| In the vast majority of religions that exist, people | | | | over all one's enemies, and establishment as a |
| must live in perpetual fear of their gods. They either | | | | respected individual. These are a few of the benefits |
| are continually forced to follow an incredibly rigid | | | | that one is encouraged to expect in this lifetime. |
| lifestyle, perhaps praying five or even more times per | | | | There are more spiritual benefits listed in Matthew |
| day while kneeling on a small carpet, and facing a | | | | 5:3-12, and Luke 6:20-23 (the beatitudes), and |
| particular direction. Others are forced to follow | | | | scattered elsewhere throughout the New Testament. |
| elaborate rituals of generating prayer flags, or sand | | | | As Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, |
| art, etc. Some use prayer beads, or recite ancient | | | | and that they may have it more abundantly." (John |
| prayers from old books, or elaborate dances or other | | | | 10:10b, NKJV) As the Lord has said: "the eyes of the |
| physical activities, which may include self-mutilation. | | | | LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to |
| Others invoke special magic arts to entice their | | | | show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart |
| deities to act on their behalf, for good or evil, | | | | is loyal to Him," (2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV) and "I will |
| according to their desires. | | | | rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will |
| Other religions force their members to continually | | | | not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the |
| appease their deities. They frequently place offerings | | | | vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, ... and all |
| before statues housed in household shrines, in | | | | nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful |
| temples, or in other shrines. Some continually create | | | | land...." (Malachi 3:11-12, NKJV) Truly, it is the Lord's |
| paper objects to be burned in an effort to send | | | | intent to pronounce blessing on all who are willing and |
| precious items to their ancestors or other deities. | | | | able to receive it. |
| There are many ways that people attempt to either | | | | These blessings are real, and tangible, as well as |
| appease or coerce their deities. They don't really | | | | spiritual blessings in this lifetime. The blessings of the |
| expect any potential good things, they just don't | | | | God of the Bible are meant to be enjoyed by real |
| want their deities to torment them. The best that | | | | people in this life! Yes there are "pleasures |
| they can hope for in this life is to be left alone. If | | | | forevermore" (Psalms 16:11c, NKJV) in heaven, but |
| they do everything right throughout their entire lives, | | | | there are real blessings to be had and enjoyed now! |
| and if their deities are positively disposed toward | | | | Are you forever working for an unsure future that |
| them, they may attain heaven, or some other | | | | has been promised by a purported deity that may or |
| reward for faithful service. In the case of | | | | may not be trustworthy, or are you expecting real |
| reincarnation, they earn the right to live again in a | | | | benefits in this life? Is the spiritual life your are living |
| higher social class, or ultimately attain "nirvana," the | | | | today producing blessings for you now, or must you |
| supreme state of nothingness. | | | | wait for unsubstantiated rewards after you die? If |
| The God of the Bible, however, actually promises | | | | you cannot receive at least a portion of your reward |
| rewards in this life, in addition to the ultimate goal of | | | | now, how can you have any assurance that the |
| heaven. A long list of these benefits is given in the | | | | promises offered will ever be delivered? Can you |
| book of Deuteronomy (28:1-14), which includes such | | | | really trust a deity who is rarely, if ever, seen |
| things as children, financial prosperity, protection of all | | | | rewarding anyone in this life? You decide. |
| one's assets, success in all one's endeavors, victory | | | | |