Thankful for Heaven
John 14:1-6
Heaven is hope. Heaven is peace. Heaven is joy.
Recently, a Gallup poll was taken that asked people if they believed they would be in Heaven after death. Seventy-eight percent of Americans polled answered yes. However, few of them admitted to daily prayer, Bible reading, or weekly church attendance. In fact, only thirty-four percent of Americans who call themselves Christians admit to attending church weekly. As author Maurice Irwin writes, "We sing, 'When all my labors and trials are o'er, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me.' However, unless our attitudes toward the Lord and our appreciation of Him change greatly, Heaven may be more of a shock than glory."
While we believe that salvation comes from belief in God rather than works, some professing "Christians" are relying on their heritage or national origin for entrance into Heaven. Yet entrance into Heaven comes only as Christ says in John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
If you are a Christian, then you understand that Heaven is much more than simply a future destination. Saying the word Heaven often makes us think of the specifics of Heaven-golden streets, pearly gates, rivers and trees, loved ones, and God. But while all those things are present in Heaven, the concept of Heaven goes much deeper than simply the physical aspects of it.
Heaven is hope. Heaven is peace. Heaven is joy. Even when things go wrong in our lives or the wear and tear of the daily grind gets to us, we know that one day all our struggles will be over and we'll forever be in the presence of our Lord.
In Heaven there is no sorrow, no loss, no mourning, no pain, no trials, no struggles, and no crying. We live in an imperfect world that throws difficulties at us each day. Sometimes we wonder if we can carry on. Yet through God's help and with the hope of Heaven in our hearts, we know that we can make it through even the toughest of battles.
As Christians, God has given us a job to do on earth-tell others about His free gift of salvation. But as human beings, we will struggle with earthly battles. Yet God has given us hope. As Jesus says, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Jesus has prepared a home for us in Heaven, and one day He's coming back to take us to our eternal home. What joy! Thank God today for the hope you have in Heaven.
Daily Bible Reading
Ezekiel 16-17 | James 3
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