Looking back on our childhood, we can all laugh at a time when we thought that life was over because we had missed out on a new toy or a visit to Chuck E.  Cheese. If we only knew then what we know now, eh? What many people don’t realize is that this is a fairly accurate picture of heaven. Where, in the presence of our Lord and Savior, we will look back on our lives and laugh at what we thought was so important.

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

1st Corinthians 13:11

Generally when people say they want to live a “full life,” they have a bucket list of to do’s. World traveling, love, kids, career, just to name a few. These things are great, but like a child crying over a toy, they leave us far too easily pleased. 

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

We have a choice - live for creation or Creator. We serve a God who formed us in our mothers womb, who knows each hair on our heads and is sovereign over all the universe. Throw out your bucket list and see what sort of adventures your Heavenly Father has for you!

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1st Peter 1:6-7

Take all your pain and hurt and anger and sorrow and turn it to God as praise. Praise for his incredible mercy and his unfailing love. Don’t waste your life focussed on your trials, because some day soon he will wipe every tear from your eye.

(posted by Mike Wandling)

Found on the Sovereign Grace Ministries blog:

At the Next 2010 Conference, Kevin DeYoung gave a list of suggestions for “How to be a difference maker in a local church.”  A few of them were:

• Find a good local church. 
• Get involved.
• Become a member. 
• Stay there as long as you can. 
• Put away thoughts of a revolution for a while.
• Be patient with your leaders. 
• Rejoice when the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.
• Bear with those who hurt you. 
• Give people the benefit of the doubt. 
• Be thankful someone vacuumed the carpet for you. 
• Enjoy the Sundays that “click.” 
• Pray extra hard on the Sundays that don’t. 

View the full list on the Sovereign Grace Blog and listen to the message “The Church” on ThisNext.org

(posted by: matt heerema)