Bless You O’ Inheritors of Heaven’s Grace,       June 10, 2012

   Question. Do you believe in Heaven? Do you really believe that a loving Heavenly Father has made plans for your Homecoming? I do because the Bible very specifically tells us so. In John 14:1-6, Jesus tells us about the place in Heaven He and the Father have prepared for you one day to receive: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Reading this passage of scripture reminds me of the old-time saying: “There’s no place like home”. Most everyone has a home, or at least, you remember a place that was “home” to you. If it isn’t where you live now there was a place, maybe back in your childhood days that was “home”. That place might be within a few miles of where you live now or it might be in another state. I once had a co-worker tell about going back to Utah to visit his home and see his Mom. He hadn’t been back there in years...like so many of us just allowing ourselves to fall into that trap of being too busy. This fellow was from a very large family...lots of brothers and sisters. Well, he told me of the great disappointment he experienced when he walked into his childhood home, saw his Mom for the first time in years and heard her say: “Oh, it’s only you!” I never forgot the disappointment in his voice and face. We can thank God that those of us who have placed our eternal destiny in the hands of Jesus will never experience something as disappointing as what my friend experienced from his Mom. Yes, parents, loved ones, others can disappoint us terribly. But thank God, our Lord and God will NOT disappoint those who put and keep their trust in Him. He is excited about you. He is definitely looking forward to your coming home one day. He’s not wanting to rush that day, but is definitely looking forward to it. You should be also. It will be the most glorious day of your entire life. Nothing you’ve ever experienced will be like the day that you are welcomed into your Heavenly Home. Since we will spend eternity there Jesus tells us to send things on ahead of us to Heaven: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21). There are rewards there. Family, friends, loved ones that have gone on before are there. But more importantly, Jesus is there! What a glorious and wonderful day of Homecoming that will be.

God bless you. We love you. I love you.

Pastor Lyle, Sister Jean, and your BJWC Church Leadership