Heaven on My Mind - Girlfriends in God - May 23, 2017

May 23, 2017
Heaven on My Mind
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Rejoice because your names are registered as citizens of heaven (Luke 10:20).

Friend to Friend

Heaven ... heaven is on my mind these days. My sweet father-in-law graduated to heaven a few weeks ago where I am sure He was met by Jesus, his precious wife, and so many friends and loved ones who have gone before him. 

Dad’s death vividly reminded me that this world is not my home. Heaven is. When I came to Christ in a personal relationship, my citizenship was changed from Earth to Heaven. And what a sweet exchange it was for me!

Heaven is where Jesus is.

Isaiah 63:15 “LORD, look down from the heavens and see; look at us from your wonderful and holy home in heaven.”

Heaven is a real place, a beautiful city of light.

Revelation 21:23 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God is its light, and the Lamb is the city's lamp.”

Heaven is the workmanship of God.

John 14:2 “There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Heaven is my eternal home.

Colossians 1:5 “You have this faith and love because of your hope, and what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven.”

When our son started high school, I was concerned. The new high school was much larger than the middle school he had attended. I could watch him from our front door until he walked through the front door of the middle school. The high school was farther away which meant we had to drive him. It was a good high school … but it was high school where everything seemed much bigger, more complicated and well, more dangerous.

The first day of school had my stomach tied in knots. Jered seemed fine, but I wondered if he was just faking it, trying to hide his nervousness from me. I kept myself busy after dropping him off at school where he disappeared into a crowd of what seemed like thousands of other high school students. I ran all my errands and cleaned house – twice. I had agreed to let Jered walk home with several of his friends who lived in our neighborhood. What was I thinking? I watched for him out his bedroom window for an hour. Just before panic set in, I spotted him walking down the sidewalk with two other boys. Jered looked fine, and he was even laughing! I took a deep breath and thanked God for taking care of our son.

When Jered walked in the front door, I was in the kitchen nonchalantly making sugar cookies – his favorite.

“Hi, Mom!” he said with a grin.

“Hi, Son! How was your day?” I replied.

“It was great! High school is awesome!” Jered answered.

“Were you nervous at all?” I asked.

He thought for a moment and then said, “Nope. Well, a little one time when I couldn’t find my class, but I just asked one of the teachers, and then I found it.”

Amazing! I had been nervous enough for both of us. I asked him if they had done anything interesting in any of the classes. Being a teacher, I knew the first day of school is often a day of simply getting settled in a classroom.

Jered grinned and said, “In one class, my teacher asked us “Where is home?”

What a great question for the first day of school!

“What did you say, Jered?” I asked.

Jered said, “Anywhere I am.”

Jered’s response stopped me in my tracks as I realized the profound truth behind it. Because I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I am always at home ... no matter where I am. Heaven is my certain hope … and the backdrop against which I live each day.

Jesus was a carpenter. He announced that He was going away to prepare for us a beautiful home in heaven. We know what kind of work He does. He created the universe in six days. He’s been working on heaven over 2,000 years. What a place it must be!

When the trials and troubles of daily life threaten to knock you off your feet, girlfriend, just remember ... this world is not your home. You are only passing through on your way to Heaven!

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to thank You for the promise of heaven. Help me remember that this world is not my home. When the hard days come, give me the strength to stand firm, knowing You are with me. My hope is in You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Heaven is the heart and soul of our faith. It is a reality. Read the following two verses. Record them in your journal. What new truth and hope about heaven does each verse give you?

• Isaiah 63:15 “LORD, look down from the heavens and see; look at us from Your wonderful and holy home in heaven.”
• Colossians 1:5 “You have this faith and love because of your hope, and what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven.”

More from the Girlfriends

We can learn to live each day filled with hope when we learn to live by faith, not by sight, with an expectant heart. Need help? Check out Mary’s MP3 download, I Have a Hope.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

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