Daily Devotion

When Jesus was asked this question, it would certainly be on the assumption that the kingdom of God was for the Jews, and that gentiles would be shut out. Jesus' answer must have come as a shock to him.  Jesus declared that entry into the kingdom can never be automatic, but is the result, and reward of a struggle.   "Keep on striving to enter," He said. The word for striving is the word from which the English word agony comes. The struggle to enter in must be so intense that it can be described as an agony of soul, and spirit.

 

The Christian way is like a climb up a mountain pathway towards a peak that will never be reached in this world. It was said of two gallant climbers who died on Mount Everest, "When last seen they were going strong for the top." For the Christian, life is ever an upward, and onward way.

Just because a person lives in a Christian community or country does not mean he is necessarily a Christian. He may be enjoying all its benefits, but that is no reason for sitting back content. We cannot live on borrowed goodness.

 

There will be surprises in Heaven. Those who are prominent in this world may have to be very humble in the next; those whom no one notices here may be the princes of the world to come.   I came across this story of a woman who had been accustomed to every luxury, and to all respect. She died, and when she arrived in Heaven an angel met her to take her to her house. They passed many lovely mansions, and she thought that each one she came to must be hers. When they had passed through the main streets they came to the outskirts where the houses were much smaller; on the fringe, they came to a house that was little more than a hut. "That is your house," said the angel, "What?," said the woman, I cannot live in that." "I am sorry," said the angel, "but that is all we could build for you with the material you sent up." 

 

Life Application: What did you learn from the story of the woman who went to heaven, and didn't get what she wanted?   Make your plans for Heaven carefully.

 

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I look forward to Heaven just to be with You, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Angels that have watched over me here. I am so thankful that Jesus came, and died for sinners of which I was one, but His blood keeps me whole. I can't even imagine what Heaven will be like, but You will be there, and I will join a large multitude of people who have or will accept Jesus as their savior. Hallelujah!