In 2 Corinthians 4:18 I read, “For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.” (GNT)
Most people rarely evaluate their values or question their perceptions until they have a crisis.
It’s when I’m in deep pain that I begin to examine what I’m basing my life on. I may realize I’ve been living my life to feel good, look good, or accumulate wealth or power. The crisis helps me realize instinctively that there has to be more to life.
But there’s no reason to wait for a crisis to evaluate my values. Instead, stop today to consider what I should value. Start by asking this critical question: What’s going to last?
The world seems to value the here and now. The message is that tomorrow doesn’t matter. Next year doesn’t matter. A thousand years from today doesn’t matter. Eternity and heaven don’t matter. Live for today.
But the Bible says something different: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17 NIV).
Consider what happens when I’m tempted. Temptation isn’t just a battle between good and bad or what’s best and what’s not best.
Temptation is always a battle between now and later: Will I do what God says and enjoy the benefits later, or will I do what I want and enjoy the benefits now?
The Bible teaches us to “fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 GNT).
Whether I’m in a crisis or not, take some time to evaluate what I’m basing my life on. Choose to build my life on God’s truth. It will last forever and never let me down.
In summary, I should fix my attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. Most people rarely evaluate their values or question their perceptions until they have a crisis. It’s when they are in deep pain that they begin to examine what they are basing my life on. For me, I may realize I’ve been living my life to feel good, look good, or accumulate wealth or power. The crisis helps me realize instinctively that there has to be more to life. There’s no reason to wait for a crisis to evaluate my values. Stop and consider what I should value. Ask, what’s going to last? The world seems to value the here and now. The world ‘s message is that tomorrow doesn’t matter. Next year doesn’t matter. A thousand years from today doesn’t matter. Eternity and heaven don’t matter. Live for today. But God’s word says something different: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Consider what happens when I’m tempted. Temptation isn’t just a battle between good and bad or what’s best and what’s not best. Temptation is always a battle between now and later: Will I do what God says and enjoy the benefits later, or will I do what I want and enjoy the benefits now? The Bible teaches me to “fix my attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.” So, take some time to evaluate what I’m basing my life on. Choose to build my life on God’s truth. It will last forever and never let me down.
Father, it’s important for me to build my life on your truth from your Word. There is more to life than the here and now. I need to do what God wants and enjoy the benefits later. Lord, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my training for a future job role and for leading a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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