Our Hope - Eternal Things - Focus on the Future - Getting your head in the game - Preparing your Mind while awaiting the Rapture

Where is your Focus?

Are you looking at your relationship with God,

and the future He has in store for you?

The Key to having Peace and Joy 

is how you answer that question.

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What you believe to be true,

and what you think about,

are going to determine your state of mind.

If you have faith in the fact 

that you are a beloved child of God,

and that He has adopted you 

into His family,

that should push out the fear 

or the anxious thoughts 

that pop into our mind.

It is that 

"simple",

but it is not 

"easy".

It requires effort on your part 

to train your mind 

to see things from an eternal perspective.

The world is going to try to fill your mind 

with fear and hopelessness.

And a never ending stream of "distractions" 

to entice you into squandering your time and talents.

So, you have to continually 

and consciously 

be refocusing your heart and mind 

on the things of God.

Looking toward the eternal things, 

instead of the temporary things 

of this present time 

( 2 Corinthians 4:18 and Colossians 3:2 ).  

And you do this by reading 

( and memorizing ) 

the truth you find in the Bible.

Let the word dwell in your richly 

( Colossians 3:16 )

Realizing that the things written in earlier times 

were for our instruction 

to give us hope 

( Romans 15:4 )

By talking to God throughout the day 

constantly

( Roman 15:4 ) 

or without ceasing 

( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ).

So again -- 

quite "simple", 

but not something that comes "easy" 

to most of us.

But since it is what is best for you, 

and what God would want for you,

He is already working for and in you.

( Philippians 2:13 )

He expects you to be asking Him for assistance

( Philippians 4:6 ) 

drawing near to Him

( James 4:8 ) 

realizing you are just a "branch" that needs the "vine" 

to be able to produce any good fruit

( John 15:5 )

There are a lot of verses I'm going to share with you

that will help you have a better mindset.

I hope and pray that you have time 

in your hectic schedule to consider them.

The more you are able to focus 

on the truths found in God's word, 

the happier your life here on earth will be.

Let's start with

Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2

we read

I beseech you therefore, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, acceptable to God, 

which is your reasonable service. 

2 And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable 

and perfect will of God.

In Colossians chapter 3 verse 1 through 4 

we read

If then you were raised with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ is, 

sitting at the right hand of God. 

2 Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth. 

3 For you died, 

and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

4 When Christ 

who is our life appears, 

then you also will appear with Him in glory.

A little further along in verse 16

we get some advice from the apostle Paul

where he says

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly 

in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another 

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And two more passages

on the subject of God's Word

needing to be your focus

or what you "feed" your mind with

Referencing 1 Peter 2:2

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, 

that you may grow thereby,

And Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before 

were written for our learning, 

that we through the patience 

and comfort of the Scriptures 

might have hope.

Now I'd like to share some scriptures that tell us 

more about what we are to be looking forward to,

once this life is over.

These would be things that have eternal value,

as opposed to the temporary or short term value 

of most of the things 

we see in the world.

In 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verses 16 through 18,

we read

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.
Even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding 

and eternal weight of glory, 

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Referencing the passage found in 

2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verses 1 - 9

Paul points out

we have a building from God, 

a house not made with hands, 

eternal in the heavens.

knowing that while we are at home in the body 

we are absent from the Lord. 

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

8 We are confident, 

yes, well pleased 

rather to be absent from the body 

and to be present with the Lord.

And beyond the promises of a new body,

we have promises of a new country

and a new heavenly city.

And this is where our focus is to be.

Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 - 21

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 

where moth and rust destroy 

and where thieves break in and steal; 

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust destroys 

and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

21 For where your treasure is, 

there your heart 

will be also.

In Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 14,

we read

For here we do not have a lasting city, 

but we are seeking the city which is to come.

Hebrews chapter 12 verse 22

we read

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,

Instead of dreaming about your next vacation destination,

I would encourage you to be dreaming 

about what God has in store for us.

We are strangers and aliens 

in this current world system.

We are no longer part of this world,

but instead have a new citizenship 

in the heavens.

In Philippians chapter 3 and verses 20 and 21

we read

For our citizenship is in heaven, 

from which also 

we eagerly wait for a Savior, 

the Lord Jesus Christ; 

21 who will transform the body of our humble state 

into conformity with the body of His glory, 

by the exertion of the power that He has 

even to subject all things to Himself.

Okay, you might be thinking,

this is all well and good,

but I still have anxiety 

and worries that plague my mind.

And you would ask,

What are we to do to find peace of mind 

while still in this world?

There are plenty of scriptures that can help you with that,

if you take them to heart 

And

put them into practice on a daily basis.

Let's start with somethings Jesus told us,

In Matthew chapter 6: verses 25 - 34

With Key points being

Don't be anxious about food, drink or clothes,

And in ( verse 32 and 33 of chapter 6 ),

He says,

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;

for your heavenly Father knows 

that you need all these things. 

33 But seek first His kingdom 

and His righteousness, 

and all these things 

will be added to you.

And in verse 34 

Jesus tells us to not worry about tomorrow, 

but instead to focus only on TODAY.

Saying,

"So do not worry about tomorrow; 

for tomorrow will care for itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

And we are to take all our 

cares and worries to God.

In 1 Peter 5:7

we read,

casting all your anxiety on Him, 

because He cares for you.

And Paul goes into more detail 

in Philippians chapter 4

verses 4 - 13

With highlights being,

Instead of being anxious - 

to use prayer, supplication 

with thanksgiving

to make your request to God.

Also Paul shares a list of positive things 

we should be thinking about in Verse 8.

He tells us he has learned to be content,

and that he can do all things 

because his source of strength is the Lord.

You need to remember 

WHO 

YOU

 ARE

John 1:12 

says if you have believed

 you are born again 

as a child of God

Romans 8:15 

says we have been adopted as sons, 

and we can call out to God 

as Abba ( Daddy ) and Father.

John 6:40 

Jesus says the one who 

"believes in Him, may have eternal life:

and I Myself will raise him up 

on the last day"

Colossians 1:12 -14 

We Read

giving thanks to the Father, 

who has qualified us to share in the inheritance 

of the saints in Light.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, 

and transferred us to the kingdom 

of His beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins."

We could go on and on,

but I just want to give you two more passages

to think about.

Romans chapter 8 verses 24 and 25

we read

For in hope we have been saved, 

but hope that is seen 

is not hope; 

for who hopes 

for what he already sees?

25 But if we hope 

for what we do not see, 

with perseverance 

we wait eagerly for it.

And closing with 

Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and 21

we read

 Now to Him who is able to do 

far more abundantly 

beyond all that we ask or think, 

according to the power 

that works within us, 

21 to Him be the glory in the church 

and in Christ Jesus 

to all generations 

forever and ever. 

Amen.

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

Becoming a Christian by Faith in Jesus Christ

Who is a Christian?

To understand the scriptures, 

it is important to first understand how one is "saved" 

from the judgement that is to come.

To understand the "requirements" 

of becoming a child of God, 

receiving forgiveness, 

and
receiving the gift of eternal life.

The following are just a few of the clear verses from the Bible 

that tell us that eternal life is a gift 

that God gives to those that have faith in Him.

Namely faith in Jesus Christ as their savior ( not probation officer ).

In John chapter 10 verses 10 - 13 

we read

10 He was in the world,
and the world was made through Him, 

and the world did not know Him. 

11 He came to His own,
and His own did not receive Him. 

12 But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name: 

13 who were born,
not of blood, 

nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, 

but of God.  

In John chapter 5 verse 24 we read

24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, 

he who hears My word and 

believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, 

and shall not come into judgment, 

but has passed
from death into life.  

In Acts chapter 10 verse 43 we read

43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness
that through His name 

everyone who believes in Him
receives forgiveness of sins."  

In Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 - 10 

we read

And you He made alive, 
who were dead in trespasses and sins, 

2 in which you once walked
according to the course of this world, 

according to the prince of the power of the air, 

the spirit who now works
in the sons of disobedience, 

3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves
in the lusts of our flesh, 

fulfilling the desires of the flesh
and of the mind, 
and were by nature children of wrath,
just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love
with which He loved us, 
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, 
made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved), 
6 and raised us up together,
and made us sit together 
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 
7 that in the ages to come
He might show the exceeding riches of His grace
in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace
you have been saved 
through faith, 

and that not of yourselves; 

it is the gift of God, 

9 not of works, 

lest anyone should boast. 

10 For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, 
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them.

Once we become a child of God
( born again upon believing ),

We have the opportunity to grow
in our relationship with our heavenly Father.

And as we learn to trust Him more and more,
He can energize our lives, 
making us more like Him,
as we allow His Holy Spirit to work
in and through us.

This is a daily choice we make.

Failing to allow God to control your life
will never cause you to lose the new life He has given you,

but you will miss out on the many blessings
and rewards He wants to give you.

There are many verses on this subject too.

Let me share two passages here:

1st Corinthians chapter 3 verses 11 - 15
we read

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay
than that which is laid, 
which is Jesus Christ. 

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation 
with gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, straw, 

13 each one's work will become clear;
for the Day will declare it,
because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test each one's work,
of what sort it is. 

14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures,
he will receive a reward. 

15 If anyone's work is burned,
he will suffer loss;
but he himself will be saved,
yet so as through fire.

In 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verses 11 - 13
we read

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

One of the many things that happens
when we put our faith and trust in Jesus to be our Savior,
Is we become part of Him,
and this is why it says He remains faithful,
even if we should lose our faith.

You can not be unborn out of God's family.
And that is why you can know right now that you have eternal life.

1st John 5:13 says

These things I have written to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God,
so that you may know that you have eternal life.

I would encourage you to trust in Jesus Christ alone,

and not your own good works for the gift of eternal life.

And then as a child of God,
that you would choose to grow in a relationship with Him.

Every Day you should:
Spend time talking to God,
reading the Bible,
and find some other followers of Christ to hang out with.
Share your faith
and what you know about God with others around you.

Listening to Christian music can be a source of encouragement too.

As you learn to "tune out" the negative things of this world,
and learn more about your Creator, 
and the plans He has in store,
The more peace and joy you will experience.

Let me close with one passage that always helps me keep the right perspective.

Philippians chapter 3 verse 20 and 21

20 For our citizenship is in heaven,
from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ; 
21 who will transform the body of our humble state
into conformity with the body of His glory, 
by the exertion of the power that He has
even to subject all things to Himself.

 AMEN!