It’s a new day… it’s a new year!
God has blessed us with a new beginning. There is something special about this time of year. It is a time to refresh, renew, and recommit our lives to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Whatever happened in the past is history. Today is the day to look forward with fresh eyes to the future. The future of our forever home. Will your eternal home be in heaven or hell? This is a decision we need to make today, because tomorrow is not promised to us. Proverbs 27:1 reads, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
James 4:13-15 explains his concern for us wasting our short time on earth by saying;
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you out to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
Speaking to a large South Carolina crowd in 1966, Billy Graham explained that our life on earth is a preparation room for eternity. Life on earth is brief. He used Job 14 to answer the question, “If a man dies, shall he live again.” He said the answer is a resounding YES; we will live again. He said the bigger question is, “Are you ready to meet God.” Because the question of us having life after death is one that we need to take great care in knowing the destination. Will you have eternal life in heaven or hell?
Today is the day to commit or re-commit your life to Christ. Billy Graham said that many of Jesus’ followers act like Jesus is dead, but Jesus is alive, and He will return to earth one day to set up His kingdom. A kingdom with no suffering, no war, and no tears. A kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ.
Billy Graham exalted that the Living Savior has given him a song to sing, a flag to follow, something to believe, and a reason for existence. Billy proclaimed that he knew where he came from, he knew why he was here, and he knew where he was going. Now, can you say that you know why you are here and where you are going?
Are you spending your brief time on earth storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), or are you storing up treasures on Earth that are worthless in the afterlife? Today is the day to take stock of our life and our household. What does it look like? Do we have our house in order? Are we ready to meet God face to face? Will we spend eternity in heaven or hell?
Eternal life in heaven is good. It will be much better than we can even imagine. In heaven, we will live with God and will see Him in all of His glory (1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 21:3, 22:5). We will have real, physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15). We will have joy (Luke 6:23) and will receive rewards and treasures (Matthew 5:12, 6:19-20). There will be no more sickness (Revelation 21:4) and no more pain and suffering (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more evil (Matthew 13:41-43). Hallelujah!
Life is good! Let’s start living today with a renewed commitment to Christ. God is good. All the time, God is good.
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