Fruitful Now and Fulfilled in the Future 預覽

YOU DO YOUR PART!

All of us desire a peaceful, prosperous and joyful future. Hoping for a good life without putting forth effort for it is like day-dreaming on a rocking chair – lazy motions but no progress. 

Three Biblical principles show us how we can focus our efforts on achieving a better future:

Keep your tongue from evil and deceit. Speak the truth. When you speak a lie, every cell in your body experiences stress. Lying frequently and building your life on a foundation of deceit will eventually bring life crashing down. The burden of guilt can become so heavy that it manifests in inexplicable headaches and physical problems. When lies are exposed, it is very likely that people close to you will avoid you. Satan is the father of lies. If we speak lies we become his children. 

Speak the truth in love. Jesus is full of truth (John 1:14). God is Love (1 John 4:16). When we desire to walk in truth (Christ-likeness) out of love for God, good days are ahead, and you will find that God will draw you close to Him. 

Depart from evil and do good. When the sun sets, night falls; when you switch off a light in the night, darkness fills the room. When you stop trying to do good, you will end up doing bad. If we do not exercise our muscles, strength goes away and weakness sets in. Be intentional about being kind and doing good to others. Look for the least, the lost and the last in order to make a difference in their lives. 

Seek approval from the One Who teaches us to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' by working hard and honestly, and supporting the needy. You will even see an increase in good friends and less conflicts.

Seek peace and pursue it. Our world is in conflict. Conflict in families, between colleagues, neighbors and governments. We don’t have to worry about the world, let us instead focus on relating in a peaceful manner to those in our immediate circle – our family and friends, neighbors and colleagues. People may hurt us, but we can forgive them. People are selfish, and we can be generous. When people are angry, we can be polite. 

Sometimes, you have to make peace with yourself. Even after God has forgiven your own misdeeds, you may not be forgiving yourself. Ask Him for grace to receive His peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

David experienced God and His faithfulness like no other in the Bible. David meditated on the Word of God day and night to keep his tongue from speaking evil. He resisted taking things into his own hands (doing evil) and waited on God (1 Samuel 24:6). 

The above steps are not easy, but God hears those who are seeking to walk in His will, and promises to deliver them.