THE HERALDS DEVOTIONAL

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 4: THOSE WHO IGNORE THE PROSPECTUS MATTHEW 7:13–14 (NLT) “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” In Part 3, we discovered that God's prospectus was not given merely for our information. It was given for our transformation   and preparation . We learned that the Word of God calls us to: Faith In Jesus Christ . Repentance . Obedience . Holiness . Perseverance . ¹qWe also learned that selective obedience is still disobedience. You cannot take the parts of God's Word you like and reject the parts that challenge your lifestyle. The question we ended with was: “ Am I Following The Prospectus?” Now we must ask an even more serious question: What Happens To Those Who Ignore It? A Prospectus Can Be Ignored — But Not Without Cons...

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 3: WHAT DOES THE PROSPECTUS REQUIRE? MATTHEW 7:21 (NLT) “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” In Part 1, we discovered that life has a destination beyond the grave. Hebrews 9:27 tells us: “ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. ” We learned that the Bible is like God's prospectus for earthly life and eternity. In Part 2, we went one step further and asked: Who wrote the prospectus? We discovered that the Bible is not merely a collection of human opinions. It is God's inspired Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says: “ All Scripture is inspired by God. ” If God is the Author, then His instructions deserve our attention. But now comes the next important question: What does the prospectus require? Because having a prospectus is one thing. Following its requirements is another....

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 2: WHO WROTE THE PROSPECTUS? 2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17 (NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.” In Part 1, we began with a simple question: If schools and companies have prospectuses to prepare people for what lies ahead, what about eternity? We discovered that a prospectus is essentially a guide containing important information, requirements, expectations, and instructions for those entering a particular system. We then made the spiritual connection: The Bible is God's prospectus for our earthly journey and eternal destiny. We also looked at Hebrews 9:27, which reminds us that death is appointed and that after death comes judgment . So we ended with a serious question: Have you read the prospectus—and are you living by it? But today, we must take the next step. If the Bible is the prospectus for eternity... Who Wrote It? THE AUTHOR MATTERS...

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 1: THE REVELATION BEHIND THE PROSPECTUS Hebrews 9:27 (NLT) “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” A young man gained admission into a senior high school in Ghana. The admission comes with excitement. A new chapter is about to begin. But before he settles into the school, he is told: “ Go for your prospectus .” The prospectus contains important information about the school—what the student needs, the rules to follow, the expectations, the requirements, and how to conduct himself while there. Why? Because admission is not the end of preparation. Admission is the beginning of preparation. And that thought brought me to a deeper question: If we prepare so carefully for a few years in school, what are we doing to prepare for eternity? That is where this message begins. WHAT IS A PROSPECTUS? Simply put, a prospectus is a guide that tells you what you need to know before entering or partici...