(IHEAM:CH8PT4) I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME: Chapter 8 Part 4 STARTING EACH DAY DRIVEN

I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME

 Chapter 8 Part 4

STARTING EACH DAY DRIVEN 

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Each day I should arise acknowledging He, whom I love, my Heavenly Father, His Son and Holy Spirit, giving Praise and Thanksgiving. Then, I should connect in prayer, listening for my Father's voice and instructions. With praise upon my lips and a song in my heart, I should awake to joy and rejoicing for another day and another chance. Yes, this is what I should do everyday.

That I have lived to see another day is a wonderful blessing and in whatever state I am in, be it sickness, or, however distressful, I have a Heavenly Father who knows how much I can bear. Even with the burden of pain, it can be well with my soul, if I keep my eyes on Jesus, trusting and believing in the Will of God. 

How can I still have abundant life during trials and tribulations? I must remember that I am a spiritual being and my body is a vessel. I follow the Mind of Christ, who bore all our sins, grief, pain and the humility of the cross. Hallelujah! He overcame them all. He conquered the flesh and the world. He was PURPOSE DRIVEN, by God and their love for man. Jesus, being filled with God's UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, was purpose driven by His love for His Father. Therein, must be MY FOCUS, also, if I am to be purpose driven--perfect in love; love for God and Christ; and love for my fellow man. 

Each morning, I must remember that God and others are counting on me. They may be people I don't even know. Should I shirk or neglect my duties, God will move on to a more willing vessel, but, do I want Him to do that? Are there consequences? Will I miss blessings? My primary focus should not be on missing out on blessings. That is not a sign of unconditional love. My perfected love should compel me to PLEASE GOD. My spirit which THIRST for Holiness and Righteousness should compel me to please God.

However, there will be days when my body affects my spirit and vice-a-versa, my spirit will affect my body. God knows how much I can bear. He knows that there will be times in my human and bodily state, whereas, I might not be up for the task. Will He punish me for this? NO! So, why should I allow Satan to distract me, wasting time, punishing myself?

God allows us times of rest, relaxation, healing, recuperation, and preparation. His goal is for us to rejoice and rejoice always!

God will not PRESSURE you, filling you with FEAR or ANXIETY. These are weapons and distractions of the enemy. They are to keep you from living life abundantly, being fruitful, and pleasing in God's sight.

You can still be fruitful, when you're not working, for even when you REJOICE, you are producing fruit and doing God's Will. Have you ever thought about that? The enemy wants to keep us unhappy because JOY is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit. Wherefore, there must be POWER when we manifest JOY! Power that the enemy fears! And, you thought it was all just for you. Well, it is for you, but, every fruit produces INCREASE. Your joy benefits others. Do you think the enemy wants that? That's one of the reasons why your Father tells you to "rejoice, again, I say rejoice." At all times, and even in adversity, He tells us to be thankful and rejoice in our trials and tribulations! It is a powerful expression, which can encourage, give strength to you and others, and outwardly express the reward of abundant life!

Do not consider it to be a selfish thing to express joy. Take it and give it to others. We are all capable of doing that in some form or another, through thought, word, and deed. Paint, run, dribble a ball, fish, sing, shout, dance, or do whatever God has instilled within you to give you and others JOY! 

Pray for JOY to come unto others. Do you know how much that could mean to someone who is struggling, suffering, grieving, or depressed? Suicide is a huge contributor to death. Many people don't have true joy in their life and don't know how to acquire it.

One might think, what good is joy to people in hunger, war, and other dark circumstances? Note that Joy doesn't travel by itself, it brings faith, hope and other fruit along. A smile says many things and when we help to place it upon the faces of others, it makes the body do something it may not have been able to do without you. A smile is Light beaming from us into another, offering hope and love.

Don't ever feel that God can't use you in another way. He may not call you to do your usual work because He needs you in another capacity. Perhaps, it is time for you to rest; or, it is time for you to prepare; or, it is time for you to BE STILL, watching, and always praying.

So, how will I know when this is happening and what is expected of me? STAY CONNECTED! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Don't give in to fear, anxiety, frustration, confusion, depression, and other signs of darkness. Although, these things might come, DON'T GIVE UP! Know that they are temporary and also have a purpose! 

Even more, don't get upset with yourself and beat yourself up for allowing these things to happen to you. God knows you're in your human form. Yes, it can feel like a weak thing to be in, but, all-in-all being human is a blessing. God made you wondrously! He doesn't make mistakes! You've just forgotten that, not only are you human, but, you are also a spiritual being and you are not ALONE! The Almighty, Powerful, Loving God lives inside of you. Put your eyes back on Jesus during these times and BASK IN HIS LOVE!

A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

I arose very early this morning, thinking about how easy it can be to accept the plight of others without empathy, if we have not experienced the same thing. It may not be because we lack compassion and love, but, due to not having had something in our own lives in which to relate their experience. We simply can't understand because we can't relate. 

When we read the Bible, we see people in a different time frame. Their culture, tools, weapons, food, clothing, beliefs and mannerisms are very different from most of ours, today. In other words, their normal, daily life does not coincide with ours, today. Even in areas of our world today where there is severe poverty, without modernization, there have been changes and some exposure to contemporary society which would somewhat alienate them from the ancient societies we read about in the Bible. 

Yet, God has enabled us to still be able to connect, SPIRITUALLY. We can feel their pain, suffering, joy, and victory, regardless of knowing them PERSONALLY and living within their span of time. It can be as if time stood still and allowed us to watch. These feelings we have within our spirit exuding from our heart are projected upon our mind and our brain can create a picture in Technicolor, sometimes even with surround sound, all because of our spirit, which came from God. 

God wants us to experience things from our past and from the lives of others to DRIVE us to a certain point or destination of thought that has a purpose! He has orchestrated time so that NOTHING is ever without purpose and can span eons of time to be used by Him for His Divine Purpose and Plan! Therefore, connected to GOD, your LIVING is never in VAIN. If you have lost someone who was connected to God, their living will never be in vain. In the grand scheme of things, just as those we read about in The Word of God, OUR LIVING IS PURPOSE DRIVEN TO GOD'S PLAN! 

Of course, the enemy knows this, so, that when he gets inside the head of those who want to harm themselves or GIVE UP, he's spreading lies to keep them from knowing the TRUTH, The Way, and The Life, which belong to them; Jesus, who is alive to give them abundant and everlasting life. The enemy knows we are ALIVE to help fulfill God's PLAN for man.  It is no secret! God let it be known. It's just that sometimes we believe the lies of the enemy. We may have people around us gossiping, discouraging us, telling us we're nobody or useless, and helping the enemy to spread lies.

Nonetheless, connected to God we can become purpose driven. We should be purpose driven just knowing God's plan for man to become like Him! Think of it! What a plan! We have so much to look forward to, if we stick with the program! Meanwhile, we can have abundant life on earth, being a caretaker of the earth, brother to one another, fruitful, and increasing the Kingdom of God, until that time, in which our change comes.

Abundant life on earth; perhaps your environment or circumstances cause you to question the possibility of this.  I can see why many dispute this fact, if they only see through their own eyes. When Jesus said that He and His disciples were no longer of the world, perhaps, He was speaking of their assured death in the future. Perhaps, He just came to prepare us for life after death. Perhaps, "It is finished," referred only to the fulfilling of prophecy on earth. Would God allow His Son to die for something so brief and seemingly incomplete that allowed us to go on sinning, business as usual, and you've got all the time in the world to get yourself together for the afterlife? Who would serve such a god? And, who should serve such a god?

God is complete in His actions! His Son's life and death meant something to HIM and He would not have sacrificed Jesus so that you and I could go on sinning, living in the flesh, succumbing to fear and every plot and ploy of the enemy. Jesus brought us something better for now--abundant and everlasting life. We need not fear life or death because Jesus conquered the world to show us the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

Can you see the big, bright, beautiful picture, my brothers and sisters, which includes YOU? God doesn't make mistakes! I NEED YOU! GOD NEEDS YOU! WE NEED EACH OTHER! You are ALIVE, in whatever state you are in, even if you are barely hanging on to life! It will NEVER be in vain, if you stay CONNECTED, in a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father, doing His Will. This is abundance! The world can't give you this. The world can't give the SAME type of abundant life to a paraplegic as it can to an Olympic athlete! The world can't give the same type of purpose to a child dying from disease as a war hero dying for his country. The world can't give the same type of status to a homeless man as to a multi-billionaire. But, within GOD'S EYES, yes, within your Savior and our Father's eyes, His children are equally PRECIOUS, LOVED, and IMPORTANT to His Divine Plan! Amen.

Yes, one day we will shed these corruptible bodies for the incorruptible and go on to be and see what eyes haven't seen and ears haven't heard, but God, took the time to dwell within us! That should say it all! Why would God offer to take up residence in a body filled with sin? Unholiness has no place with holiness. God intends for us to live Holy without sin. He wants only good things for our life, now--here on earth. Let us start each day with our Father, abiding in His Holy Spirit with Jesus. Below are some key things to remember.

• ARISE each morning and ACKNOWLEDGE the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within you
• BEGIN to follow Jesus 
• GIVE God THANKS and PRAISE!!
• ARM yourself in God's Holy Armor to do His Will
• SEE a bigger picture, greater purpose, and Divine Plan in your life
• REMEMBER that Jesus died for you! He was purpose driven and knew He was destined for the cross, but, because of Jesus' sacrifice: 
• What are you destined for? --An eternity with God
• TALK to God! What are you destined for TODAY? 
• ASK HIM for what you need and desire; first, setting your sight on Heavenly things
• PRAYER is your Morning exercise in spirit. 
• MAINTAIN YOUR BODY: Caring for your vessel and temple of God is your responsibility and gratefulness to He who dwells within and is also connected to abundant life.
• FEED your spirit the Word of God. Study and fill your mind, body and spirit with His Goodness.
• ACKNOWLEDGE who you are in Christ
• ACKNOWLEDGE your purpose
• ACKNOWLEDGE your strength within 
• DRAW upon God's strength to become charged to shine the Light
• KEEP your lamp fueled and burning with Truth, Holiness, Righteousness, and all the fruit of God's Holy Spirit, knowing that you draw from an endless well, who will never leave you alone 
• SHINE YOUR LIGHT; never hide it and "put it under a basket."
• ACKNOWLEDGE your abundant and eternal life in the Kingdom of God
• Love God, Jesus, yourself and others throughout the day
• INCLUDE God in everything you do
• EXPAND beyond yourself to touch someone else; be an Ambassador for Christ and "spread the Good News. The Kingdom of God is at hand."
• This us YOUR abundant life; be fruitful; be holy; live and REJOICE ALWAYS.

A SEASON AND A TIME

There is a season and a time for everything. Time was created for man to know the time and seasons of life, therefore, we should not always look for things in our time, but, remember that God does things in His time. He knows what is best for us.

Ecclesiastes 3 (KJV)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

My Brothers and Sisters, again, I implore you to rest in HIS Will for you today, knowing that connected to The Vine, you shall always produce GOOD Fruit! He will strengthen you and give you courage. Today, will not be in vain! For you are Divinely Driven. And should His will for you be to: Be Still, wait, watch, relax, pray, humble yourself, read and believe in His Word and promises, enjoy yourself and rejoice; for it is the Will of God. Keep your eyes on Jesus and stay Purpose Driven, within His Divine Will and Plan for Heaven and Earth to increase the Kingdom! Amen and Praise God! 

your servant, united as One,

mishael

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Ecclesiastes 3(KJV)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?