It's Not About This Life
Most of my life has been spent investing in my future life here on earth -- in my education, job, family, church and retirement. Money is tucked away. IRAs and mutual funds are set aside. Precious time is spent working to have what I will need to live this life successfully and retire comfortably. I have dreams about my retirement, but what about my eternity?
Recently a study showed me what we can expect on the new earth after Christ returns to reign. What is waiting there is an inheritance based on how we live our lives today. What we invest our time in today will impact what we have and do in eternity.
Therefore… we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
What plans does God have for me here in my short life that will fulfill His plan for me in eternity?
"For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
When God talks about the future, He is really talking about eternity. Who would make plans solely related to the first 80 years when there are thousands yet to come?
It had me thinking about how God made and gifted me to help those I meet every day. You don’t have to look far for hurting people. Even confident successful people camouflage their hurt to those in their circles. If you are looking to help others for Christ, you can notice that hurt and be used by God to help make it better.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)
That last verse is an amazing promise. Everyone who reaches for God will feel Him reach back. It is who He is because of His great love for us. This love is a free gift to all. If you are hurting, reach out to God! If you are looking to invest in eternity, be an advocate for those who are hurting. The world is full of despair, but we have this amazing hope that is alive in us through the Holy Spirit! Share the hope that changes eternity!
By Kimberly Pope
Kimberly is looking for ways to be the best that God made her to be. It's a process. ☺
Recently a study showed me what we can expect on the new earth after Christ returns to reign. What is waiting there is an inheritance based on how we live our lives today. What we invest our time in today will impact what we have and do in eternity.
Therefore… we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
What plans does God have for me here in my short life that will fulfill His plan for me in eternity?
"For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
When God talks about the future, He is really talking about eternity. Who would make plans solely related to the first 80 years when there are thousands yet to come?
It had me thinking about how God made and gifted me to help those I meet every day. You don’t have to look far for hurting people. Even confident successful people camouflage their hurt to those in their circles. If you are looking to help others for Christ, you can notice that hurt and be used by God to help make it better.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)
That last verse is an amazing promise. Everyone who reaches for God will feel Him reach back. It is who He is because of His great love for us. This love is a free gift to all. If you are hurting, reach out to God! If you are looking to invest in eternity, be an advocate for those who are hurting. The world is full of despair, but we have this amazing hope that is alive in us through the Holy Spirit! Share the hope that changes eternity!
By Kimberly Pope
Kimberly is looking for ways to be the best that God made her to be. It's a process. ☺
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacements
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
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November
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December
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