Don't waste another year "chasing after the wind".

2014 has arrived, and awaits us. Will it be a good, a mediocre, or maybe a horrible year? Only God knows for sure. What we can know for sure though, is what others who have lived before us have found to be true. One example is King Solomon. The wisest and richest man ever. Why he thought having 1000 wives/concubines was a good idea however, was not one of his better decisions. We all make foolish mistakes being human, no matter who we are, or how wise we might be. Solomon found that to be true.

Another thing he found  to be true, was the emptiness of life lived apart from God. He spared himself no indulgence or physical pleasure known to man, but found it all fleeting, unsatisfying, empty, a "vanity of vanities." He found it to be like a "chasing after the wind." Remember, there has never been or ever will be a richer man, according to God. So, Solomon had it all, so to speak.

So, why not make 2014 the year you agree with Solomon? This was his conclusion after trying every pleasure known to man.

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Solomon realized that God will have the last say and judge our works and motives, so we best be about His business, not ours. And, His business is that we honor and glorify Him. If we don't then we should fear His wrath with reverence and respect.

Fearing God doesn't mean to cower in fear. It means to acknowledge and respect Him as being Supreme in our lives, to put our faith and trust in Him. Let Him be in control of our lives. Allowing Him to work out His plan and purposes through us. Who knows better what is best for us, than the One who created us?

Don't let 2014 speed quickly by, without putting your faith and trust in the only One who can fully sustain any of us. His name is Jesus. He loves us so much that He came and died in our place, paying our sin debt, (which is death), in full. He did this so we could come back into communion with God. Sin must be paid for with a perfect and holy sacrifice of infinite worth. Only Jesus fit that bill. If we reject the sacrifice Jesus has made for us, then we must pay for our sin ourselves.The problem is we can't. So we will not go to heaven where God in Holiness and perfection reigns. Nothing sinful can enter there, regardless of what anyone may have told you. Pastor, priest or otherwise. Gods' Word, the Bible, is very clear on it.

Hell on the other hand, is full of good people, with good intentions. Who did good things, and lived good lives. This might be shocking to hear, but it's not about us being good people. It's about us being forgiven people. We're only acceptable to God through the righteousness and holiness of Christ.

It means giving up our pride, but we'll gain everlasting life and a peace that passes all understanding. An assurance of heaven, a new love, hope, perspective and purpose for life, and so much more.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8.  It's not rocket science, but it's far more important. It's the simplicity of the Gospel and personal pride I believe, that holds most people back from accepting it. They feel they must earn it. But, we can't earn it. It's just not possible.

I believe what King Solomon learned was basically, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?".... Mark 8:36

It profits us nothing. We will suffer immeasurable loss, pain and suffering forever. Life becomes a "vanity of vanities", a "chasing after the wind". Life ends with an eternity spent in outer darkness, apart from God's presence and with a loss of everything that is good, righteous, perfect and just, in a place that was created by God for Satan and his demons.

God doesn't need our money. So no need to fear that. He wants us because He loves us, and wants for us to love Him and commune with Him. He wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. I can't think of anything better than that.

Choose to be wise and don't make a foolish mistake. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. That's proven to us everyday. Eternity is forever, there are no second chances, and where we spend it is at stake.The time to act is now. A simple heartfelt honest prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner" is all that's required. God will do the rest. He'll start a good work in you, and won't stop until He completes it. Don't put it off. Tomorrow may be too late...


c.mcgrath