“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him…”
1 Corinthians 2:9
I’ve heard that psychologists and scientists say we only use a portion of our brainpower. Some use a little more and some a little less, but no one reaches their full potential when it comes to utilizing the power of the brain.
Well, if that’s true concerning our rational side, I wonder how much you and I really see of God with our spiritual eyes. There’s so much more to see than we could ever even fathom. And once you become an eyewitness, once you’ve seen just a glimpse of Jesus, you can never be the same.
When Moses was meeting with God up on Mount Sinai before he received the ten commandments, God allowed him to see just a glimpse of His glory. And it was enough to make his face glow with God’s light!
One day, you’ll see Jesus in all His glory. And just as magnificent as His glory will be your eternal reward if you are in Christ. So as you experience the ups and downs of life, remember that those who are in Christ will one day receive a reward greater that what you could ever imagine!
IN THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE, REMEMBER THAT IF YOU’RE IN CHRIST, GOD WILL ONE DAY GIVE YOU A GREATER REWARD THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”—Philippians 3:20–21
In the old city of London, there is a place known as Bunhill Fields; it is the burial ground of non-conformists. Many Anabaptists, Baptists, and Protestants are buried there who would not conform with unbiblical mandates given by the government and who, for their refusal, suffered for Christ. Not far from Bunhill Fields is Smithfield, where John Philpot and others paid the ultimate price as they were publically burned alive in the 1500s because of their stand for truth.
But the ashes at Smithfield and the remains at Bunhill Fields represent men and women who are now in Heaven and do not regret for a second their loyalty to their Saviour or the opportunity to stand for Him.
Truly, we live in challenging days. Christians in many countries around the world are regularly persecuted, even martyred, for their faith. Here in the United States, today, we face national and state elections that could have significant bearing on the future landscape of Christian liberty in America.
With all of the difficulties around us, it’s easy to become disheartened and fatalistic about the future. Remember, however, that the New Testament was written to churches in the first century who were also enduring difficult times for their faith.
One of the encouragements that the Apostle Paul gave to these Christians was to remember that, whatever their earthly citizenship may have been, they were citizens of Heaven. This is true for us as well. Patriotic as we may be, we have an eternal homeland.
Remembering our dual citizenship—earthly and heavenly—allows us to face the future optimistically. Whoever wins whichever offices in this election does not control our eternal destiny. The promises of our King remind us that the future is bright. In the words of missionary Adoniram Judson while facing extreme difficulties, “The prospects are as bright as the promises of God.”
Today’s Growth Principle:
Remembering your eternal homeland will give you a biblical perspective on the challenges you face on earth today.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment