Living in Today - Your Last Day?

We never know when the moment will come...will you die in your sleep at a "ripe old age", after you've done all you want to do? Will you die in a car crash next year? Will you get shot tomorrow? (sorry for being so abrupt...) We don't know, do we? So, how does that affect today?

People always say to live like tomorrow is your last day, but is that really sound advice? If tomorrow WAS your last day, then would you get your fill of the world or would you do things that you can’t do in Heaven – and are they the same thing?

Things you want to do on earth
The answer is “no”. Let me explain. Getting your fill of this world would generally mean doing things that you can’t do in other places, and the only other places besides this world are Heaven and Hell (and the other planets in the universe…which are, to our knowledge, completely uninhabitable). So, generally speaking, doing everything you can in this world on your “last day”, and doing things that you can’t do in Heaven, are the same. That makes the answer to the question “yes”…but let me explain further :). If today was your last day on earth, you would probably opt for doing everything you couldn’t do when you died – spending time with family and friends, being active all the time (so that not a minute was wasted), learning, playing, and talking to people that you may never see again.

Things you can’t do in Heaven
But would you think about the really important things? Would you consider doing such things as telling your brother you love him, or hugging the friend that needs God but you’ve never taken the time to explain it to him or her? Would you share the gospel with the people that need it? That’s what I’m talking about: the things that you won’t be able to do in Heaven. Because, most likely, you spend time thinking about yourself – “this is my last day”, “I’m never going to be able to do this unless I do it now”, etc. – instead of thinking about others – “I’ll never be able to tell so-and-so I love them unless I do it now”. There are millions of people everywhere, and most of them don’t know God. Have you ever evangelized? Shared the gospel? Told someone you loved that what they are missing in their lives is Jesus? And yet the real question is, “Will you do any of this before you die?” Today may be your last chance to make sure your that friend will see you in Heaven…

If everyone you love died today, would they know that you loved and appreciated them? Today may be your last day to tell your friends and family that you love them – no matter what you’ve said when you were angry, no matter how many times you’ve fought them –and you don’t want to be separated from them.

The challenge
What I would have you do is live every day for God, and Him alone. Sometimes, though, it helps to have a picture or some sort of reminder stuck in your head. So here is my challenge to you: Live each day as Jesus would, and love others as He would, and talk to others as He would; love those around you like you’ll never see them again; work diligently at each task, as if Jesus had asked you to do it; don’t ever give up; treat others with respect, love, and every Christ-like trait that you can think of – you may never see them again; and live your life without regret – if Judgment Day was today, could you stand before God without regretting what you have done today?

This is the challenge…it’s not just me, a lowly human servant of Christ, who is saying this; it’s God’s Word. You can read all about the things that He wants you to do in His perfect Word – the Holy Bible. Don’t take my word for it…find out for yourself!!

(If you don’t have a Bible, you can read one online – for free – at www.biblegateway.com)

If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback (lyrics)

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

Chorus:
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had,
If today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

Chorus:
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day,
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

Chorus:
If today was your last day,
And tomorrow was too late,
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last,
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had,
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love?

If today was your last day…