Eternal Promised Land

 

    The eternal promised land is Heaven.  It is promised to everyone who follows Jesus faithfully.  Not everyone will get to enter the promised land because of sin.  God can't be where sin is, so Heaven is a sin free place.

    As Christians, everyday is a part of our journey with God.  Every day we get a little closer to Heaven.  That is why we can't become complacent.  We can't afford to lose sight of our destination.  To know where we stand we each have to ask ourselves some questions.  Do I have a personal relationship with God?  Do I yearn to be with God?  Is it all knowledge or is it faith?  The answer to these questions will tell you where you are headed today.

    Eternity is beyond complete comprehension.  We have an idea and it may be overwhelming with it's vastness, but we don't really fully understand it.  If we did, I don't think anyone would get distracted and lose focus from the end game.  We are working to spend eternity with God in a place where we will be fulfilled, find true rest, and peace.

    When you enter the eternal promised land, you have reached the goal.  It will be a new life.  You no longer have to fight, struggle, or push through.  You will have made it.  It will be time of worship.  How could you not worship God when you see all He has done for you in the grand scope.

    We need to be grateful now while we are alive.  Jesus is the main part of our identity.  God created us to be your truest and purest selves.  To be holy is to respond to God's presence in worship.  It is more than actions.  It is an attitude.  It is response to the greatest joy.

Genesis 12:1-3, Deuteronomy 8:6-10, Psalm 37:10-11, John 3:31-36, Hebrew 11:13-16, & Revelations 21:1-4

Heaven

 

    In Heaven, the greatest, most pure things in life will be amplified.  There is no point of reference on what to expect eternity to be like everyday.  We only have the truth that is found in God's Word.  Revelations does a great job to give you an idea of how astonishing it will be.  It will have riches and nature to meet the expectations of all types of personalities.  Even our bodies will be better.

    Christians are blessed to have the Holy Spirit minister to our hearts.  Him living in your soul provides an infinite state of blessings.  It also has the soul yearning for perfection.  The Holy Spirit knows what awaits you in Heaven.  He does not want you to become complacent here with the status quo.  He wants you to remember the finish line.

    You have to die to gain.  That means that we have to die to our self-centered nature to live for Jesus every day.    What we gain will be seen in Heaven.  God has blessed us with life, but eternal life last a lot longer.  It last longer than we can wrap our minds around, so it is worth investing into that time.

    As long as you are alive, you have a purpose on Earth.  Life is full of ups and downs, good times and disappointments.  Heaven is home for Christians.  We will never truly feel at home here.  Instead of trying to fit in, work on knowing what God wants you to do each day.  When He is ready, He will bring you home.  Life is so short.  Don't waste it.  Do not become too attached to this world that your purpose begins to fade.

    Look at reality without any hinderances.  Set your mind on your eternal home and live for God.  It is that simple, yet can be so hard at times.  Life is really good with distractions.  Stay focused and work to advance the kingdom of God with more people.  Souls and eternity are the reality that matters most.  It all starts with your relationship with Jesus.

John 3:31-36, 14:1-4,  2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Philippians 1:20-24, 3:17-21, Hebrews 11:13-16, & Revelations 21:3-4, 22:1-6

Professed Faith

 

    Faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation.  To profess faith is tell the world that truth.  Nothing you do will ever be enough to earn our place into Heaven.  All of your best efforts come from a self driven purpose.  Jesus is the only way to change that.  

    Jesus is real.  He is the best teacher, philosopher, and miracle worker.  He is the son of God.  He understands the concepts of life and what we go through.  It is easy to get caught up in what is going on right now when you should be focusing on the eternal.  It puts light on what is happening now.  It gives depth to your perspective.

    Eternal life is for you.  Jesus coming to earth to live as a human, die sacrificially, and return again alive was all done on your behalf.  This is the truth that you need to trust.  He paid a high price for your sins.  He did not have to.  He did it in obedience to God's design for people.

    Jesus is your only hope.  Trust him to be sufficient.  You don't need to understand every aspect of what is happening.  You just need to believe in your eternal life with him.  Heaven is a place and a status for the soul.  Salvation changes the soul here and now.  When you enter Heaven, it will be in a transitioned body that is built for the eternal.  Your relationship will also go through a transformation.  I think that everything will become clear.

    Jesus was the full promise of God.  If you can believe that, then nothing evil or sin will ever tough your eternal soul again.  For now, you have to be content with a full life that holds joy despite circumstances.  God has prepared you for this.  Now you just have to live out the love that God puts in your heart.

Psalm 16:9-11, John 3:31-36, Romans 10:5-13, 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, 13:8-13, & Hebrew 4:14-16

Believe in Eternity

 

    When you believe that there is eternity it changes your perspective on some things.  If you choose to believe in Jesus and follow him, then you become thankful for eternity.  We see glimpses of fulfillment in God's promises here and now, but eternity is a long time.

    What God has in stored for His children is wonderful.  We have some expectations, but the reality will be so much better.  Faith is everlasting.  It sustains, encourages, enriches, and strengthens you.  No matter what you face for your faith it doesn't matter.  Eternity in Heaven with God is the prize.  The end of the race is at the entrance of Heaven's gates.

    The Holy Spirit living in you is profession of life.  He works in your heart and gets you ready for eternity.  He is your eternal gift while you are alive.  Jesus sacrificed was paid at a high price, so you can have salvation and spend eternity with him.  This reality that Heaven is your eternal home changes the mind and heart.

    The other side to reality about eternity is that if you don't go to Heaven, then you are going somewhere.  To choose not to follow Jesus faithfully means that your eternal home will not be in glorious peace with God.  It means that you chose to spend eternity in torment.  It may be hard to grasp, but there are no do overs or second chances when it comes to eternity.

Psalm 90:1-2, Ecclesiastes 3:9-13, Matthew 25:46, John 3:16-21, 31-36, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, & Revelations 14:11-15

Results of Forgiveness

 

    Forgiveness is the key to freedom.  When God forgives it gives people eternal life.  Jesus took our justice upon himself, so that we could live free.  Jesus' forgiveness makes you sinless.  When you choose to have faith and trust in Jesus, your guild is removed.

    The Holy Spirit changes us from within.  God took the death sentence from all who follow Jesus faithfully and replaced it with life.  There is no freedom in life like that freedom.  When God forgives you, Jesus forgets your sins.  They are permanently removed.  It is no longer something you will face on judgment day.  

    God's grace moves believers to a place of thanksgiving, transformation, glory, hope, and we become teachable.  Being forgiven by God is the ultimate reconciliation.  It turns us into ambassadors to tell the world what they could have.  How we treat people matters because we represent Jesus.  Other people should be able to see the gospel in your life and want to know Jesus because of it.

    The Results of forgiveness are freedom.  This freedom enables you to do good in a way that you never could before.  You receive peace that will rule your heart.  You live in harmony with other believers.  It allows your heart to hold thanksgiving and true love.  It also provides an eternal home with God.

Matthew 6:7-15, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Colossians 3:12-15, & 1 John 1:7-11

Cause for Forgiveness

 

    The cause of forgiveness is hope.  We acknowledge that we are sinners.  Then we confess our sins to God.  We will need to sincerely apologize to any wronged people at some point.  This is part of mourning our sins.  Then we turn away from our sins.  We let them go and sin no more.

    If you are not a Christian, then you are a slave to sin.  The sad part is that Christians are free, but so many still live like they are slaves to sin.  If you declare and walk in faith of Jesus, then he unlocked the lock to your chains to sin.  All you have to do is remove them and walk away from the burden.

    When you confess your faith in Jesus, it gives you the ability to be strong enough to walk away from your past sins.  This is why we need Jesus.  He is enough.  He saves.  He loves you no matter how bad you were before or are now.  He is the only way to restore your relationship with God.

    Jesus is the heart of salvation.  He is your on true rescuer.  He sought us while we were sinners and cleansed us if we decide to follow him faithfully.  He is your righteousness, living salvation, and faithfulness.  His holiness makes Christians holy no matter what their past was before.  That is what causes you to see your need for forgiveness.

John 1:6-9, 3:16-17, Romans 5:6-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, & 1 John 1:7-11

Need Forgiveness

 

    We all need forgiveness.  Like it or not, we have all sinned.  We all fall short of God's expectations for us.  Yet, He still loves us.  He never gives up on us.  He allows us to make our own choices including having a relationship with Him or not.  

    Did you know that not acknowledging that you are a sinner is a sin?  It is a sin because it denies the truth.  It denies the standards that God made for all people.  Sin is a common issue that all people struggle with.  No one is the exception.  Everyone has guilt, shame, and levels of distance from God.  The more sin there is in our lives, the more distant we become from God.  Sin is an universal issue that cannot be fixed on it's own.

    Sin is a reality of life.  It defies God's purpose for our lives.  We all defy God at some point.  Some of us do it more than others, but that doesn't matter.  Sin is sin.  One time is enough to condemn us.  We are born with a sinful nature and we need God to reveal the truth to us.  We can't change unless we choose to accept Jesus in faith.

    Sin always corrupts.  It breaks our relationship with God and brings judgment into our lives.  Judgment is more than punishment.  It is the consequences of choosing our path over a relationship with God.  Sin always has consequences.  If you are Christian, then you fall under the immediate judgment similar as a good parent.  However, if you deny God, then your judgment is eternal.

    You cannot escape your sin.  Jesus has to remove it.  There are no freebies.  No one can earn their way out of eternal consequences.  We have to go through Jesus' blood in faith that he is our redemption.  When we do, he takes away our well deserved punishment.  He already bled on the cross for it.

    We all need forgiveness.  Forgiveness is what frees us to become the people God designed us to be.  It frees our heart and soul to do good.  God's forgiveness shows us how to forgive other people for what they have done against us.  Most importantly forgiveness opens the relationship with God through Jesus to be lived out with the Holy Spirit with no more hinderances.  His forgiveness gives us hope, thanksgiving, harmony, and joy.  It gives us life.

1 Kings 8:27-30, Psalm 51:1-6, 133, Matthew 6:14-15, Romans 3:23-26, 5:12-17, 6:20-23, Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 3:12-15, & 1 John 1:8-10