I heard the story of a preacher named Tim Lucas whose father passed away last Easter.
Tim shared stories about how his father was this sweet and Godly man, who always made time for his children.
One story that Tim shared was about how he sucked at baseball. He was a part of the team but spent most of his time sitting on the bench. Even though he didn’t play much, his father showed up every game. He was called by the coach just to pinch run bases in the final minutes of a decided match, but his father recorded every game and did not hold back on saying how proud he was of his son.
At the end of the baseball season, the players were invited to a thanksgiving dinner to receive special awards. As expected, Tim did not get a prize. When they went home, Tim’s father pulled over a few blocks from their house and said, “They forgot to give out one award.”
“No, they didn’t?” Tim responded.
“Let me see...” Tim’s father reached to the backseat of the car and pulled out an award that had Tim’s name on it.
The encryption said, “Highest on Base Percentage of a Pinch Runner in the 6th Inning or Later.” Tim’s father made up a stat line so that he could give Tim a trophy. Tim is still holding on to that trophy to this day.
When his father passed last Easter, it was a very difficult time for Tim and his family. The ones left behind were in a state of brokenness even though they knew that Tim’s father will have the best time with Jesus up in heaven. Their only hope is that they will be reunited with Tim’s father when it’s their time to step into eternity.
Tim’s story reminded me of what happens after we die. It seems that we rarely talk about it anymore. We focus too much on life here on earth that we put eternity aside.
Let’s be real. Everyone dies. Statistics say that three people die every second. I know it’s uncomfortable to think about death but whether we ponder on it or not, death is inevitable. We will all die, it’s just a question of when.
For this reason, I would like to talk about death in this devotional story. More importantly, we need to take time to discuss life after death. Here’s what we need to know:
There is judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
When we die there is judgment. We will go to heaven or hell when we die. The decisions we make here on earth will decide our destination. If you choose to believe that Jesus saved you, humble yourself and call Him Lord, then you are saved from the fires of hell. If you choose not to believe in Him, then you die a spiritual death meaning your soul will burn in hell for all eternity after you die.
Some people take the concept of hell very lightly. They think it’s just a mindset. Some just ignore it. What concerns me most is that there are movements from cults who are leading people to think that worshipping Satan will allow them to enjoy hell. Surely not! The Bible says hell is a place of eternal suffering. We wouldn’t want to spend a second in hell.
Jesus is the way.
John 14:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We can escape hell. There is a way to salvation. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. If we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we will go to heaven. We need to receive Jesus’ gift of salvation because we can’t be good enough to get there, we can’t save ourselves, no other name can save us, only Jesus Christ can save us. Put your faith in Him and you’ll be entering heaven’s gate when you die.
Heaven is not boring
Revelation 21:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Some people think that going to heaven will be boring because it will be like attending a worship service in church for all eternity. No, it’s not. The Bible says that it is a physical place. Jesus described heaven using earthly things. Jesus said that heaven is God’s house. Heaven has many rooms or many mansions. Heaven has streets. When we go there, we will leave our flawed bodies and get our new eternal bodies. It’s not going to be boring there!
The Bible says that no one can know what Jesus has in store for us in heaven. It will be beyond everything we could imagine. All we know for sure is that it will be amazing.
There will be a reunion for the ages
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version (NIV)
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The Bible says there is going to be a grand reunion in heaven. We will be together with our loved ones and our heroes in the Bible who already passed. Imagine having the talk with your mother that was long overdue. Imagine being able to embrace the ones you lost. I for one want to meet the disciples, David, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Noah, Samson, etc. and of course Jesus!!! Imagine how it would feel to meet your Creator face to face. That will be special!!!
It’s certain by faith.
John 3:16-18
New International Version (NIV)
16 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.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 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.
Jesus promised that Christians will be with Him in heaven. Jesus cannot lie!!! If Jesus said it then it is like that. Believe! Have faith in the words of Jesus.
Death is coming sooner or later. Instead of dreading it, be ready for it. Spend time with the people that matter and focus on the things have eternal benefit. So, when the day comes for us to step into eternity, we will have the one we cherish around us, and we can be confident that when we meet Jesus He will say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Thank you for reading this devotional story and I pray that it encouraged and inspired you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website.
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