More Than These

 It is not that we love Him.  The ultimate question that shall be asked is this:  “Have you loved me more than all the attractions I have put before You?  Have you chosen me above anything else?”  The answer to this question will determine our place in eternity. 

The Bible is clear on this:  Men will be lovers of themselves.  Lovers of money.  Lovers of pleasure.  Lovers of fame.  Lovers of fortune.  Lovers of earthly wisdom.  But, we are mandated to be lovers of God.  And that’s not all.  We should not only love God, but love Him above ALL. 

 

A new year is coming, and this year we are in right now will soon become old like a shabby coat that needs to be replaced.  Just like this world and everything in it — life shall soon fade away, sooner or later.  Our earthly families will fade away, our wealth will fade away, our strengths, our abilities will fade away, but God’s word, Jesus Christ will not fade away.  Our heavenly family will not fade away.  So, unless we endeavor to make our earthly family become members of our heavenly family, the family of God, we will no longer meet them there.  Salvation makes us members of the heavenly family, the family of God, and He desires us to belong to Him through eternity.

 

The new year is coming.  The old one is fading.  But we have a hope that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  We have a hope that His strength is sufficient for us.  Putting God first gives us success, and this success is not necessarily material or career or other gauges by which this world defines success, but it is being an heir to God’s blessings, richness, and protection — the wealth of our soul such as peace of mind, and the other fruits of the Spirit, in short, God’s presence — this for me is the measure of success:  When you have so much though in worldly standards, very little – because God is meeting every need or when you know so much, though being of humble education, because God is giving wisdom.

 

The new year is coming, but better years will come — if we trust in God’s word that this is not our final destination.  In this world, we will be tested and tried so we may be found worthy to live with Him there.  Trouble arises when we desire to stay. 

 

Our reward will be great in heaven that is why believers are mandated to set their affections on heavenly things and not on the things of the world.  As pilgrims looking for a better country, we are just passing through.  God did not purposely want to make our lives here comfortable, because we, in the first place do not belong here.  He desires us to live in order to see that place He has prepared for all who remains faithful.  I desire to see Him face to face, just as Moses desired.