Heaven…

Wow, it’s been a while.  Well let me give a quick recap of what I have been up to for the last year that I haven’t written on my blog!  I finished my master’s degree and it was a whirlwind of a year.  I must say that it was a lot of work, but I learned so much and now God has blessed me with a new job since I graduated.  I am so happy and grateful with where I am at now.  I have been enjoying being able to spend more time with my husband now that I don’t have homework to do 😉

I started going to a bible study again and we have been learning about heaven.  I must say that it has really blown me away and given me a fresh excitement and awe for the creative and abundant works of God.  I never really understood before how incredibly amazing and beautiful and perfect it will be in heaven.  The beauty and the love that we experience here on earth gives us just a glimpse into the perfect eternity that God wants us to spend with Him.  Can you imagine a city that is so beautiful that is glistens with the colors of gemstones, is paved with gold, and where there is no strife, no pain, no sickness, and no need for the sun because the presence of God will shine on everything?  It’s breathtaking and hard to even imagine for me.  It makes me thank God at the end of each day that I am one day closer to getting to meet Jesus face to face.

Revelations 21:1-6 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.”

When I close my eyes and think about these promises, I am overcome with awe!

In Revelations 22:1-5, John describes heaven even further, “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.”

I find this all so fascinating! I will share more as I continue learning.

What do you look forward to or know about or want to know about heaven?  I would love to hear from you.

I wanted to share a song about heaven and found this great video of Wynonna Judd singing “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe.  She opens the song by sharing her testimony and it is so touching to hear her story.

‘Down to Earth Talk about Heaven’

‘Don’t focus on what God has called someone else to do, focus on what he has called you to do.’ Pastor Greg Laurie

This morning I listened to a talk by Greg Laurie that I found really enlightening.  I wanted to share it with you.  It is a half hour talk, so when you have a little time I recommend listening.

Down to Earth Talk about Heaven by Pastor Greg Laurie

Heaven

Most people would say that they would rather go to heaven than hell, regardless if they really believe in the existence of either place.  Does the thought of spending eternity somewhere make you a little uneasy?  What comes to your mind when you think about heaven? Is it a place with fluffy clouds and angels flying around? Is it a garden? Are there harps and choirs?  Those are the images that are often depicted in films, shows, and paintings.

What is heaven really?

It’s the dwelling place of God.  So, a longing to go to heaven is really a longing to be with God.

So what is his dwelling place like?

It is a place of joy.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever.’ Revelations 21:4

Heaven will be beautiful. ‘It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone-like jasper as clear as crystal.’ Revelations 21:11

It is where you can see God and have a full understanding of all the things that we can’t understand here on earth.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 In heaven, ‘You (God) will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.’ Psalm 16:11

So, ‘set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of the earth.’ Colossians 3:1-2

I long for heaven.  I long for an eternity of joy with the ones that I love.  I pray that all of my family and friends will be in heaven too.  Jesus said, “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am.” John 17:24