Greetings Saints and Friends,
​There was a time many years ago, when a family of musicians came to our church and blessed us with a variety of rich and warm hymns that reminded everyone of God’s great love and faithfulness toward all of us. Each of the instruments they played was hand-crafted and sounded so beautiful.
Between hymns, the wife and mother of the family told us the story behind the hymn. I can remember a story she shared from her own childhood. She began, “When I was a young girl growing up in the hills of Kentucky, I had dreams of going to the big city. I didn’t know how I could ever go when my only dress had three patches and I had never worn a pair of shoes. But I never lost sight of that dream and prayed every night that God would fulfill my request.” She continued, “Well, a traveling preacher came to our little church in the hills and he told us of a grand city that is beyond compare. A city where there will be no night because the Son of God gives it light. That even right now, Jesus is preparing places for all His beloved to live. When he finished describing this big wonderful city with its jasper stone, gates made of pearl, complete with angels, a crystal river, and a street of gold, I knew God had answered my prayer and wanted me there. But what about my dress and lack of shoes? As if the preacher was reading my mind, he went on to mention that the children of God will be dressed in white robes. And as far as shoes, he hadn’t a word. Having already placed my faith in Jesus as my Savior because He died for my sins and rose again, I was all ready to go! And he agreed. He said, ‘When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, your sins are forgiven and your eternal home will be Heaven.’ Then he held up a coal shovel like my daddy used and said, ‘But, until it’s time for you to go, your Heavenly Father has some work right here for you to do.’ Then he quoted the Apostle Paul, ‘If I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor.’ Philippians. 1:22 He said, out of thankful hearts, every Christian should strive to do something for our Savior. He suggested, praying for others would be a great way to begin. And tell them about Heaven and how to get in.
Well, I met my husband, we began our family, and each of us sings and plays an instrument for the Lord.” With that, she looked at her family and said, “Let’s sing another one for Him!” ‘I’ve got a mansion just over the hill-top, in that bright land where we’ll never grow old; and some day yonder we will never more wander, but walk the streets that are purest gold.’ That lady and her family, so many years ago, instilled in my heart a longing for Heaven that I have not lost.
How about you? Do you long for a place where there is no sickness, sorrow, or pain? The Father’s house is described in the Bible as a perfect home of peace, love, and joy forever. Every day on earth seems to make my heart yearn that much more to be with Jesus in that great city. Like the apostle Paul, who was in prison for being a Christian, wrote to the Philippians, ‘I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.’ Philippians 1:23 In part, our desire to be at home with the Lord in Heaven helps us through each day as time winds down. That desire should be a contagious part of our life that attracts others to the sure steadfast hope in Jesus that we possess. ‘Grin and bear it’, is a motto that belongs to a world without hope. ‘Jesus, help me through another day until it’s time to go!’ is a wonderful reminder that He is always available for the strength we need in a world that’s not our home. Soon, the trumpet will sound announcing the arrival of the Lord. As Paul wrote: ‘For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
​There is only one way to know for sure that you are going to that glorious place called Heaven where the Father lives. Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ John 14:6
You can make your reservation for Heaven right now by telling Him from your heart: ‘Jesus, I’m a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again. Save me and help me to live for You until it’s time to go. In Jesus’ name, Amen’