Scripture
1Peter chapter 1 and 4
Observations/Applications
1:4 refers to the priceless inheritance we have in heaven “so be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead”. So this brings up a question; are we excited about heaven? Are we looking forward to our inheritance in Christ? When thinking about eternal life there are so many things to be excited about; new bodies (2 Corinthians 5:4) that won’t break down or grow weak, bodies that don’t get sick. These bodies are eternal ones, which mean they are in it for the long haul. Another reason to be excited about heaven is that we won’t find ourselves falling into sin any more. We all fall short of the glory of God, but in heaven we will be made perfect. We get discouraged at our continual sin, when we miss the mark and do the things we don’t want to do, satan puts thoughts in our minds of feeling inferior; no more falling short in heaven. That’s not even the best part… finally being with our heavenly father. No gap or separation from God, in going to heaven, we get to have the relationship with God that we desire so much now. No more longing because we would have arrived. I am truly excited about the things to come and Peter was clear that everything we suffer through on earth is merely to build us strong in our faith, keeping in mind the prize of eternal life.
There are so many good thoughts in today’s devotions, but I can’t seem to get away from the joy of heavenJ Because it isn’t something seen today I believe we have a tendency to forget that it is at hand and that our commission is to share the hope and joy of Christ. The goal on Gods end is that nobody would perish but all to come into the knowledge of Him, so that they might be fully reconciled with Him in heaven. Heaven needs to be in our minds more than every so often because it’s our home; we are described as aliens or foreigners on this earth because life here is merely a vapor or a breath. It’s over in a blink of an eye compared to eternity… in HEAVEN! It’s the end result and to be something while on earth we should be striving for. Even in Jesus teaching us to pray he says pray heaven to earth.
Prayer
Lord, allow my thoughts to be on things above. Help me to call heaven down to earth as we should be like in heaven, no sickness, cold homes, or starving people. I ask for it to be on earth as it is in heaven. Heavenly father, thank you for your son Jesus, who died making it possible for us to be reconciled to you; for it is only by him we can be saved. Continue to work in me a heart for your people, that my time would become your time and my thoughts yours as well. I love you lord. Make this all be so in Jesus name I pray, amen.
Additional notes – Christmas Party this Saturday morning! For details check the youth page out at rhapsodychurch.com
Also, we are giving out food boxes to families on Sunday morning at Rhapsody church. We are gathering at the YMCA at 10am for normal service, then afterward, we are taking the food boxes to families around the city who are in need. I’m pumped to see the cool ministry opportunities. Don’t miss it!
Blessings,
Pastor Ben
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