Heaven

Our Hope of Heaven

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As we are ploughing through this sixth week of Corona related shutdown here in Florida I thought that today it might be a good idea to focus on joy. God has not called us to worry, to live in depression or in fear. He has given us instead a hope that is not only eternal but it is also filled with joy.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 ESV

When I was doing my nursing home ministry up till this shutdown I found that some of the residents’ favorite songs were about heaven They often not only listened but the sang along, smiled and swayed back and forth in their wheel chairs in time to the music. Here are a few of those songs; including When the Roll is called up Yonder; When we All Get to Heaven and Mansion Over the Hilltop.  We know that if we follow Jesus He has promised to lead us home to His Father’s house in Heaven! Have a blessed day everyone!

 

Our Heavenly Country

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But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16 ESV

Two months ago few of us bothered to worry much about our seemingly invincible economy or give more than a second thought to  some medieval plague striking from out of the blue.  But since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic many of us have  been  rudely awakened to just how fragile our American dream really is. In my own personal experience I discovered that the house we had just put on the market, could not be shown to anyone. The visit to see our grandson’s graduation was cancelled and our 47th anniversary dinner (Tomorrow) is going to be take-out from Olive Garden.

 

But no matter our experience in this crisis, what the Apostle Paul tells us still holds true.

For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling. 2 Corinthians 5:2

I am not saying that the sufferings our friends, family and neighbors are passing through don’t matter. What I am discovering is that I have had my eyes focused on things of only temporary value while rarely remembering what matters most. But now that Heavenly country shines brighter than ever and it is not only for me but for anyone who will trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. On the cross Jesus has purchased for us a home with no taxes due, no repairs scheduled and which will never go up for sale. All He has asked us to do is to point others to a place that is better than our American dream. It is our heavenly country where what matters most will never pass away! Have a great week everyone. God bless and stay safe!

Packing a Suitcase For Heaven

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Cast your burden on the Lord , and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22 ESV

Some burdens feel like an overweight suitcase dragging behind us as we run through the airport of life.  But God promises us that if we ask Him, He will carry it for us. In God’s calendar He has marked a day for our departure from our planet and like every other trip we must pack our suitcases. We have a close friend who has traveled so often that he joked that he could pack for overseas in 15 minutes. The reason for his boast was that he had learned the secret not only of what to bring, but also what to leave behind. When we pack for heaven that is doubly true. First be sure to include lots of mercy. Mercy takes up almost no space at all and considering how often we mess up here on earth I need plenty! 

Second be sure to include the portion of faith that God has given you. Remember that in heaven we will still walk by faith because even after we see His face we still need to trust in His goodness. And don’t forget to stuff in so much love, joy and praise that you may need to sit on your suitcase to get it closed. The way to have enough room for all these is learning what to leave behind. The first thing to take out is bitterness because it will make our luggage way too heavy. And as you are tossing that out you can put complaining back on the shelf as well. God won’t be interested to hear from us about our brother or sisters faults. He will instead show us how much it cost Him to forgive ours. God is so good and any day one of us will stand before Him. What we choose to pack or not pack for our most important journey will stay with us forever. Be sure to travel light!