Dear friend, Today's promise verse is from 1 John 2:17: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” This is so true! In Ecclesiastes 2:26, the Bible says that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to the person who pleases Him. But to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

“The world and its desires pass away.” This verse reminds us that a sinner may accumulate many treasures. He may gather enormous wealth through wicked ways and achieve great glory. But in a moment, everything can be taken away. The devil does not want to see us succeed or be happy. He will try to destroy everything and take away what we have accumulated.

But Ecclesiastes 2:26 tells us that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to the person who pleases Him. All the wealth and treasures gathered by the wicked can ultimately be handed over to the one who pleases God. The one who does the will of God is the one who pleases Him. And 1 John 2:17 assures us that this person will live forever. Yes, my friend, let us choose this way of life—living according to God's will, fulfilling His purposes, and pleasing Him.

Jesus told a parable about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. Lazarus lived right outside the rich man's house. Every day, he would wait, hoping to receive even a few crumbs from the rich man's table. He longed for just a little of the food that was being thrown away. But the rich man never cared for him. Even the dogs came and licked Lazarus's wounds because he was sick and had no one to care for him.

But when both of them died, Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man, however, went to the place of torment. He found himself surrounded by flames, suffering terribly. When he saw Lazarus far away with Abraham, he called out, saying, “I am suffering in these flames. Please send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this fire.” But Abraham reminded him of what had happened during his lifetime. Lazarus had been lying at his gate, yet he had never cared for him.

My friend, we need to live according to the will of God and please Him. Otherwise, we will be left holding on to the temporary desires of this world. The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Such a person can experience God's joy and blessings in this world and ultimately enter into eternal life with Him. That is the eternal reward promised to those who do the will of God. Let us strive to receive this reward rather than live for the short-lived desires and pleasures of this world.

PRAYER: 
Loving Father, Please open the way to heaven for me. May I never miss heaven or end up suffering in hell. May I never miss out on Your glorious dwelling place, Your glorious home. Father, teach me to do Your will. Teach me to be obedient to You. Help me listen to Your voice, understand what You want me to do, walk with You, and fulfil Your will with joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.