Testimonies abound online from people who lived life with only self-centered goals and then later realized it was a big mistake. They say things like, “Enough is never enough,” “I sold my soul,” and “There has to be more to life.” Paula Span wrote about Manny, a friend of her father, who made the rounds every day to check on the welfare of his aged friends in his community. A purpose in life higher than himself gave him satisfaction, and it gave him joy. Those without a purpose higher than themselves tend to drift through life aimlessly, often ending up feeling empty and unfulfilled.

The world needs people, like Manny, who work in social causes, such a Meals on Wheels, as volunteer firemen or hostesses at the hospital, as school board members, and as leaders in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. However, the plain truth is that unsaved people can fill these positions, and there are usually plenty available. But only the Lord’s people can fill the roles of ministry to further the cause of Christ. God’s will for all Christians is to fulfill a far higher, nobler, and more urgently needed, Christ-centered purpose in life. Paul puts it this way: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (relating to serving the Lord), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). In the local church, there is a constant need for those who know Christ to serve as greeters, nursery workers, and teachers. We can serve meals related to ministry, visit and send letters to visitors, provide transportation, type the bulletin, and canvas neighborhoods inviting people to church. There is a need to give the gospel to lost souls at work, in our neighborhoods, at restaurants, when guests visit our homes, and in every opportunity that comes our way. Our opportunities to minister for the Lord are only limited by our imagination. Willingly serving the Lord needs to become our primary purpose in life.

Even the secular writer Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born, and the day you figure out why.” Beginning today, embrace a Christ-centered purpose in life that will make an eternal difference, and then report for duty to your local church.

Here is a glimpse into what to expect in your 40’s: Just when the kids are able to cope with life on their own, you are likely to become a caregiver again to your parents. Age will start to manifest itself in your own body. You are likely to develop stubborn belly fat. Your back will ache if you exert it. Your knees will begin to creek, and your feet hurt. Just when you think you can afford to eat out, your doctor will put you on a restrictive diet. About this time, it will dawn on you that you are far from financially prepared for retirement. Now that you are discouraged by these realities, let’s take an encouraging glimpse into what your future in heaven will be like.

The Apostle Paul tells us when we trusted Christ as Savior, He effectively “…raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Positionally, our home is already in heaven, and one day we will occupy heaven as our eternal residence. But what will that experience be like? By comparing a number of passages, including some relating to Israel’s eternal future, we have a glimpse of what heaven will be like for us. First Corinthians 15:52-53 explains we “…shall be raised incorruptible…and must put on immortality.” God will give us a new spiritual body that is capable of living in the heavens. “…We shall be like Him (the Lord Jesus)…” (I John 3:2) able to eat, walk, and converse with others. Revelation 21:4 promises that in our eternal bodies, “neither shall there be any more pain.” Our existence in heaven will be joyous because we will “ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). “God shall wipe away all tears…and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying…” (Revelation 21:4). Since the disciples instantly recognized Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4), it is reasonable to anticipate we will recognize saved friends and loved ones in heaven. The promise in I Corinthians 3:14 is a rich “reward” for serving Christ now. We will also be active in our eternal state. Paul explains that we “…shall judge the world…(and) judge angels” (I Corinthians 6:1-3). This means we will be given a position of authority over these realms, and we will be busy.

Set your affections on these things above, and allow yourself to become homesick for heaven. It will be great!

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On March 2nd, 2012, as a strong tornado roared through Henryville, Indiana, Stephanie Decker raced down to the basement of her home with her two children. She quickly tied them up in a sleeping bag, and then laid over them to shield them with her body. Seconds later, the house exploded around them. A steel beam crashed down on top of Stephanie’s legs, crushing them. The next day, both legs had to be amputated. Stephanie said it was a “small price to pay” because “…my children needed me, so I had to figure out what to do.“

Love can motivate people to accomplish extraordinary things. The greatest example of all is the love that God the Father and God the Son had for a world of guilty sinners. Ephesians 2:1 describes all of us in our natural state as spiritually “…dead in trespasses and sins.” In ourselves, there is nothing lovable about us. Paul described it this way: “For I know that in me…dwelleth no good thing…(and) how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). By nature, we all walked “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan)…and were by nature the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:2-3). We all gravitate naturally toward conduct designed by the devil to harden our hearts. Like the tornado that threatened the family of Stephanie Decker, the impending clouds of eternal judgment and God’s just wrath were looming over us. Our only hope is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He knew what to do. He bore our punishment on Calvary that we could have eternal life through faith in Him alone. As we read these verses and look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word, we see that it was indeed God’s “great love” (Ephesians 2:4) that saved us from eternal destruction. “For when we were yet without strength…” (Romans 5:6) and “…when we were enemies…” of the Lord (Romans 5:10), “…God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8).

We’re touched by the love and affection of others. The Lord would have us to be moved by His great love also; and He would have us love Him in return. If you truly love the Lord, tell Him today, and then demonstrate your love by walking faithfully with Him each day.

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When O.J. Simpson was charged with murdering his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman, he hired a high-profile defense team, often referred to as the “Dream Team.” Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran led it. It also included F. Lee Baily, Alan Dershowitz, Robert Kardashian, Shawn Holley, Carl E. Douglas, and Gerald Uelman, with two more attorneys specializing in DNA evidence: Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. Their job was to plead the case of their client skillfully before a judge and jury for the purpose of obtaining a favorable verdict.

In many ways, every Christian has a similar duty to become a skilled advocate for other believers, representing them before the Judge of all mankind, Almighty God, and therein seeking to obtain a favorable outcome. In fact, it is our sacred duty. The prophet Samuel told his fellow Jews, “…God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you…” (I Samuel 12:23). We should note that God often answers the prayers of His saints for other believers also. While Peter was imprisoned for preaching Christ, “…prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5). The Lord intervened by sending an angel to release Peter (vss. 6-11). Likewise, the Apostle Paul said that he had been delivered from death when he was persecuted intensely (II Corinthians 1:10), because his fellow saints had been “helping together by prayer for us” (vs. 11). When later imprisoned for proclaiming Christ, he assured the believers at Philippi, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (meaning deliverance) through your prayer…” (Philippians 1:19). Also, the Apostle Paul personally and regularly prayed for the needs of others. He told the saints at Ephesus that after he heard of their faith in Christ, he “cease[d] not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16). While Philippians 4:6 assures us we can pray about anything, it is noteworthy that when Paul prayed for others, he primarily prayed for their spiritual growth (Ephesians 1:17-20). We should also follow this pattern when praying for others.

It has been a rich blessing that this writer has had a “dream team” of faithful prayer warriors representing him before the throne of grace in his times of need. I attribute divine protection, provision, and enablement to their intercessory prayer. Today, begin making it a daily habit to pray for the needs of others. Your prayers make a difference!

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