Daily devotional, August 24, 2024
Distance Glasses
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Ask any nearsighted person, and they will say that everything in the distance is a blur. Faces standing faraway seem covered with fog, words are blurry, and pictures seem cloudy. The same thing happens with the spiritually myopic, or people who do not see beyond their earthly existence — those who have yet to receive the gift of eternal life.
As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to look beyond what this world offers. The power, the possessions, the prestige that seems to keep this world on its toes, are not what the Heavenly Father asks us to go after.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
When we know that there is something we can look forward to beyond our life here on earth, we will have the peace and contentment that our Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to give us. When we know what to truly value, we will stop pursuing worldly things humans can never get enough of. Instead, we will be filled with God’s goodness, enough to spread His light and love on others.
"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:17
So how do we receive eternal life? First, we have to believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins, and that He rose again to prepare a place in heaven for us. We then have to admit to Jesus through a sincere prayer that we have been living a sinful life, and that we need Him to forgive our sins and cleanse us.
Lastly we step away from our sins, and try our best to follow God’s commands and teachings as written in the Bible, and resolve to grow our faith through bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, and witnessing to others what Christ has done for us.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
And when we let ourselves be guided by the Lord, and live a life of worship, things will fall into place and we get to live an abundant life.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:33
No it is not a life filled with material wealth, nor is it a life that is exempted from human troubles. Yes, there will still be distressing things that can happen to you since we are still living in a fallen world, but we will be able to endure through the Lord’s presence in our lives. When in fellowship with Christ, we get to have peace that transcends overwhelming situations, because in our hearts we know that we have a God, who only has good plans for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-12
As for the abundant life, our lives as followers of Jesus will be a life filled with things that money cannot buy. These include joy that transcends circumstances: this means being happy in spite of troubles. We will be content, we will feel that we lack nothing even if we do not have every material possession that the world runs after. We will have meaningful memories with the people that God has blessed us with. More importantly, we will have God’s guidance and the peace of mind that we are not offending Him and hurting other people.
"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
John 20:28-30
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Matthew 6:19-24 and Jeremiah 29:11-14 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you spiritually myopic? Do you see beyond your earthly life?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for giving us eternal life. Thank you that there is more to life than what this fallen world offers. Thank you for your peace and fellowship, may I always enjoy your presence and fellowship until the time you take me home. Amen.
