And the glory of your latter house will be greater than the former and in this place you will have peace. (Haggai 2:9)

After Job days of severe trials, the Lord blessed his latter days more than his beginning. (Job 42:12)

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 4: 2)

It is God’s desire that we improve daily and we are not stagnant or regress to a worst state. But how do we determine improvements? Do we view it as primarily monetary gain?

It is a fact that money cannot buy happiness so success must be measured by your state of mind, your health and most importantly your relationship with God.

Hence, Jesus stated, “What does it profit a man if he gains the entire world and loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

You may gain riches, fame, and power but your heart is far from God. While you are young, wealthy and in good health, your money answers everything.

But as you become older and your health and strength fail, you realize that your money cannot prevent the natural progress of nature. In other words, your money cannot control time.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)

Thus, when you look back at all that wasted years in your life, you cannot recapture them. You look at your body wasting away with diseases, and your money cannot restore you; you remembered the past mistakes, the hurt that you cause someone and you cannot change the past.

As you lie on your bed of afflictions waiting for death, suddenly your eternity is revealed to you, and the question is, where will you spend it? Will it be with God, the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace or with Satan, the ruler of a place of tormented heat?

Suddenly, you realize that the life you had on earth was just a temporary prelude to the everlasting life in another world. But, it is too late for you now, and your disappointment is overwhelming. You will die lonely and miserable even when you are surrounded by your vast wealth, your friends and family members.

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)

If you are reading this post right now, it is not too late for you because the Lord is saying to you, right now, that your latter days can be greater than the former. Whatever state that your present life is at this moment whether you are comfortable and happy or sad, lonely and distressing; your latter end can be greater.

How can I ensure that my latter days are better than my former?

1. You will know whether or not you have been living a clean and moral lifestyle. If you are convicted of your sins, then it is time to repent before God and ask for forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

We are living in a world of deception, and even Christians, pastors, and prophets may stray and become entangled with the evil spirits of Jezebel and Balaam. Some are also ensnared with a religious spirit so that when they preach eloquent words, they are filled with emptiness because their work is motivated by the lust and greed for wealth and fame.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. (Matthew 23:25)

They promise liberty to their followers, but they are slaves of corruption. When you have received liberty and redemption from the pollutions of this world through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you return and become entangled again in sin your latter end will be worse than your beginning. (2 Peter 2:18-22).

2. Obey the Holy Spirit. It is impossible for the flesh to serve God sincerely. That is why the Lord said when you worship Him it must be through the Holy Spirit. This is the genuine form of worship (John 4:24). The Holy Spirit is your guide, comforter and He will convict you of sin and righteousness. (John 14:15-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; John 16:7-8).
3. Build a firm relationship with God. Many people’s concept of a relationship with God is based on their position or the work they do in the churches. They believe that the higher the post, the closer the relationship with God; or that their duties such as teaching, playing music will draw them closer to God.
   

   “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. “says the Lord. (Isaiah 55: 9)

While others believe that speaking in tongues, reading the Bible, praying and fasting will definitely draw you to God. I have news for you. While all of those things are good, they do not get you close to God.

As high as the heavens are above the earth so far are God ways and thoughts from us (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, our ways of building a relationship with God is not His way.

So, how can we know the way? (John 14:5).

The way is through Jesus Christ. He has been empowered with the spirit of wisdom, counsel and might (Isaiah 11:2). Thus to know God and to develop a personal relationship with Him, pray and ask Him to empower you with His Spirit of Wisdom and revelation. (Ephesians 1:17-22).

My Christmas gift to you

When you follow these three basic principles, you are essentially building your house for the dwelling place of God. The prophet Haggai prophesied that your latter house (life) would be greater than your former and in this place, you will find peace.

Let us give God thanks and praise!

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Published by Beverley

Beverley has been serving the Lord since she was a child. At an early age, she recognized that God had a special plan for her life, but it was not until in her adulthood that she surrendered her total life to God and accepted the mandate that God placed on her life. The Lord called her into His Kingdom to be an encourager, intercessor, teacher, scribe, priest, and to proclaim the Word of God. Since then, Beverly has established a blog to teach us to become the oil and wine. The oil and wine are purified and mature products, which is the advanced level that the Lord expected of us. In 2017, Beverley published her first book, Harm Not The Oil And Wine. In it, she described her trials and how God helped her to overcome them, and to live more victoriously. The book also exposed the enemy of our souls with detailed information about his past defeats and future extinction. Wright spents most of her time studying the Bible to know the truth of God’s Word. She believes that only God’s truth can expose the deception of the enemy, and uproot and tear down spiritual strongholds. You can learn more about Beverley’s life and testimony on her website becomingtheoilandwine.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Google+ under the name of her blog, and on Twitter as @Theoilandwine. View all posts by Beverley