Gone Forever

Gone Forever
The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.—Revelation 18: 14
What fruit does this verse refer to? What were these people lusting after? The fruit is commercialism, and the people lusted after “merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls” (expensive jewelry), “fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet” (extravagant clothes), and “… ivory… precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble” (Revelation 18: 12). Does that sound familiar? How many people today lust after the fruit of commercialism, spending money they don’t have to fill their closets with clothes and their homes with expensive furniture and decorations? How many years do they spend trying to pay off the credit cards they used to satisfy this lust?
**God hates anything that enslaves His people.
Commercialism is a system that can enslave you. How foolish to put yourself under the domination of something so fleeting and insignificant. We are here for such a short time, but eternity is forever. Is it wise to put everything into this life, and nothing in the life to come?
Jesus said, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12: 15). Our lives consist in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I would much rather be poor in this world and rich in faith, than rich in this world and poor in faith. The riches that we have in Christ are lasting—they are eternal.
Father, we realize that the god of this world has deluded men. We pray that You would open the eyes of those who have been blinded by Satan’s deceptive powers. In Jesus’ name, amen.
YBIC, Dan Shock CBMC of Tampa Bay PS So what now? Do you have any spiritual goals for 2020 the year of VISION? We are short timers men! The Lord will return sooner than anyone thinks and we should consider living by the great commandment to be loving and the great commission to be discipling others. Be encouraged! **This Sunday Historic event Franklin Graham Strawberry Festival grounds. FREE. Invite someone to hear the gospel! SLAM DUNK. fl.billygraham.org/event/plant-city/
Engage in Kingdom Work: Advance.CBMC.Com<advance.cbmc.com/> -Free tools for sharing and growing your faith
Perspective on Kingdom Work: “Thinking Lost” bit.ly/1iUQg7x -best teaching I’ve heard on the Great Commission

Dan Shock CBMC of Tampa Bay
Engage in Kingdom Work: Advance.CBMC.Com<advance.cbmc.com/> -Free tools for sharing and growing your faith
Perspective on Kingdom Work: “Thinking Lost” bit.ly/1iUQg7x -best teaching I’ve heard on the Great Commission