Friday, February 18, 2011
Keep Your Heart in Heaven
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. —1 Corinthians 15:52
My wife Cathe and I had the privilege of attending a dinner where Billy Graham was interviewed by his longtime ministry associate, Cliff Barrows. When asked if there was anything left to do that he had not yet done, Billy Graham replied without hesitation, "I want to see Ruth." Of course, he was speaking of his wife Ruth, whom he loved deeply and misses greatly. It broke his heart when God took her to heaven.
When you have a loved one who has gone before you into eternity, it causes you to have a longing for heaven that you did not have before, because now it is personal. There is someone there whom you want to see again. With a son in heaven, Cathe and I have been profoundly affected, and it causes our hearts to be more in heaven.
This is why the Rapture gives believers such great hope. It is a time of reunion. In fact, the Bible says, "We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
The apostle Paul wrote these words to believers who were wondering what had happened to their loved ones who had already died. Where were they? Would they ever see them again? Paul was saying, "When the Lord comes back for His people in the Rapture and catches us up to heaven, we will be instantaneously reunited with them."
We need to be ready to meet the Lord. So keep your heart in heaven, because you never know when that time will come.
Copyright © 2011 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
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SPECIAL OFFER
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Have you ever doubted the Bible? Have you ever had questions about how the Bible came into being? Have you wondered about the historical reliability of the Bible? Listen. Don't feel bad about that. Let us help you. Here is a great resource that will bolster your faith and help you to defend your beliefs. This book is called Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible. It is written by Greg's friend, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, who is the pastor of the famed Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, Illinois.
You can have your own copy of Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible in appreciation for your gift to Harvest Ministries this month. 
