Are YOU laying hold on eternal life each day? Did you know that we have dual citizenship? On earth we are citizens of the land of our birth. We become citizens of Heaven by the new birth. Paul encourages saints in Philippi by reminding them of this truth (Philippians 3.20) and thus getting them focused upon what life on earth is to be all about. One of the greatest attributes we could pray for those we love is that they be heavenly minded. What exactly is that? It means that the Lord, and the fact that I will be forever with Him -- factor into every choice I make through life. So we as husbands, wives, moms, and dads need to add to our prayers these elements that mark someone who thinks about what matters to the Lord, and decides to honor Him by their choices. What do we prayerfully ask the Lord to do in us and them? We pray that they will be Living for Heaven by: Choosing a Life of Contentment (Philippians 4:11-13). Choosing a Life of Consecration (Matthew 16:24). Choosing a Life of Commitment (Luke 9:62). Giving their Life Back to the Lord (1 Chronicles 28:9). One of my hobbies is to follow global trends. As Americans, we are often so fixated on our own country that we are out of touch with issues the rest of the world is focusing upon. For example, many major world newspapers have reported that another worldwide influenza pandemic is long overdue. In the twentieth century, the 1918, 1957, and 1968 “Super-Flu” outbreaks caused forty million deaths between them—one percent of the world’s population. If one percent of Americans were to die of flu this year, that would means an extra three million deaths! As serious as that would be, an even worse pandemic is running rampant throughout America right now, and it is so dangerous that it has gained worldwide attention. What is it? It is the disease of a sick and dying soul—affluenza—an obsession with acquiring more and more money and other possessions. In September of 1997, the American Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) aired a special television program entitled “Affluenza.” The topic was a warning against what the public sector has identified as the “modern-day plague of materialism.” Below is their self-diagnosis questionnaire. I encourage you to carefully examine the list to determine whether or not you have any of the symptoms of this dreadful disease. (Please evaluate each item as honestly as possible.) SYMPTOMS OF BEING INFECTED WITH AFFLUENZA? My life would be happier if I had more money. I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have, and the amount of time it takes to pay for, maintain, and store it all. My partner and I have different views on spending and saving, its hard to talk about these subjects without arguing. My children seem more materialistic than I was at their age. I never seem to have enough “quality time” with my family and other loved ones. Our family loves clothing with the fashionable logos on it, and we’re usually among the first on the block to see the latest hit movie. I hardly know my neighbors, I feel disconnected from my local community. I very often feel rushed, with too much to do and not enough time to do it all. I don’t enjoy my job, I would quit if I didn’t have to work for money. I don’t feel that I live my life in total alignment with my values and beliefs. I don’t know what the interest rates are on my credit cards or exactly how much debt I have. I pay only the monthly minimum payment on my credit cards. I do not put money into savings regularly. I spend much more time shopping each month than I do being involved in my community. I sometimes buy something because it’s cool or fashionable, not because I love it or need it. I know I have more “extras” in my life than my parents and grandparents did, but I don’t feel as satisfied about my standard of living as I think they were. The amazing conclusion of this PBS series was exactly what Paul said 20 centuries ago: Material wealth can’t make people happy. History records the testimony of some of the wealthiest people of their day: “The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it.” —W. H. Vanderbilt “I am the most miserable man on earth.” —John Jacob Astor “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” —John D. Rockefeller “Millionaires seldom smile.” —Andrew Carnegie “I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” —Henry Ford Affluenza is most evident as the modern-day plague of materialism. Believers will show the symptoms of this virus when they lose their grip on eternal life; it is a deadly poison. Is there an antidote—a cure for this disease? Yes, there is! The cure: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called . . .” (1 Timothy 6:12, NIV). Paul goes on to say: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV). This is the opening portion of chapter 5 of my new eBook, The Power of Word-Filled Prayers on the topic: ETERNITY IS REALITY
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 17:39:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015