Daniel Whyte III
“Empire” is one of the hottest shows on television this year. It tells the story of Lucious Lyon — the owner of a massive music conglomerate called Empire Records. He grew up on the streets and sold drugs to survive as a young man, but eventually bankrolled his rap skills into music industry gold. Seventeen years after he got his start, Lucious is diagnosed with ALS and is given approximately three years to live. So, he turns his attention to securing his company’s position at the top of the music world and grooming one of his three boys to be his successor. A ruthless king seeking to ensure his legacy, Lucious is building his empire and won’t let anyone stand in his way.
Many of us can identify with Lucious’ desire for success, fame, fortune, and glory. Deep inside of each of us is a yearning to do something great with our lives and have something to show for it long after we are gone. Yet, earthly riches and success can be elusive. Millions of people chase after success, fame, and fortune, even though they know they will leave it all behind when they die. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, ‘There is a man who labors with wisdom, knowledge, and equity; yet to a man that has not labored shall he leave it all. This is vanity and a great evil.’ In fact, this king, who was also one of the wealthiest people of his day, said, ‘I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.’
When you think about it, it is really a waste of time to spend your life trying to build an empire on earth. First, you may never reach your goals; and, second, you will have to leave it all behind anyway.
However, what if I told you that there is a kingdom worth living for — there is an empire worth building up. This empire is God’s kingdom — the kingdom of Heaven. This is what the Bible has to say about it: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Why spend your life gaining things you cannot keep when you could spend your life gaining things you cannot lose? If you spend your life in service to yourself — always trying to get more and be more — you may build up an empire on Earth, but it will all come tumbling down eventually. However, if you spend your life in service to Jesus Christ and others, you will be contributing to the Kingdom of GOD, and your riches and rewards will be stored in God’s Kingdom. On top of that, Jesus Christ grants all those who believe in Him eternal life and a home in Heaven. In Heaven, you will have eternity to enjoy the fruits of your labors on Earth.
If you want to tap into God’s kingdom and have security and assurance not only for this life but for eternity, you need to begin a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Here is how:
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door.” Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!
MUSICAL SELECTION: “This Kingdom” by Hillsong
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry which publishes a monthly magazine called The Torch Leader. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica for over twenty-seven years. God has blessed their union with seven children. Find out more at www.danielwhyte3.com. Follow Daniel Whyte III on Twitter @prophetdaniel3 or on Facebook.
