Friday, September 6, 2024
As we come to the end of our week and the end of our series, have your thoughts about heaven changed?
I was really taken aback last weekend when I heard that if we aren’t careful, we’ll warp heaven into a place where we get everything we want instead of seeing it for what it is—the place where we get to experience God’s presence. God … himself.
Over the years, I have worked hard to take care of my physical body, but the older I get, the less this body wants to cooperate! I must confess that the idea of a new body in heaven appeals to me a lot! But as I think of what Jesus says about heaven, I believe that the glory of God’s presence is even more appealing. Knowing and believing that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for me is pretty overwhelming, because I know me! I know that I don’t deserve any such effort to be made!
But that’s the beauty of Jesus’ sacrifice. God so loved the world (of which you and I are a part) that he gave his one and only Son that whoever (that’s me, and I hope, you!) believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV). Jesus died so we could live with him forever! When we trust in that sacrifice, Jesus writes our names in his book, the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). And through that sacrifice, he became what he told his disciples, and now tells us:
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Only by receiving this free gift can we know our eternity will be spent in God’s presence. “The end” is not the end. It is only the beginning of forever.
The good news is that once you’ve chosen life with God, you can begin to enjoy your forever life right now! “Following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life” says Pastor Andy Stanley. We can focus our lives on dwelling now with God, getting to know him better through Bible study, community with other Jesus followers, and serving those he loves.
Let’s start the end, today!
Questions:
Have you received God’s gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus? If not, why?
Next Steps:
We welcome your questions! Talk to one of our pastors, staff members, or your Group Leader about what it means to follow Jesus. Attend GrowthTrack to begin exploring the life-changing adventure with Jesus!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how grateful I am for your assurance that the place you have prepared for me is glorious, wonderful, and filled with your presence! Just as people loved being with you when you walked the earth, so I know our joy will be complete when I dwell with you forever! Thank you for your sacrifice, which makes it all possible! I trust in you, Lord, to fulfill your promises. It's in your beautiful, glorious name that I pray, 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 Lauri White, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.