Shaken Awake
How and What are YOU Doing to Prepare for Eternity?
August 8, 2021
When everything around you is pleasureful and inviting, who wants to get sucked up into rules, righteous living, and put away self for the sake of our Savior? You see, what they don’t realize is – everything you ever wanted, and MORE that you didn’t even realize is real, is all and only found in Jesus! Everything everyone wants, ultimately, is to feel loved, to feel appreciated, to feel valued, to feel true peace, true joy, true happiness, and which doesn’t fade, but only grows stronger. And like the saying goes, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die. But here's a news flash: EVERYONE DIES, but only a very few will enter Heaven. Oh, now the saying has a different twist, doesn’t it? It sure does. What we do NOW, TODAY, what we do TOMORROW, and the NEXT Day, who we choose to follow and worship dictates our eternity.
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Intro Music…
 
Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well!  I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #24!  
 
I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment. 
 
And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there beside you.  
 
So, let’s get ready to invite Him in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.   
 
So here goes, here is today’s topic: “How and what are YOU doing to prepare for eternity?”
 

God and Holy Spirit have done a perfect job convicting me of just about everything in my life – from what to correct, what to give up, what to begin, and where and when I fall short.  One significant conviction that I have had, which is what today’s episode is all about and I find it’s imperative for the Christian world to realize as well is, what we spend our time on is often the opposite of what God wants us to do.  I come from a place of truth today, not of condemnation or finger-pointing or shaming, but of love and of God’s truth.  As I look around at all those years, decades of my life and those I surrounded myself with, I have been convicted of the shear percentage of my life that held zero meaning to my future in eternity.  In fact, it was setting me up for an eternity in hell, if nothing more or less.  Had I been a TRULY SAVED Christian, my actions that weren’t necessarily ‘sinful’ would still have amounted to nothing to help God’s Kingdom.  My purpose for this life was myself and my family, but nothing for God or His family.  Nothing I occupied my life with honored Him, worshipped Him, helped to populate His Kingdom and depopulate Hell, nor spread the Gospel.  I had place zero value in providing value for God and His Kingdom, nor my eternity with Him.  The way I was convicted was in my heart – God showed me the shear amount of time, blood, sweat, energy, interest, and worship of the things of this world to occupy my time with, build the perfect nest egg and future – ON THIS EARTH, make life as comfortable and easy-going and pleasant and peaceful as possible for myself.  My god was ME.  The worst part was – the devil had me content as could be living a life that I saw nothing wrong with.  He had me fooled and on my way to hell.  Thank God and The Holy Spirit for pulling me out of the enemy’s flames!  
 
I was in pattern, in a rhythm, in a spiritually-blind funk.  Get up, work most of the day into the evening, relax, go watch tv and go on social media till it was time to go to sleep, then sleep, rinse, repeat.  Doing the things I had to do, not doing the things I am put on this Earth to do.  There’s a HUGE, difference between the two.  One is living for self; the other is living for God.  The problem is – the world up until now continues to offer more convenience, more luxury, more fun, more entertainment, more pleasure, and more options than ever before.  To say it’s easy to stay safe, secure, happy, comfortable, and complacent would be the understatement of the century, no?  The only time I WORKED HARD and LONG HOURS was to Benefit ME – the love of money and what it could buy – but the money is the route of all evil, and so is love of self, as well as idolatry.  Today’s world caters more to these than it ever has!  It’s harder to find the want of God to a non-believer or lukewarm Christian than ever in the history of the world.   When everything around you is pleasureful and inviting, who wants to get sucked up into rules, righteous living, and put away self for the sake of our Savior?  You see, what they don’t realize is – everything you ever wanted, and MORE that you didn’t even realize is real, is all and only found in Jesus!   Everything everyone wants, ultimately, is to feel loved, to feel appreciated, to feel valued, to feel true peace, true joy, true happiness, and which doesn’t fade, but only grows stronger.  And like the saying goes, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die.  But here's a news flash: EVERYONE DIES, but only a very few will enter Heaven.  Oh, now the saying has a different twist, doesn’t it?  It sure does.  What we do NOW, TODAY, what we do TOMORROW, and the NEXT Day, who we choose to follow and worship dictates our eternity.
 
What we’re really talking about today is how to run the race that’s set before us, No?
 
Let’s combine what we know and don’t with what God’s Word says about this:

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). What kind of race do believers run? Who sets the race parameters? Is it a race we define and purpose for ourselves? The passage in question draws from the footraces ancient Israel, Greece, and the amphitheaters of Rome. It was written to encourage and challenge believers to persevere in their faith, especially in the midst of trials and persecution (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 12:7).

Athletes in a race were surrounded by rows and rows of spectators, pictured for us as “a great cloud of witnesses.” The “witnesses” of the believers’ race are listed in the previous chapter of Hebrews: the men and women of God whose faithful lives were recorded in the Old Testament. These saints persevered despite unbelievable persecution and cruelty (Hebrews 11:33–38) and were commended for their faithfulness. Whether the saints of Hebrews 11 are actually watching us run our “race” today is questionable; the point of the passage is that their testimony lives on. Their steadfast faith bears witness to the promises of Jesus Christ, urging us to follow their example and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

The “race,” then, is the Christian life – It’s YOUR life!  It’s MY life! It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end. Paul used this same imagery near the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

The steadfastness of the Old Testament “witnesses” speaks to believers today of the rewards of staying in the race, of never giving up (1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14). A marathon is a strenuous test of fitness and endurance. The race set before us requires faith, stamina, commitment, and discipline in order to live faithfully (1 Corinthians 9:25–26; Philippians 3:12–14; 1 Timothy 6:12).

The race is “set before us”; we did not select the course, for it is God who established it. This race we run for Christ. We stay the course in spite of trials and persecutions (Hebrews 12:4–11). As we run, we must “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Because He perfectly finished His race, He is the focus of our lives. We look away from all distractions because He is already at the finish line (Lamentations 3:25; Matthew 6:33; Romans 2:7).

The race demands that we do away with “everything that hinders”—sin and whatever else threatens our relationship with God (Hebrews 12:1). Anything that will slow us down or trip up us must be cast off. The apostle Paul says “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24). With the encouragement of those who have gone on before, we rid ourselves of thoughts, attitudes, and habits that delay our progress (Romans 12:2; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 1:14).

Seeing that the race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end. A daily regimen of prayer, worship, reading God’s Word and examining our lives for impediments will help. We will persevere by maintaining a Christlike attitude even in the midst of trials (1 Peter 2:21; 4:1; 1 John 2:6).

No matter how long the race may be, we keep our eyes on Jesus, “the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). There is joy awaiting.
 
The Bible mentions rewards in heaven multiple times (Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23, 35; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 9:18). But why are rewards necessary? Won’t being in heaven with God be enough? Experiencing Him, His glory, and the joys of heaven will be so wonderful, it’s hard to understand why extra rewards would be needed. Also, since our faith rests in Christ’s righteousness instead of our own (Romans 3:21–26), it seems strange that our works would merit reward.

God will give rewards in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ, based on our faithfulness in service to Him (2 Corinthians 5:10). The rewards will show the reality of our sonship (Galatians 4:7) and the justice of God (Hebrews 6:10). God will give rewards in heaven in order to fulfill the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–9) and make good on His promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One reason for the rewards in heaven is the fact that Jesus shares His reward with us. Paul said, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Our lives are “hidden” with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1–4). We die with Him and we live with Him and we share in His joy (Romans 6:8; Matthew 25:21). In heaven we will dwell with Him (John 14:1–3). Our lives are inextricably linked with Christ’s. The reward He receives is shared with all of us: “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).

Our rewards in heaven depend on the goodness and power of God. Through Christ’s resurrection we gain an inheritance in heaven; on earth our faith is tested and results in praise and glory and honor when Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:3–9). The things we do in this life are only permanent (that is, carried with us into heaven) if they are built on the foundation, which is Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11–15).

The rewards we gain in heaven are not like the rewards we earn here on earth. We tend to think in material terms—mansions, jewels, etc. But these things are only representations of the true rewards we will gain in heaven. A child who wins a spelling bee treasures the trophy he receives not for the sake of the trophy itself but for what that trophy means. Likewise, any rewards or honor we gain in heaven will be precious to us because they carry the weight and meaning of our relationship with God—and because they remind us of what He did through us on earth.

In this way, rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, peace, and wonder as we consider God’s work in us and through us. The closer we were to God during this life, the more centered on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate. We are like characters in a story who suffer doubt, loss, and fear, wondering if we will ever really have our heart’s desire. When the happy ending comes and desire is fulfilled, there comes a completion. The story would not be satisfying without that completion. Rewards in heaven are the completion of our earthly story, and those rewards will be eternally satisfying (Psalm 16:11).
 
 

Does God Punish Us for Our Sins?

God no longer punishes us for our sin because Jesus took that punishment. The Bible says bad things that happen to us are a result of God’s discipline. They are not a punishment for sin, rather, they are a correction, as a parent would correct a child. 
 

“What did I do to deserve this?” “Is this my fault?”

When faced with hardship, many of us ask ourselves these questions. On the other hand, some of us voice the following sentiments. “It doesn’t matter what I do; God will forgive me.” “It doesn’t really matter what you believe, as long as you’re a good person.” These questions all point to a more fundamental issue: does God punish us for our sin?

What Is the Punishment for Sin?


“For the wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23 tells us. The Bible is very clear; those who sin earn eternal punishment. The holiness of God is like a consuming fire, such that the impure can’t stand in his presence and live (Hebrews 12:29, Exodus 33:20). The holiness and justice of God require that sin be punished and that the sinner be separated from God.

However, God is also a loving God. His desire is to be with us. This is why Romans 6:23 has a second part: “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God poured out the punishment for sin upon Jesus. “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). The Bible tells us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Therefore, for those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior, the punishment for sin is no longer upon us. God no longer punishes us for our sin; Jesus took that punishment.

Do Bad Things Still Happen Because We Sin?


If through Jesus we are forgiven of all sin, does that mean we can now sin with impunity?

Not quite.

The Bible refers to the discipline of the Lord multiple times. Proverbs 3:11-12says, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Hebrews 12 explains this in greater depth. Sometimes, it says, bad things that happen to us are a result of God’s discipline. They are not retribution or a punishment for sin; rather, they are a correction, as a parent would correct a child. They are not intended to break down, but rather to increase holiness in the believer (Hebrews 12:10).

There are also societal or earthly consequences of sin. Just because God forgives us of murder doesn’t mean a murderer doesn’t have to serve jail time. Some negative experiences will flow naturally out of poor choices, such as financial hardship after gambling away money. These are not God’s “punishment;” they are natural results of our actions.

Is Everything Bad That Happens to Me Because God Is “Disciplining” Me?


There are several reasons people might suffer that have nothing to do with discipline.

1. Show God’s Glory

In John 9, Jesus and his disciples encounter a man who has been blind from birth. The disciples ask Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” (John 9:2)

“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3).

The disciples were operating under a common assumption of the time that any suffering one experienced was the result of sin that had not been confessed and atoned for. Jesus gave an alternate reason: a person might suffer so that God would be glorified. A person might suffer for a time so that they might experience an even greater good in the future.

2. Improve Us and Bring Us Closer to God

When times are good, it’s easy to forget about our need for God, even though He is the one sustaining the very world we live in. It’s easy to become complacent in our relationship with Him.

Thus, Paul writes, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

Suffering helps us to lean on God and improves our character. Thus, sometimes suffering is for this reason rather than as the result of any poor choices.

3. A Result of Following Christ

In John 15:18, Jesus says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” Christians face discrimination, persecution, and even death for their faith. In this case, the bad things that happen are because the Christian is doing something right. Jesus warned that a sinful world would hate those who were “not of the world” (John 17:16).

Paul encourages us to rejoice in these sufferings (as noted above in Romans 5:3-4).

4. The Natural Result of a Fallen World

In the end, the reason suffering exists at all is indeed because of sin. This sin isn’t necessarily our personal sin, however; it is the sin of mankind.

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:22-23)

Creation itself is broken because of Adam and Eve’s original sin. Natural disasters, disease, famine—all of these things exist because of a broken world. Suffering from these shouldn’t be assumed to be the judgment of God. Rather, they are realities that we face living in an imperfect world.

Another reality of living in a world corrupted by sin is that we can suffer from the sins of others, whether through violence, selfishness, or injustice. Suffering caused by the sins of others is not our fault and also shouldn’t be assumed to come as discipline or punishment from God.

The Final Punishment


Eventually, all the wicked will be cast into eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9), but those who trusted in Christ will receive eternal life (Matthew 25:46).

God does punish us for our sins. His justice is real. However, His desire is to be with us. This is why He provided Jesus. Those who accept Christ need not fear punishment.

And one day, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

 
How can we apply this to our life today?
 

Pleasing God

1 Thessalonians 2:4 
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Galatians 1:10 
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Romans 8:8    
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 12:2 
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 John 3:22   
And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

Hebrews 13:16 
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Romans 12:1-2 
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:9 
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Psalm 19:14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

John 8:29   
And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

Colossians 3:23   
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Acts 5:29 
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Psalm 147:10-11   
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

1 Thessalonians 4:1   
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Ephesians 5:8-10    
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

John 5:30   
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Hebrews 11:5-6   
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1 Corinthians 10:31   
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 1:9-10 
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Ephesians 5:10   
And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 6:6    
Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

John 5:44   
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Psalm 149:4   
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

Philippians 2:12-16   
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Proverbs 29:25   
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Hebrews 13:15-16 
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hosea 6:6   
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Psalm 51:16-17   
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Romans 8:5   
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit

Romans 12:12   
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

1 Chronicles 29:17   
I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

Philippians 2:13   
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2 Timothy 2:4   
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Colossians 1:10   
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

1 Corinthians 10:33   
Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11   
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Galatians 2:20 
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jeremiah 17:5   
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Romans 14:17-18   
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Matthew 10:28 
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Hebrews 13:21   
Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 69:30-31   
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.

Romans 15:2 
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

2 Timothy 2:15   
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Romans 8:8-9    
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

James 4:4   
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Ephesians 5:1-33   
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Philippians 1:10   
So that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Psalm 40:8 
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Proverbs 21:3   
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Colossians 1:13   
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Philippians 2:2-3 
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Ephesians 5:2   
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 1:6   
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

Ezra 6:10   
That they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

Jeremiah 1:5   
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

2 Corinthians 7:1   
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Galatians 6:1-18   
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. ...

James 5:16   
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18   
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. 

Ephesians 5:15    
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

 
 
 
So, my final question to you is then this:  What can YOU do to better use this life God gave you to live for Him?

My final statement is this:   In the grand scheme of eternity, which is final, which is real, and which is fast approaching, what greater value is their on earth, than to live this quick life for the One who has prepared for you Your eternal home based on His love, His mercy, His grace, and the fruit you bore while you lived for HIM on this earth – everything else, is utterly and eternally meaningless and worthless.

 
So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by God through today’s message and scripture.  I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen. 
 
Check out the show at shaken-awkae.com, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com or call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208 (repeat).  If you have ideas for the show – LET ME KNOW!
 
Next week!!!!  Tune in Next Sunday evening – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we dive into another important topic: “When Your Busy Hands Become the Devil’s Workshop “
Next weeks episode is another powerful and DO-NOT-MISS episode – thanks for joining!  

Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.  
 
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