Jenny and I hope this finds you enjoying life, in abundance, to the full, till it overflows, according to what Jesus said in John 10:10. He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Yes, God does place importance on you having an abundant life, abundant in every area, spiritually, in peace, and joy, in health, financially fit and able to live a happy life. That’s His goal for you. He created Adam and Eve to have a blessed life. His purpose for mankind has never changed. But the devil wants you to be too busy to enjoy it.

AND MOST OF ALL, THE DEVIL WANTS YOU TOO BUSY TO SERVE GOD.

Yesterday I wanted to take time out with my beloved wife. We haven’t had any time to ourselves at all lately. Yes, I know, the ministry calls, but she needs some of my time too. She wanted to go browse at a local antique store, so we went. After an hour or so, we left and went back home. We learned a valuable spiritual lesson there. All the things in that antique store were once things that meant a lot to someone, things precious to them. As you know, people often spend their entire life collecting this or that. Treasures, if you will.

For me, it’s old fountain pens, or old wrist watches. And what you see on the shelves in the antique stores represent the treasures of someone else’s life. Oh, they planned to enjoy those items for a good long time, for sure. But that didn’t happen. Why not? Well, because something unexpected happened…their life ended. Many times, I’ve talked to someone, and later find out they aren’t with us anymore. And some of them were not old. Just being young does not guarantee a longer life than someone who is older. Here today, gone tomorrow. Did they get up in the morning expecting to die that day? Not likely. And now, whose are those treasures that they worked so hard to accumulate?

When I was diagnosed with melanomas and liver cancer in July of 1993, “things” lost their significance in my life. Now, let’s don’t get in the ditch here. God isn’t against you having things. He is against things having you. What good are things if you aren’t around to enjoy them? Life took on a deeper meaning for me that day. I was only 45 years old, a young man, and I wasn’t ready to die yet. And like so many other young people, I thought I was ten feet high and bulletproof, that life would go on forever, just like it had been. Like so many of you are doing today. Only, I got a wake-up call. Life does NOT go on forever. People die everyday, look in the news. You could be next.
Yeah, that got your attention, didn’t it? What if this is your last day? Would you be doing anything any differently today if you knew it was? Yes, you would! My guess is that you would put your most important things into that last day. You would tell your loved ones that you love them. You would surround yourself with them. You would make amends with those you need to. You’d hide that secret BBQ sauce recipe where someone could find it. You wouldn’t waste your last day surfing the internet, or going to the office. No more time to waste. You would be investing in your future, for eternity, if you were smart. You’d get right with GOD, above all.
Right about now, you’re saying, I’ll get that one taken care of when I’m not so busy. That’s what they all say. Only problem is, part of them “all” aren’t here to do that anymore. They waited too long, and eternity slipped up behind them one day and caught them by surprise. You know, many people who mean to get saved at midnight die at 10:30.

And now, a word from my Sponsor.

Let’s look at the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

All of these ten were virgins, pure. They were all invited to the wedding feast. But not all of them got to attend, did they? Why not? They had not taken time to prepare. Like many of us, we think we will have time to get ready when it’s time to go. But it just doesn’t work that way. We have to get ready NOW, so that when the Lord calls, we ARE ready.
Too many Christians never get prepared because they suffer from the “Martha” syndrome. Let me explain by showing you the scriptures in Luke 10:38-42;

 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

 But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

You see, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear what He had to say. Martha could have sat there , too. She could have handed Jesus a piece of bread and fish, and He could have blessed it and fed that whole place from it, just like He fed the five thousand. I think Mary knew that. So why worry about cooking? Jesus saw how Mary valued His presence above the perceived need at hand. That pleased Him very much. You want to please Jesus, right?
Friends, many of you are so tied up with the affairs of life, that if Jesus called you right now to do some work for Him, you would have to get out your appointment book and try to squeeze Him in somewhere. Yet you say, “Jesus is the most important thing in my life.”
Is He? Your appointment book says otherwise!

What about the last time He woke you up at 3a.m. and asked you to pray? “Lord, it’s 3a.m., and I’ve gotta work in the morning.” Or when He asked you for some time with Him in His word? “Lord, I’d really like to, but RIGHT NOW??” What about when He put a burden on your heart for the lost and unsaved? “Yes, I need to go out and tell people about Jesus. I’m just too busy right now.”

I’m helping you here, folks. Take time to see what really matters. Because one day, you’re going to leave this life, and the only thing you will take with you is not your china collection, not your stocks and bonds, but your relationship with Jesus. It could be in 50 years, or it could be in 50 seconds. And if it’s in 50 seconds, are you ready to meet your Maker? If you’re not, I would highly suggest you take care of that now, while you still can.
Doing what really matters now will free you up to enjoy life abundantly, to the full, till it overflows. You really do want that kind of life, don’t you? Spend more time with Jesus. Read the Bible. Do what it says. Repeat daily.
Believe me, in 10,000 years, you won’t be wishing you’d spent more time at the office. Learn a lesson from Martha. Jesus told her what Mary had chosen would not be taken away from her. If spending time with Jesus was important 2,000 years ago, it’s important now!