment to God.
God has defeated death, hell, and sin through His son Jesus. The victory has been won. The price has been paid. The offer is still standing. Accept Jesus and be faithful and live beyond physical death. Die to the world, but live forever with God. Or live your life only for yourself and this world and die twice. Die physically and spiritually because hell is the absence of God and the absence of life. Choose life. Don’t focus on dying, but focus your days on living and living with God and for God. Now that’s some news we should spend time spreading.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23(NIV)
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