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Approved by faculty for the College of Theology on Nov. 2, 2023.
Jeremiah 29:11 promises us a future and a hope. When we abide in Christ, we begin to have an eternal perspective because we look at things from the end point of view and not the trivial day-to-day circumstances. It is very easy to get stuck in a rut and to meander in the mud, so to speak. We see and experience all that goes on around us on a moment-by-moment basis through our phones and social media. Finances, family, friends, school, husbands, wives, kids, relationships, work, church, social media, news, world events, politics and so much more bring worries and stresses beyond all measures into our lives at times. It seems like a never-ending tornado of that that never stops.
God has a different plan that involves walking in his presence with the Holy Spirit guiding us step by step and moment by moment. The things of this world bring death and destruction and chaos, but the things that are from God bring peace, joy and hope with a future and a smile.
What does that look like and how can we truly experience this hope and a future as believers in Christ? This acrostic poem sheds some light on what that looks like and how we can experience this.
Pray one to three times a day through each letter of this acrostic poem and ask God to give you an eternal perspective so that you will embrace him fully.
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Galatians 5:1-10 speaks of freedom in Christ and 5:1 tells us that it is the freedom in Christ that has set us free. So stand very firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke (weight) of slavery. We have great peace and freedom that comes when we surrender to Christ. We do not worry about the opinions of others or what the world has to say about us or what is going on around us.
Galatians 5:16-17 says to live by the spirit, and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. We have to ultimately allow God to control us in order to surrender to his will and not our own ways, or our fleshly desires.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not into our own understandings; in all our ways we are to submit to him, and he will make our paths straight. In order to experience true freedom, we have to trust his ways and not our own and be tapped into the Holy Spirit to guide us in his ways and not our own fleshly desires.
Psalm 91 says in the message paraphrased version, “You who sit down in (under) the High God’s presence, spend the night in the Lord’s shadow.” Say this: “God you are my refuge. I trust in you and I am safe!” That is right — he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge, outstretched arms protect you — under them you are perfectly safe. His arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing.
Romans 3:22 (NLT) says we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ, and this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. We cannot earn our righteousness or way to heaven, so anything we try to do on our own will only lead to a burden and not freedom. To fully rest in Christ, we must trust in his righteousness to give us freedom to live in peace and not worry about working our way to heaven. Hebrews 4 is a good example of this.
We have to go all out and fully embrace Christ and what he did on the cross for us. If we embrace his teachings, we fully surrender and trust in Christ, and we can rest in his promises and experience genuine peace in our lives. We will sense his presence and daily embrace. Any trial, tribulation, struggle, worldly situation or what the media portrays will only temporarily impact us because we have an eternal perspective that brings us a hope and a future with a smile.
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Colossians 3:2 tells us to set or fix our minds on the things above and not on earthly things. This will allow us to have our hearts, eyes and minds fixed on his purposes and not on all of the trivial things that distract us in the news, media and in life.
Ephesians 1:18-23 proclaims that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened or opened so that we may know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to not be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and earnest request, with thanksgiving, present our request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says that we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. When we have an eternal perspective and understand to focus on God and not the trivial things of life it gives us great hope. That hope can bring us to the following:
