The eternal perspective has been on my mind lately.  I try to keep this focus throughout my day.  I find that it helps me when unexpected challenges come along.

I find myself asking:

• Has this come about because of the consequences of my choices?
• Is it something that will help me to grow?
• Will it be used to help someone else?

Did you know that I have prepared a home for you in heaven?  It is more beautiful than you can ever imagine.  Your eyes have not seen nor have your ears heard the majestic beauty that awaits you.  But for now, my chosen one, I need you to learn to see your life with an eternal perspective.  When you cross over into heaven, you won't be able to bring anything from your home here on earth.  You're only here to bring forth My life-changing news of salvation.  Don't collect things; collect people.  I have called you to bring others to Me.  Remember, no one will grow closer to Me because of what you have.  Tell them how much I love them.  They need to know about My amazing plans for their lives and about the eternal kingdom that awaits them, too.
Love,
Your King and your Eternity Builder

Blessings and love,



photo credit: Rob Crusoe via photopin cc

It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama.  We write for five minutes flat on a word given to us every Friday morning.  Our word for today is RACE.

GO

And they're off!  I love the starting line to a race.  There's an air of anticipation and expectancy.  Watching Olympic athletes is inspirational to me.  They've worked so hard to prepare for this moment and ...they want to win.

The movie Chariots of Fire is one of my favorites.  It's about the 1924 Olympics and Eric Liddell is a competitor but he's also a missionary.  His sister doesn't understand why he wastes his time running.  He kindly tells her:

I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast.  And when I run I feel His pleasure.

To feel the pleasure of God; oh my!

To race to the finish line and have Him say "well done, my good and faithful servant".

That's my goal for my race.

My race may not sound as exciting as an Olympic competition.  But my race is important.  It's how I live out each day.  It's not a sprint. It's a long distance race.  I'm in in for the long haul.  I need power from on high.  Holy Spirit power is what it takes to run my race.

I prepare myself with a daily quiet time, soaking up the Scriptures and praying.  I get rid of anything that might hinder me by confessing my sins.  I ask for His guidance for my day.  I empty me of self and ask for to be filled to overflowing with His love and His presence.

This is how I run my race.  I don't do it perfectly.  When I fall, I get up.  And when I'm given those moments to share His love with another ...I feel His pleasure.

STOP

Blessings and love,

As I was having my quiet time early this morning, I was contemplating my own perspective on life.  You see my friend's husband had an eternal perspective.  He lived his life by faith in Christ and others were impacted and influenced.  

I'm learning to have an eternal perspective.  

I recently completed a study by Catherine Martin entitled "A Heart To See Forever".  It is a study on the book of Revelation.  This is how Catherine defines the eternal perspective.

“The eternal perspective is the ability to see all of life from God’s point of view and have what you see affect how you live in the present. Simply stated, the eternal perspective is the ability to walk by faith in God’s Word.”~ Catherine Martin, from A Heart To See Forever

My eyes are open to notice other people's perspective on life.  I've been reading a book called "Beyond Cancer's Scars".  It is written by a dear blogging friend Elaine Olsen. I've followed Elaine for many years on Peace for the Journey.  She has weathered the storm of breast cancer and shares from her heart all that she's learned and continues to learn through this challenging time in her life.

Elaine has an eternal perspective.



I found myself highlighting and underlining her words.

"When we approach our pain without kingdom perspective, we rely on quick fixes.  We search for the shortest route between our suffering and its release. But with kingdom perspective, we willingly cede the shortest route to the road that includes a King's companionship. When we do so, something changes in us.  Something new moves in to replace the old, and eyes once blinded by temporal understanding are opened up to see with eternal perspective - a place to which only God can lead us."  ~ F. Elaine Olsen from Beyond Cancer's Scars 

Elaine's words continued to speak to my heart.

"With every new day and each new trust I'm given, I'm challenged to relinquish my easiest and shortest inclinations to an eternal preference that stays focused on God's greater gain." 

Is your perspective focused on the here and now?  Are you so quick to pray for a quick relief from your present pain and challenges? What if going through this present difficulty is just what will grow you?  What if others who see you go through this time can learn about the eternal perspective from you?

Are you willing to trust God in the midst of your trials?  Will you allow Him to grow you into the person He knows you can be?  It may take some suffering along the way. But if you have that eternal perspective in mind, it will be for your good and His glory.

Blessings and love,

Let your light shine.  It's amazing how a single candle lit can dispel darkness.

I love candlelight services on Christmas Eve.  In our church, we start at one end.  A single candle is lit and the person turns to the one sitting next to them and lights their candle.  This continues until all of the candles are shining brightly.  It's quite a sight to see.  The darkness disappears.

What would happen if each one of us let our light shine brightly?  ...

To continue reading, please link over to Laced with Grace for my monthly devotional.

Blessings and love,

Every day we make choices.  Many of those choices become automatic.  You don't even think about them.

But if you consider your future, I believe it's important to examine your day to day choices.  After all, they determine what your tomorrows become.  I coined that phrase when I was working with heart patients.  As a cardiovascular nurse specialist, part of my job was to educate them about making healthier lifestyle choices.

We make choices in every area of our lives.

Consider some of the choices you get to make:

• Hold a grudge or forgive someone who wronged you 
• Complain about what you don't have or be thankful for every day blessings 
• Question where God is or praise and thank Him for His love and mercy 
• Become impatient with a slow sales clerk or smile and tell her to have a good day
• Avoid spending money you don't have or charge it
• Pop open that can of soda or drink a glass of water
• Clench your jaw or take a few deep breaths
• Sit and do nothing or go for a walk
• Complain or pray, pray, pray
• Give advice not asked for or simply listen 

What choices do you make each day?  Are your choices moving you towards a better future?

We may not get to choose all of our situations but we can choose our response.  

What choices can you make that will move you towards a better future?

I'd love to read your comments.

Blessings and love,


photo credit: Photo Extremist via photopin cc

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