By the Character of the Obedience Rendered to the Word of God

The kingdom of heaven is of a higher order than any earthly kingdom. Whether we shall have a higher position or a lower position, will not be determined by our rank, wealth, or education, but by the character of the obedience rendered to the word of God. Those who have been actuated by selfishness and human ambition, who have been striving to be greatest, who have been self-important, who have felt above confessing mistakes and errors, will have no place in the kingdom of God. Whether men will be honored as members of the royal family of God, will be determined by the manner in which they bear the test and proving of God that is brought to bear upon them in this life. Those who have not been self-denying, who have not manifested sympathy for the woes of others, who have not cultivated the precious attributes of love, who have not manifested forbearance and meekness in this life, will not be changed when Christ comes. . . .

Chapter Title: Above Earthly Kingdoms
God's Amazing Grace, page 60, paragraph 3
Ellen G. White

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither
was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have
hid myself from him:But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine
acquaintance.We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in
company.

Ps. 55.12

Deny Yourself, Take up Your Cross, and Follow Me

At all times Jesus strove to free people from superstition and laws that were contrary to the purposes and intentions of God. (Luke 6.7 , 1 John 3.8, Matt. 16.23)

Jesus was well aware that the Pharisees were watching Him closely in order to
find an excuse to put Him to death, but He, in order to teach what was right,
did the works of His Father God even under their scrutiny because it was the
right thing to do. The pharisees were liars who were enslaving God's people
under a system of stupid and useless rules that burdened the people down so that
they could take no pleasure in worshiping God. (Lu 11:46, Matt. 23.13, Luke 6.1, Mark 2.27)

How abominable that what worked to destroy the Jews is now accepted by Christians and is now causing them to fall into the same trap. So just as the era of the Jews ended when they looked at useless rules instead of their Savior, so Chrisianity is becoming empty because people are in spiritual bondage and have no place for the Spirit of God in their hearts.

All those that want to follow God will be blessed with a way to do so, because it is the spirit that gives us our holy desires. (Matt. 5.6 )

And he said to him: Follow me. Luke 5.27

Earthly Time

How much time do I have on earth?
I would like to spend it wisely and efficiently. I would like to be of highest use possible to God. I would also like to be able to do things quickly. I am pretty convinced that my purpose is to be different and remain reasonable, and receive funding to do the will of the Lord.

Oh I forgot, I have to accept apparent wastes of time because the Lord, through His angels, is protecting me from other problems, and preventing me from something worse than what appears to be waste.
Then merciful God, How best can I fill this uncertain time with things that will be of use to You?
I will spend my time religiously, but should I also write? paint? The uncertainty of Your Will for me leaves me with confusion about how I should spend my time.
Other people have ideas, but most of them are not from You, so please show me the directions that You wish me to move in.
I have forgotten that no one knows how much time they have on earth. I will have to make a reasonable guess.