When Christians talk about the current state of the world around us, it is not uncommon to hear someone say, “Jesus come back!”, “I am ready to be with God” or “I am ready to go home” (meaning Heaven). We all mean it when we say things like that. After all, the state of affairs in this world is not getting any better. And the book of Revelation says it is going to get increasingly worse. So, yes, we are ready to be with God, out of this world, and away from all of the sin, pain, and disease indwells here.

If Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, scripture says that Heaven is our eternal home. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4.

And Heaven is an extraordinary place. In Heaven, there will be no more death, crying, mourning, or pain. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4. Does that make you ready to be with God?

Revelation 21 describes Heaven as a gorgeous place made of Gold and adorned with precious stones like sapphire, jasper, etc. Wouldn’t that make us ready to be with God?

Scripture even says that in Heaven we will receive new bodies. No longer will we suffer from arthritis and aching backs. “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself”. As our earthly bodies begin to deteriorate, a promise like that could certainly make you ready to be with God.

So, why wouldn’t we want to be with God in Heaven for all of eternity?

But the thing that we (Christians) forget is that we don’t have to go to Heaven to be with God.

If we are truly longing for God, we need only to seek Him. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.

If we will pray, God will hear our prayers. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you” Jeremiah 29:12.

Jesus showed us what time with the Father looked like. Over and over we saw Him retreat to a quiet place, alone, to pray and spend time with His Heavenly Father. “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” Mark 1:35.

But, once Jesus becomes our personal Lord and Savior, we are never without Him. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We can speak to Him whenever we’re alone or need guidance and instruction. “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. Matthew 28:20.

Before Jesus was crucified, He gave instruction to His disciples (and to us). He instructed us to tell those around us about Him. The people around us who are without hope. Those who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior. Those who are seeking God. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19.

And then, He promised that He will be with us forever. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

So, we say we want Jesus to come back. But there are still people who need Him. They need us to point them to Him and tell them about Him. Are we doing our part? Because He isn’t coming back until every last person has been given an opportunity to know Him.

We say we are ready to be with God. Are we spending time with Him now? We have access to God whenever we want. We just need to seek Him and pray.

God desired time with us so much that He gave His only Son so that we could be reconciled to Him. So that we could have a relationship with Him and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. But also so that we could be in communion (relationship) with Him while we are here.

Do you have a personal relationship with Him? If so, are you spending time with Him? Are you praying? Are you seeking Him? And are you in His word, listening to what He asks and desires for us?

Father God, forgive us when we say we want to be with You but disregard the time that we could have with You right here on earth. Forgive us when we do not seek You or time with You. And please, Father, forgive us when we do not tell others about You or point them to You. Lord Jesus, we are so grateful for Your sacrifice. Through Your shed blood, we have access to the Father and an intimate and beautiful relationship with You. We praise you for that, Jesus. Holy Spirit, thank You for never leaving us. Help us to seek the Father more. Create in us a desire to pray more and to tell others so that Jesus can come back! We pray this in Your precious and Holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever prayed and felt like your prayers were bouncing off the sky? Have you ever felt like God was too far away to have a relationship with Him? Or that you were too bad to have a relationship with Him? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God is not far off. No one is too bad for God. And He wants an intimate and loving relationship with you. But you have to seek Him and repent. Once you pray that prayer, He will never leave you nor forsake you. (“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8). And, you will spend all of eternity with Him in Heaven!

Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I would love to be in prayer with and for you.

Luv Ya!