Creating Goals for a Heavenly Status

 

Achieving perfection on earth is impossible to be done unless you’re Jesus, yet as believers in Christ we always have this goal of complete heavenly status also known as perfection. This leads to continually pressing on with eyes on the prize as it says in Philippians 3:12 “ Not that I have already obtained this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Despite life being so jarring, we can have the goal of heaven. With this excitement we don’t need to be dreary yet live a life conscious of what the future holds as it says in 2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.” Living with a goal of heaven cheers us on for we have the knowledge of eternity with Jesus.

Exhilarating Motivation

Be motivated and moved to live joyfully on this earth despite all its problems. Turn the ugly to pretty by transforming your life from thinking of earthly things to heavenly. As believers of Christ we know He has given us access to something amazing- a peace that can only be found with Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 says, “be on your guard, not asleep like the others, Stay alert and be clearheaded.” Having this good news of Jesus and heaven, we aren’t called to be silent or only think of ourselves, but focus on spreading the good news of Christ, which should be the goal for every Christian. The best unbelievers get is this world, they have nothing to look forward to. 

Along with that we need to be loving Him right here and now in this world with an in-dwelt motivation for the next life. We are encouraged to share our excitement in Christ, and to keep living our life joyfully until we reach heaven. As it says in Philippians 1:21 “for to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” We are also encouraged to keep focus in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 “But you, Timothy a rare a man of God; so, run from dark things. Pursue righteousness, a Godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 

There’s a difference between just living and using your time wisely. Spread the exhilarating news given by Christ! Be an eager beaver and share about His gift of eternal life. No need to be unhappy for not being in heaven yet, but how about spending your time helping others?

Seek, and You Will Find

The world’s advice isn’t an unchanging powerful mechanism for a may-hem free life. Sure it’s great for a brief while, but it’s not very strong. Just one thing falls then everything shatters like a glass cup. If it chips a touch the whole glass is unusable, even if it’s just a little broken, it’s of no use. 

A human’s life is unlike this. If we mess up we don’t completely crumble. We are fixable. But how can we be fixed?  With the assistance from our Father in Heaven, who redeems us. How do we get help from God? As it encourages us from James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” If we realize we need help, ask and God is there to save us. The Lord is sufficient to satisfy all our needs.

1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or things of the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.” The world is chipped as the glass cup, but the Lord isn’t lacking anything but is complete, giving each of us His heavenly wisdom. If we seek we will find as it says from Matthew 7: 7-8, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

 

Put Down the Compact Mirror

 All of us need to calm down and learn to look to God in all choices. Replacing your own wants and wishes with remembering how God is working out all things in your life. As it says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose." We need to be enthralled with God's plan, not in our own self. Don't just check your compact mirror to see if something is in your teeth and then stare at yourself because you don't want to forget how good looking you are. By becoming too self-involved you could walk into something or right into trouble.

A better option would be to continuously meditate on God's plan for each of us. By staring at your reflection you develop a second problem, you begin to notice your imperfections like, I never realized my nose was that big, or I hope no one sees that wrinkle.

By focusing on Christ instead of yourself problems seem less problematic. He is aware of your thoughts, and He cares about you. He reverses negative type thoughts into positive. This transformation occurs in all Christians.

The Lord gives us instructions to stay away from negative thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:3 says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh." Don't let carnal pity party rages take hold of your life, for we have something which overpowers these chunky monkey thoughts which leads to creating those bad pity parties, the Lord!

Remember each of us have access to our magnificent Savior to lean on, who wants us to have a relationship and prayer life with Him. As it says in Philippians 4:6-9, "Fret not about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus."

The only thing eternal does not come from the reflection of the mirror, but from the One who gave us life. There is a season, and a reason, and God brings it all together. 

When Dehydrated

Becoming dehydrated is unavoidable if you choose to not drink water. Observe plants, being similar to humans in this way, if they don’t have water they stop growing wilt and die. We need a source of water, a spiritual beverage, that is equally important as the drink that relieves your thirst. This spiritual drink is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13 which says, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

The Greek word that correlates with this verse is potizo, which is defined as made to drink. We share in the power of Christ, having His Spirit in our hearts, because we have been made to drink the living water. This spiritual water is beneficial in this crazy world for it is the only route to be in a unified body of Christ. Being refreshed with it, delivered through Jesus, you will find peace. As it tells us in John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘if you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 

The reason we all need the relief is because it’s the only option for reaching eternal life. To attain this refreshing beverage, ask God and you will receive. 

Don’t Let the Wind Win

Boaters in the Central Valley are somewhat rare. Yet there are a few people who own a ski or a fishing boat, but not ocean traveling vessels as the story from the Bible. In the book of Mark it describes a moment when Jesus was in a ship during a storm, “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’” Mark 4:35-38

When the storm hit, the disciples were afraid and asked if Jesus cared about their safety. As we continue reading it says, “He (Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to the disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” Mark 4:39-40

No matter what, we should always be trusting in Him. Through the various storms in our lives we need to learn to always look to Jesus. Another example is when Paul was crossing the ocean and a giant storm came about. Acts 27:14 “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.” Paul approaches the storm differently than the disciples by saying to the other people on the boat, “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.” Acts 27:22 He came at the trial knowing that it was in God’s control. In other words, there is still hope when the spontaneous storms blow into our lives, for God is always reliable and will be faithful to give us courage. 

Will you withstand the gusts of wind with Jesus on your side, or will you allow the wind win?

Spiritual Awakening

Whether rich poor young old, we all can relate in needing transformation. Such as Saul, who had an extremely hard heart, who eventually had an awakening and transformed to Paul. 

The dedicated believer Paul was speaking about himself before he trusted in Christ in Acts 22:4. He wrote, “and I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering them into prison both men and women.”  In his former life he was completely anti Christian, fighting against them and putting them to death. Before becoming one of the greatest saints in the Bible, Saul had to be completely transformed to Paul. 

We all have the opportunity to be transformed from our old ways to new, no matter your past sins. Paul is a beautiful example of how God can awaken us. Despite his old ways, Paul became a man who God used to write many spectacular books in the Bible and to reach out to the gentiles. “Of this gospel I was made minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given to me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:7-9 Isn’t it nice to know that God can use you, in spite of your sins?

So how can you go from being a Saul to a Paul? Turn away from your old sinful ways and believe in Christ. Sin will still be a struggle, but with Jesus as your guide, He will open your eyes and illuminate the correct path. Read the Bible, find a church, fellowship with other Christians, and pray. Stay strong, and don’t fall back to your old ways. As Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20