“Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past"

By C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say, “Twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

The Other Prodigal

Many of us have prodigals in our lives. A prodigal is one who wastefully squanders what he has. The prodigal that we are most familiar with is the younger son who prematurely took his share of his father’s estate and carelessly consumed it all on immoral living. This led to poverty and the awakening of his conscience to repent and return his father’s house. But did you know there is more than one way to wastefully squander what you have in relation to the father? Did you know there was another prodigal?

The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.

At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)

The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.

What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!

The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!

Painful Parenting

Did our parents lovingly discipline us? I got a spanking and a hug from my father. "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb. 12:5-6). The Almighty Shaddai, (which is one of the seven proper names for God), lovingly disciplines His children.
In my mind punishment is different than discipline. Punishment is to impose a penalty for our sins. We are incapable of repaying the full price for the cost of our sin, so Christ took the penalty for sin upon Himself. The price has been paid in full on the cross for all who believe. Though the penalty is removed, God still lovingly disciplines us as His children. Discipline is training that corrects, molds, or perfects. Even this, at times, can be a painful but necessary growing process in our lives.

I had to take one of my daughters to the doctor to get her immunization shots when she was small. When she saw the needle on the syringe she panicked and became hysterical. Neither the nurse nor the doctor could hold her steady. I had to take her in my arms and hold her still, and tell her it was going to be alright. She couldn't clearly articulate her feelings, but her eyes said it all. "Daddy, why are you letting them hurt me like this?" At her young tender age, do you think that she could understand the vaccine from the needle was going to protect her from a disease that could kill her? This was beyond her comprehension, but I had a responsibility to protect her from a worse fate. Therefore, I allowed her to be hurt by the doctor in order to save her from something worse.

Was that love? That was the kind of love that parents have for their children. "See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god (elohiym) with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand" (Deu. 32:39). There are times when we need to realize Almighty (Shaddai), in His power to destroy, is trying to work something out in us. This may seem like a hardship at times, but in the end we will see the wound and the healing were both expressions of His love.

(Taken from my book, "IDENTIFYING GOD". To order a copy, or for more information contact me at edhan362@yahoo.com)