The Here And Now! (part 13 of 13)

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying
a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the
other side."

Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You mean, even though you are a Christian, you have no
idea what is on the other side?

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of
which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a
dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He
had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew
nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang
in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I
do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when
the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness."

-- Author Unknown

When the NOW is right the future holds no fear. Though we might not know
all that the future may be like, placing our faith in our Heavenly Father
NOW helps bring a sense of peace regarding the things to come. The blessed
things of NOW, through our relationship with God, can only mean even better
things for our eternal future.

John encouraged.
"(2) Beloved, we are GOD'S CHILDREN NOW, and what we will be has not
yet appeared; but we know that WHEN HE APPEARS WE WILL BE LIKE HIM, because
we shall see him as he is. (3) And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies
himself as he is pure." ( 1 John 3:2-3 ESV)

To know we are CHILDREN OF GOD NOW is enough to spur us onward and
upward toward the greater glory with which we shall someday be crowned. "Oh
to be like Thee!" What a grand thought! And whatever we might imagine our
glorious eternity with God will be like, I believe it will even be grander
than that. The reality of the relationship NOW will bring about an even more
glorious reality in the realm to come.

Have a great day COMMITTED TO GOD'S FAMILY FOREVER!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 12/30/2000, (Edited some and the passage has
been changed to ESV)]

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