Heaven - Senior Living - 12 October 2011

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. --2 Peter 3:13

A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of his coworkers about heaven. He went into a lengthy description saying:

"I can't begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus Christ means to me. In Him, I have a hope that is precious and life everlasting. Let me explain. Many years ago, as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I'd come around the last curve.

"Then I'd look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they'd go back inside and say, ‘Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight.'

"They are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me anymore. But someday when I have finished my ‘earthly run' and I draw near to heaven's gate, I believe I'll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And the one will turn to the other and say, ‘Thank God, Benny is home safe at last.'"

We will see those loved ones, those believers who went home ahead of us, at the gates to welcome us home when we draw near. It will be a joyous time of celebration with our Lord and the ones we love! Today there are those in your life who have not yet experienced salvation through Jesus.

Have you exhausted all efforts to bring them to Jesus? Share with them what heaven means to you and tell them of your desire to welcome them home one day to eternity.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as you seek to show them the promise, hope, and joy of spending eternity with Jesus.