There’s a place beyond the universe that’s irresistible.  When we die we’ll surely be escorted there by angels.  And we’ll find eternal rest with our Supreme Being with the best of humanity.  This will be our eternal reward won for a life of grace, dedication, and service to Almighty God.  In this everlasting state there will be celebration of peace and joy.  We presently live with angels watching over us with visions of heaven.  But as soon as we cross over into God’s territory there’s no looking back.  Daily, we’ll be face to face with God’s radiance and celestial forces of goodness.

Christopher Columbus (1451–1506), an Italian explorer, navigator and colonizer wrote, “Gold is a treasure and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in the world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.”  We’ve often heard that gold – money if you wish, corrupts us if not used wisely.  Columbus however viewed gold positively as a source for winning souls.

Family & Friends

Heavenly goals must start with family and friends.  Charles Kuralt (1934–1997), a journalist said, “The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.”  We’ve to exchange our earthly crosses for heavenly crowns.  By honoring and obeying God’s will we’ll know his truth, and be touched by love.  So when dark moments raise their ugly heads we would say like Aristotle Onassis (1906–1975), a Greek shipping magnate: “It is during the darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”  Onassis might very well have thought about our final destination of blessedness that surpasses all understanding.

Light & Darkness

Before being called home most will have worn-out bodies.   We’ll experience harrowing feelings, the gushing waters in churning waves, and living in a troubled world.  Evil forces seek to influence us into doing evil deeds.  But do not be dismayed, just remain steadfast in faith, and follow the narrow road that leads to righteousness.

Harriet Tubman (1822–1913), an African American abolitionist reminded us: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach the stars to change the world.”  Tubman’s observation is true.   We must play our role in leading others – even if it’s only one person, to do what’s good.  This is a Christian’s responsibility and we should realize great is our power with the Holy Spirit.

Our Reception

Mother Teresa (1910–1997), a Roman Catholic missionary in India exhorted us: “Be faithful in small things because it is in them your strength lie.”  In persevering let us all endeavor to do our very best.  So when we arrive at the finish-line in heaven we’ll be hearing angels proclaiming: “Well done, true and faithful servants.”  Then people will be gathered at God’s heavenly banquet.  There will be rejoicing of angels and archangels as we’re being called to God’s Kingdom for our just rewards.

 

 

Believers live in joyful anticipation of gifts from heaven.  “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).  These gifts God has revealed in his Word through the Holy Spirit.

An information and technology entrepreneur Steve Jobs (1955–2011) said, “No one wants to die.  Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there.  And yet death is the destination we all share.  No one has ever escaped it.  And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life.  It is life’s change agent.  It clears out the old to make way for the new.”  Christians ought to rejoice that after death heaven awaits them.  It’s a great promise after facing the trials and tribulations of life.

As believers it isn’t unusual to experience bits of heaven on earth.  Jules Renard (1864–1910), a French author and member of the Académie Goncourt wrote, “On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.”  But people express this reality in distinctly different ways.  It’s a blessing to be positive in a broken and sinful world.

People’s Views

Much of how people view life has to do with their knowledge.  How they have been raised, their experiences, and what they end up believing.  William Shakespeare (1564–1616), an English poet and playwright wrote, “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”  Many will agree that it’s better to have understanding than to be in the dark.  It’s people’s belief that with knowledge they will make good decisions.  However, merely knowing isn’t the answer.  It takes understanding, and belief in a just, and caring God.

Gautama Buddha (563/ 480 BC–483/400 BC), an Indian ascetic and founder of Buddhism explained, “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.  Then the victory is yours.  It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”  Buddha and Shakespeare were in agreement that to be successful people have to be masters of their destinies.

Our Gifts of Realities

Gifts of divine realities are wrapped up by the way people view the world.  These secrets are in elements we take for granted.  William Blake (1757–1827), an English poet and painter wrote, “To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower holds infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.”  Such realizations boggle the mind.  With every touch people comes face to face with eternity in complex, and amazing ways.

Living on earth is a part of cycles.  Tryon Edwards (1809–1894), a theologian best known for compiling A Dictionary of Thoughts reminded us: “Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.”  Thus by living and dying daily help people prepare for the blessings of our heavenly home.

We’re encouraged to delight in the Lord and he’ll give us the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4).  Believing in him we rejoice with joy.  Inexpressible and full of glory we’ll obtain as the outcome of our faith the salvation of our souls (1 Pet 1:8-9).  The Lord has put gladness in our hearts more than when grain and new wine abound (Ps 4:7).  “For the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11).

A Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius (551BC–479 BC) wrote, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”  Confucius was referring to the qualities it takes in the world.  He however forgot to mention the necessity of having godly gifts to accomplish these tasks.  True excellence can only be accomplished by loving God.

Ways for Accomplishments

Some people look at other ways through which they can have accomplishments.  Napoleon Hill (1883–1970), an author advised, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.”  Accomplishment starts in our minds.  We must desire and endeavor to obtain it.  Once we come to know our Lord by service, and prayer we’re sure to find him.  The Holy Spirit guides us in making our lives successful.

Plato (428/427/ 424/423 BC–348/347 BC), a Greek philosopher agreed with Hill when he wrote, “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”  This is why it takes special knowledge to be inspired by the Word of the God.  Christians are prompted in their understanding by the workings of the Holy Spirit.

An Italian-born world champion racing driver Mario Andretti (b. 1940) said, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”  The objective of desire is invoked as the motivation for success.  Christians should know the desire for: What? Who? When? Why?  This desire has to focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Eye of Desire

With the right knowledge we could end up saying like Will Durant (1885–1981), a writer, historian and philosopher: “Knowledge is the eye of desire and can become the pilot of the soul.”  A godly desire is a gift for our souls.  That’s why we have to pursue the right path to be assured of salvation.

But such a desire has to be strong and unrelenting.  That’s why we have to persevere.  A businessman and self-help author Robert Kiyosaki (b. 1947) wrote, “The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”  It’s important to have a strong desire and knowledge, but you ought to ask these questions: “How strong are they?  Do they take center stage in sharing of God’s gifts?  If they do, we’re sure to be blessed abundantly.

Special Gift

Everyone has at least one special gift.  A 13^th century Persian poet and Islamic scholar Rumi (1207–1273) explained, “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”  Some of us may never discover the purpose for which we’re made nevertheless, but this gift is still a part of us.  Our gifts build up the body of Christ.  It’s always good for us to make such a discovery for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.

Our dust will return to the ground it came from, and the gift of the spirit to God (Eccl 12:7).  We’re told to be afraid of “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Mt 10:28).  Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies: and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  He asked (Jn 11:25).  Again people are reminded what good for a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul (Mk 8:36).  God is not willing for anyone to be lost (Mt 18:14).

Love is such a great gift that it’s impossible to live without it.  It’s one of the gifts of our eternal soul.  A French poet, novelist, and dramatist Victor Hugo (1802–1885) explained, “Try all you will, you cannot annihilate that eternal relic of the human heart, love.”  As a popular song goes, “Love makes the world go round.”  Indeed, it does.

Love is all about living.  It’s ever-present, simple, and far-reaching in its grasp.  Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855), a German mathematician was certain: “Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.”  Every day is different.  People witness the landscape taking shape in all its glory.  Plants blossom, flowers bloom, and we reap harvests of abundant fruits.  These manifestations are alive, and are there to greet us every morning.

Changes in Lives

Welcoming changes in our lives captivate us.  A German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) said, “Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal.”  We ought to accept this gift of change.  For it’s only through this that people grow.  Authentic change takes root in our lives.  In the midst of this delight people have to guard against what’s unbeneficial.

But change calls for vigilance, and some opinion leaders share this hope.  These leaders are progressive and they push the society forward.  An Irish orator and politician John Philpot Curran (1750–1817) remarked, “The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.”  Freedom has to be always nurtured, guarded, and protected.  Brave people have sacrificed their lives for us to be free.

In order to enjoy these blessings we have to offer prayers to our loving God.  Swami Sivananda (1887 -1963), a Hindu spiritual teacher, proponent of Yoga and Vedanta, wrote, “Practice meditation regularly.  Meditation leads to eternal bliss.  Therefore meditate, meditate.”  It’s our responsibility to be faithful to God.  Make the gift of worshiping him a practice, for it brings joy.

Devotion in Living

Devotion keeps God always in our lives.  A Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886–1968) said, “Man can certainly be free from God…but he cannot escape him.  He can certainly hate God and be hateful to God, but he cannot change into its opposite the eternal love of God which triumphs even in his hate.”  God loves us even if some people hate him.  It’s however better to love God because he’s the giver of all good gifts.

Love God’s commandments.  People can’t live without them.  An Italian scholar and poet, Petrarch (1304–1374) was sure: “Love is the crowing grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life, and is prophetic of eternal good.”  Authentic love knows the truth.  When it blossoms it shines goodness on all things eternal.  These gifts are based on the promises of Christ himself.