ARE YOU LIVING FOR TODAY—OR FOR ETERNITY?

 

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ARE YOU LIVING FOR TODAY—OR FOR ETERNITY?

The Choices We Make Today Will Have Eternal Consequences

What if you discovered that the most important things you accomplished in your lifetime weren't the things you worked hardest to get?

What if your greatest accomplishments were the prayers nobody heard, the kindness nobody noticed, the sacrifices nobody appreciated, and the people you encouraged to follow Jesus Christ?

We spend so much of our lives preparing for tomorrow. But how much time do we spend preparing for eternity?

One day, we will leave behind everything we have accumulated on earth. But what we have faithfully done for Jesus Christ will have eternal significance.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21 that we should not store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but instead lay up treasures in heaven.

Then He made a remarkable statement:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Think about that for a moment.

Jesus was not merely talking about money. He was teaching us about the direction of our hearts.

What do we value most? What receives our attention, our energy, our affection, and our time?

Are we living primarily for things that will eventually disappear, or are we investing our lives in things that will last forever?

EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN ETERNITY

Many people believe that doing something important for God requires becoming a pastor, missionary, evangelist, or someone with a large ministry.

But consider the ordinary believer who quietly serves Jesus without recognition.

A grandmother who faithfully prays for her grandchildren.

A father who teaches his children to love God's Word.

A widow who encourages someone who is struggling.

A believer who visits someone in prison, feeds the hungry, comforts the lonely, or shares the Gospel with a stranger.

The world may never recognize these acts of faithfulness.

But God sees them.

Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God is not unjust to forget our work and the love we have shown toward His name in serving others.

Isn't that encouraging?

You may feel that your life has accomplished very little. Perhaps you have never received an award, achieved financial success, or been recognized for your service.

But the Lord measures faithfulness differently from the world.

What seems insignificant to others may be precious in His sight.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE, BUT CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS

Before going further, we must understand something extremely important.

We cannot earn salvation through good works.

Ephesians 2:8–9 clearly teaches that salvation is God's gift, received through faith, not something we can earn or boast about.

But the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, tells us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared for us to walk in.

Do you see the connection?

We are not saved BY good works.

We are saved FOR good works.

God did not save us merely so we could wait for heaven.

He has given us opportunities to glorify Him while we are still here.

Every believer has been entrusted with something valuable: time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and relationships.

The question is not whether we have been given something.

The question is what we are doing with what God has entrusted to us.

ONE DAY WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT

Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, where we will receive according to what we have done while living in our bodies.

For believers, this is not a judgment to determine whether Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to save us.

Our salvation rests upon Jesus Christ.

But Scripture teaches that our works will be evaluated.

First Corinthians 3:12–15 describes how each person's work will be tested by fire.

Some works will endure, while others will be burned up.

This should cause us to examine not only what we do, but why we do it.

Are we serving to receive recognition from others?

Are we giving because we want something in return?

Or are we faithfully serving because we love Jesus and desire to please Him?

The Lord knows the motives of our hearts.

And that brings us to a question worth considering every morning.

Lord, what would You have me do with the life You have given me today?

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN INVESTING IN ETERNITY

Perhaps you are listening to this message and thinking about years that seem wasted.

Maybe you regret opportunities you missed or decisions you wish you could change.

But consider this wonderful truth.

As long as the Lord has given you another day, you have another opportunity to serve Him.

You cannot change yesterday.

You cannot guarantee tomorrow.

But you can surrender today to Jesus Christ.

You can pray for someone.

You can forgive someone.

You can encourage someone.

You can share the Gospel.

You can demonstrate the love of Christ through something as simple as an act of kindness.

And you can do these things without expecting anyone to notice.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us to do whatever we do heartily, as unto the Lord rather than unto men.

What a difference that perspective makes!

Instead of asking, "What can I accomplish for myself today?" we begin asking, "Lord, how can I glorify You today?"

That is what it means to live with eternity in view.

THE GREATEST REWARD IS HEARING HIS APPROVAL

In Matthew 25:21, Jesus describes a master saying to his faithful servant:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

What beautiful words!

Imagine standing before the Savior who gave His life for you and hearing His approval of your faithfulness.

Not because you lived a perfect life.

Not because you were wealthy, famous, or accomplished great things in the eyes of the world.

But because you trusted Him and faithfully used what He entrusted to your care.

What could be more valuable?

My friend, one day our earthly journey will end.

Our possessions will remain behind.

Our titles and achievements will lose their earthly importance.

But our relationship with Jesus Christ, and the eternal value of a life faithfully surrendered to Him, will remain.

So before another day passes, ask yourself:

Am I merely spending my days, or am I investing them in eternity?

Remember, we are not preparing to stay here forever.

We are preparing to meet our Savior.

And may our hearts desire to hear Him say:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Amen.

WILL JESUS FIND US FAITHFUL WHEN HE RETURNS?

It's Not Just How We Begin Our Walk With Christ — It's How We Finish.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would find you doing if He returned today?

Would He find you praying, trusting, forgiving others, and faithfully using the opportunities He has given you?

Or would He find you so occupied with the concerns of this world that you had almost forgotten He was coming?

Jesus asked a remarkable question in Luke 18:8:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Jesus asked this question after teaching about persistent prayer and trusting God without losing heart.

Would His followers continue trusting Him, even when life became difficult?

And that brings us to today's question:

Will Jesus find us faithful when He returns?

1. Faithfulness Begins With Abiding in Christ

Jesus said in John 15:5:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Notice that Jesus didn't tell His disciples to produce fruit through their own strength.

He told them to abide in Him.

Our relationship with Jesus must come before we serve Jesus.

We can attend church, study Scripture, and participate in religious activities. But none of these can replace a personal relationship with our Savior.

We don't become faithful to earn salvation. We desire to be faithful because we have been saved by God's grace through faith.

Faithfulness begins with loving Jesus and allowing His Word to guide our lives.

2. Faithfulness Means Being Doers of the Word

James 1:22 tells us:

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

There is a difference between knowing God's Word and living according to it.

This is what I call the "Be Attitude" — being in Christ and becoming a doer of His Word.

Jesus desires more than religious knowledge. He desires obedience flowing from a heart that loves Him.

3. Faithfulness Is Tested During Difficult Times

It's easy to speak about faith when everything is going well.

But what happens when prayers seem unanswered?

What happens when we experience rejection, loneliness, illness, or disappointment?

Do we continue trusting God?

In Luke 18, Jesus told the story of a widow who persistently sought justice.

His purpose was to teach His disciples that they should always pray and not lose heart.

Sometimes faithfulness means continuing to pray when we don't understand God's timing.

Sometimes it means forgiving someone who has deeply hurt us.

And sometimes it simply means waking up another morning and saying:

"Father, I don't understand everything happening in my life, but I still trust You."

Faithfulness isn't the absence of difficulties. It's continuing to trust the Lord through them.

4. Faithfulness Means Using What God Has Entrusted to Us

In Matthew 25, Jesus told the Parable of the Talents.

A master entrusted his possessions to three servants before leaving on a journey.

Two servants invested what they received.

The third buried what had been entrusted to him.

When the master returned, he called each servant to give an account.

To the faithful servants, he said:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Here's something important.

The servants received different amounts, but the two faithful servants received the same commendation.

Their master recognized their faithfulness.

Those opportunities matter to God.

The question isn't how much we have been given. The question is what we are doing with what God has entrusted to us.

5. Our Faithfulness Has Eternal Significance

Second Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that believers must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This is something every Christian should understand.

We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.

But Scripture teaches that our service and faithfulness will be evaluated by Jesus.

First Corinthians 3:12–15 describes how our works will be tested.

Some will endure, while others will be burned up.

A believer may suffer loss of reward while still being saved.

Salvation is God's gift. Faithful service is our grateful response.

Our desire shouldn't be to impress others or receive earthly recognition.

It should be to please the One who gave His life for us.

Even the smallest acts of faithful service, unnoticed by the world, are known to our Heavenly Father.

6. It's Not Just How We Begin — It's How We Finish

Near the end of his earthly ministry, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Paul experienced persecution, imprisonment, rejection, and suffering.

Yet he continued trusting and serving Jesus.

He kept the faith.

What a testimony!

Our Christian lives aren't simply about the day we first believed.

They are also about the days and years that follow.

Are we growing closer to Jesus?

Are we becoming more obedient to His Word?

Are we investing our remaining time in things that have eternal value?

Finishing well doesn't mean living a flawless life.

It means continuing to depend upon God's grace and remaining faithful to our Savior.

7. What Will Jesus Find?

Let's return to the question Jesus asked:

"When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Imagine standing before Jesus Christ.

The distractions of this world are gone.

The possessions and achievements we once considered so important have lost their earthly significance.

We are standing before the One who loved us enough to die for our sins.

What will matter then?

What a wonderful hope it is to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

A Final Thought

Perhaps the Lord has placed something upon your heart.

Maybe He's calling you to forgive someone, encourage a struggling believer, share the Gospel, or spend more time with Him.

Don't wait for a more convenient season.

We don't know how many tomorrows we have.

But we do have today.

And today is another opportunity to be faithful.

We cannot change yesterday, and tomorrow is not promised. But we can choose to be faithful to Jesus today.

When Jesus returns, may He find us not merely waiting for Him, but faithfully living for Him.

And may our greatest desire be to hear those wonderful words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Amen.

I'm Well Done — Preparing for Eternity

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WHO OR WHAT HAS YOUR ATTENTION?

Are Life's Distractions Drawing You Away From Jesus?

Have you ever picked up your cell phone to check one thing, only to discover that thirty minutes have disappeared?

One message becomes another. One video leads to the next. Before we realize it, precious time has slipped away.

But here's a question every follower of Jesus should consider:

If the world can capture so much of our attention, how much attention are we giving to the One who gave us life?

Today, let's examine what Scripture teaches about distractions, deception, and making our limited time count for eternity.

JESUS WARNED US ABOUT DECEPTION

In Matthew 24:4, Jesus warned His disciples:

"Take heed that no one deceives you."

Deception doesn't always appear as an obvious lie. Sometimes it comes through persuasive opinions, misleading teachings, or messages that sound appealing but contradict Scripture.

And although ordinary distractions aren't necessarily deception, they can leave us spiritually vulnerable when they continually pull us away from God's Word.

Consider the messages competing for our attention.

News. Entertainment. Social media. Advertisements. Political arguments. Endless opinions.

How do we determine what is true?

Our ultimate authority must be God's Word.

Paul instructed believers:

"Test all things; hold fast what is good."

— 1 Thessalonians 5:21

That includes examining what we hear from pastors, Bible teachers, social media personalities, and even lessons like this one.

Never accept a teaching simply because someone sounds convincing. Examine it against Scripture.

WHO IS SHAPING YOUR THINKING?

Romans 12:2 tells us:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Our minds are influenced by what we watch, read, and listen to.

If we continually fill our thoughts with worldly messages while neglecting Scripture, those messages can influence our priorities.

Consider this question:

Are we spending more time scrolling through social media than searching the Scriptures?

This isn't intended to make anyone feel guilty.

It's an invitation to examine how we are using the time God has entrusted to us.

REDEEMING THE TIME

Ephesians 5:15–16 instructs believers to walk wisely, "redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Every morning we awaken, God has given us another opportunity to live for Him.

But our time is limited.

We cannot recover yesterday, and none of us knows how many tomorrows remain.

Imagine spending just fifteen minutes less each day watching unnecessary videos and fifteen minutes more reading Scripture, praying, or encouraging someone.

That small decision could gradually transform our spiritual lives.

Our time is a gift from God, and how we use it matters.

IS TECHNOLOGY THE ENEMY?

Absolutely not!

The very cell phone that can distract someone from reading the Bible can also deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands of people.

Through technology, we can encourage someone lonely, share Scripture, pray with a friend, or introduce someone to Jesus.

In fact, you may be hearing this message through a Facebook Reel!

The problem isn't necessarily the technology.

The question is whether we control how we use it or allow it to control our attention.

Technology can serve temporary purposes and eternal ones.

What matters is whether Christ remains first in our lives.

WHAT ARE WE INVESTING IN ETERNITY?

In our previous lesson, "How to Build a Fireproof Life," we examined Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 3.

Paul explained that the works of believers will one day be tested by fire.

Some works will survive. Others will not.

Salvation is God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it through good works.

But what we do with the life He has entrusted to us matters.

Every day offers opportunities to love someone, forgive someone, help someone, encourage someone, and share the Gospel.

Yet those opportunities can pass unnoticed when our attention is consumed by less important things.

Jesus said:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

— Matthew 6:21

What does the way I spend my time reveal about what I treasure most?

LEARNING TO LISTEN TO OUR SHEPHERD

Jesus said in John 10:27:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

What a beautiful picture of our relationship with Christ!

He knows us, cares for us, and calls us to follow Him.

But following Jesus requires intentional attention to His teachings.

We need time in Scripture, time in prayer, and opportunities to reflect on what God is teaching us.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is put down our phones, quiet the distractions, and spend a few moments with our Heavenly Father.

Not because technology is evil.

But because our relationship with Him deserves our attention.

ONE DAY, THE DISTRACTIONS WILL END

Someday, our earthly lives will come to an end.

The notifications will stop.

The videos will be forgotten.

The arguments and controversies that once seemed so important will fade away.

And we will stand before Jesus Christ.

Second Corinthians 5:10 reminds believers that we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

What will matter then?

Not how many followers we accumulated or how many hours we spent being entertained.

But how faithfully we responded to Christ and used what He entrusted to us.

So before you pick up your phone again, ask yourself:

Is what I'm about to do helping me grow closer to Christ, serve others, or fulfill a worthwhile responsibility?

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life or taking time to rest.

But we must not allow temporary distractions to rob us of eternal opportunities.

The world is competing for our attention.

Jesus is calling us to follow Him.

Who will have your attention today?

We cannot take our earthly possessions with us, but we can invest our earthly lives in things that have eternal value.

So redeem the time.

Guard your heart.

Renew your mind.

Follow Jesus.

And live each day preparing to hear those wonderful words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

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Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, Acknowledges Us Before the Father

The Joy of Being Personally Known by Jesus Christ

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when you finally stand in the presence of Jesus Christ?

Will He know your name? Will He remember your prayers, your struggles, and the times you tried to serve Him faithfully?

And what does the Bible tell us about Jesus acknowledging those who belong to Him before His Heavenly Father?

Yesterday, we considered what happens when we take our final breath and leave this earthly life.

Today, let's consider another wonderful promise Jesus gave His followers.

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and He will acknowledge those who belong to Him before His Father.

1. Jesus Knows You Personally

In John 10:14, Jesus declared:

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

Think about those words.

Jesus doesn't simply know that Christians exist. He knows those who belong to Him personally.

He knows our names, our struggles, our disappointments, and our deepest concerns.

He knows the prayers we have whispered when nobody else was listening.

He knows the tears we have shed when nobody else was watching.

And He knows the opportunities He has entrusted to us.

In John 10:27, Jesus said:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Notice the relationship.

His sheep hear His voice.

He knows them.

And they follow Him.

Christianity is not merely belonging to a religious organization or knowing facts about Jesus.

It is a living relationship with our Savior, made possible through God's grace and received by faith.

2. Jesus Will Acknowledge His Followers Before the Father

Now consider one of the most remarkable promises Jesus ever made.

Matthew 10:32:

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

Did you catch that?

Jesus promises to acknowledge those who acknowledge Him.

Imagine the significance of that promise!

The Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again, promises to acknowledge His followers before His Heavenly Father.

Scripture does not describe the precise manner in which this will occur. We should not invent a ceremony or conversation that the Bible does not reveal.

But the promise itself is extraordinary.

The One who knows us completely is not ashamed to acknowledge those who belong to Him.

And consider Hebrews 2:11, which tells us that Jesus is not ashamed to call His people brethren.

What a wonderful expression of His love!

3. We Come to the Father Through Jesus Christ

Jesus said in John 14:6:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

We do not enter God's family through our accomplishments.

We do not earn our acceptance through religious activity.

We come through Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 2:18:

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Think about what this means.

Through Jesus Christ, believers already have access to their Heavenly Father.

We do not have to wait until death to begin that relationship.

And one day, our faith will give way to sight as we enter the fullness of His presence.

What a glorious hope!

4. The Shepherd Who Knows Our Struggles

Perhaps you have experienced loneliness, rejection, disappointment, or circumstances that made you feel forgotten.

Maybe there have been times when you wondered whether anyone really cared.

But remember what Jesus said.

"I know my sheep."

He has not overlooked you.

He knows the burdens you have carried and the times you have struggled to remain faithful.

And even when we fail, His invitation is to turn back to Him in repentance and trust.

Our confidence is not that we have performed perfectly.

Our confidence is in the Savior who loved us and gave Himself for us.

The Good Shepherd is not looking for an excuse to abandon His sheep.

He gave His life to save them.

5. What About Hearing "Well Done"?

This brings us to a subject that has become especially important in our teachings about preparing for eternity.

In Matthew 25:21, the master said to his faithful servant:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Those words come from Jesus' Parable of the Talents.

The servants had been entrusted with responsibilities during their master's absence.

When he returned, they gave an account of their stewardship.

And the faithful servants received their master's approval.

This reminds us of 2 Corinthians 5:10, where Paul teaches that believers must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Our salvation is a gift of God's grace.

But how we live after receiving that gift matters.

Our time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and acts of service are entrusted to us for His glory.

We do not serve Jesus to purchase eternal life.

We serve Him because He has already loved us and saved us.

And what greater desire could a believer have than to live in a way that pleases our Savior?

6. Are You Known by the Good Shepherd?

There is also a solemn warning we must not overlook.

In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warned that not everyone who calls Him Lord truly belongs to Him.

Some will point to impressive religious activities, yet Jesus will declare:

"I never knew you."

That is a sobering statement.

It reminds us that outward religious activity is not the same as a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

The question is not simply whether we know about Jesus.

The question is whether we have truly trusted Him as our Lord and Savior.

Have you placed your faith in His death and resurrection?

Are you trusting His grace rather than your own good works?

Do you desire to follow Him?

Jesus said in John 6:37:

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

What a wonderful invitation!

You can come to Him today.

7. The Joy of Belonging to Jesus

One day, our earthly journey will be complete.

Our struggles, disappointments, and responsibilities in this world will come to an end.

And for those who belong to Jesus Christ, there is the glorious hope of being with Him forever.

We cannot describe every detail of that heavenly reunion.

But we can trust what Jesus has promised.

He knows His sheep.

He gives them eternal life.

He will acknowledge His followers before His Father.

And He has prepared a place for those who belong to Him.

So while we are still living on this earth, let us use the opportunities He has given us to love Him, obey His Word, encourage others, and share His Gospel.

Not to earn His acceptance, but because we have already received His grace.

Remember this wonderful truth:

The most important thing about standing before Jesus is not whether the world remembers your name, but whether you belong to the Savior who knows you personally.

And may our lives reflect the desire to hear those precious words:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Do you know the Good Shepherd—and are you following Him today?

One Second After Your Last Breath

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One Second After Your Last Breath 

Note: This text version of today's lesson takes about 10-1/2 minutes to read, whereas the Facebook Reel version is only about 7-1/2 minutes long.

Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death With Jesus

Today's Scripture: Psalm 23:4; John 10:27–29; John 11:25–26; 2 Corinthians 5:6–8; Philippians 1:21–23

An I'm Well Done Bible Teaching

Have you ever stopped to consider what will happen one second after you take your very last breath?

Will everything simply go dark? Will you be afraid? Will you know what is happening? Will you be alone?

These are questions that nearly every human being will eventually consider, yet they are questions many people prefer to avoid.

We spend so much of our lives preparing for tomorrow. We make plans, save money, purchase homes, raise families, and prepare for retirement.

But how much time do we spend preparing for the one appointment that none of us can escape?

The moment we leave this earthly life and enter eternity.

The wonderful news is that Jesus has not left His children without hope.

1. The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Perhaps no passage of Scripture has brought more comfort to believers facing death than Psalm 23.

David wrote:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

Notice something remarkable about these words.

David did not say, "If I walk through the valley."

He said, "Though I walk through the valley."

He understood that life's darkest valleys are real. And for every person whose earthly life comes to an end, death is a reality that must eventually be faced.

But notice something else.

David did not say that he would remain in the valley.

He said he would walk through it.

And why could he walk without fear?

Because he knew that his Shepherd was with him.

The greatest comfort in this passage is not the promise that we will never experience darkness, suffering, or death.

It is the promise of God's presence.

"For thou art with me."

Those five words can change the way we think about dying.

2. The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep

Jesus gave us another beautiful promise in John 10:27–28:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (KJV)

Think about what Jesus is saying.

He knows those who belong to Him.

Not simply as names written on a list.

He knows us personally.

He knows our struggles, our disappointments, our fears, our prayers, and even the tears that no one else has seen.

And He promises eternal life to His sheep.

Jesus did not say, "I might give them eternal life if everything goes well."

He said, "I give unto them eternal life."

What an extraordinary promise!

The believer's security rests in the faithfulness and power of Jesus Christ, not in our ability to save ourselves.

And if our Good Shepherd has faithfully cared for us throughout our earthly lives, why should we imagine that He would abandon us at the very moment we need Him most?

3. What Happens One Second After Our Last Breath?

Here we must be careful to distinguish between what the Bible reveals and what we might imagine.

Scripture does not describe every sensation or experience of the first second after death.

But it does give us something far more important.

It gives us a promise.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." — 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

Paul understood something that should bring tremendous comfort to every believer.

Our earthly bodies are temporary, but our relationship with Jesus Christ is eternal.

In Philippians 1:23, Paul spoke of his desire to depart this earthly life and be with Christ, which he described as "far better."

Imagine that!

Paul had experienced persecution, imprisonment, suffering, and tremendous hardship.

Yet when he considered leaving this world, he did not speak as a man without hope.

He looked forward to being with Jesus.

We should also remember that the Bible promises a future resurrection of the body. Being with Christ after death and receiving our resurrected bodies are related promises, but they are not the same event.

The important truth is this:

For the person who belongs to Jesus Christ, physical death cannot separate us from our Savior.

We may not know every detail of what that first moment will be like.

But we know whom we have trusted.

And we know His promises are faithful.

4. Death Is Not the End of the Believer's Story

When Jesus stood before Martha following the death of her brother Lazarus, He made one of the greatest declarations recorded in Scripture.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." — John 11:25 (KJV)

Notice that Jesus did not merely say He could provide resurrection.

He declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life."

Our hope of eternal life is not based upon a religious institution, our accomplishments, or the number of good deeds we have performed.

Our hope is found in a Person.

Jesus Christ.

The One who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

Because He lives, those who belong to Him have the promise of eternal life.

This is why the Gospel is such wonderful news.

We do not have to earn our way into Heaven.

We receive salvation through God's grace by faith in Jesus Christ.

And the same Savior who gives us eternal life calls us to follow Him faithfully throughout the days He has entrusted to us.

5. Learning to Walk With Jesus Before We Enter the Valley

Here is something I hope every reader and listener will seriously consider.

Why should we wait until the final moments of our lives to think about walking with Jesus?

Our earthly lives are opportunities to know Him, love Him, obey His Word, and become increasingly sensitive to His leading.

Every morning that we awaken is another gift from God.

Another opportunity to pray.

Another opportunity to encourage someone who is hurting.

Another opportunity to forgive someone who has wronged us.

Another opportunity to share the Gospel.

Another opportunity to invest our lives in things that will have eternal value.

Remember the words of Jesus:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." — John 14:15 (KJV)

Our obedience does not purchase our salvation.

Rather, our love for Christ should produce a growing desire to please Him.

We are learning to walk with our Shepherd today so that when our earthly journey comes to an end, we can face that moment with confidence in the One who has promised never to forsake us.

6. Are You Prepared for Your Last Breath?

Now I want to ask you a very personal question.

If today were your final day on earth, would you be prepared to meet Jesus Christ?

Not because you have lived a perfect life.

None of us has.

Not because you have attended church regularly, given money to charity, or tried to be a good person.

Those things cannot save us.

The Bible says:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Do you believe that He died for your sins and rose again?

Have you personally trusted Him for the forgiveness and eternal life that only He can give?

Jesus asked Martha a question after declaring Himself the resurrection and the life.

He said:

"Believest thou this?" — John 11:26 (KJV)

That same question deserves an answer from each of us today.

Because our eternal future is too important to leave to chance, assumption, or procrastination.

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ, you can turn to Him today.

Acknowledge your need for His forgiveness, believe the Gospel, and place your trust in Him.

You do not need to wait until you become a better person.

Come to Him as you are, trusting in what He has already accomplished through His death and resurrection.

7. The Final Journey Is Not the Final Destination

One day, unless Jesus returns first, our earthly journey will come to an end.

The possessions we have accumulated will remain behind.

The homes we have occupied will belong to someone else.

The responsibilities that once consumed our attention will be passed to others.

But the things we have done in loving obedience to Jesus Christ have eternal significance.

And for those who belong to Him, the end of earthly life is not the end of the story.

There is a promised resurrection.

There is an eternal home.

There is the joy of being with our Savior.

And there is the hope of hearing those precious words:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

Our earthly lives are opportunities to prepare for that glorious future—not by earning eternal life, but by faithfully responding to the grace we have received.

So when you think about that final breath, remember the words of David:

"For thou art with me."

And remember the promise of Jesus:

"I give unto them eternal life."

We do not need to know every detail of the journey ahead.

We need to know the Shepherd who has promised to lead us.

And if you belong to Jesus Christ, you can trust Him with your life, your death, and your eternity.

Are you ready to walk with Him today?

HOW TO BUILD A FIREPROOF LIFE

 

HOW TO BUILD A FIREPROOF LIFE

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Living Today for What Will Survive Eternity

There is a question every believer should seriously consider:

What am I building with my life that will still matter in eternity?

We spend much of our lives building things.

We build careers. We build businesses. We build homes. We build savings accounts. We build reputations. We accumulate possessions. We make plans for tomorrow, next year, and sometimes decades into the future.

There is nothing necessarily wrong with these things.

But the Bible tells us something that should completely change our perspective:

Everything we can see around us is temporary.

Peter writes:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat...”
— 2 Peter 3:10

Then Peter asks a remarkable question:

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”
— 2 Peter 3:11

In other words:

If we know how the story ends, shouldn't that change how we live today?

THE WORLD IS TEMPORARY

Look around you.

Everything we work so hard to acquire will eventually be left behind.

Our houses.

Our automobiles.

Our bank accounts.

Our furniture.

Our collections.

Our awards.

Even the buildings and cities around us.

Peter reminds us that the world in which we presently live is not our permanent home.

God has something far greater prepared.

Peter continues:

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
— 2 Peter 3:13

That means the wise believer learns to live in this temporary world while investing in the eternal one.

Jesus taught the same principle:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20

Jesus was teaching us how to build a fireproof life.

THERE IS ANOTHER FIRE

Peter tells us that this present creation will face fire.

But the Apostle Paul tells believers about another fire—one that will examine what we built with our lives.

Paul writes:

“Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:13

Notice carefully.

Paul is not describing the believer's salvation being tested.

Salvation is God's gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul is describing the testing of our works.

What did we do with the life God gave us?

What did we do with our time?

Our abilities?

Our opportunities?

Our resources?

Our influence?

Our relationships?

And perhaps most importantly:

Why did we do what we did?

Some things may look impressive on earth but have little eternal value.

Other things may seem small and unnoticed by people but may be precious to Jesus.

WHAT SURVIVES THE FIRE?

Paul describes two kinds of building materials:

Gold, silver, precious stones...

and

wood, hay, straw.

The fire reveals the difference.

What might the gold, silver, and precious stones represent in our lives?

They are the things done through faithfulness and obedience to Christ.

Loving someone who cannot repay us.

Helping someone who is struggling.

Sharing the Gospel.

Giving generously.

Serving quietly.

Forgiving someone who hurt us.

Encouraging someone who feels forgotten.

Praying for others.

Using the abilities God entrusted to us.

Standing for truth.

Bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Doing what Jesus asked us to do—even when nobody else notices.

These are investments that can reach beyond this temporary world.

EVEN A CUP OF WATER MATTERS

Jesus said something extraordinary:

“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple... he shall by no means lose his reward.”
— Matthew 10:42

Think about that.

A cup of water.

Something almost anyone can give.

Jesus was showing us that eternal significance is not determined by how impressive something appears to people.

It is determined by faithfulness to Him.

You may never preach before thousands.

You may never write a book.

You may never become famous.

You may never have great wealth.

But you can still build a life filled with eternal value.

You can love.

You can serve.

You can give.

You can encourage.

You can pray.

You can forgive.

You can share Jesus with someone.

And you can faithfully use whatever God has placed in your hands.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

This is why Jesus' Parable of the Talents is so important.

The Master entrusted something to each servant.

Not everyone received the same amount.

But each servant was responsible for what had been entrusted to him.

When the Master returned, the faithful servant heard the words every believer should long to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Notice that the Master did not say:

“Well done, famous servant.”

He did not say:

“Well done, wealthy servant.”

He did not say:

“Well done, successful servant.”

He said:

“Well done, GOOD AND FAITHFUL servant.”

God measures faithfulness differently than the world measures success.

SO HOW DO WE BUILD A FIREPROOF LIFE?

We begin by understanding that our lives belong to Christ.

Then we learn to abide in Him.

As we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives.

Then we begin using what God has entrusted to us for His purposes.

Our time becomes an investment.

Our abilities become an investment.

Our money becomes an investment.

Our conversations become an investment.

Our relationships become an investment.

Even our trials can become an investment when God uses them to encourage someone else.

Suddenly ordinary life becomes filled with eternal opportunities.

ONE DAY WE WILL LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND

Someday, someone else will live in our house.

Someone else will own the things we worked so hard to acquire.

Our bank accounts will belong to someone else.

Our possessions will be distributed, sold, donated, or eventually discarded.

But what was done for Christ will not have been wasted.

That is why we must learn to distinguish between what is temporary and what is eternal.

We cannot take our earthly possessions with us.

But we can invest our earthly lives in things that have eternal value.

BUILD SOMETHING THE FIRE CANNOT DESTROY

Perhaps the most important question we can ask ourselves today is not:

“How much have I accumulated?”

Or:

“How successful have I become?”

But rather:

“What am I building that will still matter when I stand before Jesus?”

Peter tells us this world is temporary.

Paul tells us our works will be tested.

Jesus tells us to store treasure in Heaven.

And the Parable of the Talents reminds us that the Master is returning.

So while we still have time...

Love someone.

Help someone.

Forgive someone.

Encourage someone.

Give generously.

Share the Gospel.

Use your gifts.

Serve Christ.

Be faithful with whatever He has placed in your hands.

Because someday the temporary things will disappear.

But what was truly done for Christ will have eternal value.

Build your life out of things the fire cannot destroy.

And perhaps, when we finally stand before our Master, we will hear the words our hearts have been longing to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

Do We Really Mean It When We Pray, “Your Kingdom Come”?

Why I Pray Daily for God's Kingdom to Come

Almost every morning, I pray the prayer Jesus taught His disciples.

And there are four words in that prayer that I have probably repeated thousands of times:

“Your kingdom come.”

But recently I began thinking more deeply about what those four words actually mean.

When I pray, “Your kingdom come,” do I really mean it?

Jesus said:

“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:9–10

Those words are so familiar that it is possible to say them without realizing the tremendous prayer we are making.

We are asking God for His Kingdom to come.

We are saying, in effect:

Father, I want Your Kingdom more than I want this present world.

What Are We Really Praying For?

When Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come,” He was teaching us to look beyond the world we presently see.

This world is temporary.

Our houses are temporary.

Our possessions are temporary.

Our careers are temporary.

Even these earthly bodies are temporary.

But God's Kingdom is eternal.

That doesn't mean our lives here are unimportant. Quite the opposite. What we do with our lives today matters because eternity is ahead of us.

We have been given a limited amount of time to love God, love others, serve Christ, share the Gospel, use the abilities He has entrusted to us, and invest our lives in things that have eternal value.

That is why Jesus said:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20

Jesus was teaching us where our hearts should be invested.

And then He said:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21

That raises an important question:

Where is my treasure?

Because the answer may reveal whether I really mean it when I pray:

“Your kingdom come.”

Sometimes We Hold Too Tightly to This World

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings God gives us.

We can enjoy our families, our homes, our friendships, a beautiful morning, a good meal, or simply walking outside and thanking God for another day.

These are gifts from our Father.

But there is a difference between enjoying God's gifts and building our entire hope around this present life.

Sometimes we become so comfortable here that Heaven almost becomes an afterthought.

We say we believe in eternity.

We say we are looking forward to Heaven.

We pray, “Your kingdom come.”

Yet if we are not careful, our hearts may quietly be saying:

“But not yet, Lord. I still have too much here that I don't want to leave.”

Perhaps that is one reason Jesus taught us to pray these words every day.

They help realign our hearts.

Your Kingdom—not mine.

Your will—not mine.

Your purposes—not mine.

“Your Will Be Done”

Notice what comes immediately after “Your kingdom come.”

Jesus said:

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Those two thoughts belong together.

If I truly desire God's Kingdom, then I should also desire God's will in my life today.

That changes the way I think about following Jesus.

Instead of asking only:

“Lord, what can You do for me?”

I begin asking:

“Lord, what would You have me do for You?”

What opportunity have You placed before me?

Who can I encourage?

Who needs to hear about Jesus?

Whom can I serve?

What ability have You entrusted to me that I should be using for Your Kingdom?

That is Kingdom living.

And we don't have to wait until Heaven to begin.

We Are Preparing for a Kingdom

The Bible doesn't end with mankind trying desperately to preserve this present world forever.

It ends with something infinitely better.

John writes:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”
— Revelation 21:1

Then comes one of the most beautiful statements in Scripture:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.”
— Revelation 21:3

Think about that.

From Genesis to Revelation, God's great plan leads toward His dwelling with His people.

And Revelation tells us that a day is coming when:

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.”
— Revelation 21:4

No more funerals.

No more disease.

No more broken relationships.

No more loneliness.

No more sin.

No more death.

That is where God's plan is taking us.

So why would a believer want to cling desperately to a fallen world when our Father has promised something so much greater?

Maybe We Should Pray It Differently Tomorrow

The next time we pray the Lord's Prayer, perhaps we should slow down when we reach those four words:

“Your kingdom come.”

Don't just recite them.

Think about them.

Perhaps we could pray:

Father, I really do want Your Kingdom to come. Help me not to become so attached to this temporary world that I forget the eternal one You have promised. Help me use whatever time You give me here for Your purposes. Help me invest my life in things that will matter in eternity.

And then pray:

“Your will be done.”

Not reluctantly.

Not fearfully.

But trustingly.

Because our Father knows where history is going.

He knows what He has prepared.

And He knows what is waiting for His children.

One Final Question

Jesus taught us to pray:

“Your kingdom come.”

So perhaps each of us should ask ourselves:

Do I really mean it?

Am I living primarily for the kingdom I can see—or for the Kingdom that is coming?

Am I investing everything in a temporary world—or am I laying up treasure in Heaven?

And if Jesus called me home today, would I feel that I had faithfully used what He entrusted to me?

We don't know how many days we have remaining.

But we know where we are going.

So while we are here, let us love.

Let us serve.

Let us forgive.

Let us give.

Let us share the Gospel.

Let us faithfully use whatever God has placed in our hands.

And every morning, let us pray those four words with greater understanding and anticipation:

“Father... Your Kingdom come.”

May our lives show that we really mean it.