HEAVEN IS REAL, AND THE FUTURE ETERNAL HOME FOR THOSE OF FAITH!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be 
away from the body and at home with the Lord.  
(2 Corinthians 5:8)

MEDITATION:
As we live our life on earth, it can be filled with many ups and downs.
It may be difficult for us to imagine a world where things are steady all the time.
We might even think a world without burdens could be a boring place to live.
But, heaven will be far from boring!

It is a place where we can enjoy life as God intended it to be.
The irritations of this life will not follow us into heaven,
because Jesus has prepared a place Christians there,
and everything He prepares is good for mankind.

Considering the ‘challenges’ Paul had on this earth, and the suffering 
he was subjected to as a result of his dedication to the Lord, 
We can understand why he, 
“would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord”.

But since he was still ‘in the body’, 
Paul had one goal in mind – to please the Lord.
His desire was to please Him at all times and not to be deterred 
by the consequences of freely expressing his faith and belief in Jesus.
He knew that believers would face judgment for how they lived as Christians.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body 
or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while
in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

Paul did not want to face that judgment and be told 
how he compromised his faith to appease others, or to live selfishly.
He looked forward to the time when he would be told that all he did,
all he suffered, and all of his obedience was worth it.

ACTION:
Heaven is a real place 
and it is home to those who have surrendered to the Lord.
It is a utopian place that we cannot imagine 
because we will be with our Savior and our Heavenly Father. 
The joy of being with them forever 
is beyond the ability of any writer to describe.

At the same time, it is a place where those who profess to be Christians 
will be held accountable for how they lived their faith while ‘in the body’.
Paul realized that all he did, and didn’t do, was observed by God,
so he wanted to live a life focused on pleasing Him in all things.
He wanted to receive his rewards for ‘keeping the faith’, 
‘fighting the good fight’ and ‘finishing the race’.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, 
I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

God has plans for the people of faith, 
and it is up to us to fulfill His plans.
Why? Because the way we live has an impact on “a great cloud of witnesses”.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for any lackadaisical attitude I may 
have toward pleasing You. Help me to realize the importance of how
I live my life as a believer, and to diligently and faithfully pursue a
life that doesn’t hide my faith and excuse my sins, but is focused on 
pleasing You. Thank You for the promises for those who have run 
the race mapped by You, who have fought the good fight, and who
have kept the faith.”

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