The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer ends where an important part of our lives begin — with the concept of forever.

I have been involved in three funerals in the past month, and the family members who were grieving the loss of a loved one were comforted by God’s promise of eternal life.

(“I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.” Psalm 23)

I have felt some of the aches and pains as my nearly 60-year-old body just doesn’t function as flawlessly as it did even a decade ago. But God has promised me a new body when I live in heaven – forever.

There are so many reminders around us every day that things on this earth either wear out or end. But God has given us a bigger view of life, one that includes forever.

When we pray to God and cling to God as redeemed children, forever becomes a part of  our timeline, our mindset, our possibilities, and God’s plan.

Let’s live today with forever in mind.

Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting God, thank You for giving me this day in which to live and give You praise. And thank You for the promise that I will have every day for eternity in which to go on in praise to You. Amen.