Posts Tagged ‘Retirement’

This is a short post to bring a quick “something for you to think about”. I heard a very interesting perspective from the pulpit this past Sunday of my local church and I could not help but appreciate the reality this Pastor shared with us. 

He asked a question that I wanted to ask you; What is your 500-year plan?

I wasn’t completely clear on what he meant. I’m the guy who is just trying to figure out how I am going to put my kids through college and hopefully still have enough left over to retire. That is my 10-20 year plan at best…let alone 500. Does that sound familiar to you? Now, I am sure many of you are far better than I am about saving for your future retirement, and kudos to you for creating a solid plan for your “what’s next”. But for the rest of us, the future is a genuine concern. How in the world can anyone save enough to make the next stage of our lives really work?

Then I heard this point; we get so focused on planning for our earthly futures which includes our Investments, Life Insurance, Home Equity, IRAs, 401Ks, and the list goes on that we forget the real reason why we are here. Which is…?

This is why I am asking you the same question again…

What is your 500-year plan? Do you know where you will be in 500 years? I know this sounds like a dumb question but the Bible is clear when it tells us to lay up our treasures in Heaven which moth cannot destroy.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Matthew 6:19-21

Life is short so Moses wrote in Psalms 90 the following verse:

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.   Psalm 90:10

SO…AFTER FURTHER REVIEW…WHAT IS MY 500-YEAR PLAN?

To build a relationship with my Creator, navigate this earthly journey with Him all the while dealing with the adversity that comes with that so that when I ultimately pass on, I get to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. 

So, with that in mind… what have you done today to plan for your next 500 years? That is why I write this to you today. 

But…Before I end this post I want to ensure that you don’t misconstrue my message. I am NOT saying don’t plan for your future…not in the least. All I am saying is don’t be so myopic about your earthly future that you forget to plan for your heavenly one. Needless to say but I will say it anyway…one of these futures is going to be slightly longer than the other. You get to choose which one.

My encouragement for you today is to make real a deposit into your eternal account…as soon as you can.

Just something to think about-

Until next time guys-

Reality of Heaven

One of the hardest things any Christian must do is to try to block out all of the earthly distractions that we see around us and to focus on Christ and the things we “don’t see”. This very second, Satan continues to turn up the pressure on this world as we near what I believe are the “end times”. This means that we are constantly bombarded with things that are specific targets at your personal weak points. In other words, Satan knows what you struggle with and he will continue to give you even more to see. Guys, for those of you who struggle with pornography, drugs or alcohol…guess what? You will find yourself in circumstances with your addiction right in front of your face and you will be forced to make a choice.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

I have spoken of this before because I believe it to be true. There is a war going on right now for your soul. Satan seeks to lure you by using what you can “see” because that is all he has to use against you. He will promise happiness and all the “whatever your weakness is insert here” that you can handle. It will sound great…she will look great but let me remind you that HE, SATAN…only possesses “temporary” anything. He has nothing permanent of value that he can attract you with…only what you can see…Remember that…

What I am suggesting as an alternative is simply a heavenly perspective. I am asking that you recognize that everything around you right now is only temporary. If you do not believe me, then I suggest you read Revelation 21:1-4 because this is where we are told about the New Heaven and the New Earth. Frankly, this is what you have to look forward to guys but you must seek Godly pursuits while here in earth. If your only desire is what you can take or what you can conquer, then I recommend you read Romans 1:18-25. God cannot be any clearer than this when he speaks through Paul in these verses. God hates wickedness…Even though you think you are wise and you may be “killing it” financially, it is only temporary…trust me, you cannot take it with you when you die…

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Here is the bottom line…a lot of us work hard to prepare for our eventual retirement so we can enjoy the last few years of our lives. We put away funds in order to live at the level we want to as seniors but the only problem with that thinking is what about your eternal retirement? Why not set your sights while you are here, living and breathing on earth, for your eternal future? Read this verse below:

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Again, I can’t be any clearer than this…seek Him first, set your sights on the things of Heaven, and God will bless you while you are here on earth. But the best news is still that He will provide you an eternal future like nothing your mind can possible imagine…

 

Until next time guys…