Eternity

October 31st – James 1:12

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James 1:12

God’s Promise – “I promise a crown of life to all who love Me despite their trials.” 

No one is exempt from the trials of life. And although painful, James tells there is much to be gained from weathering the storm. For as a Roman philosopher once said, “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” In 1 Peter 2:4, Jesus is called a, “living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God.” We too are choice and precious stones to God. He lovingly refines and purifies us until we are smoothed by faith and polished by perseverance. The process at times may be painful. But to those who endure to the end, James promises a great reward; the crown of life. A beautiful crown reserved for all who love God and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. Life can be hard. But knowing we will be spending eternity in paradise with the Lord, is all the incentive we need to persevere through every trial!

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October 29th – 1 Peter 5:10

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1 Peter 5:10

God’s Promise – “I have called you to My eternal glory in Jesus Christ.”

Peter makes it clear that there are no ifs, ands, or buts. As long as we are here on this earth, we will experience suffering. While Christians aren’t immune to trials and pain, we can find peace knowing God is always in control. And from His unending grace, our loving Father never lets us suffer in vain. For there is always a purpose for our pain, with no storm lasting longer than God allows. About suffering pastor Paul Chappell says, “Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God’s will is being done.” Although we must suffer a little while, one day soon God will call us home. And never again will we know anything but joy, gladness, and peace. But until that glorious day we can trust that with each trial, God establishes, strengthens, perfects, and matures us. Walking side by side with His children until they dwell with Him in eternity!

 

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October 28th – Revelation 2:11

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Revelation 2:11

God’ Promise – “Those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death.”

We will all die once in the flesh. Made from dust, our bodies will return to dust. And while non believers fear dying, Christians know the glory awaiting us. For never again will we be apart from God. In our new glorified bodies, we will dwell and reign with the Lord for eternity. But those who refuse God’s gift of pardon, will not only face one death, but a far worse second death. The second occurs when those who reject God will be cast into the lake of fire, and eternally separated from Him. Once this judgment has been pronounced there is no coming back. A judgement God wishes for no one. That’s why in His mercy, He gives all a chance to receive Jesus as their Savior. For as 2 Peter 2:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

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October 6th – 1 Peter 2:10

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1 Peter 2:10

God’s Promise- “I have chosen you to be a royal priesthood and a holy nation.”

It seems ancestry kits are all the rage. With the availability of DNA  testing, people are eager to trace their roots. As Christians, we don’t need a swab and a test tube to tell us who we are. For we need look no further than the Bible to find our ancestors. Because once we receive Jesus as our Savior, we become grated into God’s chosen race. A race with no color, or ethnicity. An inclusive race of brothers and sisters in Christ called by God as His own possession. Once we wandered through life alone, belonging to no one, and serving our own desires. But now, like the Israelites, we belong to God. We are all one people, one nation, whose citizenship is in heaven. A royal priesthood and holy nation, set apart for God’s glory. Right now Jesus is preparing a permanent home where we will all, as one family, dwell with Him for eternity. We will forever be His people, and He will forever be our God.

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July 24th – Psalm 16:9

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Psalm 16:9

Not all fear is bad. There is the healthy fear that helps keep us from harm. And the fear of the Lord which is the, “beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7) But far too often the fear that fills us is the kind that keeps us stuck under the thumb of the Enemy. King David knew a thing or two about enemy attacks. Yet because of the depth of His faith in God, he feared nothing; not even death. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living. That is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, and a rough voyage to undergo.” As Christians we needn’t ever fear passing from this world to the next. For what awaits us is more glorious than anything we could ever imagine. A perfect eternity of love and peace, spent at the side of our Savior. And knowing what awaits us, how could we not rejoice and rest secure in God’s love!

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July 10th – Ephesians 1:18

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Ephesians 1:18

Gratitude is important. God wants us to be thankful everyday for the blessings that He so freely gives us. But you know what else is important? Joy. The Lord wants us to feel the joy that comes with each gift He bestows. “You shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you” (Deut. 26:11) In His greatest blessing our Father in heaven, through His unmerited love, sent His Son to die so that we can live. And the joy of hope we have as we look forward to an eternity spent at His side should flood our hearts. Nothing in this world can surpass the riches of the glory set before us through Christ Jesus. Because of Him, God calls us beloved, righteous, and His. He blesses us abundantly  because of our inheritance through Jesus. And as heirs to the kingdom, knowing this should light up our hearts with great joy!

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November 24th – 1 Corinthians 15:57

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1 Corinthians 15:57

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.” For followers of Jesus, death isn’t to be feared, but to be celebrated. Because we know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8) Through His death and resurrection at the Cross, Christ defeated death forever. And now all Christians can look forward to an eternity spent at the side of our Savior. There we will celebrate Christ’s victory forever with songs of thanksgiving and continual praise for His mercy and love. Never again will we suffer from the pull of sin, for we will finally be the complete perfect images of our Lord. So with our last breath we can rejoice and give thanks to God. For His Son, Jesus Christ, has stolen both the victory and the sting of death forever!

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October 25th – 1 Corinthians 13:12

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1 Corinthians 13:12

There’s a reason that some mirrors come with warning labels. Because they produce limited and flawed reflections. Paul describes our knowledge of God like a mirror. While we are on the earth, we only have a partial or dim reflection of our glorious, heavenly Father. But one day everyone of us, believer or not, will stand before the Lord face to face. And all will be revealed.  Gone forever will be the foggy mirror, and we will fully know God as He fully knows us. Imagine that! Our great Creator knows us down to the number of hairs on our head. (Matthew 10:30) He knows our most private thoughts. God sees our hopes, dreams, greatest fears, and all we were created to be. And in His great love for us, His children, He wants us to know Him as intimately as He knows us. And how wonderful it will be spending an eternity by His side. Where we will be forever growing in knowledge and love for the One who created, redeems, and calls us His!

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August 15th – James 1:12

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James 1:12

It’s often our darkest times, that reveal our true feelings toward God. When trouble hits do we run to His open arms to receive His grace, love, and strength? Or do we let the Enemy plant seeds of discouragement, despair, and doubt in God’s goodness? For those who persevere in trials, who never give upon God no matter how bad the circumstance, He promises to give the crown of life. Five eternal crowns God offers. Rewards for His children who have been faithful throughout their lives. The crown of life is bestowed to those who love God. Those who believe in Him for eternal life, and who, in faithful obedience, keep His commandments; especially during suffering. So when the storms of life surround us, we can rejoice knowing the crown awaiting us. A crown that we will proudly lay at the feet of our Savior Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2)

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June 22nd – John 14:1

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John 14:1

Just before His arrest and Crucifixion, Jesus dropped some bombshells on His disciples. He warned them about His upcoming death, the betrayal of one of His own, and Peter’s denials. Yet the Lord also comforted them with these words. “Do not let your heart be troubled.” How could their hearts not be troubled after all the heartache that would soon take place? Because rather than being the end, Jesus’ death was the beginning of some wonderful blessings. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, would now come to indwell every believer. And Jesus, as a bridegroom does for his bride, was going to prepare a magnificent, wonderful, place for His beloved church. And one day soon, Christ will return for those who believe in Him, and bring them to their eternal home.

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