Heaven Awaits

     Let’s move into heaven, with a glimpse of what is to come. Jesus gives us a peek at just some of what is to come, but I believe much of the glory would be far too astounding and miraculous for our earthly minds to comprehend. We wait, with our imaginations whetted, with our hearts pounding with hope, with awe-inspired words to hold onto while we remain. One day, soon, Jesus will appear to take us home.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

They will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:4-5

     Read through Revelation 21 and 22 for more of the glorious heaven and earth to come. I pray this week of anticipation brings hope and light to a sometimes dark and dreary world. Keep an eternal perspective as you live out your life. Spread the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is risen and He lives forever. As He is, so will we be one day soon. He conquered death for us all and we don’t want anyone to miss out on our heavenly home.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen Revelation 22:20-21

Heaven Awaits

     Heaven awaits. During this time of quarantine, of riots and unrest, of more questions than answers, remember, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He knows the end from the beginning. Evil will be vanquished one day and His will and His promises will remain forever. Let your mind move with anticipation into the throne room of heaven.

However, as it is written, “what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-these are the things God has revealed to us through His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3;13

    Today what God sees as evil is being called good and good, evil. One day all things will be right, all will be transformed, even our bodies. For now we are in a temporary tent, one day to be transformed into a forever body, like the Lord’s after His resurrection.

For we know that in this earthly tent that we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body) we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made by God Himself, not by human hands 2 Corinthians 5:1

     I encourage you to read more about our eternal bodies in the beautiful verses found in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

     Longing for heaven? Somedays I do. As my 89-year-old friend, Phyllis, says, “Aging is not for sissies!”  I can’t wait to have perfect vision again, or to see my brother, who died of a debilitating Parkinson’s disease leaping for joy. Yes, it will come to pass. Stay at peace. Jesus is waiting with your resurrection body and a mansion prepared just for you, never to perish or wear out. It’s made for forever!

Lord,

We wait with anticipation and hope for heaven. While we are here, give us the peace that transcends all understanding, the comfort that comes from Your Spirit. Give us angels to surround us and shine your everlasting light upon us now.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     All of us dream of a long and healthy life, praying we remain physically and mentally active and healthy until we die in our sleep. I have had the privilege of serving with the most incredible women of faith over the last twenty-five years, many surrogate mothers to me. I have witnessed their suffering. The eyes that no longer see, the ears that struggle to hear, the lungs with so little breath, the body so weak and frail, the chronic ever-present pain. These are the outward signs of aging and they will affect us all, if we have the privilege of living to an old age.

     What have these women of faith shared? A peace, a longing for heaven, a joy that remains. How? It is Jesus. Don’t get me wrong. The struggles come with doubt. There are questions with no easy answers. Pain and suffering are real. There is deep grief, but there is always hope. The Psalms speak to their hearts. The suffering of Jesus reminds them that He understands and He comforts.

     Those of you who know me well, know these have become some of my favorite verses. These verses remind me and the loved ones around me in the midst of suffering, that a glory awaits us, a glory that is forever and a glory that outweighs any and all earthly suffering.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles  are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     Perspective. Anticipation. Hope. These earthly troubles are “light and momentary.” The glory that awaits “far outweighs them all.” Fix your eyes on Jesus. Everything around us is temporary.

Jesus,

Your Words give us comfort and hope for a glorious heaven and a new earth with You and our loved ones. Keep us mindful of what awaits as we go through times of suffering. Keep us filled with the deep joy You offer, the peace that passes all understanding as we wait.

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     Keep an eternal perspective as your life continues to unfold. The Bible helps us do just that, reminding us of the short journey we have on earth. Most of us have said our earthly goodbyes to some precious loved ones. We grieve at the separation, but we can grieve with hope!

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve as the rest of mankind who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

     Hope remains when we have Jesus. We grieve, but we grieve with hope, the hope of heaven, the hope of reunion, the hope of spending a beautiful eternity in the presence of Jesus. Life is fleeting.

For all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall. 1 Peter 1:24

Why you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

    Most of the world fears death, placing all of their hope on this life. With an eternal perspective, forever sits in contrast to, at the most, 90 or 100 years, most even more brief. Whether we are in the body or with the Lord, we are His.

Father,

Help us keep eternity ever on the horizon, working to honor You through our short days here on earth. Your Gospel can be shared. Your glory is available to shine. Your sacrifice and Your resurrection take away our fear as we move closer and closer to heaven.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     This week will be a week of anticipation. Are you looking forward to an event, a birth, a wedding, a family celebration, a vacation? Some of our plans have been put on hold lately. As we journey through life, we often look ahead. What’s next? College, job, retirement. Life marches on. Memories form and hope remains. Hope for a future, and a plan with a loving God and Father.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

     “Hope and a future,” are, indeed, words of anticipation. Place your trust in Jesus today and forever. Heaven awaits and whether we are here or there, we are in good hands.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:7-9

     Paul wrote the verses above. He was one of a few escorted into the throne room of heaven and he longed to go back over his lifetime of ministry. Be at peace. The anticipation of heaven is real. We need have no fear of death. We will be present with the Lord. Place your life in His hands. We await heaven!

Father,

Your plan for us is good, whether here or there, now and forever. What a glorious homecoming awaits us. You long for us as much as we long for You. We walk by faith as we live to serve and to please You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Through It All

     When Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own brothers and sold into slavery, he trusted God. When he was falsely accused of seduction, he trusted God within the prison walls. God worked through him until he found himself second in command to the ruler of his time and his brothers came to him in need. A beautiful story of a faithful servant, of God’s timing and of God working for good.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

     As a teenager, Daniel defeated a giant with the help of a slingshot, surrounded by the strength and will of his God. As an old man, Daniel refused to bow down to anyone other than God and was thrown into a pit of his own. His pit was filled with a den of lions. Daniel trusted, understanding he need not fear even death. Angels closed the mouths of the lions and Daniel was unscathed.

     Are there giants ahead in your path? Is Satan coming after you like a roaring lion? Trust in your Creator. Hold up your shield of faith and He will protect you. Through the storms and fires of life, He is there. Your story is bigger than the sum of your years. It lives on through others as an example. Just as Joseph and Daniel give us examples to follow, so your life will live on.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

     The storms can be frightening. The heat is uncomfortable. God is with us. His angels will surround us and when the time is right, they will escort us home.

Lord,

You are there in the lion’s den, you are there to fight the giants. You are among us in the scorching flames, through the flood waters and in the pit. You promise us a future and a hope. Would you help us to see that hope today? Grant us spiritual eyes to see Your work.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Happy 4th of July.  God bless America!  See you Monday

Focus on Jesus

     When our faith rises above our circumstances, trusting God keeps peace in our hearts. A book I read years ago, said something like this; focus on yourself and your problems once for every ten times you focus on Jesus. His hope and His provision will answer our deepest cries. Have faith in Him above whatever you are suffering.

     Pray for the ability to be patient as You wait for His answer and for a way out. He may be preparing you through a difficult time. As He lifts you out of the pit, He will use your time of darkness for His glory.

     When our lives become His, we are offered freedom to believe. To believe in His promises, to believe in a future of hope, to believe He will lead us. Focus your attention on Him and wait, pray and love.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

     Joyful, hopeful, patient, faithful. Good words to consider every single day. God’s timing is perfect in your life and in mine.

Jesus,

We focus our attention on You. Find answers. Find hope, Find joy. Find peace. We place our faith in You. Give us the freedom to accept it today and to believe it.

Amen