Living Like We Want to Go To Heaven in 2011- 12/27/2010

As we enter the final week of the year 2010, what is on our mind; are we looking back on the year that was or are we looking ahead to the year that will be? Are we thinking of how good the year was in 2010 or are we telling ourselves that we are looking forward to a better year in 2011? Here's a thought: why not think about the blessings that the Lord has blessed us with in 2010 and the trials and tribulations that he helped us get through. Why not focus our minds on praising God for being able to get through another year and thank Him for his grace and mercy.
Around this time of year many people make New Year's Resolutions, vowing to work on themselves; whether it be through gaining or losing weight, saving more money, paying off their bills in order for them to have a peace a mind, among other things. Often times New Year's Resolutions don't get accomplished. About a month into the New Year, they may even forget the resolution they promised to themselves.
This week's Meditation Moments is about LIVING LIKE WE WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN IN 2011. If there is one thing that we can accomplish in 2011, it is showing the world that God is still God and He loves us. In 2 Cor. 5:16-17, Paul says, "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come." We, as Christians are in this world but we are not of this world. We think different, we talk different and we act different. We smile despite tribulation and we frown at sinful acts. We sorrow at our sin and we pray and ask the Lord to forgive us and keep moving and release the stress like we believe He will take care of it. If we are going to Live Like We Want to Go To Heaven, then we will go into the new year wanting to improve on the old sinful habits of 2010. We will study more in 2011 than we did in 2010, pray with a better mindset in 2011 than we did in 2010. With only four days to go in 2010 we will start preparing our mind to become a better child of God in 2011.
God said, through His prophet Isaiah in chap. 65:17-19, "Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more." Matthew Henry, in his biblical commentary said, "Good Christians must enjoy the comforts of this life, and their relations in this world, with a holy indifference." We are a part of the new Jerusalem, we are living in His holy temple. The world around us, that don't know God, can't comprehend such a change in attitude, personality and nature. They can't be released from their stress, they don't have the Real Shelter in the Storms of life, they don't have the true peace that passes all understanding. This is real change; the old way vs the new way, the old thinking vs. the new and better thinking, the old actions and reactions to the cares of life vs the new and better acts of wisdom in the midst of difficult situation through prayer and requests for wisdom to deal with all things. THIS IS HOW WE LIVE LIKE WE WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN!!! Live like Jesus!!! As we close this year and begin a new chapter, let's wake up January 1st saying, Thank you Lord for a new day and a new year, help me to be a better example for all those that I come in contact with on a daily basis in this new year. Help me to save souls and maintain my path toward heaven. And then say, I praise you, O God, for you are a blessing to my life. Live like you want to go to heaven in 2011. LET GOD BE GLORIFIED!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS THIS FINAL WEEK OF 2010!!!