[lead dropcap="yes"]Mark Twain once said the two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why. Today we are reminded of our purpose here on Earth. We were meant to live this life by design, on purpose, to fulfill our calling in the here and now. [/lead]It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, thinking that the promises laid out in scripture are only for the future. God gives us a glimpse of what Heaven is like to drive our actions here on Earth.
A Beautiful Future
Today, Pastor DawnChere ended our recent collection of talks, titled "The Church", with a reminder of A Beautiful Future. Heaven is not a feeling or an idea, in John 14:3 we are reminded that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! A place of no fear, no pain, no tears. A place so beautiful that it is made with every kind of precious stone (Revelations 21). Heaven is where God is fully known and where we are completely restored in Him. A place of eternal perspective that affects our current situation.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus cut through all the clutter and went straight to the heart of his disciples, and asked them to store up treasures in heaven. Pastor DawnChere taught us to see everything about our identity as found in Heaven; not on Earth. It's not by chance that we are spoken of as ambassadors, foreigners, and strangers. It is because our home is in Heaven, we are just passing through this life. Here are two questions we can ask ourselves to help keep us heaven-centered:
1. WHERE IS YOUR STOREHOUSE?
We spend so much time and money accumulating worldly wealth, belongings that will remain on Earth once our time is done. We dwell on these things, worry about outcomes, save, plan, desire. And all for what? What meaning do these things hold in eternity? Now this does not mean that you should sell everything you own and not be a steward of what God has given you. Yes, you should still save and plan for your future. But what are you putting your hope in? Jesus reminds us in Matthew not to put our hope in these possessions. When life happens, when our earthly possessions and plans fail us, we are reminded that right where we are is where God wants to use us.So how can you use your earthly possessions and skills to love people? Jesus is our message, our hope, our future. Our life is designed to fulfill His purpose, to reach others, and to further His kingdom.
2. WHERE (WHAT) IS YOUR MOTIVATION?
Are we living for the applause of men? If so, the applause is our reward, there is no need to wait for Heaven. Yet, if we are living with our motivation to further God's kingdom, we are living for the audience of one— our God who created us and designed us with this purpose in mind. As you reflect on the church as A Beautiful Future, how is (or can) God use you today? What areas of your life do you need to place your hope in Him and store up your treasures in Heaven? How can you use your blessings in this life to love people? Better stated, how will your talents serve others?
Listen to the Full Message
VOUS Podcast
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Team Conf
This is our first Team Conference! An opportunity for our servant leaders to gather around the vision of our church, reinforce our culture, and develop our leadership. With guest speakers like Pastor Carl Lentz from Hillsong NYC, it will be an unforgettable day as we celebrate and equip servant leaders to carry out the calling that God has placed over each of our lives. If you haven't registered, what are you waiting on?Register for Team Conf
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