Thank you for reading the message today. I am posting a day later than usual because yesterday we had bad winter weather in my area, and I didn't want to get out to the library in the snow. The forecast is for very bad snow this whole week in my area, so please pray that it wont be too bad as I have quite a distance to travel to and from work.
We have just started the new year. Last week, I mentioned some of the things that we can do to be prepared spiritually for the new year. In today's message, I want us to think about what we will focus our time and attention on in the upcoming year and beyond. It is important that we are moving in the right direction in life.
As we begin, let us consider the words of Jesus on what our life's focus should be. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus gives us instruction about what is really important in life. He says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
In this passage, Jesus is telling us to make sure that we are living our lives with eternity's values in view. The focus of our lives should be on that which is eternal and not on that which is temporal. So many people, including many Christians that I know, make the focus of their life the pursuit of gaining wealth and accumulating possessions. Doing this is what Jesus calls building up treasure on earth. Working just to gain a lot of money and possessions is futile in the long run. These things will not remain. They can be gone in an instant, and we can't take them with us when we die.
Jesus tells us to make the focus of our lives the building up of treasure in Heaven. What does it mean to build up treasure in Heaven? One thing that I think that it means is that we try to lead others to faith in Jesus. There would be no greater treasure in Heaven that I can think of than to see people in eternity with us that we had the privilege to share the good news of the love of Jesus with.
I also believe that building up treasure in Heaven means doing good and trying to help others. It means living a life that draws us closer to the Lord Jesus. When we help others and love others, we are keeping eternity's values in view. We are following the teachings and commandments of Jesus, and that is something that we should always strive to do.
Now, I want to say another word about keeping the right focus in the new year and beyond. Jesus should always be the focus of our lives. Hebrews 12:2 tells us, "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end."
We have to keep our eyes on the Lord. We must not look to the left nor the right, and we definitely don't want to look behind us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus means keeping the Lord's example and way of doing things as the core of our being. It means that in every thing that we do in this life, we ask what Jesus did or what Jesus would do in the situation. We live and move in this world as Jesus did when He was here on this earth.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus, that will allow us to have the right focus in life. We will work in this life to build up treasure in Heaven, and we will realize that this world and what it contains is fading away. Jesus is Lord. Make Him your Lord by following Him all along the way. Amen.
Prayer Requests
This week, please pray about the weather situation. It has me quite concerned. I will tell you why. With the new manager where I work, the job situation is precarious always. If I have to miss much due to weather, I might be out of a job, and I don't want that right now. Please keep praying. I thank you for your prayers.
Let us keep praying for peace in the war torn regions of our world. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Sudan really need our prayers.
Pray for those who are recovering from natural disasters such as the earthquake that struck Japan. Pray that people's needs will be met.
Always remember to pray for the leaders of your nation. Pray that they will be guided by the Lord.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Bhutan and Togo. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. I hope to post the message on Friday. May God bless you all.
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