"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43
A young lady recently attended her grandfather's funeral. That brought a serious question about death to her attention. She asked her mother, "How can we really know that we are going to be with Jesus when we die?" Her mother said, "Honey, we simply have to take God at the promise of His word. That's really all we need, God's promise. He doesn't lie."
A dying thief asked Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus promised him, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." He took Christ at His word. Just think, one simple prayer and a dying thief was promised Paradise with Jesus.
A dying thief asked Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus promised him, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." He took Christ at His word. Just think, one simple prayer and a dying thief was promised Paradise with Jesus.
We have the promise of God. "For whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). That promise is for all who believe. It is found in the Old Testament as well (Joel 2:32). The way of salvation is forever the same. Our LORD is only a prayer away. Those who believe, call upon the LORD and receive the promise (Romans 10:14).
Someone asked the question, "Where is heaven?" Her friend had a sure answer, "Heaven is where Jesus is." Heaven is not just about gates of pearl and streets of gold. It's about who is there. His name is JESUS. He is the way to heaven and He is the presence of heaven. It will be heaven for all believers, because He is there.
Lord Jesus, to be with You is heaven to us.
