2 Corinthians 5:1-6
Life is tough. Reality tells us that, and we can all see it in our daily lives. We get older and our bodies break down; many live with unending physical pain. We suffer diseases, some of which can claim our very lives. Financially or economically we don’t always get what in want; in fact, sometimes we literally are without absolute necessities. People are mean, unreasonable and hateful in many cases. Life is, indeed, tough. I may be a shock to some, but God has never promised otherwise for His children; there are numerous references in God’s word to not “if,” but “when” believers will suffer the trials of life. In some cases, it is the very act of being a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ that brings the suffering!
Why is that so? Our verse above tells us that answer. It is because, while in our bodily homes, we are absent from the physical presence of the Lord. We are trapped in our physical states as fallen, decaying and imperfect humans. That seems a tough word, but it is a true word.
Friends, glory to God, it will not always be that way. That is, if we are His children. Some day we will be absent from the body and be present with the Lord. There, we will be just as He is: perfect, holy and without flaw or blemish. There, in that eternal state, there will be no trials or suffering but only perfect eternal glory.
Truth in Palmyra 
November 13, 2017 at 08:15
Looking forward to it. I hope HE also has a good cup of coffee there as well. LOL
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November 13, 2017 at 08:16
That’s so funny. My wife and I debate the coffee issue. I say yes(but then I love coffee a lot), and she says no! Thanks for coming by T.F.
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November 13, 2017 at 13:42
Randy Alcorn, in his book “Heaven,” agrees with you, Wally. 😉 So you are in good company!
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November 13, 2017 at 14:23
Hey I think she read that book!
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November 14, 2017 at 19:34
I don’t know about it in heaven, but I fully expect there to be coffee, and lots of it, when the Creation is restored!
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November 14, 2017 at 19:37
I certainly hope so. I would be a shame to have that new, flawless resurrected body and not have the finest coffee to put into it!
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November 15, 2017 at 07:19
Coffee beans come from trees… God created trees…The Bible says trees are in heaven… Therefore, it is logical to assume there will be coffee in heaven. 🙂
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November 15, 2017 at 07:25
I rather like that logic
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November 13, 2017 at 08:54
LOL! Love the coffee in heaven debate. I’m pretty sure there is a coffee fountain right in the middle of the streets paved with gold.
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November 13, 2017 at 09:22
A fountain of coffee..now that’s something to look forward to!
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November 13, 2017 at 10:06
There are two steps in our future, both of which are exciting–truly great gifts from an awesome God. It’s easy to blend them into one. At death the Christian leaves the body and enters Paradise–with Jesus, in the hands of the Father, away from the body. When Jesus appears in glory, the saints return from Paradise with him for the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. In that new creation we will finally see the pearly gates and the streets of gold (and, no doubt, the coffee fountain too). I’ve heard that the Bible mentions life in the new creation more than ten times as often as existence in Paradise. (I haven’t fact-checked that statistic myself.) J.
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November 13, 2017 at 10:32
Very nice, J. thank you. I think there is some un clearness about that period you discussed…from when we die until the actual resurrection of the Saints. Well explained. I am still on board with the coffee fountain LOL. It will be right by the river and the tree bearing all of the fruit! Thanks, my friend for your insightful thoughts.
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November 13, 2017 at 19:02
And don’t forget the pizza garden! 😉
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November 13, 2017 at 19:11
Oh yeah!
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November 13, 2017 at 13:17
Great word again, Wally. I don’t drink coffee anymore, but I’m hoping for a Starbucks, so I can fuel up on some of those yummy, sugary, frothy drinks.
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November 13, 2017 at 14:08
Ha..maybe so lol
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November 13, 2017 at 13:44
So much to look forward to! Thank you for this reminder, Wally! Have you read “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn? Wonderful book. My mother insisted on my reading it. She gave it to me the Christmas before she graduated to heaven 🙂 I highly recommend Alcorn’s book.
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November 13, 2017 at 14:24
I have not Lynn but I have it on somewhere. I really need to
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November 14, 2017 at 20:19
You know, this is a bit OT, but one time my sweet hubby and I were talking about how the day will come when he and I will know how to love each other perfectly as husband and wife…but we will no longer be husband and wife!
I got a little teary-eyed at the though of being able to love my husband as I was meant to, and to receive the same. And then I began to think of the implications…we are ALL going to be loving each other as we meant to! I can’t imagine loving anyone more or “better” than my husband, and yet the love of my life will pale in comparison to the perfected love we will all share with one another. It’s nuts to think about!
It occurs to me that one day, the Commandments won’t be Commandments, they’ll be fulfilled promises. I SHALL love God with my whole heart and my neighbour as myself!
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November 15, 2017 at 05:56
That as very moving, Anita, thank you. I really like what you said about the Commandments being fulfilled promises then. We will live all of those things, perfectly, all of the time.
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