Finishing Well

Painting the outside of a house isn’t worth much if the inside is a mess.

Okay, so there’s a downside to God’s judgment. Since He is completely fair and honest, and because He sees the real us from the inside out, there’s no fooling Him. We can’t put on a front, like we do with people, by acting and looking a certain way.

Before we act, God knows what we’re thinking. Before we even think about doing something–no matter how small–God is there. That could be more than a little unnerving, but you shouldn’t take God that way. He’s not a spy. He’s not intruding into your private life. God simply knows you completely (and loves you anyway).

So here’s what you do. Spend as much time developing the inner you as you do maintaining the outer you. Pay attention to stuff like character and integrity. That’s the stuff that comes in God’s all-seeing eyes.

“But the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” 1 Samuel 16:7

When you see God in the small stuff, your life becomes more meaningful.

We like to compare seeing God in the small stuff to looking at the stars. If you’ve never studied astronomy, you could look at the stars all night long and never know anything about them. The sight would be beautiful, but your appreciation would be limited. However, if you were to do a little study, get a star chart, and plunk yourself down with a telescope, those little points of light would take on a much more meaning and significance.

It’s the same thing with the small points of light in your life–the places where God is working. If you don’t make an effort to know God, if you don’t read the Bible regularly, if you don’t try to look at your circumstances more closely, you will miss out on the amazing things God is doing now and wants to do in the future.

May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:3

Jesus came to Earth in the past, and He is coming again in the future. Thank God for the first coming and get ready for the second.

The New Testament begins with the historical record of the first coming of Jesus to Earth, when God became a human and lived on Earth for a while. (One of the names of Jesus, Immanuel, means “God with us.”) The Bible ends with the fact that Jesus, God in the flesh, will return someday. Jesus came as a Savior the first time (the name Jesus means “Savior). When He comes again, he will be coming to reward and repay according to what people have done. And He will come unexpectedly.

All those who have accepted God’s plan of salvation through Jesus will receive the wonderful reward of eternal life in heaven. Those who have refused will receive the judgment they deserve. Are you ready for the “soon” return of Jesus?

“Yes, I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:20

It’s never a good idea to play the percentages with God, because God is right 100 percent of the time.

I think I know why God is the only One who knows when the world is going to end. He hasn’t set the date yet. The Bible says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake” (2 Peter 3:9).

When you have patience, you wait for the right moment. I believe that God is waiting for the right moment to send Jesus back to Earth (ending the world as we know it). And that moment has a lot to do with people giving God their hearts. Of course, even God’s patience is going to run out at some point, which begs the question, “Why would anyone want to take a chance of being on the wrong side of God’s patience?”

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts.” Joel 2:12