Being heavenly minded is being great earthly good.

Church Family: How often do you think about heaven?  Do you ever stop and contemplate the truth that your eternal citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and that is where you will be spending eternity?  Do you ever slow down to consider the God-given promises that are your guarantee in eternity and how those realities should have an impact on today?  Just think about how much time and energy we spend in our earthly lives making our experience here like “heaven on earth.”  And yet, the truth is that our efforts to make earth like heaven will always fall short. 
In the second half of Revelation chapter 7, Jesus reveals a vision of heaven to John and to us.  Jesus shows us what awaits us in our heavenly homeland.  Jesus finds great delight and encouragement in giving us a vision of heaven so that we can dwell on the great promises that await us while we endure great tribulation on this earth. He is eager for us to develop an obsession for heaven that creates great comfort and joy and delight and boldness as we live day to day on earth.

You may be asking, what daily good comes out of contemplating our eternal, heavenly home with our Lord (Rev. 7:14-17)?  Well, here are seven reasons (Yes, of course seven) why Jesus wants us to contemplate the promises that we have in our eternal heavenly dwelling:
 
1- Contemplating the promises of heaven will produce a strength and diligence in our struggles, hardships, insults, weaknesses. persecutions and tribulations.  The more we live in a temporal earthly perspective the more prolonged and heavier is our affliction today. 
2- What we value in the moment on this earth will change from temporal to eternal as we contemplate heaven. 
3- Rejoicing in the eternal reminds us that what we face now is only momentary (Romans 8:18).
4- A heavenly perspective energizes our heart and mind and strength with the understanding that what we enjoy on this earth is just a shadow compared to God Himself.  Every earthly blessing is to point to a greater, perfect blessing in heaven.
5- At eternal perspective reminds us that the righteous will be vindicated and all the evil that has been done will be judged, so rest in the truth that, “vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). 
6- Heavenly thoughts are to empower us to endure this world in all of its malice and moral failure. 
7- Dwelling on heaven will also release us from the excessive dependence upon earthly wealth and comfort and safety.

Let us not lose sight of our eternal purpose and promises while living in the shadows of earthly living.  Think about heaven, read scripture about heaven, remember the promises God has given us about heaven and then let that create in our heart a desire to do great earthly good for all of those around us.  Being heavenly minded is to be of great earthly good in all of our relationships, our work, and our giving of strength and energy and resources.
 
Romans 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

This Sunday we will be meeting in person at the church building if you would like to join us in person at 10am.  And for those who will be staying at home, we will  be live-streaming on our Grace Community Church Topsail YouTube Channel. Push the blue link.  We can also be found at https://www.gracetopsail.com/

I look forward to worshipping the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, with you Sunday. - Steve