Change of Address
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Many people are writing to us and asking us, “We have lost a loved one, a loved one has died - Where are they now? Are they still buried in the ground or are they with Jesus - What is happening?” So many people are asking about life and death.
I think it was the great evangelist Billy Graham who once said: “One day, you will read in the newspapers that Billy Graham died. Don’t believe a word of it - I have merely changed my address.”
Folks, the thief on the cross was not a good man. He was a thief and according to the Romans, he had to die. He was not even eligible, according to them, for Heaven - because he was a thief. But Jesus said: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
How does that work?
Well you know, we always say this at Shalom: “Good people don’t go to Heaven. Believers go to Heaven.” That is what the Bible is telling us.
Just a couple of days ago a very close friend of mine went to be with Jesus in Heaven. He was my family doctor and a prayer partner for 12 years, there were three of us - myself, Peter and Marshall. I will miss him sorely as will his family but at the same time, I am rejoicing for him. Do you know why? Because he is with Jesus!
Last night I got quite emotional, I sat there and I thought: “Marshall, you are looking at The Master face to face, and you are talking to Him.” He used to pray so beautifully.
We truly need to focus on Heaven more than on the things of the earth, more than ever before. Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.” In Heaven there will be no more weeping. There will be no more pain, no more anger and no more suffering.
You know, if we look at the last book in the Bible and the last chapter in the Bible, Revelation 22. The second to last verse, verse 20, after the apostle John says:
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” And the Lord Jesus said: “Surely I am coming quickly.” Folks we don’t have too much more time on this earth - I mean that! Some of us are closer to going home than others. But we need to prepare ourselves.
We need to be ready because the Lord might call you today - don’t leave anything undone. Get your bag packed and get ready, it is not something to be afraid of, it is something to be so excited about!
Paul the apostle said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
God bless you and have a lovely day.