Look Ahead And Be Optimistic

Devotion for Friday December 1, 2017

Topic: Look Ahead And Be Optimistic 

Text: Hebrew 6:11 – 15

People who lived godly lives faced temptations, persecutions and trials of different types and degrees. From Noah to the Apostles and disciples, all had terrible experiences. This is the reason for the exhortation in Hebrews 10:36. When we begin to consider the trials and temptations of this life, we cannot make progress in our endeavours. This led the author of Hebrews to challenge us in Hebrews 6:12. He cautioned us not to be sluggish or faint-hearted or timid or negligent. Rather, he advised that we should strongly and constantly imitate them in their manner of life; their faith and patience. The challenges for us in our text are;

1) Heaven is not ours by purchase but by promise

2) Heaven is a promised inheritance which saints by faith and patience, have possessed and will possess.

3) Being followers of imitators of their faith and patience, we may also joint them to inherit the promises.

Heaven is what lies ahead of us as Christians. Whatever we do here on earth is transitory. A day will come when we shall leave everything here on earth and go to either heaven as true Christians or hell as deceivers. Where you will go is determined here on earth. People have endured all manner of trials, confrontations and temptations for the sake of heaven. You can still endure and overcome (Philippians 4:13). Cheer up my beloved in Christ because better days and better things await us in heaven. That want, need, sickness, temptation, trial and persecution are temporal. You will leave them here on earth. Therefore do not let it determine your final destination after live on earth. Look ahead and be optimistic even as we enter into the new month.

Remember that he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). With this in mind, I welcome you to the last month of the year 2018. Have a glorious month of December 2018.

Food for Thought: What lies ahead matters most more than the ones we have left behind us.

Memory Verse: Hebrew 6:12 – “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Prayer: God, rekindle your spirit in me and remove any spirit of sluggishness or faint-heart from me as I live for you in Jesus name.