You are an eternal being!

You will live forever, not in this age, but in the age to come. However, many people focus solely on their achievements and acquisitions in this lifetime, neglecting preparation for judgment and the future age. Jesus' resurrection demonstrates His dominion over all powers, as Ephesians 1:20 affirms, "not only in this age but in the age to come."

In Luke 16, Jesus tells the parable of the unjust steward who manipulates debts to secure his future. Rather than condemn his deceit, Jesus highlights the steward's foresight in planning ahead. He advises, "Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings."

Everything we possess belongs to the Master, and we all fall short in various ways. The crucial question is: How are we using what we have to secure entry into our eternal home? Have we embraced Jesus' sacrifice for our sins? Have we surrendered to Him as Lord of our lives? Just as a landlord owns the property, if He is our "lord" we choose to let Jesus "own" us and as his disciples, we strive to please and emulate Him in all we do. What we sow on earth will surely store up treasure in heaven and in the next age.

"Many people assume that everyone goes to a better place when they die. While Jesus died for the sins of all humanity, He also explained the nature of His kingdom in the Beatitudes and instructed the crowds in Matthew 7, to "Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. But narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Going to  heaven is not automatic, it requires a yielding to the way Jesus has provided.

In summary, created in the image of God, we all will live forever, but not in the same place.  In spite of all Jesus has done, many will follow the path that leads to destruction.  It is not those who say "Lord, Lord" but those who do the will of the Father who enter into the kingdom of Heaven.  While there is time, be like the unjust steward, and make your provision for the future age.  Surrender to Jesus.

Why You Do What You Do

What do you do?  The truth is that you do what you value.
You spend 3 hours a night watching television or surfing on the computer because you value that stimulation or lack of it.  You go to church or you don't go to church because that is something you value.  If you play a musical instrument at some point you valued learning and being able to play that instrument to create music.

If you take time to chart out a 24 hour day or better yet, a 168 hour week, you will discover what the true values in your life are.   A person who loves football may actually spend 3 hours watching the game, listen to the announcers wrap up the highlights of the contest, and then listen to 30 minutes on the coach's show the next day.  He may read 15 minutes of news story about the players the next day and even read ESPN summaries and previews for next week.  In short his 6 hours of attention demonstrates that he values the entertainment and stimulation of football. On the other hand, a person who states that he values time with God but spends less than 10 minutes a day is trying to fool himself into believing that is something he treasures.

What if you want to change your values to include something that you have chosen to make important to you?  Let's suppose you wish to learn how to improve your golf game or get better at some activity.  The first step would be to seek out classes or someone who could give instruction, then schedule the time to work on it, and finally take a certain amount of hours to practice or be involved in the activity until you make progress or master it.  The same principle applies if you wish to know God.

In order to live for God, to place the highest value in your life on glorifying Him, you have to make some deliberate choices.  It all starts with the realization or revelation that Jesus Christ is worth your everything, your whole effort, and your greatest attention.  Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.  Human nature just won't or can't do this without God Himself accomplishing it in us.  Scripture tells us that in His light, we become light.  We are changed by beholding His glory.  In short, man only changes when we see God.  What is it worth to you to see God?

If seeing Him and knowing Him is a high value, then you choose to set aside time to be with Him, to seek teachers who can explain spiritual principles, and to put yourself in a place and disposition to receive His revelation.  The time you give and what you do shows you value this relationship.  We invite you to choose to make knowing God a higher value in your life.  Give greater priority and time to seeking God and let Him work through your new desire.  As you treasure getting to know Him and His great love, you will begin to find time and to reflect on His character more each day.  Gradually this desire will reshape the things you do, until your actions demonstrate the greatest value in your life.  The awesome, beautiful, holy, all-wise, worthy Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus is worth your time and effort.