Promise for Today - Not In Heaven

Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful? They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. So what can you do when you know so little, and these mysteries outreach the earth and the ocean? 

Job 11:7-9 Common English Version

When I was a little boy, we traveled to Disneyland for a family vacation. On the way there, my dad explained to me what it was going to be like. But no matter how he tried, there was no way for me to understand just how amazing that place was until I walked into the park for the first time. It far surpassed anything I had imagined it to be!

Heaven is a mystery that you will not fully understand until you arrive there. But the Bible does give important information about eternity, including five things that will not be in heaven.

In heaven, there will be no sickness. 

The Bible says, “This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried . . . it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43 GNT). There won’t be any sickness because you’re going to get a new, perfect body.

In heaven, there will be no sadness. 

God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4 NIV). God has kept a record of your tears and pain because he cares about you. But when you get to heaven, there will be no more broken hearts, rejection, loneliness, grief, or heartache.

In heaven, there will be no suffering. 

The Bible says, “‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat” (Revelation 7:16 NIV). Every one of your needs will be satisfied in heaven.

In heaven, there will be no sin. 

“God . . . will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault” (Jude 1:24 NLT). Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid for all your sin so that when you see him face to face, your character will be instantly changed to be like him.

In heaven, there will be no death. 

“There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4 NLT). Heaven is glorious in many ways, but the best part is that you get to be in God’s presence—forever.

The Bible says, “We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. . . . Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us” (1 Corinthians 13:9, 12 CEV).

One day, it’s all going to be clear. It’s all going to make sense. You’re going to be able to say, “So that’s why God allowed that in my life!” Until then, God wants you to trust him.

Talk It Over

Is it enough for you that in heaven God promises to take away all suffering, sickness, and sadness, even though you must endure those things now? Why or why not?

What are you most looking forward to about heaven?

In what ways can you become more like Christ while you are here on earth? Why is it important to do so?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that all of it is Truth and everlasting proof of Your love for us. Thank You for all the promises of Yes and Amen. Thank You for the hardships in this life that have shaped and molded us into Your desired image for us. Thank You that there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever! We look forward to that glorious day. Even so, Come, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Certainty of Forever

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 

1 John 5:13 (NLT)

You probably have a picture that comes to mind when you think about what hell must be like. Your image likely has some red and black tones in it, a lot of fire, and maybe the devil looming over everything.

Hell is described in the Bible as a place of torment. Matthew 13:42 says it is a “blazing furnace, where the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain” (NCV). That description sounds terrible, but do you know what the worst part of hell is? Hell is total separation from God, which means hell is the exact opposite of everything God is.

The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (NIV). The opposite of love is fear. Living without love means you’re scared to death all the time. God is love, so there is no love in hell. God is light, so hell is complete darkness. God is good, so there is absolutely nothing good in hell. God is life, so that means hell is eternal death. God is gracious, so that means there’s no grace in hell.

Just think what eternity would be like without the joy of knowing God and being loved by him—an eternity without any joy at all.

It would be terrible—unthinkable, really. But that is the reality for anyone who does not choose to love and follow Jesus in this life. The Bible says, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be separated from God—lost forever!” (1 Corinthians 16:22 NCV).

If you go through your entire life saying, “I don’t want God in my life,” then that means you will also spend eternity without God. Whatever you choose on earth is your forever choice.

But there is good news! There is a way for you to be absolutely certain you’re going to heaven and not hell. The Bible tells you how to settle your destiny: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NLT).

You don’t have to guess or wonder about something that is inevitable and could happen at any moment. You can know for certain today that when you die, you will spend eternity in God’s presence. Don’t put it off any longer.  Settle your future today.

Talk It Over

Why do you think so many people put off deciding something so important when they know death could come at any moment?

What would you say to someone who thinks they have been good enough to get into heaven?

How do you live differently because you are certain about where you will spend eternity?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Open our eyes to see Your Truth. Open our hearts to receive it. Open our minds to understand the importance of how we live to be certain of spending eternity with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Heaven via G.P.S.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

Over the years, I’ve encountered people who want to deny the existence of evil. They think that people are basically good and by nature unselfish, and that they naturally put the needs of others before their own.

I always wonder if those people have ever read the news! You don’t have to look far to see that the world is filled with broken relationships, broken promises, and sin. Evil is all around you—from world politics to local conflicts, you can see hatred, bitterness, and corruption. And because sin and evil exist, hell also exists.

What was true in Noah’s day is still true today: “The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness . . . and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart” (Genesis 6:5-6 NLT).

When God looks at all the wrong, evil things that are done in the world, it breaks his heart—because he loves everyone and wants us to learn to love each other.

But God is also holy and just. He is perfect and cannot sin. So one day he will settle the score and right the wrongs: “He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth” (Psalm 96:13 NLT).

Until then, God has given you free will so that you can choose to love him—and love involves a choice. That’s why this world is still broken by sin. But in heaven, there is no sin. It’s a completely perfect place.

If heaven is a perfect place, then that means only perfect people get to go there. Of course, that’s a problem—because you’re not perfect, and neither am I. No one is perfect! If you’re made to last forever and you’re not perfect, you can't go to a perfect place like heaven. So, where will you go? The Bible says hell.

But thank God! He has made a way—through Jesus Christ, his Son—for you to join him in heaven. [You need GPS - God's Perfect Son]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18 NIV).

Hell is real. So is heaven. Choose Christ, and there is no condemnation. The choice is yours!

Talk It Over

Why is it important to be straightforward about the existence of hell when you talk to people about the gospel?

How would you respond to someone who asks, “Why do you believe hell exists?”

Do you think God can have love without exacting justice? Why or why not?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for making a way for us to stand before You holy and without sin, through Christ our Lord, according to Your Word. It is only in our choosing to follow Jesus and accept His atonement for us that we can make Heaven.  Give us Your strength to walk in righteous choices so that we have eternity with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

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SPECIAL NOTE from Pastor Rick

Will you choose to spend eternity with God?
The Bible says, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). If you’re ready to turn away from your sins and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer:

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Promise for Today - No Putting It Off

We are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)

We’ve been talking about eternal realities so that you can clearly see why you need to choose heaven.  Yes, you get to choose where you’re going to spend eternity. But you have to choose now while you’re alive, not after you’re dead. There’s no going back! God gives you an entire lifetime to make the right decision. If you keep putting it off, then there will be no second chance to get it right once you’ve died.

The Bible talks about what happens when we’re away from our earthly bodies—“for then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). There is no halfway house between heaven and hell. There’s no intermediate state. There’s no limbo. You may have heard the term “purgatory.” Although the idea developed over time in church history, it is not taught in Scripture.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, there was a man next to him who had been a criminal his entire life. In his last seconds, the man surrendered his life to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 NKJV). All he knew about salvation was that Jesus could save him. He didn’t know all the doctrines or theology. He didn’t know all the “right” words. He just said “yes” to Jesus. Because of the man’s faith, Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV).

To get into heaven, all it takes on your part is saying “yes” to Jesus Christ. That’s it! The promise is that you are then guaranteed to be with God when you die and to spend eternity in the joy of his presence.

But you have only one life to make the choice to follow Jesus. And God has done everything to make sure you can get into heaven. Now you just need to receive his promise.

Today, you have the opportunity to choose where you’ll spend eternity. Don’t put it off!

Talk It Over

Why do you think so many people believe they can put off making the decision of whether or not to become a Christian?

How does the story of the criminal on the cross next to Jesus give you hope?

This week, who will you share with about the urgency of making a choice to follow Jesus?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us from our sins and make the way for us to be in right relationship with You. Give us divine opportunities and the boldness to lift Him up so that His love story will draw all hearers to salvation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Choosing Up

He has planted eternity in the human heart. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

Heaven and hell are real. God wants you to understand this eternal reality, along with the realities of life that are found in His Word.

The first reality of life is that God made you so He could love you, and he wants you to learn to love him back. The Great Commandment says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NIV).

The second reality of life is this: You were made to last forever. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has planted eternity in the human heart” (NLT). No matter how good things are on this planet, at some point in your life, you’ll think, “There’s got to be more than this.”

And there is! You’re going to spend far more time on the other side of death than on this side. This life is preparation for your life in eternity.

Because of that, you have the third reality of life: God has prepared two eternal places, heaven and hell.

God has been preparing heaven since the foundation of the world. Jesus says in Matthew 25:34, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world” (NLT). You don’t have to stay forever on a planet broken by sin. You can choose to go to a place of perfection and be in God’s presence forever.

But hell is also a real place. Jesus goes on to say, “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (Matthew 25:41 NLT). Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, who rebelled against God. But now it is a reality for anyone who chooses to rebel against God.

When I spend time talking about the reality of hell, it’s not because I want you to be scared and depressed. I want you to understand the truth about hell so that you can fully embrace the fourth reality of life: You get to choose where you’ll spend eternity.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life” (GNT).

God wants you to choose life and to spend eternity with him. He’s opened the door to heaven through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus promised, “Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 CEV).

When you choose to believe in Jesus, you’re guaranteed everlasting life with God in heaven. What a promise!

Talk It Over

Why do you think God gives you the choice of whether or not to love him?

How does understanding the reality of hell help you better understand God’s love?

In what ways is God preparing you now for eternity?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Everything we've experienced and everything we have learned has brought us to this place of choosing. We realize it's not as easy as the childhood question of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We now know it's about making a decisive choice to follow Jesus. We realize it means living with eternity in mind, aligning our actions with Your Truth, practicing forgiveness, and seeking Your guidance in all matters. Father, we need Your ever-present wisdom and guidance to know that eternal life choices are about making the conscious, ongoing. daily decision to follow in the footsteps of truth, to accept Your forgiveness, and to live in obedience — knowing that these choices have lasting consequences beyond this life. Father, we choose You and Your Way. Help us to walk uprightly in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Eternal Realities

Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 (CEV)

Everything you see around you is temporary. It’s what you can’t see that will last forever. And those eternal, spiritual realities are what truly matter.

The truth is, spiritual realities are just as real as physical realities. And you need to be sure to focus on the spiritual ones—because they are part of reality. Here are five spiritual realities you need to understand:

God made you to love you. 

Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (NIV). God created you to love you, and he wants you to learn to love him back. This is the most important reality of life.

You were made to last forever. 

The Bible says, “He has... set eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). The evangelist Billy Graham talked about death this way: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” He is in the presence of God now.

God has prepared two eternal places. 

Both heaven and hell are real, literal places. They’re not just “states of being.”

You get to choose where you’ll spend eternity. 

You won’t accidentally find yourself in heaven or hell one day. You’ll be where you are because of a choice you made. If you choose to make Jesus the boss of your life, you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. If you choose to reject him, you’ll spend forever in hell. There are no other options.

Once you die, you don't get a second chance to make your choice. 

You have your entire life to make the decision about where you’ll spend eternity, but you can’t change your mind after death.

What you do with these five truths will affect your eternal destiny and transform how you live on this side of eternity.

Life on earth is always uncertain, so if you haven’t already made the choice for Jesus, go ahead and do it today. 

Talk It Over

Why is it important to keep your mind focused on the things that cannot be seen?

What unseen spiritual realities has God helped you to be particularly aware of?

Why do you think God gives you your whole life to make a decision about Jesus, but he doesn’t give you a second chance to decide after death?

- by Pastor Rick

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If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

Dear Jesus, 

                 You have promised that if we believe in You, everything we’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven. We will learn the purpose You have for our life, and You will accept us into Your eternal home in heaven one day.
         We confess our sin, and we believe that You are God, our Savior. We receive You into our lives as our Lord. Today, we're turning over every part of our life to Your management. You have the right to call the shots in our life.
         Jesus, we want to relax in Your love. Thank You that we don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. You did it all for us already. We want to use the rest of our lives to serve You instead of serving ourselves. 

I humbly commit my life to You, and ask You to save me and accept me into Your family. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Wise Investments

Though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have because of your kindness. 

Philippians 4:17 (TLB)

Every time you’re generous, you invest in your eternal home.

Jesus called this principle “storing up treasure in heaven.” He actually used this phrase six times in the Bible! When Jesus says something six times, you'd better pay attention. If you don’t, you’re going to miss seeing the blessing.

In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal”.

Most people get less than 100 years on this planet. And when you leave, you leave all earthly treasure behind. But you will get to enjoy your heavenly treasure for eternity.

So how do you store up treasure in heaven? How do you send it on ahead? One of the best ways to do that is by investing in people. And I’m not talking about earning your salvation, because that’s already been secured by Jesus.

God wants you to invest in people because those investments have eternal effects and rewards. There are only two things that will last forever: the Word of God and people. People will spend eternity in either heaven or hell, and your investment in someone could make all the difference.

Philippians 4:17 says in The Living Bible paraphrase, “Though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have because of your kindness.”

Paul wrote to the Philippians to express his appreciation for their support. But he said what meant the most—what brought him the most joy—was knowing that their sacrifice and generosity gave them treasure in heaven. They invested in him, but they also invested in their eternal home.

You will be rewarded for everything you’ve given away. Are you giving away your time? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven. Are you giving away your energy? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven. Are you giving away your money? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven.

There are opportunities all around you to be generous with your love, time, energy, and money, and invest in your eternal home. Don’t miss them!

Talk It Over

In what ways are you using your time, energy, and money to invest in people?

Is it hardest for you to be generous with your time, with your energy, or with your money? Ask God for faith to be generous in that area so that you can experience his blessing.

How can you cultivate a lifestyle of storing treasure in heaven rather than here on earth?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for being selfish with our love, our time, energy, and our money. Help us to keep uppermost in our minds to be like You - indescribably, overwhelmingly generous to all and in all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen