God lives and works today.
His kingdom is the kingdom of heaven, which,
as Jesus said, is already in our midst
today.
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven ought to be
a joyful reality in our lives.
But what does this mean in practical terms?
Listen to today's meditation by Basilia Schlink called
Already Heaven.
On the darkest, most difficult days of our
lives, it is especially important for us to
give thanks.
Yes, we should be thankful that our Lord
Jesus came to bring heaven to earth.
What amazing grace!
Whoever lives in heaven here on earth will
also live in heaven after he dies.
Whoever knows the joy of heaven here will
be able to join in the rejoicing in
the city of God.
And whoever begins to sing of heaven today
will be surrounded by heaven in the coming
days, the most difficult time the world has
ever known.
Don't let anything rob you of your faith
in heaven.
It's not even worth comparing with the glory
of heaven, which, as the Apostle Paul writes
in Romans 8, verse 18, will be revealed
for all eternity.
When you hear the word heaven, you may
know for certain that the joy which will
come is an eternal joy and that the
suffering of the moment will come to an
end.
Therefore, concern yourself more with heaven.
It's worth it.
Heaven is your eternal home.
And if you can't relate to heaven, if
it doesn't seem real to you and doesn't
mean blessedness and joy, then you can ask
the Lord until he makes it real for
you.
If you recognize that you're a poor sinner,
then you will be able to hear the
sound of angels as they sing about you,
how there is joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents.
You will actually be drawn into the joy
of heaven.
There is still another way to find entrance
to heaven here on earth.
It's the way of suffering.
Suffering opens the gates of heaven.
For as the Bible says, this momentary affliction
is preparing us for an eternal weight of
glory beyond all comparison.
Second Corinthians 4, verse 17.
In the measure that we must suffer, in
the same measure will we experience the joy
of heaven.
And all the promises about eternity begin on
earth.
Even Jesus' words, blessed are you that weep
now for you shall laugh.
Yes, heavenly joy begins already on earth.
Therefore, if you would like to taste a
bit of heaven, commit yourself to your suffering
now.
Oh, that we were there.
We'll pay this turn to pleasure.
Oh, who such bliss can measure?
Oh, that we were there.
You have been listening to a program written
by Basile Schlinck of the Little Land of
Canaan.
To learn more about how God lives and
works today, visit us at our website, www
.canaan.org.
If you contact us, we would be happy
to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the
web, please contact this radio station for our
postal address.
God bless you.