#heaven – herbcotton.org

How Are You Doing?

Text:

John 16:33 (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Observation:

How many times have you been asked the question, “How Are You Doing?”. If you are like me, it is more than you can count.

Today, I received the inspiration to answer that question from my daily bible reading.

It depends on where my mind is focused. Is it focused on my temporary home; this world? Or, is it focused on my eternal home, which is in heaven.

When my focus is on Jesus, and my eternal home, my heart is joyful with delight, and peace. If my focus is on the world; then that’s another story.

The reason for the good state of my heart is Jesus. Since Jesus came into my heart I live by faith, and not by sight.

Now I believe in the Truth; not the thief. I believe in the Light; not in the darkness of this world. Now I believe in Jesus; I belong to Him, and He belongs to me.

John 10:10 (ESV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that this world is not my home. Father, I am so thankful that You are a loving, and good Father, and that Your children are loved by You.

Father, the prayer that Jesus prayed for His children, and Your children speaks into, and encourages my heart today.

John 17:9-11 (ESV)

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Are You Fully Alive Now and Forever?

Text:

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Observation:

Today’s meditation is the last one for this year. I will resume writing in January. In 2017 I will be reading through the One Year Bible, and commenting on a portion each day. More about that in January, but today I have the longing of heaven on my mind.

Romans 8:23-25 (ESV)

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Every believer has every reason to have a yearning for heaven. The hope of heaven is real for every child of God. When you received Christ into your life, and the Holy Spirit took up residence in your life, your destination became heaven.

I count my blessings everyday; that I have been set free from the law of sin and death. Are you fully alive in Christ Jesus? If so, you are on your way to heaven to live in God’s home forever. These are not my words, these are the words of Jesus.

John 5:24 (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

This is my prayer for you today; will you also pray it for me.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I thank You for the privilege of sharing Your Word with the readers, and hearers of these devotionals I have shared in 2016. Father, I say back to You as my prayer for all of Your daughters and sons in Christ.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

What Is the Way to Heaven?

Text:

James 4:8 (HCSB)

8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Observation:

Are you a believer in Jesus? Have you received Him into your life? Notice what the Bible says.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB)

12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:3 (HCSB)

3 Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This is the Gospel of Christ in a nutshell.

John 3:16-18 (HCSB)

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

I appreciate straightforward talk. What has Jesus said about how to have eternal life? How can you live forever in the presence of God? How do you get from this world to heaven?

John 14:6 (HCSB)

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 5:24 (HCSB)

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

These are the lyrics of a song expressing a loving invitation from the heart of Jesus to your heart; the title “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”.

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,

Watching for you and for me.

? Refrain:

? Come home, come home,

? You who are weary, come home;

? Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

? Calling, O sinner, come home!”

Prayer:

Father, I give You the highest praise that my heart can render. Father, Your love is so unconditional, Your grace so amazing, Your forgiveness so far reaching, and Your mercies so tender.

Father, I thank You that the power of the Holy Spirit of God draws people to Jesus, and I pray that He would draw any that have not received Jesus into their life to Jesus before it is to late. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry