Everyone of us have walked "through the valley of the shadow of of death." It could be by an addiction, feeling sorry for yourself, even feeling alone. It may seem like our prayers are unanswered leaving us discouraged and depressed. These are "death valley" experiences. But it's not our feelings that determine our relationship with God.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Jesus uses the rod to look for wounds, disease,
and our overall health. The staff is long with a crook (hook) on the end. Both
the rod and staff are to protect, guide, lead, and get us out of trouble.
He will use His staff and bring us closer to Him or guide us through the right
gate. Sometimes He uses the crook (hook) to lift us up above water so to speak,
especially when we stray too far and get into trouble. Of coarse this is
all symbolized, demonstrating what God does for us. But the truth is, He
speaks it and it happens.
Acts 17:28 (NASB)
for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said,
'For we also are His children.'
We are His children, we live move an exist in Him and nothing can change that.
Until we realize we live in the kingdom with God, only then can we be fully satisfied and know that our feelings are not a liable guide. Nothing can change the fact that Christians are in Christ and we are God's children created in His image and likeness in our true being. You don't need to have a certain kind of feeling to assure you're accepted by God. The more we live in a consciousness of our oneness with God, the more we enjoy that relationship. We must do everything we can to help others live in awareness of God. And none of this can take place outside His kingdom. Living in neglect or ignorance of God brings suffering and disappointment.
Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
Hebrews 9:27 (MSG)
If you think you can fool God, you are only fooling yourselves. You will
harvest what you plant. If you live to satisfy your sinful self, the harvest
you will get from that will be eternal death. But if you live to please the
Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 (ERV)
Let anyone who is doing wrong continue to do wrong. Let anyone who is unclean
continue to be unclean. Let anyone who is doing right continue to do right. Let
anyone who is holy continue to be holy." Revelation 22:11 (ERV)
I do want to remind you that Revelation 22:11 is after the second coming of Christ. If the world comes to an end as some believe, why are we told to let the people continue to do whatever they are doing. This means life will continue on earth in the Spiritual Kingdom for eternity because the church has no end.
I like how the Message reads in Hebrews 9:27: "Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences." I see it only one way whatever we sow we shall reap both in this life and in the life to come. Everyday we face the consequences either good or bad which our choices bring about. I think these consequences will continue after we pass on.
I believe The Heavenly Kingdom is a state of consciousness of complete peace, joy, and love. But I also believe that in this earthly Kingdom our consciousness needs to begin now and to be cultivated throughout the rest of our lives. I see the Heavenly Kingdom as a continued growing experience where we take our state of consciousness with us. I also believe that there will be other dimensions of existence that we can't perceive with our five physical senses.
I believe that we should try and seek with all of the heart to enter into our Heavenly state right now and continue to do so everyday. If we are experiencing God's love here and now in our lives we will be wherever we need to be when we pass from this life to the afterlife.
Conclusion:
God is working everywhere in our lives. There is nothing to fear, because evil
is powerless and God's kingdom is here. God is here with us, so we do not need
to be afraid of anything. God and His love are our strength, therefore evil does
not stand a chance against our purity and love.