Heaven: February 23, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2011

HEAVEN

DEFINITION:

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.

SCRIPTURE:

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

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

What do you think about when you hear someone refer to the word “heaven?” We get excited because we know that we will be in heaven soon and we will see Jesus face to face. Won’t it be wonderful to sing praises unto God by the hour with the angel’s? We do not have good singing voices now so we are very excited to know that God will take care of our voices so we can praise Him. Have you considered standing before God knowing that He is God? As many say today -- what an awesome feeling that will be.

We will also see again our parents, members of our family and friends who have gone on before us. What a meeting that will be. And do you realize that there will be no more sickness, no more persecution, no more sin to live with and no more earthly cares.

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 where you live. 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. Isn’t this exciting to know?

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.

Our home on earth is only our temporary home. And for us that know the Lord, heaven is our eternal home. What a glorious place we as believers in Jesus have to look forward to. 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 make sure that you are going to your eternal home in heaven!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 26:2.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.

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, by words and deeds, to communicate Your love to all that I associate with.