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___Living life is kind of like being on a long, educational voyage at a boarding school in a
foreign country. During our voyage we experience both the blessings on earth that come
from God (who has our best interests in mind) and the misery that comes from Satan (who
hates mankind and wants to destroy us in any way he can). We have a chance to learn
about God’s free gift of heaven and forgiveness of sins through accepting Jesus. We learn
that the good things we experience in life are just a tiny reflection of God’s goodness and
what heaven will be like. For Christians, our heavenly home with the Lord will be perfect,
joyous and exciting! It will be much better than even our best times on earth--far better
even than anyone can imagine (1 Cor 2:9)!
___On the other hand, we also learn that earth’s worst pain, sadness, and loneliness are just a tiny reflection of Satan and what hell will be like--eternal agony, suffering and torment.
___At some point, we need to choose who we want to give our loyalty to (God or Satan) and, therefore, what place we want to claim for our eternal citizenship (heaven or hell). This decision.......choosing where we will spend eternity.......is the absolutely MOST important decision we will EVER make in our ENTIRE earthly life! If we pay attention to what we learn on our voyage, we can see that Jesus (and His free gift of heaven) is clearly, clearly, CLEARLY the best choice!
___Whenever we are ready, we can take the "final exam" (but the sooner, the better!). Everything we need to know is explained in the Bible. There is only one question, it is an open-book test and The Lord tells us in advance what the question will be: "Will you confess your sins and accept Jesus, the Son of God, as your Savior and Lord, whose loving sacrifice on the cross can cleanse you of your sins and make you worthy to live forever in heaven in the presence of God?"
___If we are wise enough to choose Jesus, we pass the final exam! If we also help others choose Jesus, then, in a way, we even get on the Honor Roll (by earning a soul-winner’s crown: 1 Thes 2:19). When it’s time, we sort of graduate, receive our diploma and board the bus to heaven--the best senior field trip ever!
Phlp 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven . . .
Heb 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Eph 2:19 . . . you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.
1 Pet 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Additional Reference Verses
1 Cor 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
1 Thes 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
Something More to Think About
The Contrast, The Choice:
life on earth how God might explain it
Life here on earth is not how I please,
The evil one's tainted nearly all that he sees.
You've seen what he causes: pain, tears and death,
He reflects Hell where one rues every breath.
Let your tears show you my joys have more worth--
And help one to value my blessings on earth.
Life here is contrast, don't let that truth fade,
Follow me or follow him, a choice must be made.
You will through it all see life when it's sad,
And life when it's happy, upbeat and glad.
Then you must choose the path that you'll take
Heaven or Hell? There’s so much at stake!
My joys are mere hints of treasures in store
In Heaven for those who enter my door.
The choice is so clear, from experience you've had,
Eternally happy or eternally sad.
Make up your mind, please come take my hand,
Choose life up above, it’s immeasurably grand.
__________by S. WALTON
___On the other hand, we also learn that earth’s worst pain, sadness, and loneliness are just a tiny reflection of Satan and what hell will be like--eternal agony, suffering and torment.
___At some point, we need to choose who we want to give our loyalty to (God or Satan) and, therefore, what place we want to claim for our eternal citizenship (heaven or hell). This decision.......choosing where we will spend eternity.......is the absolutely MOST important decision we will EVER make in our ENTIRE earthly life! If we pay attention to what we learn on our voyage, we can see that Jesus (and His free gift of heaven) is clearly, clearly, CLEARLY the best choice!
___Whenever we are ready, we can take the "final exam" (but the sooner, the better!). Everything we need to know is explained in the Bible. There is only one question, it is an open-book test and The Lord tells us in advance what the question will be: "Will you confess your sins and accept Jesus, the Son of God, as your Savior and Lord, whose loving sacrifice on the cross can cleanse you of your sins and make you worthy to live forever in heaven in the presence of God?"
___If we are wise enough to choose Jesus, we pass the final exam! If we also help others choose Jesus, then, in a way, we even get on the Honor Roll (by earning a soul-winner’s crown: 1 Thes 2:19). When it’s time, we sort of graduate, receive our diploma and board the bus to heaven--the best senior field trip ever!
Phlp 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven . . .
Heb 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Eph 2:19 . . . you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.
1 Pet 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Additional Reference Verses
1 Cor 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
1 Thes 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
Something More to Think About
The Contrast, The Choice:
life on earth how God might explain it
Life here on earth is not how I please,
The evil one's tainted nearly all that he sees.
You've seen what he causes: pain, tears and death,
He reflects Hell where one rues every breath.
Let your tears show you my joys have more worth--
And help one to value my blessings on earth.
Life here is contrast, don't let that truth fade,
Follow me or follow him, a choice must be made.
You will through it all see life when it's sad,
And life when it's happy, upbeat and glad.
Then you must choose the path that you'll take
Heaven or Hell? There’s so much at stake!
My joys are mere hints of treasures in store
In Heaven for those who enter my door.
The choice is so clear, from experience you've had,
Eternally happy or eternally sad.
Make up your mind, please come take my hand,
Choose life up above, it’s immeasurably grand.
__________by S. WALTON
I am a stranger on earth . . .
Ps 119:19
Ps 119:19
Costume Versettes
Copyright 2010 by S. Walton. All rights reserved. See copyright statement under About This Site.
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used pending permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used pending permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.