Devotionals
Heaven – Don’t Miss It for the World. I saw that message the other day on a sign outside of a small church that I frequently pass by in our small, but growing, town of Zephyrhills. I enjoy reading the messages that appear on different churches’ signs and occasionally, will write them down. But this one has really stuck with me this week.
It’s funny, when I first read it, I related to it in the way we casually use that saying. For example, “Are you coming to your mom’s birthday party this weekend?” “Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” But God didn’t want me to let this go and then I thought a little deeper about it. “Heaven – don’t miss it for the world.” Don’t get caught up in worldly things and miss out on the eternal riches of Heaven!
Our pastor just mentioned a couple of weeks ago: We want to be in the world, but not of the world. There is a difference. God did give us life so that we can enjoy all things. But those beautiful skies, the harmony of the birds’ songs, the laughter of our children, the joy of pure love – these are all just wonderful previews of what God has in store for us in Heaven.
Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3 NIV)
Praise God! Jesus is going to prepare a place for us with Him and the Father in Heaven!
It’s so funny how we sometimes go through this life so desperately trying to please others; trying to live up to the expectations and demands of this world. I’m guilty of it myself. But we do not need to try to “keep up with the Joneses”. At the end of the day, when we are alone, we are with the only One we should want to please. We need to ask ourselves, do we want to give ourselves to our jobs? Do we want to give ourselves to our computers, to our television shows, to our cars, to our bank accounts? Or do we want to give ourselves to our Lord? After all, did He not give His ALL to us?
There is no reason we have to give up our jobs or our extracurricular activities. But we should make a conscious effort to include Jesus in all that we do. What a difference it makes when you include the Lord in more aspects of your life.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
I commute 45 minutes each way to work every day. I have been doing this for almost 11 years now. I still groan and complain now and again while sitting in the horrendous traffic jams, thinking of all the other more productive things I could be doing. But I have been trying to make better use of that time. Sometimes I use it to talk to God, sometimes I pop in a worship CD and worship Him. (I’ve got so into my worship sometimes while driving that I’ve elicited some bizarre glances from people I’ve passed by.) Even lately, I have been trying to randomly pick out people that I see and pray for them. It could be someone driving in the lane next to me, someone waiting at a bus stop, or someone walking along the road.
Try that the next time you are out driving alone. Pick someone and pray for them. If you are not sure what to say, just say, “Dear Lord, please bless that person in whatever their needs are this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen”
We never know what the next day, next hour, or even next minute is going to bring. This world constantly throws obstacles and distractions our way. The awesome thing is that we have a God that is constantly there to guide us through those obstacles and divert us away from those distractions. “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
Something that continues to amaze me is the fact that this world and this life can be so extremely complex and tricky. But the Word of God is simple. His love is vast and encompassing and pure. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)
There have been times I have gotten caught up in this world and thought I could do things on my own; and some of those times have been the lowest points of my life. At the end of the day, I was empty and I believe Jesus was there knocking, thinking, “Please call on me! Not just in your times of trouble, but in all things.”
Now, at the end of the day, I know that I am not alone. I still have times of anger, sadness, exhaustion, but I now also have a peace that passes all understanding. It gets me up in the morning, it gets me through the day, and back to sleep each night.
I am ONLY where I am today thoroughly by the precious Grace of God! That grace, that “undeserved favor”, I am so thankful for.
If you know the Lord, I pray that God will keep a hunger burning inside of you to constantly seek Him.
If you do not know the Lord, I pray that you will open your heart to God. I know He has been waiting to hear from you. I promise you, it will be the BEST decision you will ever make!
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18 NIV)
May God Bless You!
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Excellent article. You illustrate you points with Scripture. Great teaching. If I may, I would recommend a double return between paragraphs (makes it easier to read). I learned that from friend here at faithwriters. Keep serving the Lord. In Christ, Christian
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