Living with Gratitude and Eternity in Mind
Summary
Today, we gathered around the truth that living with the end in mind radically transforms how we walk through this life. Drawing from Psalm 50, we saw that thankfulness is not just a feeling, but a key that unlocks the heart of God. When we approach Him with gratitude, even in the midst of trouble, we find ourselves in His presence, where His faithfulness, mercy, and grace abound. This posture of thankfulness is not about manipulating God, but about aligning our hearts with His, so that His hands are free to move in our lives. As we honor Him with our gratitude, we position ourselves to receive His blessings, and in turn, we honor Him all the more.
We also reflected on the brevity and fragility of life. James reminds us that our lives are like a mist—here for a moment and then gone. This reality should shake us from complacency and drive us to invest our days in what truly matters: loving God, serving others, and living with eternity in view. Our plans, possessions, and even our very breath are not our own; they belong to God. We are called to hold our plans loosely, submitting them to His will, and to steward our resources generously, knowing that what we invest in people and the kingdom will outlast anything we accumulate for ourselves.
Patience and perseverance are essential as we await the Lord’s return. Suffering and trials are temporary, but what God is doing in us through them is eternal. We are encouraged to strengthen our hearts, to speak life and encouragement to one another, and to keep our eyes fixed on the promises of God. Living with the end in mind means refusing to let Jesus be an add-on to our lives; He must be our life. True salvation is not a cheap or easy fix, but a call to die to self, take up our cross, and follow Him wholeheartedly. As we do, we find blessed assurance and a foretaste of glory, knowing that our hope is secure in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Thankfulness is the key that unlocks the heart of God. When we choose gratitude—even when circumstances are hard—we enter into God’s presence and experience His faithfulness and blessing. This is not about getting what we want, but about aligning our hearts with His, which opens us to receive what He desires to give. [18:29]
- Life is fleeting and fragile; we are but a mist. This truth should awaken us to stop chasing temporary things and instead invest our time, energy, and love into what is eternal. Each day is an opportunity to surrender to God, prioritize what matters, and live as if Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is returning tomorrow. [01:11:27]
- Our purpose is found in God’s plan, not our own ambitions. True humility is recognizing that every good thing we have and every opportunity we receive is from God. We are called to hold our plans loosely, submit them to His will, and obey promptly when He calls us to act, knowing that delight is found in duty and blessing follows obedience. [01:18:57]
- Generosity breaks the power of self-indulgence and aligns us with God’s heart. When we give—whether it’s our resources, time, or encouragement—we declare that our possessions are not our own, but God’s. Investing in people and the kingdom is the only way to lay up treasure that lasts beyond this life. [01:26:49]
- Patience in suffering is not passive waiting, but active strengthening of the heart. God uses trials to build endurance and deepen our hope in His promises. What we endure now is temporary, but the work God does in us through it is eternal; therefore, we are called to encourage one another, speak life, and wait with hope, knowing He who began a good work in us will complete it. [01:32:44]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[18:29] - The Key of Thankfulness
[43:06] - God’s Faithfulness Through Our Story
[01:02:58] - Life is a Mist: Living with Urgency
[01:06:42] - No More Chasing the Wrong Things
[01:11:27] - Living with the End in Mind
[01:13:17] - The Deceptiveness of Pride
[01:16:01] - Surrendering Our Possessions
[01:18:57] - Discovering God’s Purpose for Your Life
[01:21:01] - Generosity and Breaking Self-Indulgence
[01:26:49] - Investing in Eternity
[01:28:34] - Patience and Perseverance
[01:32:44] - Strengthening Your Heart in Trials
[01:36:15] - Blessed Assurance: Living for Eternity
[01:42:02] - Invitation to Surrender
[01:50:47] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living with the End in Mind
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 50:14-15 (NIV)
> “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
James 4:13–5:12 (NIV)
> 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
> 1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
> 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 50, what does God desire from us when we are in trouble? How does thankfulness play a role in our relationship with Him? ([18:29])
2. In James 4:14, how does James describe the nature of our lives? What point is he making by using this imagery? ([01:02:58])
3. What warning does James give to those who make plans without considering God’s will? ([01:13:17])
4. In James 5:7-8, what example does James use to encourage patience, and what is the reason for this patience? ([01:28:34])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think thankfulness is described as a “key” that unlocks the heart of God? How does this change the way we approach God in prayer and worship? ([18:29])
2. What does it mean to “live with the end in mind,” and how does this perspective affect our daily choices and priorities? ([01:11:27])
3. How does holding our plans and possessions loosely demonstrate humility and trust in God? What are some dangers of pride and self-reliance that James warns about? ([01:13:17])
4. Why is patience in suffering described as “active strengthening of the heart” rather than just waiting? What does God accomplish in us through trials? ([01:32:44])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “Thankfulness is the key that unlocks the heart of God.” Think about a current struggle or worry in your life. What would it look like to approach God with gratitude in the middle of that situation? ([18:29])
2. James says our lives are like a mist—here for a moment and then gone. If you truly believed this, what is one thing you would stop chasing, and what would you start investing in instead? ([01:11:27])
3. The pastor shared about holding plans loosely and submitting them to God’s will. Is there a plan or dream you’re holding tightly to right now? What would it look like to surrender it to God this week? ([01:18:57])
4. Generosity was described as a way to break the power of self-indulgence. What is one practical way you can be generous with your time, resources, or encouragement this week? Who is someone you could bless? ([01:26:49])
5. The message challenged us to “live as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is returning tomorrow.” How would your priorities or relationships change if you lived with that kind of urgency? ([01:11:27])
6. Patience in suffering is not just waiting but “active strengthening of the heart.” Is there a trial you’re facing where you need to strengthen your heart? What promise of God can you hold onto in this season? ([01:32:44])
7. The sermon warned against making Jesus an “add-on” to our lives. Are there areas where you’ve treated faith as just one part of your life instead of the center? What step can you take to make Jesus your life, not just an addition? ([01:39:30])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person live with the end in mind, to grow in thankfulness, generosity, and perseverance, and to keep Jesus at the center of all they do.
Devotional
Day 1: Thankfulness Unlocks the Heart and Hands of God
Thankfulness is not just a feeling but a spiritual key that opens the heart of God and releases His blessings into our lives. No matter what circumstances you face—whether your heart is heavy, your family is struggling, or you’ve received a difficult report—God calls you to bring a sacrifice of gratitude. When you choose to thank Him even before you see the answer, you move beyond your troubles and into His presence, where His faithfulness, mercy, and grace abound. As you enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, you’ll find that every attribute of God begins to open up in your life, bringing healing, restoration, and every good thing you need. Gratitude is the key that shifts your focus from your problems to God’s promises, and as you honor Him, His blessings overflow. [18:29]
Psalm 50:14-15 (NLT)
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to intentionally thank God today, even if you haven’t yet seen the answer to your prayers?
Day 2: Life Is Short—Invest in What Lasts
Life is fleeting, fragile, and uncertain—like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. We often get caught up in the busyness of today and the plans for tomorrow, forgetting that we are not promised another day. God calls us to pause, prioritize, and make each day count by investing in what truly matters: loving, serving, forgiving, and following Him. Don’t delay obedience or waste time chasing the wrong things. Instead, start each day with surrender and gratitude, living as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is returning tomorrow. When you live with the end in mind, you’ll focus on what is eternal and make your life an investment in God’s kingdom. [01:11:27]
James 4:13-14 (NIV)
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Reflection: If you truly believed Jesus was returning tomorrow, what would you do differently today to invest in what matters for eternity?
Day 3: Our Purpose Is God’s Plan, Not Our Own
We are not the authors of our own destiny; our lives and plans belong to God. True delight and blessing are found in doing the good we know we ought to do, humbly submitting our plans to the Lord’s will. Pride and self-sufficiency deceive us into thinking we control our future, but God alone holds the ink pen of our story. Everything we have and every opportunity we receive is a gift from Him. When we surrender our calendars, decisions, and ambitions to God, we align ourselves with His purpose and experience the joy and fulfillment that come from obedience. [01:18:57]
James 4:15-17 (NIV)
“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender your plans and ask, “Lord, does this align with Your will?”
Day 4: Generosity Breaks the Power of Self-Indulgence
Everything we possess is a gift from God, and we are called to be stewards, not owners. When we give generously—whether it’s our time, resources, or talents—we break the grip of self-indulgence and participate in God’s eternal work. Earthly wealth is fleeting, but kingdom investment lasts forever. Blessing others with what God has given you is a way to lay up treasures in heaven and invest in the souls of people. Generosity is not about how much you have, but about your willingness to use what you have to bless others and honor God. [01:26:49]
James 5:1-3 (NIV)
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.”
Reflection: Who is one person you can bless this week with your time, talent, or resources, and how will you do it?
Day 5: Patience and Hope—Living with the End in Mind
God calls us to be patient and stand firm, especially in times of suffering, because the coming of the Lord is near. Like a farmer waiting for the harvest, we are to wait with hope, knowing that what we’re going through won’t last, but what God is doing in us will. Strengthen your heart by remembering God’s promises and speaking life to others. Don’t grumble or lose heart; instead, encourage those around you and stay focused on the hope of eternity. God is full of compassion and mercy, and He is not finished with you yet. Live with blessed assurance, knowing that Jesus is your life and your future is secure in Him. [01:36:15]
James 5:7-11 (NIV)
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Reflection: Where do you need to invite God’s power and patience into your life today, trusting that He is not finished with you yet?
Quotes
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