What About Eternity?
If you are spending your brain space caged in anger about what is happening now or anxiety about what happens next, remember the Kingdom. If you are finding yourself unaware or closed off to the struggling lives around you, remember how we prepare ourselves and others for the Kingdom. And if you get lost and don’t know where to start, look to Jesus’ example, the bridge between people and heaven as he walked out his purpose on earth, ever-focused on eternity: “and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 2:2).
Before I leave this blog, I want to give you a foundation to prepare for eternity by living each day fulfilling your purpose. Again, it’s not enough to think about eternity if we haven’t made our lives’ work about it! This is how we lead others into God’s Kingdom:
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- Scripture: Read up on God’s purpose for you. Christ stood firmly in his God-given purpose on earth—the outcome of eyes fixed on God’s Kingdom. We need to do the same. But how did Jesus gain such a sound grasp of his purpose? Scripture and prayer! What has God asked you to do here on earth to lead others to His Kingdom?
- “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
- “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
- “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:18-19. Here, Jesus was reading from Isaiah’s prophecy about his purpose on earth, which we now carry out in our own lives as a reflection of him.
- “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28
- “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:27
- Scripture: Read up on God’s purpose for you. Christ stood firmly in his God-given purpose on earth—the outcome of eyes fixed on God’s Kingdom. We need to do the same. But how did Jesus gain such a sound grasp of his purpose? Scripture and prayer! What has God asked you to do here on earth to lead others to His Kingdom?
- Prayer: Ask God fervently for direction to move.
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- “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
- Action: Humbly and deeply reflect on where you stand in your faith and then do something about it. Does your vision match your purpose, or does your faith lack action? What can you improve on here on earth to more accurately represent the Kingdom?
- “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22. Really, verses 19-27 are so ripe for this time… I encourage you to read the whole chapter!
- “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
- “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:15-17
- “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
- Consider your legacy. One day you will be moving fully into eternity, and only your legacy will remain on earth. Have conversations (even the hard ones) with your family to ensure that those in your home are serving the Almighty. Train your children by example to follow godly footsteps.
- “. . . as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
- “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
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Heart of the Father
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We Have Great News!
- If you or anyone in your household has symptoms, we ask that no one in your household attend service.
- Services will begin promptly at 9 and 11 AM and our main doors will open at 8:30 and 10:30 AM respectively.
- Coffee will be prepared and served by our cafe team and available only 30 minutes prior to service start.
- You are welcome to wear a face mask or gloves if you wish, but it is not required.
- We will observe social distancing on the property at this time, including seating and row spacing in the Sanctuary.
- Since we will not have children’s classes or nursery yet, please bring your children to service with you. We will have an activity bag for them!
- Persons from the same household sitting together would help us to maximize our seating during this time. Ushers will help you with seating.
- For your safety, all touched surfaces will continually be cleaned and sanitized before, during, and after the services.
- We will temporarily clear the building from 10:15-10:30 to sanitize for our 11 AM service.
- We love you and appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time.
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God’s Favor is for Today!
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Always Open
Happy Resurrection month to all of you wonderful, amazing children of the Most High God! Easter and Spring are both magnificent reminders of God’s love. Whatever challenges you are currently facing, Jesus has made a way to victory! With the current virus situation going on and many places closed, the Lord has been reminding me in prayer each morning this week — HIS THRONE ROOM IS ALWAYS OPEN!
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