Don’t Worry, Because Heaven! (DW6}

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-5; Colossians 3:1-4

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NLT) Christian believers were experiencing persecution and hardships during the time the New Testament covers. Many of them were facing the loss of everything they owned. They lost jobs, businesses, homes, and their freedom. Their future on earth, in this life, was uncertain at best! But their hope was not in this world only. The thing they clung to for hope in uncertain times and circumstances was their unshakable hope and sure expectation of eternal life.

When life is smooth and predictable, we have a false sense of control and we tend to think only of the here and now. But when we face uncertainties or loss, we begin to realize the only thing we can actually control is our attitude and our response to the next challenge. We too must set our hearts on the realities of heaven!
• Paul said: I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (Philippians 3:7 NLT)
• Jesus said: Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. (Matthew 5:12 NLT)
• Paul again: This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. (Titus 1:2 NLT) Friends, our hope is not only in prosperity, success, health, comfort, and safety in this life. In fact Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians that if our hope is only in this life, we might as well give up! Reality is that in this life we are subject to loss, to illness, to danger and to all the realities of a fallen world. Please capture these two scriptures, memorize them, write them down, keep them handy. Have them ready when you need them: Colossians 1:3-5; Colossians 3:1-4. Prayer: Father, It’s so easy to drift along the “path of least resistance” when life is smooth and all seems well. But we know it’s not always that way. Help us to set our hearts on heaven for our own challenging times and so we can encourage others along the way. Thank you for the assurance that this life isn’t all there is! Amen!