What are you working for?
If I ask you, most people, "How is your 401 K?" you, and most people, would be able to tell me. Pretty good. Lost some but building back. It could be better. ETC. Most people are fully aware of their financial status looking ahead to the future.
We have people whose entire career is to manage your money today, so you have the most possible for tomorrow. Our Stock Market and Banks have become like Churches for most. Money is their God. The worry of tomorrow has some paralyzed in dealing with today. People tell you all the time that you must do this or that. Set 10 percent of our salary aside. 20 percent. 30 if you can. You need to save as much as you can now, while you can, while there is income coming in so when there is not, we will be OK.
You seem to have your 401 K down. What about your 401 E? Your Eternal Retirement Plan. Oh, there is such a thing. Remember what Jesus taught us? Luke 12:16-21
"And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”"
Why would Jesus tell us this? Turn to Matthew 6:19-21
"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."
Have you ever thought about that? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?" It sounds like this. Does it not? Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
There will be a very distinct difference in reward. But there will be a reward. Look at John 5:28-29.
" Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."
Wait. Have you ever heard it put this way? "those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement." Oh, there will be a resurrection for all. Some Translations say "Rise" "Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment."
We will all "Rise." We are all eternal beings. There IS a resurrection for every Man, Woman, and Child. Are you thinking Up? Planning for your Eternal Retirement Plan? Or are you thinking down? Are you storing up for yourselves treasures in heaven, or, are you trying to build barns?
According to 2 Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
John gives us a behind the scenes peek at this in Revelation 20:12-13
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done."
You see, the choice is yours. You can think about yourself, and today, and or, you can think up. This next story I would like to share with you is a tough one. It really is. Jesus told us this story in Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead."
Now that is a harsh story. It really is. But it is simply a matter of choice. The rich man saw Lazarus every day. He never concerned himself with anything more than himself. Also, the rich man knew the Word of God. He chose to not accept it. Lazarus was obviously faithful enough to be saved by God. All about choices. Which direction do you choose to think? Earthly or Heavenly?
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}
Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!
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