Above & Beyond: How God Exceeds Our ExpectationsSample

More Than Eternity

God provided a way for us to spend eternity with Him in the heavenly realms through salvation that grace provided through the cross. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior affords us the opportunity and guarantee of eternal peace in paradise. That, in and of itself, would have been more than we deserved had He left the terms merely at salvation. Thank goodness He didn’t stop there.

His desire is also that we experience blessing here on earth. He promises that ‘He will supply our every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19). He promises peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is encouraging to know we weren’t left here to figure it out on our own. The crucifixion and resurrection opened the door for God to provide the Holy Spirit to eternally dwell within us as an internal engine of supernatural wisdom, discernment, and peace.

This is great news! We don’t have to wait for death to receive healing, joy, prosperity, or strength. God provided those (among other blessings), so we could thrive and excel in the here and now. The Holy Spirit living within us is the strength we need above and beyond our limits. God quickens our spirit through conviction and guidance so we can navigate challenging circumstances and make wise decisions.

Above and beyond eternity, we have the abilities and gifts to endure this earthly life and impact the lives around us significantly. We are here for a reason and on purpose for a purpose. We have the tools and power to maximize our time here by living, loving, and serving completely.