Joy: Week 4 - Day 5
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to have your joy. Amen.
“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too, God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
REFLECT:
I grew up in the era when “Hell Fire and Brimstone” sermons were used in revivals and they scared me to death as an elementary and high school student (even into adulthood). Paul does not view it that way because he sees joy in our citizenship in heaven.
Probably the best descriptor of what we must look forward to is John 14:1-3 (NLT), “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” Paul says we are to eagerly await our Savior from there. This will be our source of joy.
I have read books on heaven which gave me a positive feeling about heaven and believed it was a place I wanted to be, but it was not until this spring that I really began to feel passionately about it. I watched a series by Dr. David Jeremiah on heaven. It is by far the best series I have heard on heaven because it is completely built on Scripture without the conjectures. The overall theme is based on these principles:
1. Our redeemer is in heaven - Hebrews 9:22
2. Our relationships are in heaven - Hebrews 12:23
3. Our resources are in heaven - 1 Peter 1:3-4
4. Our residence is in heaven - Philippians 3:20
5. Our reward is in heaven - Matthew 5:12
6. Our riches are in heaven - Matthew 16:19-21
7. Our reservation is in heaven - Revelation 21:27
As a result of this Scripture-based study, I am beginning to understand Paul’s joy in heavenly citizenship.
APPLY:
If you want to experience the joy of citizenship in heaven, you cannot have your focus on earthy things. Turn your life over to Christ as your Savior and set your mind on heaven and the coming of Christ.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to set my mind on heaven and your return. Amen.