January 28th 2018
When You Die, Jesus Will Take You To The Heavenly Place He Has Prepared For Just You!
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is amazing how some people are influenced to see a problem, and literally drop whatever they are doing, and go help someone who is in need. Sometimes the person going to the aid of someone else, it seems like an obvious thing to do, because they know the person(s) in need, but sometimes we are told they are going to help strangers, people they are not related to or even know at all. Paul wrote about how true believers should all become such people, and we should help everyone who needs help. Paul then emphasized that disciples should always be ready to do such good deeds, as he wrote, “Let us not become weary in doing good.” Paul then farther emphasized that we should especially always be ready to help our brother and sister through Christ, when he wrote, “especially to those who belong to the family of believers. “
James wrote some ‘hold your feet to the fire” verses about being willing to help your brothers and sisters when they are in need. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17). Remember in the big picture all members of mankind are brother and sisters, even those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. Is your faith accompanied by wanting to perform good deeds? Also remember, it is possible to help those in need by donating stuff or money to organizations that would pass on this help to those in need. If you are like me, you do not have time and/or energy to actually go help those in need directly. If you can go to help someone there is usually a bigger reward felt by you!
It is very important to remember that many people may not have a physical need, but they have a real spiritual need, and you may be able to help such people, by first listening to their need, and then praying for God’s help for them. It may also be possible that just by sharing your faith that they may be encouraged and seek the Lord through prayer. Paul wrote about how there may be mutual encouragement possible through sharing your faith with others. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romans 1:11-12). The best place to do this is by attending a church of your choice very often! No, only going there on Easter, Christmas and for funerals and weddings, is NOT enough. Being a nominal Christian is better than nothing, but not by much!
The writer of Acts reports about how Peter and the other apostles became very bold about their faith and overcame their fear of people who professed a worldly religion and may have persecuted them because of their faith in Jesus Christ! Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:29-32). Here we are reminded that true believers are rewarded or awarded the Holy Spirit, who will give believers the ability to witness their faith to non-believers. Though we were not present with Peter, and did not see the Lord, as believers we are awarded the Holy Spirit, if we are obeying God. As Peter said, we too have “the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
Jesus prompted His followers to be fearless of the persecutions on men. Doing this however, may put you in harm’s way, and here Jesus is telling us to suffer or even die for Jesus and we will be rewarded in the afterlife. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:27-28). Jesus is actually telling us here that we do not need to fear death, because our salvation has been assured, by the perfect sacrifice Jesus offered for our gift of salvation through grace. Therefore, we do not need to fear death! If, however, you have not accepted salvation you need to fear Satan who is “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The only Way to avoid going to hell when you die is by accepting salvation by claiming Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior!
Jesus proclaimed to be the Savior when Thomas questions where Jesus was going to go, and thus, Thomas asked how he, or any of us, could know the way there. Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:5-7). Not only did Jesus claim to be the only Savior, He also claimed to be God, as He says,” If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Jesus is saying in seeing Me, you have seen the Father too.
Jesus said that not only was He The Way to heaven, but He also told His disciples that He was going to heaven ahead of them, but that He was going to prepare a place for them (us), and He would come back a guide us to where He is! In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3). There is no reason to fear death as Jesus will come back and meet you and guide you to where He is, and Jesus will take you to the heavenly place He has prepared for just you!
A place in heaven has prepared for you by Jesus Christ!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is amazing how some people are influenced to see a problem, and literally drop whatever they are doing, and go help someone who is in need. Sometimes the person going to the aid of someone else, it seems like an obvious thing to do, because they know the person(s) in need, but sometimes we are told they are going to help strangers, people they are not related to or even know at all. Paul wrote about how true believers should all become such people, and we should help everyone who needs help. Paul then emphasized that disciples should always be ready to do such good deeds, as he wrote, “Let us not become weary in doing good.” Paul then farther emphasized that we should especially always be ready to help our brother and sister through Christ, when he wrote, “especially to those who belong to the family of believers. “
James wrote some ‘hold your feet to the fire” verses about being willing to help your brothers and sisters when they are in need. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17). Remember in the big picture all members of mankind are brother and sisters, even those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. Is your faith accompanied by wanting to perform good deeds? Also remember, it is possible to help those in need by donating stuff or money to organizations that would pass on this help to those in need. If you are like me, you do not have time and/or energy to actually go help those in need directly. If you can go to help someone there is usually a bigger reward felt by you!
It is very important to remember that many people may not have a physical need, but they have a real spiritual need, and you may be able to help such people, by first listening to their need, and then praying for God’s help for them. It may also be possible that just by sharing your faith that they may be encouraged and seek the Lord through prayer. Paul wrote about how there may be mutual encouragement possible through sharing your faith with others. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romans 1:11-12). The best place to do this is by attending a church of your choice very often! No, only going there on Easter, Christmas and for funerals and weddings, is NOT enough. Being a nominal Christian is better than nothing, but not by much!
The writer of Acts reports about how Peter and the other apostles became very bold about their faith and overcame their fear of people who professed a worldly religion and may have persecuted them because of their faith in Jesus Christ! Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:29-32). Here we are reminded that true believers are rewarded or awarded the Holy Spirit, who will give believers the ability to witness their faith to non-believers. Though we were not present with Peter, and did not see the Lord, as believers we are awarded the Holy Spirit, if we are obeying God. As Peter said, we too have “the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
Jesus prompted His followers to be fearless of the persecutions on men. Doing this however, may put you in harm’s way, and here Jesus is telling us to suffer or even die for Jesus and we will be rewarded in the afterlife. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:27-28). Jesus is actually telling us here that we do not need to fear death, because our salvation has been assured, by the perfect sacrifice Jesus offered for our gift of salvation through grace. Therefore, we do not need to fear death! If, however, you have not accepted salvation you need to fear Satan who is “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The only Way to avoid going to hell when you die is by accepting salvation by claiming Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior!
Jesus proclaimed to be the Savior when Thomas questions where Jesus was going to go, and thus, Thomas asked how he, or any of us, could know the way there. Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:5-7). Not only did Jesus claim to be the only Savior, He also claimed to be God, as He says,” If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Jesus is saying in seeing Me, you have seen the Father too.
Jesus said that not only was He The Way to heaven, but He also told His disciples that He was going to heaven ahead of them, but that He was going to prepare a place for them (us), and He would come back a guide us to where He is! In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3). There is no reason to fear death as Jesus will come back and meet you and guide you to where He is, and Jesus will take you to the heavenly place He has prepared for just you!
A place in heaven has prepared for you by Jesus Christ!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak