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•A Prayer to Live with Eternity in Mind•By Anthony Valente👉 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”(Ecclesiastes 3:11)Eternity is a simple word but a complex concept. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.” • We waited in line at the DMV for an eternity. • We think spring will never come; winter has lasted for an eternity. • We have a vacation planned for only a few weeks away, but it feels like an eternity on the calendar.The reality is that, as humans, we can’t truly fathom eternity. We know that God has provided eternal life to those who trust in His Son Jesus, but understanding the weight of eternity is beyond our comprehension.Recently, I’ve come across numerous sermon series, articles, and books encouraging believers to live with eternity in mind. But what exactly does that mean? Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (NLT).”Life in a fallen world is tough; there’s no escaping the effects of sin in our lives. But, we can shift our perspective, focusing on the things that matter to God (the eternal) and letting go of things that don’t matter (things of this world). As one of my favorite teachers says, “preaches easy lives hard.” We are easily distracted, discouraged, and disillusioned daily. It can be challenging to persevere, push forward in our faith, and remain steadfast. The world’s message is “live your best life now,” but God’s word preaches,“ your best life is yet to come.“If we back up a verse to 2 Corinthians 4:17, “Paul reminds us, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” What we are experiencing today will one day come to an end. Even if the season of sorrow drags on or your difficult circumstances continue to stay the same day after day, God will make everything new one day. And in this new world, His eternal kingdom, there will be no more tears and pain (Revelation 21:1-4).I am not sure what you are going through today but take heart; God sees and cares for you. On this side of Heaven, you may continue to experience the consequences of sin, but God’s great mercy provided a way for you to have eternal peace through salvation in Christ Jesus. Cling to the eternal hope we have in our salvation, and let the presence of the Holy Spirit fill you as you live with eternity in mind. Let’s Pray.✝️ Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who cares about our burdens. We know that You are God who sees and hears the cries and prayers of Your children. Help us to live with eternity in mind. Be with us as we focus on the eternal, shifting our perspective from temporary things that distract us from living a life for Your glory alone. Forgive us when we sin against You, and be with us as we pursue holiness.We love You, Lord; we are undeserving of Your grace and mercy but thankful that You freely grant us both. We ask that You strengthen and help us as we share the Gospel in a broken world. Guide our conversations, and direct our paths to those who need to experience the eternal hope of salvation through Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN 🙏 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18)For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.(Romans 1:16-20)For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.(2 Corinthians 5:1)For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23)Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.(Colossians 4:2-6)Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.(John 5:24)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.(Philippians 1:23)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.(John 14:2-3)No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”(Revelation 22:3-7)(pic verse)“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’(Matthew 25:23)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld