Life Ends. Then what?
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THE BEST THOUGHT TO COMMENCE EACH DAY:
“Everyone is concerned about what they’re gonna eat and wear…. First, be concerned about God’s kingdom and what has His approval. Then ALL your needs will be provided for you.” Jesus Christ (paraphrased) Link
THAT SOUNDS SURREAL
unless you believe in miracles and adventure
However, when I listen carefully to what I’ll call the heartbeat of culture, I overhear people talking as if they don’t believe in miracles. Take these two, for example:
Deece Epshin: Admit it, you want it.
Joe: Maybe.
Deece Epshin: Picture your name in the headlines, next to your glamor photo.
Joe: Yeah, I do want to see that. Get noticed. I’ve got the talent.
Deece Epshin: Of course, you do! I see it; others are just blind. And you deserve what comes with that prominence, you know.
Joe: Fortune? Who’d say no to having so much wealth you could go anywhere and do whatever you want.
Deece Epshin: And take care of the poor. Don’t forget your virtues.
Joe: A no brainer. The poor. Everyone should take care of the poor.
Deece Epshin: But that’s not all you want, I can see it in your gaze. You want to be the big cheese.
Joe: I do? I don’t know . . .
Deece Epshin: Aren’t you tired of other people telling you what to do? Setting all the rules that hold you back?
Joe: Sort of.
Deece Epshin: You’ve got the ideas, and they don’t listen. When they do accept your ideas, they take the credit for them. Ticks me off when that happens!
Joe: Yeah, you’re right. I’m feelin’ it. I’m called to lead people. Lots of people. Let them look up to me for once.
Deece Epshin: You’ve served your time in slavery mode. Time to move up.
Joe: (Laughs). Slavery’s a bit overboard. But it’s a fitting word picture.
Deece Epshin: Fame. Wealth. Power. You’re entitled to all that.
Joe: Hmm. Me, head of the Firm. I like the sounds of that. Executing my own revolutionary designs with out challenge. People would finally recognize my significance.
Deece Epshin: You mean, prominence.
Joe: Don’t get carried away.
Deece Epshin: Celebrity status. Dream big.
Joe: I am! I can do this. I will make it happen.
Deece Epshin: At last, you’re seeing the light. But you know it’ll cost blood, sweat, and tears.
Joe: Whatever it takes. I’m in.
Deece Epshin: A commitment to self. No more suppressing your hunger, thirst. Surrender to no one. Go. For. It. All.
BLOOD
Sacrifice family
SWEAT
Worry & anxiety, stress & pressure
TEARS
Once you’ve lost all that really matters
(family/reputation/innocence/scruples)
you will weep
THE WORLD WE SEE is a temporal setting, and everything it offers has a limited shelf life. Vocations vary and paychecks come in different amounts; both provide the means to serve a greater, Divine cause—one that will have lasting, eternal value.
→We only get one earthly life.
→When that ends, then what?
I’LL BET MY iPAD we’ll have to 2 questions to answer. TWO questions that have endured since before any clock started ticking.
NUMBER ONE: Did I choose to love the Lord God authentically with ALL my heart, soul, mind and strength?
NUMBER TWO: Did I learn to love people?
ABOVE ALL, PURSUE #1 and #2 (His kingdom), and all your needs will supernaturally be met in abundance. Your desires, financial needs, home/food, all necessities! You will lack nothing in this temporal existence because what is truly significant is not of this world.
Walk according His plan by faith, not by what the world presents
THE WAY OF THE EMBATTLED SPIRIT
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MORE THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT
No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4
Satan offers Jesus Christ the world on a silver platter LINK Offer denied!
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Mark 8:34-37 (msg)
