Topic: Shift Your Focus to Heaven and God’s Love [RICK WARREN Devotional 26 December 2023]
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Shift Your Focus to Heaven and God’s Love
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
God’s plan for the universe and for you isn’t finished yet. One day, Jesus will return to complete God’s plan and take his followers to heaven.
On the night before Jesus was crucified, he gathered his followers together. Knowing they were going to watch him be tortured and crucified, he wanted to give some words of comfort.
He told them: “‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also’ . . . Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:1-6 NKJV).
The Apostle John was eventually imprisoned by the Roman empire on Patmos, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Before he died, God gave John a glimpse of what heaven is like, and that vision is recorded in Revelation 21:3-4: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (ESV).
If you believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, then you will go to be with him forever in heaven when you die. In heaven, there is no sorrow, suffering, sickness, or sin. There will be no more death.
Because of sin, everything on this earth is broken—but God says he is going to make it all new in heaven. You won’t have to worry about your trials or troubles, your health or relationships. But when you see things from God’s point of view—looking through the lens of eternity—you’ll realize how much attention we give to things on earth that don’t last and will not matter in eternity.
But you don’t have to wait until heaven to start living with that eternal perspective. You can start right now. This Christmas season, don’t focus on your problems; don’t let your heart be troubled. Instead, behold how much God loves you and focus on how much he has promised to those who trust in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Talk It Over
- What promises of heaven are you clinging to today in the midst of adversity?
- How does knowing God’s promises help you shift your focus away from your troubles?
- What is one way you can keep God’s promises on your mind so that they can encourage you?
Shifting your focus starts with trusting your Savior
The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
If you’re ready to commit your life to him, then pray this prayer:
“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. Jesus, I want to trust you as my Savior and follow you as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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