Thursday, August 8, 2024
What do you think happens when you reach the end? I’ve had the opportunity to think a lot about it. It started with my grandma, followed by my dad, my mom, a brother, an aunt, and most recently my brother Jim. I may never know why, but God gave me the task of being with each of them as they journeyed to their end … a privilege I didn’t want but am grateful for.
John 3:16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Keanu Reeves, when asked “what do you think happens when we die?” said, “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.” He was right—I do miss them. But I’m also with the 61% of people who believe in heaven and hell. Thankfully, I have no doubt each of my loved ones were heaven bound! How? Because God compelled me to talk about Jesus. My dad passed on Halloween in 2000. Afterward, I cried out to God to please assure me that my dad was with him, and God sent me to this passage.
John 14:1-4
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
During the weekend message, we heard the firsthand account of Ryan’s near death experience. He described God-sent images and visions on his journey to temporary death. Many have similar stories. After hours of praying over my brother Gary’s unconscious body, he sat straight up, and declared, “Ok, sis, I’m ready, let’s do this!” My brother Jim talked of seeing our parents and playing his guitar in Jesus’ band. Some would say it’s hallucinations. I believe God is good, and he can be trusted!
How about you? Do you have assurance of what will happen when your time on earth is done? None of us is good enough to earn a spot in heaven. That’s why Jesus came to earth. Either Jesus is who he says he is, or he isn’t. He offers a gift, and it’s your decision whether or not to believe. Your choice determines your eternity.
Questions:
Do you believe in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection? Do you believe that he did it all for you?
Next Steps:
Make a commitment to join us at CedarCreek for the rest of this series. Invite someone new to come with you. Most importantly, if you haven’t done so yet, give your life to Christ—choose life!
Prayer:
Glorious and most holy Father in heaven, I can’t thank you enough for this gift from your Son! I am not worthy to receive it, but in the name of Jesus, I accept it! I look forward to the day when I will spend all of eternity with you in your Kingdom. Give me the courage to share your Good News until the very end. 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 Julie Estep, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.