Greetings Saints and Friends,
​“Dad, all those people here today for Grandpa’s memorial service sure had some nice things to say about him.” “Yes, they did, Son. And they were all true, too.” “Even what Mrs. Mildred said about him putting a frog in her desk, so when she opened the desk the frog jumped on her?!” “Yes, but that was many years ago when she and Grandpa were in school together as kids.” “Did you ever do that to Mom when you were going to school?” “Oh no. She would have been more likely to put a frog in my desk.” “I always liked spending time with Grandpa. He would tell me what life was like when he was a kid my age. Many times, what he told me sounded so different than today. He and I both wanted to go back to the ‘good old days!’ But Grandpa would talk more with me about the future, than the past. He shared with me a number of great truths from the Bible about going to heaven when it was time. He said the promises of the Bible were one of the key ingredients for his positive outlook every day. But there is one truth I don’t quite understand.” “What is that, Son?” “Grandpa would tell me that, like the Apostle Paul, he desired to depart for heaven to be with Christ. Philippians 1:23 And at the service today, Pastor Harold said that Grandpa is in heaven with Jesus, now. But at the cemetery, his body was put in the ground when they buried the coffin. How can Grandpa be in heaven?” “That’s a very good question, Son. Let me explain it to you from the Bible. When God creates each person, we have a body, a soul, and a spirit. Though we should always take good care of our body, it is a temporary home for the ‘real’ you. Your soul, which is the real ‘you’, is eternal and will always be in existence. Your personality, your likes and dislikes, everything that makes you ‘you’ is your soul. Jesus emphasized the immense value of our soul when He said, ‘What profit is it to any person if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul.’” Matthew 16:26 “What about our spirit?” “Our spirit is what makes communion with God possible. But every person has a slight problem with our spirit when we are born.” “What’s the problem?”
“We are born spiritually dead. Ephesians 2:1 That’s why Jesus said, ‘You must be born again or you cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 “How is someone born again, Dad?” “That is a great question, Son. One of the religious leaders asked Jesus the same question. Jesus said, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16 ‘Everlasting life’ speaks of our spirit. When any person trusts in Jesus, the Bible says God makes our spirit alive! That is our spiritual life and connection with God. Every time we praise God, pray to God, and worship God, our spirit is our powerful connection to Him. Not only that, but we receive the Holy Spirit as well, Who works out great things in our lives if we trust and obey.” “Okay, Dad. So we have a temporary body, an everlasting soul, and spiritual life – if we trust in Jesus. But what does that have to do with Grandpa being with Jesus?” “Son, when our earthly body gives way to physical death, our spirit and soul, the real you, go to be with Jesus. Remember when Jesus was crucified. One of the criminals crucified with Him, trusted in Jesus. And Jesus told him, ‘Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.’ Luke 23:43 The Apostle Paul, who looked so forward to being with the Lord said, ‘We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’ 2 Corinthians 5:8 Though Grandpa has left his temporary body behind, he is more alive than ever before! He is with the Apostle Paul, his parents, and most importantly, rejoicing with Jesus!” “How can people in heaven recognize one another if their bodies are here?” “Well, we know that Jesus went back to heaven in His resurrected body. And the Bible says at the rapture all Christians will receive their forever body. So if God can give every person a temporary body for earthly living, I do not think it would be hard at all for God to give His children recognizable heavenly bodies until we all get our eternal bodies.” “I agree with you, Dad. Nothing is too hard for God!” “Pastor Harold said that includes accepting anyone that comes to Him through Jesus. Anyone can tell Him: ‘Thank You, Jesus, for paying for my sins when You died and rose again. Save me for heaven. Amen’