Monday, July 6, 2009

Spiritual Nearsightedness

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17


What great perspective! If only I would live life with the understanding that today’s problems were insignificant when compared to eternity. For most of us eternity is associated with a future and never-ending time. But there is more to eternity to than that. Eternity is a present reality that brings with it the promise of heaven and fellowship with God.


We live as spiritual beings in a physical world. Life is full of turmoil and trouble, but it is also temporary. And the glory of heaven will make our present struggles seem trivial. Living according to these truths depends upon our faith. As the writer of Hebrews puts it, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see.” (Heb. 11:1)


Father, I confess that the concerns of this world have caused me to become nearsighted spiritually. Grow my faith. Give me confidence in what I hope for so that I can live with an eternal perspective.


Praying for You,

Matt

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2 comments:

  1. francieJuly 7, 2009 at 6:22 AM

    Good Morning Matt,
    As I was pondering on today's First Light scripture I was also reminded of Matt:24 when the disciples asked Jesus, " When shall these things be?...."And what will be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Then Jesus begin to tell the signs of His second coming. As I see these very things happening in my lifetime, my desire for this world is fading. Therefore in light of these events my hope lies in the promise of Jesus Christ when He said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2 I pray that this blessed hope will give us all courage to stand firm for Christ in this increasingly hostile world. Love in Christ Francie

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  2. Be a BereanJuly 7, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Good day Matt,
    Thank you for contnuing the blog during Pastor Mark's absence.Your insights are inciteful and right on target.Awhile back my morning devotional wrapped this concern up in a little saying I personally have adopted"Take your focus in life off the "next thing" i.e.(new job, next car,new house,clothes,doctor visit,etc.)and put it back on the "last thing"(Christ's return & eternity).
    This reminds of when Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown into prison because they were preaching Christ crucified.They did not bemoan the fact that they were doing what GOD had told them to do and were beaten for it.Instead they were singing hymns and praising GOD.Not inwardly but loud enough that the other prisoners could hear.Their focus was not on their own troubles but on Christ who would deliver them from their trouble.

    Holy Father, You are mighty and sovereign.All honor and glory to You.I pray that I can stop asking You to get me out of difficult circumstances and start asking what You want me to get out of those circumstances.To forget what is wrong with me and the world and remember what is right with You.To remember that this life is only a training session for my eternal life with You.It is fleeting and temporary.Yours is forever.

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