Tag: John 16:33

What Authentic Difference Could It Make for us to Pray Without Ceasing for Peace in our World? John 16:33

John 16:25-33 New King James Version

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his [a]own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [b]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

For close to two thousand years now, Christians everywhere celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Some of us sang the words, “I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today.” And our hearts and souls resonated with every word.

We’re back to school or work or at home facing the pressures of everyday life.

The joyous celebration of Christmas getting closer every moment of everyday.

But the risen Savior may not seem nearly as close today, and little may seem to have changed over the course of time and history.

We’re still faced with that lingering disease called sin, that broken relationship, between humanity and our Savior, those cultural and societal, governmental issues, those impossible financial problems, or those hardships that come with growing older but not so much proportionately smarter or wiser or peaceable.

We hear about poverty and persecution, about war and conflict in so many countries, and we might ask,

“Has the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ really made .01% a difference? Has all the prayers prayed since that glorious moment, has anything changed in the past 2,000 years since Jesus’ resurrection? Are things any better, are things that much the worst for the passage of time in the 21st century than they were in the first century?”

Though nations, technology, social institutions have changed a lot since then, our human condition is much the same. God’s image-bearers are still addicted to sin, still refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of sin, refuse to honor God.

In our text from John’s narrative, Jesus sternly warned all of his followers,

“In this world you will have trouble.”

But because he has overcome the world, we can have new life in him and peace in Him in spite of the enormity of our struggles. We can with much effort strive to enact God’s restoration in our daily lives. We can pray, share his love with others and look forward together to the day when the risen Savior will return!

What Difference Does It Make to Pray for Peace in Our World?

Praying for peace seems an impossible task, or even a waste of time.

When we look at the current unrest in our world — the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, to name just three — we know that if or even when conflict comes to an end in these regions, peace can be precarious, tentative.

If war doesn’t return to these areas, it will flare up elsewhere in our world.

Even down to the level of our homes, we know that peace is elusive. Quarrels, silent treatment, or someone walking out can occur at any time. As much as we try to mediate the peace — or work to make those times we get together with our families peaceful — it is often an ongoing battle to live without tension.

In any case, didn’t Jesus sternly warn us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble”? Didn’t Jesus say that “wars and rumors of wars” were a sign of end times and his return (Matthew 24:6-8)?

And yet, the Bible doesn’t leave us with this sense of unrest.

It does the opposite.

The biblical view is to seek peace.

The biblical exhortation is to

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 New King James Version

14 Now we [a]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [b]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As I heard someone say recently, “Chase after peace, pursue it, handcuff it.”

First, to understand what we are praying for, we need to grasp the meaning of peace more fully. We need to know what the word “peace” means in the Bible.

The word for peace, shalom in Hebrew in the Old Testament, is more than an absence of conflict.

Shalom’s meaning is much broader and more comprehensive.

It more correctly means wholeness, soundness, health, security, well-being, and salvation. It can also mean quietness, rest, stillness and completion.

Here are three reasons we should pray for peace and the difference it can make.

Peace Is a Blessing from God for His People

Peace, in all the forms mentioned above, is not created by human beings but comes from God himself.

Just like love, grace, and mercy are characteristics of God, so is peace; and wholeness, well-being, and completion are each a part of God’s nature.

God is the creator of peace.

And as one commentator says, “peace is the ideal of creation.”

God says this of himself in Isaiah 45:7:

“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

The word for “well-being” in this verse is  shalom.

God’s government and authority is one of peace. 

Job 25:2 “Dominion and fear are with God; he makes peace in his high heaven.”

When we pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven,” we are praying for God’s peace that rules in heaven to come to earth. God’s kingdom is one of wholeness, soundness, health, security, well-being, rest and salvation.

The Creator God of peace, whose reign in his kingdom is harmonious and 100% complete, also blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 29:10-11 says: “…The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”

And Psalm 85:8 says: “…he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants.”

We get a sense from these Psalms that God’s blessing and promise of peace — soundness, wholeness, rest even — is for His people, corporately.

And because of that, we are summoned to pray corporately for God’s peace.

We pray for the plan of the Creator to fill the earth, as the heavens, with His peace. We pray for God to restore our world to His intended plan for creation.

We should pray within our churches and with other believers for the blessing of God’s peace to come to earth from heaven. Just as the Lord’s prayer begins: Our Father… we ask for His blessing of peace on us, all as his people.

God’s Kingdom of peace is the needed difference to our world.

Let’s use this prayer together.

Our Father in heaven, may your Kingdom of peace, salvation, wholeness, and completion rule on earth as it does in heaven. We ask you to pour out your gift and blessing of peace on us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Peace Is a Gift That Individuals Have with God through Jesus

The New Testament word for peace is irene. This word means rest, but it also incorporates all the meanings of shalom mentioned above, too.

With the announcement of the birth of Jesus, the angels praised God:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

The peace of heaven came to earth through the birth of Jesus, Prince of Peace.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of one who would come, one who was hoped for.

We know this as Jesus.

Just as we repeat the words of the angels during our Christmas celebrations, so we recite the words of Isaiah 9:6:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Psalms above indicate, God’s people prayed for God’s peace to come to earth. This Prince of Peace was longed for by God’s people for hundreds of years.

We know that Jesus didn’t bring peace to the land, even if his disciples hoped that Jesus’s rule would be a physical kingdom (Matthew 20:21).

Instead, Savior Jesus gave all he had at Calvary, by his resurrection, gave us individuals peace—rest, well-being, salvation—in their relationship with God.

Jesus understood that his mission was one of peace, too:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

And Paul developed on Jesus’ mission by explaining that peace came through Jesus’ death for us as sinners. 

Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus know the peace it has brought to our hearts as we understand, or perhaps realize is beyond our understanding, a sense of well-being, wholeness, rest, and security that we are right before God.

The most important peace we can pray for is for individuals to be reconciled with God through Jesus.

And prayer is the way in which we invite others to place their faith in God, through Jesus, and receive salvation. Prayer brings individual peace with God.

Use this prayer for the people in your life to find peace with God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus, the bringer of peace. I bring before you those I know and love who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. May they turn to you in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Peace Is a Gift of the Holy Spirit for Our Relationships with Other People

Galatians 5:22 lists “peace” as a gift of the Holy Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

God’s peace, part of His nature, is bestowed on us through the Holy Spirit.

As God’s people we receive his blessing of peace, and we are reconciled to God in peace through his Son Jesus. Then we also have God’s peace dwelling within us through his Holy Spirit. We are surrounded, both inside and out, by peace.

There are two things we should know, though, about peace that comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

First, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is never exclusive for ourselves, it is for the benefit of other people. Second, peace is not automatic, we must work at it.

Paul, in his letters, valued the quality of peace to such a high degree that he coupled it with God’s grace.

In his letters, he greeted the churches with the words “grace and peace to you.” See 1 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, and Colossians 1:2 as examples.

The writer of Hebrews also knew of the importance of setting peace as a goal:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14).

Peace makes the body of Christ work as it should. It brings “full restoration,” God’s wholeness and completeness. It brings a “harvest of righteousness,” through knowing Christ as our only Lord and Savior, and it leads to holiness.

Immanuel, Living in peace means that God is with us, other people will notice, and God will be glorified. Let’s pray to work at finding peace with each other.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit and the gift of peace that he brings. Give us the strength and wisdom to strive and work for peace with other people, especially other believers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 46 Authorized (King James) Version

Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Do You and I Truly Know The One Thing Satan Really Desires to Take from Us? Job 1:6-12

God recognizes Job’s faithfulness. He remarks to his Satan (a Hebrew word meaning simply “accuser”, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8).

The accuser spots an opening for mischief and replies, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9). That is, does Job love God only because God has blessed him so richly?

Is Job’s praise and his burnt offerings “according to the number of them all” just a calculated scheme to keep the goods flowing?

Or to use a modern image, is Job’s faithfulness nothing more than a coin fed into the vending machine of God’s blessing?

Job 1:6-12 Amplified Bible

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the [a]Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God].” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not put a hedge [of protection] around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him], and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put forth Your hand now and touch (destroy) all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

Job’s Prosperity Acknowledged as God’s Blessing

At the beginning of the Book of Job we are introduced to an exceptionally prosperous farmer/rancher named Job.

He is described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East” (Job 1:3).

Like the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, his wealth was measured by his many thousand head of livestock, numerous servants and large family.

His seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2) are both a personal joy to him and an important foundation of his wealth.

In agricultural societies, children supply the most reliable part of the labor needed in a household.

They are the best hope for a comfortable retirement, the only pension plan available in the Ancient Near East, as is in many parts of the world today.

Job regards his success to be the result of God’s blessing.

We are told that God has “blessed the work of Job’s hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:10).

Job’s recognition that he owes everything to God’s blessing is highlighted by an unusual detail.

He worries that his children might inadvertently offend God.

Although Job takes care to remain “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1), he worries that his children may not be so fastidious.

What if one of them, addled by too much drink during their frequent days-long feasts, should sin by cursing God (Job 1:4)?

Therefore, after every feast, to forestall any offense to God, “Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all” (Job 1:5).

God recognizes Job’s faithfulness.

He remarks to his Satan (a Hebrew word meaning simply “accuser”,

“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8).

The accuser spots an opening for mischief and replies, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9).

That is, does Job love God only because God has blessed him so richly?

Is Job’s praise and his burnt offerings “according to the number of them all” just a calculated scheme to keep the goods flowing?

Or to use a modern image, is Job’s faithfulness nothing more than a coin fed into the vending machine of God’s blessing?

We could apply this question to ourselves.

Do we relate to God primarily so that He will bless us with the stuff we want?

Or worse yet, so that God won’t “jinx” the success we seem to be achieving on our own?

In good times, this may not be a burning issue.

We believe in God.

We have faith in God.

We acknowledge him — at least theoretically — as the source of all good things.

At the same time, we work diligently, we work and we labor faithfully in God’s Kingdom so God’s goodness, our work go hand in hand like “peas and carrots.”

When times are good, blessings abound and we do in fact have a season or two and prosper, it is natural to thank God and praise him highly and mightily for it.

We all know and recognize that things can go wrong in a big hurry and we have a clever adversary, yet there are things about him we sometimes get wrong.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people mention how Satan is attacking them and he is after their stuff.

They talk as if Satan is primarily interested in robbing them of their health and their finances and all manner of earthly possessions and resources.

I’ve a heard a number of sermons that center around this, listened to music that echoes the same sentiment, and witnessed many falling into the belief Satan is ceaselessly, relentlessly, skulking around every street corner, after their things.

But let me offer you a gentle awakening.

Satan does not have an insatiable desire for your belongings.

He is not fixated on your house, your car, your bank account, or your job.

In fact,

I believe our material possessions hardly register to him, unless he can somehow subtly exploit them to undermine our faith and hinder our relationship with God.

The One Thing Satan Is After?

Hebrews 11:5-6 The Message

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

However, there is one thing in your life that Satan relentlessly pursues.

He knows that without it, the reality of you leading a victorious Christian life becomes utterly unattainable.

What indescribably valuable resource is our Adversary after?

Your Faith.

My Faith.

My Wife’s Faith.

The Faith of Parents

Our Children’s Faith.

Our Neighbor’s Faith.

The Faith of our Teachers, our Educators

The Homeless person’s Faith.

The Addicts and Alcoholics persons Faith

The Mentally Ill person’s Faith.

The people just diagnosed with Cancer’s Faith.

The Faith of our Clergy.

The Faith of our Laity.

The Faith of our Neighborhoods and our Communities.

Our Churches Faith, regardless of denominations.

In short and in hardcore truth – everyone’s Faith.

From the very beginning, Satan has attempted to instill doubt within the hearts of all humanity (Genesis 3).

He tries to provoke you to question the very words of God, his character, and even his existence.

The reason is that he understands the important role faith plays in all our lives.

Satan is fully aware of bible verses which highlight the significance of our faith.

Faith is essential in our Christian journey.

It is the foundation upon which we build our relationship with God.

Without faith, our ability to please God diminishes, and our desire to seek him can taper off.

Satan, the enemy of our soul, understands this truth all too well.

He knows that when our faith diminishes, our faith erodes, faith disappears, our spiritual vitality suffers also, and our connection to Savior God weakens.

It is in those moments of wavering faith we may feel most distant from God.

We may notice a lack of motivation to pray.

We may neglect the reading and studying of his Word, and we may isolate ourselves from the Koinonia fellowship of fellow believers.

Think back to times in your own life when you have experienced a lack of faith (I have had plenty).

Perhaps it was during a season of doubt, disappointment, or personal struggle.

In those moments, you may recall that seeking God was not a priority in your life and this was all connected to your faith.

Because of this connection, the enemy knows if he can weaken our faith, it will steadily, subtly, suddenly cascade through every part of your walk with God.

That is why he is so passively and aggressively persistent in attacking our faith.

Your Faith Is Like Your Heart

Matthew 6:19-23 The Message

A Life of God-Worship

19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

Just as your heart pumps life-giving oxygen rich blood throughout the body, faith fuels your relationship with God.

It enables you to experience his presence, guidance, and power.

Faith is necessary when you begin your walk with God, and it is crucial for you to grow in your walk with God.

You are saved by faith, justified by faith, and empowered to live according to his will by faith.

If you damage or neglect your faith, your walk with God withers, just as your body would die without a functioning heart and a set of healthy lungs.

How Does Satan Attack Your Faith?

Genesis 3:1-8 The Message

3 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: “Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?”

2-3 The Woman said to the serpent, “Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It’s only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘Don’t eat from it; don’t even touch it or you’ll die.’”

4-5 The serpent told the Woman, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on. You’ll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.”

6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.

7 Immediately the two of them did “see what’s really going on”—saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves.

8 When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God.

One of the principal ways Satan attacks your faith is by using life’s realities against you.

Sometimes he will even try to use God’s own word against you.

Remember the question he asked Eve, “Did God really say?” 

In John 16:33, Jesus said in this world, you will have trouble.

I have written on this verse before, calling it the most overlooked promise in Scripture.

However, even though this is a reality of life, when trouble comes, we often end up disappointed or sometimes even feeling deserted by God.

In these vulnerable moments, Satan will use this against you by stirring up a whole range of our emotions, which affect our faith.

He might whisper or shout things like –

If God really loved you, this would have never happened.

You fasted and prayed and God didn’t answer your prayer. That’s because he really doesn’t care.

I thought God said call upon me and I will answer. How’s that going for you?

These types of whispers and darts the enemy throws at you are all designed to attack and weaken your faith.

When you are discouraged, disillusioned, or disappointed, the result is your faith can suffer, your belief in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can suffer too.

When seeds of doubt or discouragement don’t work, Satan may turn to worldly distractions.

He may tempt you to look at other things and take your eyes off Jesus.

He aims to strip away your confidence in God’s promises and provision.

This can render you ineffective in your pursuit of God and his plans for your life.

Regardless of the method, it all goes back to the one thing he wants to take from you, which is your faith.

How to Guard against These Attacks?

Ephesians 6:10-18 The Message

A Fight to the Finish

10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

To counter these attacks, you must guard and nurture your faith.

One reason is because you overcome the enemies’ attacks on your faith by using the same thing he is after, your faith.

The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:10-18 that we extinguish the darts of the enemy with the shield of faith.

When the enemy comes to attack your faith, you use that same faith to fight back and defeat his plan.

However, to do this effectively, you must cultivate a vibrant faith.

This requires intentional effort and a steadfast commitment to seeking God and His truth.

You must immerse yourself in his Word and commune with him in prayer.

It also helps to surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage you and aid you in building your faith. 

One thing to note is faith is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

It is a journey — a process of growth and development.

You will experience seasons of struggle, but that does not mean your faith is irreparably damaged.

God is gracious and compassionate, ready to restore and revive your faith as you surrender yourself to Him.

When you face moments of doubt or spiritual dryness – and they will come – then you must not succumb to the enemy’s ploys.

Hebrews 6:13-20 The Message

God Gave His Word

13-18 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it all the way, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, “I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!” Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

18-20 We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

Instead, we can choose to anchor ourselves in the steadfast and immovable and always and forever truths of God’s Word and rely on his unyielding faithfulness.

As we walk closer to Him, we fortify our faith and we prevent the enemy from robbing our spiritual vitality.

This does not mean life won’t hurt, but through it all your faith will stay strong.

Final Thoughts

Hebrews 11:1-6 The Message

Faith in What We Don’t See

11 1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.

4 By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Faith is an indispensable component of your walk with God.

Just as your physical heart and lungs sustains life in your body, faith sustains and nourishes your spiritual life.

Satan recognizes the power of faith and seeks to strip it away from you, hindering your connection with God.

But you have the choice to protect and cultivate your faith.

Let us commit to nurturing our faith through prayer, the study of God’s Word, and fellowship with other believers.

By doing so, we can guard against the enemy’s schemes.

This will also position us to experience the fullness of a vibrant, faith-filled relationship with your loving Heavenly Father.

I pray today, come what may, you would go forth anyway and walk by faith.

In the name of God, the Father, and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Lord, God of the Patriarchs and the Prophets, help me to be more like Job. You put a wall of protection around him, his family, and his property, and You were also the source of his prosperity. I pray for that same hedge of protection for my family and my property. By Christ, Help me to use my life, resources, talents, and position to lead others closer to You and bring You glory. Use me — like you did Job — as a source of great encouragement to those in my sphere of influence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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How Can We Have an Eternal Mindset Here on Earth? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Lately, I have been thinking a whole lot about delayed gratification.

As in, doing now, in the immediate what will hopefully, if correctly planned for will pay off later, versus what only feels good or is easy in the exact moment.

It’s a great concept, right?

Living with an eye on the future, and planning and making choices that will result in a positive outcome a few months or even years down the road (while also avoiding a negative outcome).

But, that kind of advanced planning is not always so very simple to do.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 English Standard Version

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

Lately, I have been thinking a whole lot about delayed gratification.

As in, doing now, in the immediate what will hopefully, if correctly planned for will pay off later, versus what only feels good or is easy in the exact moment.

It’s a great concept, right?

Living with an eye on the future, and planning and making choices that will result in a positive outcome a few months or even years down the road (while also avoiding a negative outcome).

But, that kind of advanced planning is not always so very simple to do.

For example,

I’ve been trying for quite a while to control my stubborn blood sugar.

I know that the key is to keep my eye on the prize, and remember that what I do today will affect how I feel (how well me and my body will function) tomorrow.

It’s not easy, but that’s what I need to remember!

Because otherwise, what’s to keep me from just binging on chocolate lava cakes all day on my birthday, with zero regard to the outcome on my bodily systems?

Likewise, we should have the same thought process with regards to eternity (that is, life after death).

We focus so very much on the here and now—this short life on earth—and yet eternity is so much longer!

But because it always seems to be so far off, it’s easier put it on the back burner…as in, “I’ll worry about that later. Today, I have too much to do!”

Except, that time and place called eternity – It’s not that far off though, is it?

Not one of us knows exactly how long we will live, or when Jesus will return, or anything that the future holds.

How Do I Set My Mind On Things Above?

But, you might ask, what does it actually mean to actually have an eternal perspective?

And how do we do that?

I think it boils down to the HOPE of heaven.

In this life, even the seemingly wonderful things (like money or fame), will eventually lead to a grave full of freezing cold emptiness.

God is all about LOVE … so if we want to discipline ourselves to focus on having an eternal perspective, we have to focus on the God who is Love (1 John 4:7-11).

What is an eternal mindset?

And is this something we can, or should, have while living here on this earth?

This devotional effort will explore these two questions, as well as how we can develop an eternal mindset.

What Is an Eternal Mindset?

Merriam-Webster defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination.”

It is what we think about something or what our attitude is regarding it.

I have a particular financial and political mindset, an environmental mindset, a brother and sister mindset, a husband and a step parent/grandparent mindset, and many more – and all of those mindsets are all reflected in how I live my life.

Eternal is a word used in a few different ways in the Scripture.

Most commonly, it is part of the expression “eternal life.”

We often think of this as life without end, and it does involve that.

But Jesus defines eternal life as a relationship.

It is knowing God the Father and Jesus his Son (John 17:3).

But here in 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul uses the word in a very different sense.

He tells us, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Eternal has the connotation of unending existence.

But it is infinitely more than that.

Here Paul is referring to the unseen realm.

What is unseen is eternal, while what we can see with our earthly eyes is only temporary.

This verse is key to understanding what an eternal mindset is.

The whole verse says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

An eternal mindset is a mind focused on the unseen realm, on things above rather than on the outward and subject to rust temporary things of this life.

It is a mindset that understands the physical world is not all there is.

There is a greater reality that is unknowable to our human senses.

This greater reality, particularly the kingdom of God, is revealed to us in the Scripture and seen through the eyes of faith.

Hebrews 11:1-3 English Standard Version

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

An eternal mindset keeps the kingdom of God front and center in all one does.

Is This Something That We Should Have?

So, is having an eternal mindset something that is expected of all believers?

The passage quoted above from 2 Corinthians 4:18 answers this question in the affirmative.

Apostle Paul expressed that his eyes were fixed on the unseen, the eternal.

Paul used inclusive terminology in this verse: “we fix our eyes.”

The implication is that this should be true for all believers, not just a select few.

This is reinforced by passages like Colossians 3:1-2, where we are told to set our hearts and minds on things above.

Put On the New Self

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

In Hebrews 3:1-2, we are told to fix our thoughts on Jesus.

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers,[a] you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s[b] house.

And Hebrews 12:1-2, where we are instructed to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,  who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is not something we are to do only on Sunday mornings, but we should all learn to discipline ourselves to focus our lives on Jesus and things above the rest of the days, weeks months, regardless of where we are and what we are doing.

In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31,

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Paul tells us that the time is short, and this world is passing away.

So, even as we live in this world, we should not be engrossed in it.

Live in the now.

But keep your hope fixed on what lies ahead, on the eternal.

Don’t let your activities here distract you from the eternal.

What Does an Eternal Mindset Look Like?

We often call the eleventh chapter of Hebrews the Hall of Faith.

This chapter recalls many people from the Old Testament who, by faith, did something extraordinary with their lives which called the author to write it

But this is more than just a roll call of people who lived by faith.

Hebrews 11:9-10 says of Abraham, “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Hebrews 11:13-16 develops this idea further, showing that these people acted in faith because they looked forward to something beyond this life.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

They each had a mindset that was disciplined and focused upon the life that awaited them beyond the grave, an eternal mindset.

Peter also identifies us as foreigners in this world (1 Peter 1:17; 2:11) and urges us to live that way.

We should never forget our citizenship is as members of the kingdom of God.

While we live in this world, we are to be distinct from it.

Living, not solely to satisfy our temporary desires, but living in a much more disciplined way that will please our heavenly Father.

But this does not mean that we ignore the world we live in, being so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good.

We still need to work to support ourselves and our families.

We need to care for what God has blessed us with.

We need to relate to the people around us.

And we should be looking to make this world a better place.

But while we do those things, we should always keep sight of whose we are and the future God has prepared for us.

Living a life of faith, trusting God to care for us and bring us safely to that heavenly city without foundations that Abraham was looking forward to.

Our time here is short.

And as we live here, we should hold loosely to the things of this world.

Using them, but not placing great value on them (1 Corinthians 7:31).

Our security should not be in our possessions or any earthly institution.

Instead, it should be in the Lord who is preparing us for our eternal home.

We should also not become overwhelmingly discouraged when life gets hard, or the world seems to be steadily descending into the abysses of chaos and evil.

Instead, trust God with your life (Philippians 4:6-7) and seek to live a holy life (1 Peter 1:15-16) of love (1 John 4:10-11).

How Can We Develop an Eternal Mindset?

The Scripture teaches us that an eternal mindset is appropriate for all believers.

But what does it take to develop a mindset that looks into the future rather than being wrapped up in the subject to rust temporary things of this life?

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:12-14 can help us with this.

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

He expressed that he had not yet reached his goal of Christlikeness, but he was straining and striving toward that.

He was not living in the past.

Instead, he was “straining toward what was ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called him heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

There are three aspects to what Paul has to say here.

First, he had a goal.

His goal was to become like Christ.

If we want to develop an eternal mindset, it needs to be our primary goal.

It will not happen by accident.

Nor can your goal be just a wish.

It needs to be something that we will actively pursue.

Second, we need to let go of anything that would interfere with reaching that goal.

For Paul, that was thoroughly giving up, surrendering the past, his heritage, training, accomplishments, and plans for what he originally wanted to become.

We each may have different things we need to leave in our past, things that hold us back – but whatever it may be, we need to make the sacrifice, leave it behind.

And finally, Paul was striving toward his goal.

He knew what he wanted to become.

And he was working at it with all that he was.

I will not develop an eternal mindset just by wishing for it.

Nor by investing a only a few hours a week.

It is a commitment of your whole life in pursuit of the goal.

That includes a commitment to spending time reading the Bible and making its teaching a part of your life.

Time should also be spent in prayer and communion with our heavenly Father, in fellowship with other believers, actively involved in the life of a local church.

These disciplines should take highest priority over many of the activities we might otherwise be engaged in.

Rabbi Jesus illustrates this for us with his parable of the pearl of great price in 

Matthew 13:45-46.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Here a merchant sold everything he had to purchase a pearl of great value.

He gave up all he had to have this pearl.

And that is what we need to do.

Give up everything we have to obtain the life that God has called us to.

The development of an eternal mindset is something that we can only do with the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:17-19 might be considered a prayer for an eternal mindset:

having spiritual eyes open to the hope we have in Christ, recognizing God’s inheritance in the saints, and knowing his power at work for us who believe.

Benefits of Keeping an Eternal Mindset

For me, it was a strong desire to be assured a place in heaven, that first led me to repentance and a relationship with Jesus. (Okay, fear of judgement and not wanting to go to hell might be more accurate).

In the years since, I have tasted and seen that God is good (Psalm 34:8),

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

and I’ve lived the blessings of developing an eternal perspective on life.

But still, it’s not always easy to keep up that eternal mindset in the face of distractions and shiny things of this world!

However, it’s so worth it.

Let’s explore just a few benefits of fixing our eyes on the “prize” of heaven…

1) Eternity Reminds Us To Seek God’s Kingdom FIRST.

First and foremost, an eternal mindset will help us to keep the #1 thing the #1 thing.

And that #1 thing is God’s kingdom—specifically, Jesus’ charge to us, to share the good news.

While we look forward to eternity, we know there are still many people who don’t know Jesus, and thus do not have that same hope.

We need to keep a kingdom mindset, and to share the hope we have in Jesus.

1 Peter 3:14-16English Standard Version

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

2) Eternity Helps Us Weather The Storms Of Life!

In the midst of trials, the thought of spending eternity with God (where there will be no more tears, pain, or death—Revelation 21:4), makes our struggles seem much smaller.

This life may sometimes seem long and full of pain, but it’s just a blip on the radar on comparison to eternity.

It really does help to set your mind on Jesus!

After all, it was Jesus who said this: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

3) Eternity Causes Us To Focus On Things That Really Matter.

Loving God, and loving our neighbors… Celebrating God and celebrating our neighbors – it’s what we did in LOVE that we will all carry with us into eternity (and, that will prayerfully stay with our loved ones who are still on earth too).

In the context of eternity and building up treasures of love, does that argument really matter?

Is it really important to gain promotions, if it takes us away from our family?

I could go on, but I believe you get the idea.

4) Eternity Causes Us To Invest In Heavenly Things!

Like a 5-year-old kid who you’re already saving for college for, and a 12-year-old already thinking about scholarships and GPA’s, it’s good to consider life as prep school for heaven.

How are we investing our time and our talents today?

Just imagine, when you get to heaven, you meet all the people you led to Jesus, all the folks who were hungry and you gave them a meal and something to drink or if you are a teacher all the students you taught, or the people you encouraged.

The people and purposes you choose to invest in MATTER.

Every day we should strive to discipline ourselves to remember, that the things of this world are like cheap baubles: they look amazing at first, but after a while, the glitter will gradually flake off, rhinestones fall out, they’ll lose their luster.

In contrast, eternal things are like real diamonds and gold. 

By keeping an eternal mindset, we can store up for ourselves our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), and along the long concourse of our lives, prevent ourselves from being continually deceived by the false lure of earthly things.

Being heavenly-minded makes a person more mindful and fruitful for Christ and provides a place of peace for self and others amid the chaos of the world.

Those who are disciplined and focused on eternity are significantly far more impactful for Christ than those who get caught up in the things of the world.

In the name of God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Father God, it is too easy to get caught up in the baubles of mundane of natural living. Sometimes we only see what is around the next corner. We need the Holy Spirit to lift our perspective so we can see things from heaven’s perspective. Thy Holy Spirit reminds us of the long view. Ultimately, we in faith believe that Jesus will one day return in triumph and the victory will be totally ours. Let this prayer reminds us of this immutable truth and let us ask thy Holy Spirit to calibrate and recalibrate our perspective. If this prayer ministers to you, then please share it with all your friends.

Intercessory Holy Spirit, I pray you will set my mind on heavenly things and help me to see more from a heavenly perspective than an earthly one. This should be natural for a person that is living in God by living in Christ. You are teaching me to rule and reign with my Savior and King Jesus. One day I will appear with Him in the sky. Prepare me for that day now. Develop the mindset of heaven in me in Jesus name,

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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