Wednesday, September 4, 2024

When I was five years old, my grandfather passed away suddenly from a heart attack. I’ll never forget that day. My parents seemed to be in a frantic hurry, and my brother and I were confused by their stress. I noticed my dad driving faster than normal. Later, I would discover he was trying to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. 

This was the first death that I can remember. My mother tried to explain heaven to me, a place I could not physically see. At such a young age, I could not fully grasp the concept. I can still remember staring up at the ceiling one evening at the dinner table. My mom asked, “Why do you keep staring at the ceiling?” I responded, “Is he up there yet? I can’t see him.”

As adults, many of us still struggle with the concept of heaven. Our childlike curiosity never really goes away. 

Is heaven real? How can we be guaranteed a place? What will we see when we get there? 

Even though we can’t see heaven, God knows how curious we are and graciously gives us insight about it through his word. Paul writes about heaven in the following passage:

2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that when this earthly tent 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 for us by God himself and not by human hands.

God loves us so much that he prepared a house for us in heaven—a place of comfort, free from pain, full of happiness and joy, and free of stress. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

How can we enter this amazing paradise? Jesus is the way maker. It’s when we put our faith in him and ask for forgiveness of all our sins that our name is entered into the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Keep reading this week to find out more.

Questions: 
Do you remember the first death you experienced growing up? How was heaven described to you then?

What do you think heaven will look like when you arrive?

What actions are you taking today to live a Godly life?

Next Steps: 
To learn more about heaven, there are some great scriptures in the Bible. Check out Revelation 21:18-27 and Revelation 22:1-5.

Are you looking at ways to live a more Godly life but need some support and accountability? Consider joining a Group. The directory is open now and fall Groups begin in September.

Prayer: 
Dear God, thank you for promising me a wonderful life in heaven when my time on earth comes to an end. A place where there is no suffering or heartbreak, just happiness, peace, and joy. Please guide me as I live my life so that I can carry out your purpose and live in a way that honors you. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 3:14 
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 

This post was written by Connie Disbro, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.