Sunday, March 6, 2016

Live Differently Today

So many preachers ask the question, "If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do differently today?" To us end-timers we need to ask the question, "If you knew the world was going to go on the way it is for another 100 years, what would you do differently today?"

Would you be more diligent to plan for your family's future? Would you be more optimistic about your children's education and career plans? Would you enjoy watching your grandchildren grow as they discover the beauty of God's creation, knowing they could look forward to love and marriage and their own offspring?

If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions -- if you would live life differently -- then you might be off-center in your apocalyptic fervor. The evil of the times may be getting to you.

The Christian way of life needs to keep all things in perspective -- in balance, so to speak. We must always seek the truth and be realists, not allowing the cares of this world to choke out our faith in God. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, while making the most of the time He has given us to enjoy His blessings and be a blessing to others.

It is so easy to lose heart and get down in the dumps as we look at the world falling apart around us -- politically, religiously, and economically. Thinking too deeply sometimes can be depressing -- especially regarding things that are out of our control to do anything about. Not taking the time to appreciate the good will turn many of us into pessimists -- people who are no fun to be around. 

Things will most likely be very different for the next hundred years -- and we can't do much to alter that. But we can live expectantly, that Jesus has all things in His hands and we can rest in that and look for ways to make the time left joyful and meaningful - making every moment count.

We love Him because He first loved us. Spread that love around.

"Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God....
When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil"
-- Prov. 2:3-5, 10-12a


"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." - 1 John 4:11-16


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