How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 9)

Galatians 5:22 reads "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..."  Peace has been called love's confidence.  When we have God's love in our hearts, then the confidence that flows from this absolute love is the peace of God.  The Hebrew word for peace is "shalom", meaning rest, unity, completeness, good health, or to be whole.  The Greek word is "eirene", also meaning rest, quietness, prosperity, and an inward state of rest even when the outward circumstances may be stressful.  In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was sleeping at peace in a boat, while His disciples were experiencing the opposite of peace, while in a overwhelming storm.   Why could Jesus be in complete rest and peace?  Because His confidence rested firmly on His Heavenly Father.  Peace is more than just the absence of fear, Jesus Christ is the very definition and Giver of peace.  His name is "Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6).  In John 14:27, He states, "My peace I give you..."  So just like joy, real peace come only through a relationship with Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This supernatural state of being was lived out not only in the perfect life of Jesus, but also in the imperfect life of the Deacon Stephen (Acts. 7:54-69).  As he preached God's Word, the religious crowd began to rise up against him to kill him.  While Stephen's physical world was beginning to come to an end, his inward peace began to radiate.  His words were not coated in fear and hate, but displayed his peace with God (56), his peace with man (59), and a peace with his soul (59).  And as the rocks beat upon his body, Scripture describes his death with these words, "he fell asleep."  This life of peace is truly a gift from God.  When any person carries within their soul this quality, then it is a sure fact that they will live a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.   

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 8)

As we continue to look at what true joy looks like, we must ask ourselves "How is true joy develped in the life of a human being?"  First, true joy only begins when Christ is invited to take over one's life completely.  Joy is an overflow of real, saving faith.  Jesus stated about Abraham, "Abraham saw My day (faith) and rejoiced."  Second, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, and this joy can only be cultivated when we allow the Spirit of God to work in our life rather than quench Him (Acts. 13:52;Rom. 14:17).  Third, true joy is only tested and developed through suffering.  This statement may sound foolish, but when you read the book of Philippians, the life of Jesus, and even James 1:2 - "Consider it all joy when you fall into all sort of temptation and trials...", we clearly see that if God gave a Christian a life of complete ease on this earth, then we would not be able to understand what true joy truely looks like.  Fourth, true joy flows out of a committed prayer life (John 16:23-24).  And last, true joy is only experienced as we walk with Christ (John 16:20-22).  The prophet Habakkuk summed up real joy when he stated, "Even though nothing is going right and  life seems to be falling apart, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (Hab. 3:17-18)  Until next time, let the joy of the Lord be your strength, as you walk closely with Him. 

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 7)

Today I want to describe to you where true joy comes.  Galatians 5:22 tells us that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy..."  When you and I have God's love in our hearts, then the other eight fruit will take root and begin to grow in our lives.  Someone has said that joy is love's conscience.  When we are walking in God's love and in His overflowing passion for us, then our lives can be joyful no matter the ourward circumstances.   Many people, even Christians, think that they can have lasting joy from their family, occupations, recreations, and even in material treasures.  But the longer one lives, the clearer they learn that the things of this life cannot keep them joyful.  Yes, I might be happy having a family, but there are times when my family will steal my joy.  There are days I love my job, but then there are other days I want to quit.  Oh, I can remember the time my Tennessee Volunteers made be happy, then there are other times...I don't want to describe how I felt about them.  And yes, driving a new car off that lot created a smile on my face, but having the pay for it six years almost gave me an ulser.  These things may bring a moment of happiness to our lives, but true joy is a gift from God (Ecc. 5:20).

Did you know that the word "joy" occures in some form 326 times in the New Testament.  Nehemiah tells Israel that "God's joy is to be their strength." (Neh. 8:10).  Scripture is clear, the fruit of joy flows from one source and one source only, Christ Jesus. (John 15:11, Phil 3:1)  The word joy is connected to the word grace.  True joy comes when we let go of the law and let God's grace embrace us.  John McAurther states, "Joy is the deep down sense of well-being that aides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord."  Real joy is not based on favorable circumstacnes or human emotions.  The fruit of the Spirit is not a feeling or emotion.  Pleasures are momentary, real joy is deep & abiding!  And I promise, the closer you walk with Christ, the less stress you will experience and a greater joy you will carry in life, knowing that Christ is by your side, never to leave you or forsake you.  Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 6)

We have seen so far that the key fruit of the Spirit is love, from which the other nine virtues flow.  We have also learned that even this world takes the word "love" and applies to mean affection for  food, pets, and movies, as well as a word used to justify their sinful lifestyles.  The reality of the manner is that we as human would know nothing about true love had it not be for God demonstrating that love toward us as noted in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Once a person is transformed by God's love, then this key fruit begins to ripen and develop their life.  How is this love demonstrated in a Christians life?   First, it proves who is really a child of God (1 John 3:14;4:7).  Some of the other characteristics/fruits might be counterfeited by our old nature, but God's love (agape) can not be counterfeit.  Either you have God's love in your life or you don't!  Second, God's love forgives (Matt. 18:21-35).  It will move you to forgive your spouse, children, friends, and even your enemies.  True love never seeks revenge, but forgives those who have hurt you just like Christ forgives us.  And last, true love is displayed through our work (Matt. 5:43-48).  There are plenty of people in this world who claim to love, but God's love is only displayed through self-sacrifice.  During WW 2, at Ravensbruck concentration camp, hundreds of women were chosen to be taken to the gas chamber.  One of the women in line became hysterical not wanting to die.  From a crowd of woman not chosen for death, a figure emerged and approached the woman broken by fear and hysteria.  She said, "It's all right.  It's all right.  I'll take your place."  This lady, was Elizabeth Pilenko (Mother Maria), a nun arrested and sentenced to Ravensbruck because of her love for the Jews, as to hid them in her home.  The time she lived in this prison, even the guards spoke of her as "that wonderful Russian nun."  It is examples like this throughout the ages that proves how powerful the love of God truly is when it takes root in the hearts of men and women.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.          

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 5)

In the mid 1990's, on Monday Night Football, the game would begin by each starting players saying their name and the college they attended.  As the players listed their colleges, it so happened that a player from Ohio State University said something like, "My name is ____________and I'm from THE Ohio State University."  And even today, every player from Ohio St makes sure to add the word "The" before their school's name, in order to clearly distinguish Ohio State University as the only school that matters in the whole state of Ohio.  When we talk about the "fruit of the Spirit", many believe that their are nine different fruit.  Yet look closely at Galatians 5:22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..."  The word fruit is singular.  We can say that "LOVE"  is "The Fruit" of the Spirit, from which the other eight flow.  Without the love of God coursing through the veins of a believer, there is no possible way to have real joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

To be a "Fruity Christian" really means to be a person who has the love of God in their lives.  The Bible is clear that this love (agape) is a love that is supernatural in origin.  This love is God's gift to humanity through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.  Jesus told His disciples that the world would know that they were His children by their love (agape) for one another (John 15).  Jesus went on to teach that the all ten commandments can be summed up in two points:  Love (agape) God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love (agape) your neighbor has yourself."  The fruit of love is the supreme virtue of Christian living.  The Apostle Paul states that love is the perfect bond of unity; the perfect glue for any relationship (Col. 3:14).  Ultimately, this fruit is the sole characteristic that describes God - "God is love." (1 John 4:16).  So you see, when you accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you and begins to cultivate the love of God in your life; and it is from this foundation of love in which we begin to grow in every area of our Christian walk.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.      

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 4)

If a Christian is expected to produce fruit (Gal. 5:22-23), then the next question we must ask ourselves is, "What is the purpose of fruit?"  Did God create fruit trees to produce beautiful looking fruit only to be stared at?  Is the purpose of fruit to be solely a decoration?  No!  The main purpose for fruit is to provide sustenance to whoever eats it.  So when God's Word calls Christians to produce fruit, then it means that the primary purpose of a Christian is not to be seen at a distance as a trinket, but rather to provide sustenance/life to this dying world.  You see, when you and I allow the Holy Spirit to work and move in our lives, then our lives begin to produce the fruit of love which in turn is displayed in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  When a Christian deliberately lives and gives out this fruit to their family, communities, work place, and wherever they go, then that Christian is providing life for this world.  When a "Christian" refuses to allow it's fruit to have an impact on their surroundings, then death settles in.  Proverbs 12:12 states "...the root of the righteous yields fruit."  Proverbs 11:20 states "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, he that wins souls is wise."  Scripture is clear, that our words, speech, talk, or work will either feed or starve those around us. The late Jim McGinley made this powerful observation, "I am not to judge you, but I am a fruit inspector, and I have a right to look at the fruit you are producing."   Is the fruit that you are producing worth eating?  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 3)

I do not claim to be an expert in farming or cultivating fruit trees.  Yet I do enjoy planting both vegetables and fruit trees, and then spending the next months and even years watching them produce their bounty.   In all my work, I have learned that the more I (the care-taker) do for my plants, the better they will produce.  If I carefully prepare the soil, fertilize, weed, water, and spray correctly, then those plants will produce a better harvest.  This truth also applies to the Christian life.  In order for the child of God to produce a bountiful harvest the cultivator or vine-dresser (John 15:1-5), Jesus Himself, will do all He can so that we, His vines, will produce bountifully for His glory.    We should not worry about the vine-dresser's cares for us.  He will only do for His children what will be the best for our spiritual growth.  In fact, God uses discipline and correction as part of the pruning process in our lives.  Yes, it is painful for the tree and for the child of God, but the end result is a great harvest.  This growth and harvest is depended only as we "abide in Christ (John 15:4 & Ps. 1:3).  If we purpose to discipline our lives daily, to walk closely with Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident by all.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ. 

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 2)

When you and I see apples on an apple tree, pears on a pear tree, or oranges on an orange tree, one word that never come across our mind is the word "death".  When we see a tree producing fruit it is a clear sign that tree is alive.  No matter how poor the outward appearance of that tree may be, the production of fruit lets us know that tree is still living.  This is the lesson the apostle Paul is teaching us in Galatians 5 to the church in Galatia.  When we see the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a believer is a sign of life and growth.  If we see the fruits of the flesh hanging from the spiritual limbs of people, then it reveals to us that sin and good works dominate their inward life, resulting in death (Gal. 5:19, Rom. 6:23).  In fact Jude 12 states, "...wicked men are like trees with no fruit."  So a correct assumption from this passage can be as follows:  First, a true believer in Christ will produce good fruit.  Second, those who do not have Christ living in them cannot produce fruit.  Third, a lack of fruit (for short period of time, John 15) can apply to a backslidden believer.  Fourth, the love of God in a believer's life, will manifest itself as various Spirit-filled qualities/fruit as listed in verse 22-23.  When a Christian is determined to walk closely with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, this walk will be made evident by the abundance of fruit they produce.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ and producing good fruit.

How to be a Fruity Christian? (Part 1)

I have read in various articles that when most forms of life find themselves under great stressful conditions then it makes it more difficult for that life to reproduce itself.  This observation applies to fish, plants, birds, animals, and yes even humans.  The more stressful the environment, the more anxious the mindset, the more likely that life will not be able to reproduce itself; and if it does reproduce, there is a good chance the results will be less than a stress free environment (like less nuts, eggs, newborns).  The same can be said about a Christian.  The more stress a Christian allows in their life, the less likely they will be able to produce fruit.

My devotion for the next few months will come out of Galatians 5:22-23, beginning with the twenty-second verse, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..."   In the previous verses, the apostle Paul has clearly shown us that the opposite of "the fruit of the Spirit" is "the fruit of the flesh".  Every person produces fruit....either fruit that is sinful and dead or fruit that is Spirit produced and living.  You see, only a Christian, who has God's Spirit within, has the ability to produce good fruit.  Let us break it down this way, first, the fruit is the method of Christianity; or the outward sign that there has been an inward change.  Second, the Spirit is the power within the Christian (5:16), without whom we would be lost.  Third, love is the result of Christianity.  Notice the word "fruit" is singular.  There is only one fruit, God's love.  And from love there are eight different components: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.  It is a life given over completely to God's love that will ensure a less-stressful life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Confident that God's Promises are Unbreakable

What phase of life creates the most stress for a human, the past, present or future?  I would say that it is the unknown in our future that brings the most anxiety.  We all wrestle with questions every day that involve our future, like, "What will my health be like tomorrow?"  "Will my kids ever learn to make the right choices?"  "Will I have enough money to retire?"  "Will we be destroyed by a meteorite?"  On and on the questions about our future can dominate our thinking and bring about an extra added burden of stress.  As we are finishing up with the book of Daniel, God uses the last chapter to reassure His faithful, yet aging prophet Daniel, about the needless burden of stressing about Israel's future.  This burden is alleviated by this simple fact: God is in our future!  It is this fact that allows God to make the following four absolute promises concerning humanities future:

First, God promises His children that He will rescue them (12:1).  This promise not only applies to Israel, but also for the church today (1Thess. 4:13-ff;Rev. 2:25;3:3).  Second, there is a promise of a resurrection (12:2,10).  Those who live a life according to God's Word will receive life, and those who live opposing lives will experience a resurrection unto death.  If there is no eternal second life, then Jesus is a liar (John 5:25-29).  Third, there is a promise of resolve (12:5-12).  No matter how bleak this world's future may seem, there is coming a definite end.  All things good and evil will come to a predetermined end.  The anti-Christ and Satan will be defeated and judged, and the righteous will be rewarded with the rule of Jesus Christ.  And fourth, there is a promise of rewards for the faithful (12:3,12-13).  This reward includes the promise that God would grant Daniel a peaceful life and death.  It is the God of the Bible that alone knows every man's future, and has promised to walk with those who choose to walk with Him.  With a God like this, why should we allow worry and stress to dominate our lives?  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Confident that God Sees Each Step I Take

As parents, we look forward to the many special moments that make up the growth of our children.  When they are born, we love being able to hold them in our arms and surround them with all the love we can squeeze into their tiny bodies.  But it is not long before they begin to grow up so quickly, and we find ourselves not able to hold them as we once did.  One aspect of this development is waiting for your baby to take their first steps.  They go from laying, to rolling, to crawling, to standing, to walking, and then running.  And even though as a parent we long to experience all these events with our children, there have been many parents who were not able to share these momentous endeavors with their children for one simple reason:  they could not be in two places at once.

This is never true of God, our Heavenly Father.  The whole book of Daniel has proven this very fact.  In fact, in Daniel 11, God gives Daniel detailed instructions of specific step several of the great kings of this world would take.  God walks in the future and saw every step king Alexander the Great made in life(11:3-10).  God witnessed every step of Antiochus the Great (11:11-20).  God watched every step of Antiochus Epiphanes (11:21-35).  And God knows every plan and step the final anti-Christ will make(11:36-45 & Rev. 13-17).  It does not matter who you are, where you are, or what you do, the Almighty God has His eyes on you.  He knows every step the wicked and righteous will make in their life.  He sees every day of man's life.  The Bible says that there is nothing hid from God.  With God's eyes fixed upon you, as if you are the only person in the universe, it should motivate us to live a more righteous and obedient life before Him, as well as, be comforted in knowing that God never leaves His children alone.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.    

Confident that Satan is God's Devil

I realize that most people in our country own a pet or live beside someone who has a pet.  There is nothing more uncomfortable than having trouble with your neighbor's pet.  It has been my experience with having a problem with a neighbor's pet, I usually choose to ignore the problem and hope it will go away.  But there have been times when things have got so tense that I had to approach my neighbors in hopes that they would correct the situation.  Nine times out of ten, the neighbor is very apologetic and will promise to have better control of their pet.  Yet what if the animal that was causing you much grief was a stray or a wild animal, it would be very difficult to rectify the situation without taking matters in your own hands.  When it comes to the spiritual battle between Satan and the demons of hell verses God and His servants the angels, it makes a great difference in the life of a believer when we realize that it is not our job to defeat Satan, he has already been defeated and is accountable to the Master of the Universe, Christ Jesus.

In Daniel 10, Daniel is confronted with the reality of evil and spiritual warfare on this earth.  In verses 10-19 we see the common reaction to evil, fear.  Daniel is too fearful to get up, too fearful to speak, and to fearful to go forward.  But as you continue to read this chapter you see Daniel is using the weapon of prayer (2-3) that leads to the intervention of God to overcome the evil forces of Satan.  It is through prayer that God sends Daniel His message of assurance that victory always belongs to Him.  Even when praying, Daniel does not understand the magnitude of the battle until it is revealed to him.  The reality of the battle should keep God's children on our knees in prayer.  This discipline is clearly seen in the Garden, as Jesus prepares for the cross.  Satan tried to use fear to stop Jesus, but Jesus relied on prayer to His Father, knowing that through prayer, victory would be achieved over the enemy.  Live your life each day knowing that Satan's power is limited, and he can only do what God Almighty permits.  Walking in this truth will create for us a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.  

Confident that Prayer Matters to God

How many people do you think pray on a regular basis in this world?  How many of those people truly  believe that their "deity" hears or cares about those prayers?  Even though most in this world believes in prayer (communication with a higher being), most of those in this world who pray truly never expect their "god" to react one way or another.  Most of our world prays out of ritual, tradition, or habit, without ever believing it will make a difference in this life.  Are you one of these people?  This mindset or attitude should never be apart of  a Christian's prayer life.  With all the stress in life, with all the ups and downs and uncertainties we face, the last thing a Christian needs is to carry around is the lie that God is not concerned or touched by His children's prayers.

In Daniel 9, we are given a peek behind the scenes at the spiritual battle taking place when God's children pray.  We see the great lengths God will go to care for and answer the prayers of His faithful children.  Prayer should always be apart of a Christian's life, even when it involves our future hopes and fears.  Daniel's prayer life and God's reply enforce three truths that will radically change the way we understand and approach God in prayer.  First, a powerful prayer life flows out of a disciplined love for God's Word.  Daniel studied God's Word, and was able to pray back to God His promises to His people (Jeremiah 25:11-12).  Second, a powerful prayer life flows out of a correct view of God's character.  Daniel does not elevate himself to God's level, but humbly acknowledges God's superior position over man.  Third, a powerful prayer life flows out of a desperate heart to know God's will.  When we embrace God's will for our lives, then we can rest securely in the perfect plan God has for us.  A Christian who has an active and powerful prayer connection with God, guarantees themselves a less stressful life in these uncertain times.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.       

Confident that Earthly Kingdoms Don't Intimidate God

No matter what country you live in, you will find that intimidation is a big problem for mankind.  From inside the halls of our schools to the secret meetings going on in government, intimation is a tool used by many to try to get their way.  Another word for "intimidation" is "bully".  The earthy powers have always tried to intimate God and His people.  In Daniel chapter 8, God will show Daniel that no matter how scary man's kingdoms may look and sound, God is never frightened or scared.  God describes the Persian kingdom as being the strongest, and yet in time it will fall apart into pieces (8:3-4,7,20).  God describes the Greek kingdom as "scary fast", and yet it too will come to an end when Alexander the Great dies unexpectedly at the border of India (8:5-8;21-22).  And finally, God shows Daniel the wicked and sinful kingdom of Antiochus IV (type of the anti-Christ), but it too will crumble under the feet of Jehovah God.

The problem for many Christians is that we spend too much time worrying about earthy governments and kingdoms and lose sight of the only Kingdom that will never fail nor be destroyed.  The Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is a permanent kingdom, that will last forever (Is. 9:7).  In fact, we are told by Jesus Himself that His Kingdom has come already come to earth through the ministry and work of the church.  It is the message of the church to declare that God's Kingdom is here and expanding as people come out of the darkness and place their faith and trust in the gospel message.  Yet, we also are told that God's Kingdom has yet to be completely fulfilled or realized.  This completion will take place when Jesus comes back the second time; and at that point this will mark the end of every earthy kingdom, no matter how strong, fast, or sinful they may be.  When Christians begins spending more time praying and living for God's heavenly Kingdom rather than worrying about what is going on in Washington, Moscow, Beijing, or Paris, then we will all experience a less stressful life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.      

Confident that God's Kingdom Will Come

How sure are you that you will be working at your present job in ten years?  How confident are you that your relationship with your spouse or children will be very close in the next twenty-five years?  How sure are you that all your bills and debts will be paid off by the time you retire?  The only answer any of us can give to these questions is "I hope so."  Someone once said that the only things that are for sure in this life are taxes and death.  Well, if that was all we had to look forward to in life, then no wonder most people today are  stressed out and depressed.  But for a Christian, there is more to life that we can be sure of, and this "MORE LIFE" is found in the person of Jesus Christ, and in His Word, the Bible.  It is in the Bible (like the book of Daniel) that we are given the promise of hope beyond our present conditions.  Hope that looks beyond the systems of government that rule men on this earth to a perfect kingdom whose King is called Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11).

The prophet Daniel is made aware of this perfect kingdom, only after he is given a glimpse of four mighty powers who will rise and fall with the wind (7:2-7).  He is also given a glimpse of Satan's kingdom (7:8,11-12,21-26); yet it too will find itself crushed under the heel of Jesus Christ.  It is only the Kingdom of the Ancient of Days (9-10), the Son of Man (13-14) that will be an everlasting kingdom.  Note, that while man's kingdoms are always filled with conflict and ruin, God's throne is described as tranquil,  just, and triumphant. The Kingly reign of Jesus is described as glorious, universal, and everlasting.  No kingdom on earth has yet to be described this way.  This is why Jesus, who lived during the Roman Empire, commanded Christians to pray looking forward to the day when "God's kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matt. 6:10)  If we live our lives today with the promised hope of God's kingdom, then our lives would be less stressful.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.  

Confident that God is in My Tomorrow

How many times do people feel good about the present day they are having, but the uncertainty of their tomorrow steals the joy of living in the present moment.  Yes, uncertainty of tomorrow is a great contributor to much of the stress we humans carry.  Questions like: "Will this relationship last next week?"  "When will the car break down again?"  "How long will it be before I have to look for another job?"  Or, "Will I even be alive to see my grandchild grow up?"  Questions like these flow through each human mind, but the key to living a happy and less stressed life today rest in this truth, "Are you trying to handle your future alone or do you trust in Someone who already walks in your future, who knows each situation that you will face?"  This one that I talk about is the One and True God, Jesus Christ the Lord.  Scripture is very clear when it declares, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  (Heb. 13:8)  In Revelation 22:13, Jesus claims to be Alpha and Omega, or the eternal God who has always existed.  This fact alone means that God is outside of time and knows not only every moment in the past and every step you take today, but also knows every event in your future.

In Daniel chapters 7-12, Daniel is reminded of this very important fact about God.  Daniel's desire is to see Jerusalem restored from captivity, and the glorious reign of the Messiah to unfold.  In these final six chapters, Daniel will be shown by God the future path that will befall Israel.  In great detail, God will reveal to Daniel the next three superpowers (Persians/Greeks/Romans), and even a glimpse of the final anti-Christ's kingdom, that has yet to be experienced today.  God will prove to every reader that He alone is in control of every worldly kingdom that is established; and just as quickly as they enter the picture they are destroyed by another power.  Yet no matter how evil or strong the earthly kingdom, we are reminded that there will be a fixed time in man's future in which God's eternal Kingdom will be established under the rule of Jesus Christ (7:13-14), and this kingdom will the the only "forever" kingdom.  When a person's faith and trust is placed in the true King of kings and Lord of lords, then no matter what happens in our future, you will have a less stressed life than those without the hope of a heavenly kingdom.  Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.