It’s easy to be preoccupied with the challenges of today, but seeing into the eternal can change our perspective on just about everything.

FOCUS

Focus is a quality that defines successful people. Successful people focus on what they want to achieve. A short-term focus is necessary if you want to achieve short term results. A long-term focus is necessary if you want to achieve long-term success. An eternal focus is critical if you desire to attain the eternal promises of God.

God has promised us eternal life in Paradise. This promise is not just for a chosen few, it is for everyone. Each and every human being is a creature of God and God’s people are His special possession.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Contemplating the eternal requires faith and trust in God. With faith we rise up beyond the present challenges we face as we hope in the eternal peace and joy God promises us:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”    1 Corinthians 2:9

Be comforted, be excited and be prepared for the eternal future that awaits you.

PREPARING FOR THE ETERNAL FUTURE

We need to understand how to prepare for our eternal home in Paradise.

There are a series of things we need to do to be ready to enter our eternal home.

FIRST: TURN TO JESUS FOR SALVATION FOR HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD!

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3: 23-24

SECOND: SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO JESUS AND TRUST IN HIM

We are all on a path that leads to an eternal future, the question is what type of eternal future will we have.  The human body will die but the soul will live on forever in heaven or hell.

“For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” Isaiah 57:2

Jesus wants to be in a relationship with each and every one of us. He wants to lead us to our eternal home in Paradise, one day-at-a-time. What we need to do is give our life to Jesus and seek to do the will of God each and every day.

We need to give our life and our talents to God with total dedication and focus on all the details, including the little details that only God sees. I am living my life mindful that each choice we make weaves a little thread in a tapestry called ‘life’ that will one day be judged by God. Most of the choices we make may seem very small, but when each choice even the small ones are made for God’s glory, then everything in our life can please Him.

THIRD: GIVE THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS AND LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE, ALWAYS SEEKING AND DOING HIS HOLY WILL

Faith begins with an encounter with God. We realize that without Him we are nothing. Faith is ultimately consummated in a loving relationship with Our Lord Jesus that is persistent, reverent and always bearing fruit.

Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Jesus is the vine who will supply us with everything we need to fulfill the plans God has for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Let us keep praying and receiving the Body of Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist with confidence that God will nourish us and enable us to succeed in all that He plans for us.

IT IS GOD’S HOLY WILL THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

REMEMBER:  We will be rewarded for our love!

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Matthew 16:27

In our world today I see so much violence, anger, hatred and desire for vengeance. I grieve for the senseless loss of life and I especially grieve for the children born in conflict zones, where children are often bred to hate and desire retribution against their enemies.

When we truly see into the eternal horizon we will see the futility of hatred and anger. It’s easy to be consumed by anger for injustice, but perhaps the anger that rages within us following an injustice is the greatest injustice of all for it means victims continue to suffer!

Remember these words; “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.”  Hebrews 10:30

LET US GO TO THE LORD JESUS FOR HEALING!

Our Saviour Jesus Christ has done something for me that I will be eternally grateful for: He forgave my sins and He freed me from anger by helping me to forgive!

FORGIVENESS IS FREEDOM!

I look at the divisions between countries and I long and pray for peace and reconciliation. I pray for the little children that they may be able to grow up to love not hate.

Now some may say I am naïve and to them I would say this:

God’s LOVE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU THINK!

Does anyone ever win a war?

Is the loss of human life on both sides ever justifiable?

Is there not a better way?

What we choose to do today will be remembered!

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12: 36-37

I invite you to be a peacemaker:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

It is Satan that wants wars, violence and vengeance.

It is God that wants peace, love and reconciliation.

Please join The Mercy Movement – a prayer movement that is uniting the Believers of Jesus Christ in a daily prayer for peace. We unite at the Time Jesus died for us (3pm – in our local time zones) to remember the Passion of Christ and to pray for Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to silence the power of the evil one and change our world as He changes our hearts. Let us trust in the power of God’s love to restore peace in our world, bringing healing and ending persistent threats of violence, vengeance and retribution. May Our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ intercede for us as He walks with us, never abandoning us.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:5