Daily Bread_August 1, 2014

Title: This World is Not Heaven

Text:

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (ESV)
¹³ Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? ¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

Observation:

In this world life will never be perfect; we live in the world, and it is not heaven. In this current world there exist affluence and adversity. God knows what you are facing, and what you are going through. We don't understand everything that happens in the world. However, there is a God in heaven who knows, and who cares about His people.

"Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand."

                Iris Stanphill's hymn "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi about the source of being able to live a balanced life in the world.

Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV)
¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This world is not heaven; we are just pilgrims down here. However, we have a purpose for being here, and our time is in the Lord's hands. When things get hard down here, remember this truth; this world is not your home; you have dual citizenship, and you are on your way to heaven.

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that in You we can find the strength that we need to live a godly and balanced life in this world with contentment. Father, help me to be a worshipper, and not a worrier. Lord, I am so thankful to be a citizen of this world, and of heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

Song:

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

http://hymnal.calvarybaptistsv.org/376.html

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/