Heaven: October 19, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 19, 2009

HEAVEN

Defined by Webster:
The abode of God; the angels and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life.

GODS WORD

This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool --- My hands have made both heaven and earth, they and everything in them are mine.” Isaiah 66:1-2.

“For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will.” John 6:38

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them He was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right side. Mark 16:19

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

These verses from the Bible that we have listed above cover three major thoughts we would like to share with you. First the verse from Isaiah reminds us that God created the heaven and the earth and the entire universe which are His dwelling places. Secondly, the verse from John reminds us that Jesus came down to earth from heaven to do the will of God. And finally, the verse in Mark reminds us that Jesus ascended back into heaven when His work on earth was done to prepare for us a home in heaven.

Heaven, we know, is a place. In John 14:2 Jesus tells us that “In My Father’s house are many mansions --- I go to prepare a place for you.” Heaven is as real of a place as the place you were born at. It is called a city whose maker and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). In I Kings 8:23 we are told that heaven is above the earth. In Matthew 5:16 we are told that it is the place where God the Father dwells. So we can be certain that heaven is a place.

Heaven is a place prepared for the “Saints” of God. A “Saint” is one who by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has been spiritually born into the family of God. As members of the family of God, the apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:2 to “Set your minds on things above (heaven), not on things on earth.” Faith in Jesus as our Savior changes our focus and our priorities away from temporal things on earth to heavenly things that are everlasting.

Heaven is an eternal place. What a glorious place for we as believers in Jesus can look forward too. This is where we will spend eternity. Are you ready? Have you accepted Jesus into your heart? If you have not, be sure to read the next two days devotionals. Possibly they will motivate you to action!

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Thank You dear Lord for the “Blessed Hope” that we have to spend an eternity with You in heaven. Help me to communicate to my family and friends that the things we have on this earth are totally worthless when compared to spending an eternity with You. Help my life in words and deeds to communicate Your love to all that I associate with.