Never Ending Journey

The film Never Ending Story (1984) follows a boy who happens upon a magical book that tells of a young warrior who is given the task of stopping the Nothing, a dark force, from engulfing the wonderland world of Fantasia. The film's hero journeys through a cycle of life and destruction again and again in a never-ending journey. While this film is fantasy, real life is a never-ending journey.  Some believe that life ends when we die. 

But the Bible teaches life and death is everlasting. For those who have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are promised everlasting life. John 3:15-16

Eternal death is the fate that awaits all people who ultimately reject Jesus Christ and remain in their sin and obedience. Revelation 20:15 In verse 10, we are told that the Lake of Fire burns "forever and ever."

Any rational being should choose Christ and thereby receive everlasting life. No one plans to be eternally lost, they just postpone making that choice. They plan to make that choice someday.   But while they are waiting to make that decision, death often overtakes them. 

And this is the way to eternal life- to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One you sent earth. John 17:3 

Need A New Heart?

 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26

Science has produced many amazing medical advances. The most spectacular is the ability to transplant human body parts. A few decades ago, transplants were rare but these days everyone seems to know someone with a new hip, knee, kidney, liver, or heart.

When the prophet Ezekiel wrote the above verse he had no knowledge of organ replacements but he carefully recorded the message of a heart transplant. The "heart" in this passage doesn't refer to the physical, blood-pumping muscle in your chest. He was referring to the core of a person's being: Your mind, will, and emotions.

Ezekiel was addressing the nation of Israel who wanted nothing to do with worshipping the true God. They had rejected God for so long their hearts had become 'hardened.' (Sounds like America.) Hearts become hardened through repeated sin and living only for self.

The fact is we all need a new heart but we all have sinned against God. Romans 3:23 The Good News is no matter how hard your heart is; God can successfully give you a new heart. Ask God to perform spiritual heart surgery.

One Way Out

 

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

When the disciples asked how they would get to the Father and his “house,” Jesus answered that he was the only way.

This fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven isn’t popular in our age of the “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere” and “all faiths lead to the same destination” way of thinking. People argue that having just one way is too narrow and limiting. “How can anyone claim to be the only way to God?” they assert.

In reality, Jesus’ way is wide enough for all who believe. Instead of arguing and worrying about how limited it sounds, people should be grateful that there actually is one way to God and eternal life.

When coming to a precipice and wishing to get to the other side of the great divide, we don’t pout and demand that a bridge is in place on the exact spot where we stand. Instead, we travel to the bridge, the only bridge, a few miles away, grateful that a way across has been provided.

Jesus is the way — ​follow him. Jesus is truth — ​believe him. Jesus is life — ​live in him. Regardless of the claims of cults, pop religion, or wishful thinking, no other bridge to the Father and his house exists.

Thank God He has provided the Way.

From Once-A-Day Devotional for Men