Then let us not be cheated by a life that is deceitful and tempting, brief and short-lived, transitory and feeble, bitter and sad; let us ever ponder the life true and eternal, which after death shall keep the immortal just.

  - Columbanus, Sermon IX (Irish, 7th century)

"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

  - John 17.3

Indications are that sales from Black Friday and Cyber Monday are up considerably over previous years. What does this indicate?

At a time when practically everyone is complaining that we have less and less, people are spending more and more on "transitory and feeble" things. Will this spending frenzy make the bitterness and sadness of these economic hard times somehow more bearable?

That's not likely. But Americans don't seem to know anything else. They want full and abundant life, and that, for too many of us, seems to be bound up in material things.

But life eternal and true lies elsewhere, as we know. Columbanus' advice to "ponder" that life may not seem very exciting. Unless, of course, Christ risen from the dead, reigning in glory, putting His enemies under His feet, advancing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, lavishing His precious and magnificent promises upon us, doing all things well, and upholding the universe by His Word of power - unless all that is true.

Which it is. Ponder this, meditate deeply and long on the reality of it, see this rule of King Jesus everywhere expressed, and in your meditations draw closer to Him, and you will know what true and eternal life is, and how to enjoy it.

We are not merely material beings. We do not despise our materiality, but we must not over-rate it, either.

We are made for God, not for the idol of material prosperity. We know God not by possessing Him with our hands, but with our hearts and minds. And the more we know Him there, the more we discover fullness of joy and lasting pleasure, which no amount or lack of material things can affect one whit.

We were made to know and enjoy God. Do not allow the distractions of this materialistic age and the surfeit of stuff to cause you to miss life true and eternal.

And do not fail to make the most of every opportunity to point your neighbors to this only reliable source of lasting peace and joy.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

ReVision - More on America's misplaced hope in material things.

Winter Download - Here's a freebie to help you improve your Bible reading skills.

We are often asked how our friends can contribute to our ministry, especially at the end of the year. Simply use the donate button here or at the website, or send your gifts to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 100 Lamplighter Ct., Hamilton, VA 20158. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.