HEAVEN IS MORE THAN A "LATER" PLACE

God and faith and eternity are pretty big topics.  We are expected and invited to know them intricately.  For too many, I perceive, very little attention is given.  This is easy and nearly normal for these seem to draw with significant delight at the hypocrisy of us all.

Isn't is true, however, that nearly all wish to know the deep spiritual side of ourselves?  After all, we are very much more than arms, legs, eyes, lawns to mow and dishes to wash.  There is notably the sensitive, emotional, life part of us; the spiritual.

So here is something I would want to cheer you on about today.  Heaven is more than a place for later.  It enters believers in Jesus.  Philippians says we are citizens of heaven, now.

John Eldredge shared valuable insight; When we hear the words "eternal life", most of us tend to interpret that as "a life that waits for us in eternity."  But eternal means "unending", not "later".  The Scriptures use the term to mean we can never lose it.  It's a life that can't be taken from us.  The offer is life, and that life starts now.

It is Jesus who points out, Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Mt. 18:18).  Such a statement isn't for those beyond-the-cemetery years.  Rather it is leading us to the interaction believers have with the presence of eternity now, today, in our walk.

Due to the eternal nature there is to be a strong interaction factor with heaven and earth.  Thus, we accelerate in prayer because we believe our words rise higher than ceilings.  We find cheer in giving of our funds because we believe there is correlation between earths funding and heaven's reward.

Heaven is more than a "later" place.  It is a present system which blesses, upholds, and promotes the marriage of Jesus and his bride; the church.

One does not die and then go to heaven.  No, one dies to self here by being buried in Jesus at baptism and then heaven comes to live within us via the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).  That is a pretty major move!