From the Elder's Pen "Prepare Ahead" 10/06/02 Past/Future Articles

 A lazy and greedy pharmacist in a country neighborhood bought out the other druggist in town, but never took the time to look over all the stock he had inherited.  When people came for medicine, he sometimes persuaded them to accept some prescription other than what the doctor had given.  As a result, some had serious problems.
 One day this pharmacist’s oldest son became ill suddenly.  The doctor declared that nothing could save him except a rare medicine that was stocked by the past druggist—if it could be found.  Almost frantic, he turned his store upside down, looking for the right bottle.  But he had waited too long to become familiar with his stock.  While he was searching, his son died.
 How foolish!  We say.  Yet, we may be just as foolish.  The Bible is our spiritual pharmacy, and the Great Physician has placed therein what is needed for the sin-sick soul, but few have organized, categorized, sorted, learned, and applied it by meditating on its great truths  (I Tim. 4:13-16).  Consequently, when sorrow, doubt, or trial comes, we do not know where to look for what we need.
 Even more tragic is those who ignore God’s Word and make no preparation for eternity.  Man’s mortality is not pictured anywhere as clearly as in Genesis five.  The historian chronicles men’s lives:

? All the days of Adam were 930 years, and then he died (5:3-5).
? All the days of Seth were 912 years, and then he died (5:6-8).
? All the days of Enoch were 905 years, and then he died (5:9-11).
? All the days of Cainan were 910 years, and then he died (5:12-14).
? All the days of Mahalaleel were 895 years, and then he died (5:15-17).
? All the days of Jared were 962 years, and then he died (5:18-20)
? All the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and then he died (5:25-27).
? All the days of Lamech were 777 years, and then he died (5:28-30).

 One day the newspaper will give an account of your life.  It will conclude by saying, “...and then he died.”  Have you thought about where you will be in eternity?

 “...behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Cor. 6:2

                                     selected     ~Bob Craig, Elder