Eternity Archives - My Manna

Face the music!

MyManna — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 23:00:08 +0000

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Do you know where the expression “facing the music” comes from?
The story begins in medieval Japan with a man who wanted the prestige that came from being a performer in the Imperial orchestra.
But there was a minor glitch:
He couldn’t play an instrument.
Yet he knew what he wanted and pulled every possible string to accomplish his purposes.
Against his better judgment, the orchestra’s conductor consented to let the man into the ensemble.
He gave him a flute, sat him in the most inconspicuous seat, and instructed him to try and fit in.
With each musical number, our man dutifully raised his instrument, puckered his lips, moved his fingers, and pretended to blow.
He went through the motions, but not a tweet ever escaped his flute.
This deception might have continued indefinitely, undetected, had it not been for the appointment of a new conductor.
This man’s first act was to tell his musicians that each of them would have to audition.
One by one the players auditioned and were restored to their positions.
Eventually all finished, except for the fake flutist.
Frantic with worry, he claimed to be sick.
The doctor pronounced him “fit as a fiddle.”
Finally the time came for the audition.
The flutist, unable to face the music, lost his position, his salary, his home, his future.
Now, there are a number of ways people prepare to face Judgment Day’s music.
Some gamble there is no God.
They believe somehow, in some way, everything created itself.
Without God, they hold to the theory that the universe is the product of accidents.
Others think, “God is so good that He will never condemn sin.
And, if He does, “I’m okay, because I lead a pretty good life.”
The Bible is consistent in saying-
– the Lord is coming and all of us will have to appear before Jesus the Judge.
Will you be ready to face the music?
You can be ready.
Through God-given faith in Jesus’ cleansing blood-
– sinful souls can become prepared to face the music!

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Consider this carefully!

MyManna — Tue, 31 May 2016 22:30:48 +0000

Archeologists sometimes uncover less than they hope when digging-
– because someone else got there first, namely, grave robbers.
Artifacts that can help us understand past civilizations may be disturbed or the burial site looted.
Both groups seek the items made with precious metals or gemstones, but for different reasons.
In Psalm 16 we read about a type of grave robber.
This one robs the grave of death itself.
David believed that even death could not rob him of life because eternal life is found in God.
The ultimate fulfillment of Psalm 16:10 was in Christ.
Note the carefulness of the wording.
“You will not abandon me to the grave.”
It does not say, “death.”
Jesus did die, but He was not abandoned to the grave.
“Nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”
Consider this carefully!
With death comes decay-
– unless the grave is emptied by God.
God emptied the grave of Jesus not with crowbars, shovels and picks-
– but by His awesome resurrection power.
Jesus truly died, but He did not remain dead.
Jesus truly lives!
The promise of Psalm 16 was fulfilled in every aspect when Jesus arose.
Your body will be in a grave.
And one day that grave will be robbed of death.
“The dead in Christ will rise first,” Paul said (1 Thess 4:16).
Jesus has conquered death and sin.
If you have accepted Him as Saviour-
– be rest assured that life on this earth is temporary
– and that God will give you permanent life with Him.
Thank God now for the wonderful gift of eternal life.

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Pitiful entry into eternal poverty!

MyManna — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:00:54 +0000

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
An excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions, is called “greed.”
You may not realize this.
But greed is as old as time.
Jesus told the parable of a rich man who had had such a good year that he had run out of places to store his crops and other treasures.
He decided to solve this “problem” by building bigger and bigger barns so he could have a place for all his new stuff.
With all these new riches, he reassured himself that he could take it easy and spend the next few years eating, drinking, and living the good life.
Sounds pretty enticing, doesn’t it?
One day he sat back and thought he had everything he needed and much, much more.
Or did he?
Don’t think so.
I doubt he realized God was getting ready to say to him:
“You fool – didn’t you realize that this very night your soul would will be required of you?” (Luke 12:20).
This man was too busy hoarding his wealth to realize that it was God who had entrusted him with all that wealth.
In fact, the man was quite sure he had done it all by himself.
How wrong he was!
He was rich in the world’s eyes-
– but poor in God’s eyes and it led to a pitiful entry into eternal poverty!
Life is so short.
It will be over before you know what happened.
What treasures have you laid up in Heaven as a Christian?
Remember:
The need to have more than you “need” equals greed.
There is nothing wrong with having wealth-
– as long as you realize it all really belongs to God and you use it to further His kingdom.
Being rich in your relationship with God through Jesus Christ – now, that is a richer way to live – forever.
(PR)

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Invest in the best!

MyManna — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:00:43 +0000

Sunday, 17 January 2016

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Your heart can be a battleground!
And whoever (or whatever) owns it will determine what you do with your life.
One of the greatest temptations you’ll face in life will be-
– in the area of money and possessions.
The world will bombard you with advertisements of wonderful things you could buy if only you had enough money.
Slick advertisements will promise that your life would be perfect if only you had a particular product.
Society will affirm that whoever has the most money will be the happiest and most powerful.
The world can make the pursuit of money and possessions very tempting!
But Jesus has some warnings for you-
– if you are preoccupied with gaining wealth.
Wealth doesn’t last.
Money doesn’t satisfy.
It is only temporary.
Possessions can be stolen.
Money can be lost or wasted.
Even if you do obtain wealth-
– you will find that it disappoints,
– because it cannot truly satisfy you.
Jesus taught that true happiness comes-
– not from collecting possessions,
– but from investing our lives in things that are eternal.
Spiritual things last forever.
No one can take them away.
They don’t depreciate over time.
Investing in God’s kingdom-
– is the smartest investment anyone could ever make.
Where have you been investing your time and effort?
Have you set your heart on things that will last forever?
Invest in the best!
(PR)

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