When I keep God, Christ, and the promise of Eternity at the top of my priorities, everything that God wants to Bless me with, comes about naturally. And as we live our lives in Christ, God and His Angels keep a close eye on me and my family members… that’s part of His promise to us. In 2 Timothy 4: 8, we read… ‘In the future, there is laid up for me the Crown-of-Righteousness’, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not for me only, but also to everyone who looks forward to His appearing’. Do I look forward to His appearing, to take His Faithful Church home; YOU BET I DO.

There’s an old adage that says, ‘when it rains, everyone gets wet’; how true. We all understand that the day-to-day trials and tribulations of life on this planet, will take their toll; both on the ‘saved and the unsaved. The major difference is in how we handle the negative influences that are all around us. Children of God typically have an entirely different perspective of this world and how it affects us.

So, do we approach our problems and challenges from a worldly perspective, or from a Godly Perspective; having first ‘Put on the Whole Armor of God’ for protection from Satan and his minions? Without this layer of ‘Spiritual Armor,’ it’s like entering a burning building, in shorts and a Tee shirt. In my personal life, I like to remind myself that I’m not a citizen of this world anymore; I am simply sojourning and looking forward to the day I arrive at my permanent home in Heaven; where there is no sin, or evil thoughts or evil people. But for the time being, God has placed me on Earth for a purpose.  

I like what the Apostle Paul has to say in Philippians 1: 21, ‘for to me… to live is Christ, and to die is gain’. You see, Christ had taken Paul to the 3^rd Heaven, to show him what was waiting for him after his life was finished on Earth. And even though Paul longed to be with God and Christ, he was willing to stay on earth and serve his King for as long as Jesus needed him. So, until I either pass on into the Eternal World or if Jesus comes 1^st, to take me home via the Rapture; either event will bring about the same result. A good Tip… you can easily identify a ‘True Believer’; their attitude and their conversation regarding Christ’s return and the Rapture will be noticeably positive. They look forward to the moment they will be extracted from the Earth and transported to their Heavenly home. Believer’s that indicate that they would prefer to stay somewhat longer, display something that is missing in their relationship with God and Christ.

As Believers, we need to remember that before the foundation of the world, God’s Plan for each of our lives was perfectly designed, God really does want His children to enjoy our life on Earth. Unfortunately, our temperament and personalities do get in the way from time to time. (that’s the ‘Free Will’ that God allowed us to have). When we take the time to understand what His plan is for our lives and do our best to keep on the ‘narrow path that leads to the small gate’, our ‘Eternal Mindset’ will remain at the forefront of our thinking.