The Bible Bucket List

By Paul Kacsur

People get excited discussing bucket lists. It's fun to plan out-of-the-ordinary events or travels. Obviously, a bucket list contains special things we'd like to accomplish before we are gone. Hence the term "bucket list" because we want to do this or that before we kick the bucket. That's okay, but how often do we think about something we'd like to do to please the Lord before we're gone? Maybe this thing is a Christian discipline or something we've read about in the Bible that one of our favorite characters did. Wherever this desire or idea comes from, we know our time is limited. If we are going to do something outstanding and memorable before we are gone, wouldn't it be fitting to dedicate some of these actions to the Lord? This book contains suggestions or ideas of things that will be of interest to Christians. Some are relatively easy. Others will require more energy and even intense prayer on our part. Some of the things mentioned should have been done long ago. One thing is certain, whatever we do to please the Lord will affect us and have more impact on others than things we do just for ourselves. This is because people usually don't think along these lines. As we observe the world around us with all sorts of ideas of what makes life worthwhile, Christians should lead the way by our actions. Only things done for the kingdom of God have any lasting impact after we are gone from this short life. We can say anything about any subject, but what we do and for what reason are what matters. Let these ideas be used for meditation and contemplation, especially as we consider how little time we have left. Christians should have a bucket list, and you will get good ideas here. This may be just the thing to motivate you to do something more for the glory of God and your relationship with Him. It is our prayer that this book does just that. Start planning you Bible bucket list now. You will shock your friends! Good things like these, the sort of things we do unto the Lord and for His glory, won't just happen. We must make them happen. It's getting later than you think. To God be all the glory!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644583043

Book preview

Bible Bucket List 1

Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 The Conclusion of the Matter

The Conclusion of the Matter

We begin with a conclusion. This is no clever plot; it just happened as these thoughts came together. This is not my conclusion but one of the greatest summaries some would argue for any type of literature. Solomon’s final summary after his searching matters of life examined what things, if any , under the sun were worth effort. He found nothing was. Solomon’s life was like a rich man’s bucket list. A wise pastor friend of mine once said, Solomon did everything we’d like to do, except with more money. In this regard of pleasure seeking, Solomon was just like us. His conclusion is clear: the only thing that matters in this life is our relationship with the Lord and what happens after . Searching for life under the sun was now behind him, and what he gives us in this conclusion is direct and to the point. If we examined Solomon’s research in these matters, we’d find none of the pleasure-seeking things he tried mattered, especially at the end of his life. His final statement, the conclusion of the matter as he calls it, is where we begin this Bible bucket list. Solomon examined all he could understand in life: this clear statement is his conclusion. Understanding that most of us cannot explore life as Solomon did, we should take his word for it. His conclusion is what we should do. Fear God and keep His commandments. This is the only place to begin a scriptural bucket list. Pleasures or anything else outside of our obedience to God will disappoint us and bring heavier judgment. This is especially true for people of faith who know better.

In Solomon’s manual for finding things or pleasures that mattered in this life, death played a central role. This is what he had to look forward to and prepare for. It is the same for us all. Few like to discuss the eventual end. Death means judgment and retribution at the end of this life. Only God can make right things His creation messes up, including our sin. This is the way Solomon sees it: God will bring all works of men to His perfect judgment. This is what we must be ready for. Anyone with the slightest ability to hear anything the Lord says will hear this. Jesus described this ability to hear His words by noting hearers must have ears to hear. This is sort of an inside thing and beyond the scope of this text to explain it in detail. If you’re reading this and getting something out of it so far, you probably have ears to hear of which Jesus spoke.

This is why we begin our Bible bucket list here, with Solomon’s conclusion. This is when all acts and deeds are eventually judged as worthy or not. Look at it like this: whatever one’s portion in this life’s goods are, accountability to Almighty God in the end is what matters. Why ignore this coming reality? It takes a dark heart to blot out a conscience and Gospel Light that has shone for ages. We have to work at being that warped if that is the path we choose. Let us not be so foolish.

Consider Solomon’s summary: fear God and keep His commandments.

When we do this, everything else in life finds its proper place. If we don’t do this, everything in life is worthless. People say God works mysteriously. Our finite minds cannot comprehend God’s awesome splendor. We don’t know much. The Lord does however tell us what matters. When it comes to our being judged at the end of this life, He warns us so we know what to expect. What God says at the end is both eternal and irrevocable. Why wouldn’t we want to be prepared for this? Isn’t it wise to take steps now to assure a blessed afterlife?

In this list, we consider Bible-based suggestions to make a bucket list for Christians. Some items may not appeal to you, but surely some of these things should make us think how much our life is governed under this final heading and mandate of Solomon’s masterpiece. Do you want to do this? Do these statements ring true in your heart? Do you realize this is the key to happiness and peace in these times when most of the world prefers to not think on it?

We fear God and keep His commandments because God will bring everything under His scrutiny. This is how we acquire the abundant life of which Jesus speaks. This is how we come to the end of life with assurance: knowing all our works, along with every secret thing, will come out and be judged in His perfect final court session for all ages. He mentions all things, even secret things, both the good and the evil, are judged. Could anyone be so foolish to think we get away with anything?

To summarize the conclusion, hear this: if you plan to live a life pleasing to the Lord, this statement must be at the top of the list. Everything else, things that really matter, fall under this category.

When we consider items we’d like to do for the glory of God, as Solomon’s conclusion is in our mind and heart, we know they will be God-approved for what’s next. This type of bucket list doesn’t come as a result of carnal desire for some final fling. Spiritual things that matter for eternity are now in focus. We don’t want our end to come any other way. We want to finish life focused on what matters for the next life. Augustine, the great scholar of the early Church age said, "The chief purpose of this life is to prepare for the next." Plan your bucket list accordingly: with fear and a reverence toward God and a desire to keep His commandments.

Bible Bucket List 2

Matthew 6:16–18 Fast

Fast

Of all possible accomplishments, stages of growth or disciplines in the Christian life, fasting offers the greatest rewards. Feel uncomfortable yet? Stomach grumbling? Why is this discipline so clearly described in the gospel largely ignored in modern church practice? We don’t need to answer that. We like to eat. If someone really wants to accomplish great things for the Lord, we need to be in step with the Lord through His Spirit. Fasting, an extreme example of self-denial fine-tunes our relationship with the Lord. Going without food, even missing a meal in our