LIFE ON EARTH IS NOT ALL THERE IS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 20, 2023.

SUBJECT: LIFE ON EARTH IS NOT ALL THERE IS! 

Memory verse: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3 vs 11.)

READ: Ecclesiastes 12 vs 5; John 17 vs 3:

Ecclesiastes 12:5: Also they are afraid of height, and terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets.

John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

INTIMATION:

You are created to live forever. Life on earth is not all there is; it’s just the small fraction of your whole life. Life encounters on earth prepares you for the next life that is unending—eternal. Earth is only a tryout for your life in eternity. It is a practice workout before the actual game. Death therefore, marks the beginning of life on the other side—in eternity. It is not the end of you. It isn't your termination because you can't be terminated. Death is only a transition into eternity, and there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth, leading to the part of the eternal divide you will forever live.

Even though we know that everyone will eventually die, death always seems unnatural and unfair, even at a hundred and twenty years. The reason we feel we should live forever is that God wired our brains with that desire! (Ecclesiastes 3 vs 11.) One day your heart will stop pumping, and that marks the end of your body and your time on earth, but it will not be the end of you. Your earthly body is just a temporary residence for your real self—your spirit. At most, God desires you live a hundred and twenty years on earth (Genesis 6 vs 3), and transits to eternity. Your time on earth is but a small parenthesis to your life in eternity. You are made to last forever. 

The plain truth is that while life on earth offers many chances, eternity offers only two; heaven or hell. Your relationship with God on earth will determine your relationship with Him in eternity. If you learn to love and trust God's Son, Jesus, accept His finished work on the cross for you, and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, you are given the legal right to be the child of God, heir of God, joint heir with His Son, and will spend the rest of eternity with Him. On the other hand, if you reject Him, reject His love, forgiveness, and salvation, thereby committing the only unforgivable sin, you will spend eternity away from God—in hell. 

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Your Will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right then, have it your way.' Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without Him here on earth. When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life on earth is just preparation for eternity, you will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, tasks, and circumstances. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. 

The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears. Eternity focused life changes your value system. You use your time and money wisely. You place higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn't matter as much anymore. 

The Scripture in Philippians 3 vs 7 says, "But what things were gain to me, I have counted loss for Christ." The apostle Paul said he thought his past achievements were very important, but now he considers them worthless when compared with what Christ has done for him. If our time here on earth is all there is to life, we would live as if there is no tomorrow. You would exploit life as much as you could, forget being good and ethical, and wouldn't have to worry about any consequences of your actions. You could indulge yourself in total self-centeredness because your actions would have no long-term repercussions. Unfortunately, life is beyond our days on this earth. Lead your life with eternity in mind and with God as your driving force.

Prayer: Abba Father, one thing I have desired of You, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in Your house forever. You have put eternity in my heart, awaken, therefore, the spirit of eternal consciousness in me, that I will lead my life on earth with utmost desire to please You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!