TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 53:4-12
The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pang Suk-fong, age 20, had her whole life ahead of her. As she walked down a Hong Kong street one day, no doubt her head was filled with questions and thoughts of the future. But a freak, tragic accident ended her life that very afternoon. A heavy bucket filled with paint fell from the window of a hotel under construction and killed her instantly.

If this young woman had known what was going to happen, what do you think she would have done? Probably walked down a different street, one with no construction hazards. Or if she’d looked up and saw that paint can dropping, she would have jumped out of the way. That’s common sense. People have a great desire to preserve their own lives!

Consider, then, our Lord Jesus. He knew He was going to die. He knew He was going to be separated from His Father. He knew He would pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world. But He didn’t jump out of the way. He didn’t choose a different road. He was totally obedient to the will of His Father.

This had been God’s plan of redemption all along, and had been prophesied numerous times in Israel’s history. In this month of studying how Christ fulfills the Old Testament sacrifices, we turn now during this Passion Week to His sacrifice: His death and resurrection. He is the sacrificial “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29).

In today’s famous “suffering servant” reading, much of Isaiah’s language is similarly sacrificial. The Messiah will be like a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat, taking the punishment we deserved. Although He will pay the price for our wrongdoing, we won’t understand. We will despise Him and continue to go astray. This prophecy clearly indicates a doctrine of substitutionary atonement (Is. 53:4-7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today’s culture, we don’t always realize all that Christ’s suffering on the cross did for us. He satisfied God’s wrath, He brought us peace, He absorbed our guilt, and He freed us from the penalty of death. And this only begins to scratch the surface of His wondrous work on our behalf!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 27:32-54
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - 1 John 4:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Heart of the Cross, Philip Graham Ryken reflects on the meaning of the Crucifixion:

“When Jesus said, 'It is finished,’ He was announcing that He had done His job, that He had completed His task and finished His project. What He had finished was suffering for sin. The suffering of Jesus Christ was not tragic suffering. It was saving suffering. Before Jesus died on the cross, humanity was in bondage to sin. We were sold as slaves to sin, and we deserved to die in captivity. A price needed to be paid to redeem us, to buy us back from sin and death. But the price of redemption was a perfect sacrifice, a price we could not pay... Christ died for us, offering Himself as a sinless sacrifice, buying back our freedom by paying sin’s price.”

Jesus Christ was God’s perfect sacrifice of atonement. As you read the Crucifixion account again on this Good Friday, we hope, in light of this month’s focus on sacrifice, that it speaks to you with renewed power and depth.

We see in Matthew’s narrative exactly the same scene as was prophesied in yesterday’s reading from Isaiah. A Lamb is led to the slaughter. He’s an innocent victim, misunderstood by those witnessing the event. Yet He goes willingly, knowing that His punishment brings peace between God and man.

Jesus’ public execution was humiliating and painful in the extreme. The insults heaped on Him struck even at His relationship with His Father (Mt. 27:43). Thieves dying with Him felt themselves superior. Although all this suffering was intense, the most painful moment Jesus experienced was surely His separation from His Father (v. 46). Yet in the end, He gave up His spirit willingly (v. 50; cf. Jn. 10:17-18).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Is there a Good Friday service at your church ? We know that Friday is the end of a busy week of work or study for you, and that “going to church” may not be high on your list of relaxing activities. But don’t think of this as a duty--think of it as love. Your Savior, out of love for you, suffered and died. Your whole life, everything you are and do, is based on that. This time of worship can increase your love for your Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 28:1-10
Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. - Romans 6:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Past headlines for April 22 have seen a number of interesting and significant events. In 1918, Germany’s ace World War I pilot, Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the “Red Baron,” was killed in battle. In 1971, ruthless Haitian dictator François “Papa Doc” Duvalier died, passing power to his son, “Baby Doc.” In 1972, two British citizens completed the first-ever rowboat crossing of the Pacific Ocean, rowing 8,000 miles before landing in Australia. And in 1994, former President Richard Nixon, one of the most controversial American politicians of the twentieth century, died of a stroke at the age of 81.

Looking at “this day in history” gives us some historical perspective. But no day in history has been more significant than the one covered in today’s Scripture reading. Resurrection Sunday (tomorrow) carried the most momentous “headlines” the world has ever seen!

Jesus’ resurrection should have been expected. He had said He would return to life on several occasions (Mt. 28:6). The women to whom the news was first given felt fear and joy...but more importantly, they obeyed the angel’s instructions to inform the disciples. Jesus met them in this act of obedience (v. 9), as He does all who trust and obey. The women fell down before Him in worship, clasping His feet, overwhelmed by His power and presence.

Not one of the Old Testa-ment sacrificial animals had ever come back to life. But Christ, the perfect, voluntary sacrifice, not only laid down His life, but also took it up again (Jn. 10:17-18). As today’s verse points out, the resurrection broke the power of death once and for all. This is the foundation of our faith (1 Cor. 15:3-8, 12-23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Scripture memorization is an excellent discipline for internalizing God’s truth. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 7:23-8:6
Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. - 1 Peter 3:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last summer the American women’s soccer team played a thrilling World Cup championship match against China.

As 90,000 fans watched in the Rose Bowl, and millions more on television, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie through two halves and two overtimes. Finally, the game came down to a shootout--five players from each side alternated taking penalty kicks. Thanks to flawless shooting by her teammates, goalkeeper Brianna Scurry’s one diving deflection was enough to win, 5-4. The crowd roared, and the players celebrated. They had won the most prestigious title in women’s soccer!

Was it over? Hardly. In 2003, the World Cup of women’s soccer will be held again, and if the American team wants to keep its victory, it must earn the title all over again.

By contrast, Christ’s victory was once for all--His payment for sin was complete, with no need to repeat or re-earn anything. The work of salvation is finished, and Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

That’s a main difference between the Old Testament sacrificial system and Christ’s sacrifice, and a main proof of His superiority (Heb. 8:6). His sacrifice both fulfilled the Mosaic system--as we have studied this month--and superseded it.

Christ was a better priest, pure and perfect, unlike those under the Law. And he offered a better sacrifice--Himself (7:26-28). Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament, this Priest and this Sacrifice only needed to be offered once for all. That’s why He was able to sit down (8:1). His work was finished, in contrast to the Levitical priests, who always remained standing.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here’s an easy application: Do nothing! Today we celebrate the finished work of Christ. You can add nothing to what He has done, nothing to His plan of salvation, nothing to who He is. God does not need you to add to His glory. Your service or busyness are not “payback”--the scales will never be even. Your worship cannot erase the debt you owe.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 10:1-14
We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. - Hebrews 10:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Climax” is a narrative term meaning a very important or exciting moment--a moment at which the main character’s fate is decided, or at which the audience discovers what the story is about or if the story has a happy or sad ending.

At least one “climax” is required in any form of story, whether a novel, television drama, or classical opera. This might take the form of a confrontation, a conversation or speech, a revealed secret or sudden insight, a fight or battle, an escape, a choice, or any event to which a storyteller or character gives great weight or emphasis.

In the story of salvation, Jesus Christ is the “climax” of the Old Testament sacrificial system. His actions determined the outcome of the story, which is already guaranteed by God (cf. Eph. 1:4-10).

Why was Christ the climax or fulfillment of the old system? First, His sacrifice was the reality, of which the preceding sacrifices had been only shadows or forerunners (Heb. 10:1; cf. Col. 2:17). Second, His sacrifice was powerful and effective, while the sacrifices that had gone before were powerless to take away sin (Heb. 10:3-4, 10-14). His sacrifice actually did all that the Law had only shadowed.

When Romans 10:4 calls Christ’s sacrifice the “end” of the Law, the Greek word used is “telos.” “Telos” can mean a

stopping or cessation; or a goal, culmination, or fulfillment; and in this case it probably suggests both. Christ’s sacrifice put a stop to the old system, because the goal had been reached. The price for sin had been paid.

A whole “new” system is now established. Instead of worshipers making burnt offerings and sin offerings, we see the total submission and obedience of our Savior (Heb. 10:5-10). His once-for-all sacrifice is the basis for faith and worship. It has already made us perfect forever, yet paradoxically is still working to make us holy (v. 14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Every Christian has a responsibility to bear witness to the gospel of Christ. Is doing so an important part of your Christian walk? After all, that is reality--everything else is just a shadow, as we see in today’s reading.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 51:14-17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. - Psalm 51:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
“I have no wit, no words, no tears; / My heart within me like a stone,” begins Christina Rossetti in her poem, “A Better Resurrection.”

She feels desperate and hopeless, ending the first stanza with the prayer, “O Jesus, quicken me.” In the next stanza, although her heart remains frozen, she expresses faith that spiritual renewal is coming, and prays, “O Jesus, rise in me.”

Finally, in the last stanza Rossetti submits completely to the will of her Maker. She compares her life to a “broken bowl” that must be cast into the fire and remolded by the Potter. It will become a “royal cup for Him, my King.” Her closing prayer--“O Jesus, drink of me”--reflects her total surrender to God’s wisdom and love.

God desires our submission and brokenness--not to grind us into the dirt, but for our own good: the completing of His sanctifying work in us. As today’s verse summarizes, a “broken and contrite heart” is a pleasing sacrifice to God.

This is the final section of our month’s study. Having looked at the Old Testament sacrifices and how Christ fulfilled them, now we’ll consider “sacrifices” that we are to offer God today.

The first sacrifice is the brokenness or submission of our hearts. That’s what David brought to the Lord in today’s reading--not burnt offerings, but a heart broken over his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (see 2 Sam. 11-12).

Through his specific sin, David had come face to face with the knowledge that God is holy and human beings are not. This knowledge--of our sinful neediness and of His greatness--should bring us to our knees in total surrender. To know ourselves and Him rightly leads us to repent in tears and humbly to ask God to save us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Submission or surrender has been a theme throughout this month. Today, begin a one-week prayer project on the theme of submission.

Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of at least one unsurrendered area in your life. Don’t make up your mind what you think it will be--let Him guide you. Make this a fervent and persistent prayer for seven straight days.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 4:29-5:2
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
The classic hymn “Trust and Obey” tells us that if we want intimacy with God, we must offer ourselves totally to Him:

But we never can prove

The delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows

And the joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

How can we do this? Today’s Scripture reading tells us that our righteousness must be an imitation of Christ’s sacrifice. This is the second “believer’s sacrifice” on our list to wrap up this month’s study.

The concrete behaviors listed in Ephesians should be motivated by our relationship to the whole Trinity. We don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit by sinning (Eph. 4:30). We should forgive others as God has forgiven us (v. 32). And we should follow the path of love and sacrifice lived perfectly by Christ (5:2). These same verses put our actions in the context of salvation: God forgave us, Christ sacrificed Himself, and the Spirit sealed us.

To imitate God and Christ is a rather overwhelming assignment! How comforting, then, to be addressed as “dearly loved children” (5:1) and to know that Christ has blazed the trail before us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How’s your fragrance these days? And we’re not talking about deodorant or perfume--we mean your spiritual fragrance! Are you representing Christ in ways that would attract others to Him?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 13:11-16
Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. - Hebrews 13:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
The great American revivalist and theologian Jonathan Edwards distinguishes between “religious affections” and “religious emotions.” “Religious emotions” are a temporary burst of excitement, pleasure, or joy, without a true understanding of the cause. By contrast, “religious affections” unite head and heart by understanding the worth of who is worshiped, and cherishing and delighting in Him. “Religious emotions” focus on a feeling, while “religious affections” focus on God.

Edwards writes: “It is evident, that religion consists so much in affection, as that without holy affection there is no true religion: and no light in the understanding is good, which does not produce holy affection in the heart.”

This is a key distinction for true worship. Praising God means we should focus not on producing a “pumped-up” feeling in ourselves, but on who God is and what He is doing. Praise for all His goodness is another “sacrifice” that believers are to offer (cf. Ps. 107:21-22).

The first four verses of today’s reading give the background for this sacrifice. As foreshadowed in the old sacrificial system, Jesus’ suffering and disgrace paid the price for sin. In this spirit of redeemed exile, of being aliens and strangers here, we look forward to His eternal city.

Consequently, we should praise God, offering Him the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:15; cf. Hos. 14:2). This kind of praise shows strong faith, for it rejoices in a reality not yet come, even while the present may seem hopeless. Praising God includes doing good to others (Heb. 13:16), just as loving God and loving one’s neighbor are also inseparably linked (Mk. 12:33). Such praise is not reserved only for special occasions, but is to be a continual habit of the heart (cf. 1 Thess. 5:16-18).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One way to cultivate a spirit of praise in your life is to keep a “thankfulness journal.” At the end of every day, write a list of things from that day for which you thank God. These could be major events, small encouragements, gifts, letters, people, answers to prayer, or anything that God puts into your day for which you want to praise Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 8:1-8
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 8:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Writer and theologian John Stott has these insights into the Holy Spirit’s place in our lives:

“There is no need for us to wait, as the one hundred and twenty had to wait, for the Spirit to come. For the Holy Spirit did come on the day of Pentecost, and has never left His church. Our responsibility is to humble ourselves before His sovereign authority, to determine not to quench Him but to allow Him His freedom. For then our churches will again manifest those marks of the Spirit’s presence which many young people are specially looking for, namely biblical teaching, loving fellowship, living worship, and an ongoing, outgoing evangelism.”

Christ’s sacrifice enables our minds to be controlled and our hearts filled with the Holy Spirit, the promised divine Counselor (Jn. 14:16-17).

Today’s reading draws a contrast between life in the Spirit and life under the law. In the old system, people were in bondage to sin and stood condemned.

By contrast, in the new system, people are not condemned and are free in Christ. The difference is Christ, whom God gave as a sin offering (Rom. 8:3). Thanks to Him, we can and should live not according to the sin nature, but according to the Spirit (v. 4; cf. Gal. 5:24-25).

This means that we should have our minds and wills set on God’s desires, not on our own sinful urgings (v. 5).

The contrast could not be more complete. A life filled with the Spirit (cf. Eph. 5:18) is full of life, not death. It is characterized by peace, not hostility toward God. It submits obediently to God’s law--which is not even possible without the Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We like to recommend additional Bible study. As you dig deeper, you’ll say with the psalmist, “How sweet are your promises to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:14-18
I am already being poured out like a drink offering... I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:6-7
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Capacocha” was the name for the human sacrifice ritual practiced by the ancient Incas of Peru. Such sacrifices were often offered after a significant event such as an earthquake or the death of an emperor.

Once a physically perfect sacrifice was chosen, typically the child of a chief, a procession traveled from the child’s home village to Cuzco, the capital city. Then, in one form of sacrifice, the child was placed in a tomb, walled in alive, and given only a drugged potion to drink. In other cases, the priests sedated then strangled the child. The sacrifices, who were often deified later, were buried at the tops of mountains so as to be closer to the Inca sun god.

Without God’s truth, the practice of sacrifice goes horribly wrong. When Paul calls himself a “drink offering” or urges us to be “living sacrifices” (tomorrow’s reading), he does not have in mind a horrifying scene like those practiced by the Incas, but the beauty of spiritual consecration and service to God.

Service is another “sacrifice” we are instructed to offer. After all, Jesus led the way: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (Jn. 13:15; cf. Mk. 10:45).

A drink offering never stood alone in the Old Testa-ment, but was always offered with a greater sacrifice (see, for example, Num. 15:6-7; 28:6-7). Thus, in today’s reading, Paul places his individual service in the context of the larger body of believers (Phil. 2:17), and presumably in the context of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice as well (v. 16). To transform the Gentiles into an acceptable sacrifice was the consuming purpose of Paul’s life (Rom. 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:2)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Service and witness are inseparable in Paul’s writings. We have one more suggestion to add to those from April 24 and 26 that will help you share Christ.

Invite friends over and show the Jesus video. Tell them that the movie’s script faithfully portrays the Jewish culture of that day. They may believe that Jesus was just a great teacher; tell them you’d be interested in discussing His life with them after they see the film.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 12:1-2
To do your will, O my God, is my desire; your law is within my heart. - Psalm 40:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his devotional poem, “The Altar,” seventeenth-century pastor George Herbert pictures his heart as

an altar for sacrifice and worship before God: “A broken altar, Lord, thy servant rears, / Made of a heart, and cemented with tears.”

The poet glorifies God as the creator of his heart, and compares it to the natural stones required for Jewish altars (cf. Ex. 20:25). He then expands the image of a stone, admitting that only God could succeed in shaping his stone-hard heart (cf. Ezek. 36:26). As a result, even though there has been suffering along the way, his whole being praises the name of the Lord.

Herbert concludes his poem with a prayer for further sanctification: “Oh let thy blessed sacrifice be mine, / And sanctify this altar to be thine.”

George Herbert recognized that offering ourselves as living sacrifices is one of the joyful requirements of the Christian life. There’s no better way to close our month’s study on sacrifice than with these classic verses from Romans 12.

What does it mean to be “living sacrifices” or “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5)? It means we are consecrated, committed, and dedicated; willing, obedient, and submissive. It means we must die to self and live to God (cf. Jn. 12:24-25). The language of these verses speaks also of eternal life, spiritual transformation (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17), and worship. We want our “ears pierced,” so to speak--a sign of lifelong servanthood (Ex. 21:6), a service that is freedom because God is the Master (Ps. 40:6-8).

A “living sacrifice” has the “Here am I” attitude shown in today’s verse (cf. Is. 6:, ready to go anywhere and do anything that is God’s will. Our motivation, as always, is the salvation we have through God’s mercy (Rom. 12:1). With the spiritual renewing of our minds comes discernment to see and respond to God’s will (v. 2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What a journey this month has been! Why not review the road today? What lessons has God taught you personally? What new perspectives on Easter do you have in light of the Old Testament sacrifices? What do you know about Christ that you didn’t know before?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:1-4
In my Father’s house are many rooms.... I am going there to prepare a place for you. - John 14:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and sent into exile in 1815, the fallen emperor wasn’t the only person who left France. Napoleon’s older brother Joseph, once the king of Spain and Naples, came to America and found a home in Philadelphia that suited his regal style. The house was large enough to accommodate Joseph’s entourage and an art collection that has been called “staggering.” Bonaparte’s magnificent home quickly became a gathering place for French nationals in Philadelphia and important local people. Today the house is a historical site.

This story gives us a sampling of what it will be like when we move from earth to our home in heaven. Heaven is not a temporary residence, of course; it is the eternal home of all those who are trusting in Jesus Christ for their salvation. And the magnificence of the grand house Joseph Bonaparte occupied cannot compare with the glories awaiting us when we dwell eternally with God.

We’re going to talk about heaven this month, a subject we hope will encourage you and renew your determination to live a life of faithfulness to Christ. Along the way, we’ll also look at some Bible passages which remind us that, for Christians, death is a defeated foe and our “port of entry” into God’s presence in heaven. The Bible always discusses a believer’s death in a context of sure and certain hope.

Today’s reading is Jesus’ unforgettable promise of heaven for His people. The scene is the Last Supper, just hours before the Lord’s crucifixion plunged His disciples into deep confusion and despair. That dark

setting makes Jesus’ promise shine even brighter.

Notice the trustworthiness of what Jesus tells us about heaven. His word is backed by Himself and the Father--the God of all truth. Jesus also makes it clear that heaven is a real place, not simply a sentimental idea.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Mention the word “heaven” to a group of people and you’ll get a wide range of reactions, from misty eyes to downright skepticism.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. - Isaiah 6:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his book Our God Is Awesome, Bible teacher Tony Evans says, “Holiness is the centerpiece of God’s attributes. Of all the things that God is, at the center of His being, He is holy. . . . God’s holiness unlocks the door to understanding and making sense out of everything else about Him.”

This is an important truth for us to understand in relation to heaven and the kind of people who will be there. Dr. Evans goes on to say, “Only one thing happens [in heaven]: people get to know God. You will spend eternity in heaven getting to know God.”

Since God is perfectly holy and heaven is His dwelling place, it follows that heaven must be a holy place where no sin can exist. That’s exactly what the Bible teaches. The prophet Habakkuk says of God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong” (Hab. 1:13).

Isaiah was given a vision of heaven and of the God of heaven that few others have ever experienced. The prophet’s attention was immediately drawn to the throne where God rules in awe-inspiring majesty and holiness. He saw the angels surrounding the throne who eternally call out the reality of God’s holiness. In fact, over 600 years after Isaiah lived, John heard the same testimony in heaven: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:.

In this heavenly environment of pure holiness, holy people are the only ones who will be at home. Thankfully, through salvation, Jesus Christ clothes us with His holiness so we can stand forgiven and clean in God’s presence. He places His Spirit within us so that Christ is formed in us (Gal. 4:19).

We still have to live in a sin-scarred world, of course, and that can wear us down at times. It’s great to realize that in heaven we will finally be free from the presence and power of sin, both our own sin and the evil that surrounds us. Let’s also remember that God made us holy in Jesus Christ not just to prepare us for heaven in the sweet by-and-by, but so we can live above the pull of sin in the mixed-up here-and-now.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s a staggering thought to realize that naturally unholy people like us can look forward to sharing heaven with our sinless God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 1:21-23
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. - Psalm 116:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Years before his death on December 22, 1899, Dwight L. Moody had written these words: “Some day you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody, of Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all--out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal; a body death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.” Much later, when death actually approached, Moody testified to those around him that heaven loomed before him.

D. L. Moody’s statement is an expression of the hope and desire for heaven that the apostle Paul expressed in Philippians. To these faithful believers Paul introduced the previously unheard-of idea that “to die is gain” (v. 21). The gain for Paul, and for every Christian, is the joy of heaven and the endless blessing of being with Christ. Talk about taking the “sting” out of death (1 Cor. 15:55-56)!

It’s clear from his circumstances that Paul wasn’t just daydreaming about the future. He was writing to the Philippians, most likely from Rome, with chains clanging on his wrists and ankles (Phil. 1:14). Paul’s next stop could have been the executioner’s block--although it was revealed to him that he would survive his current imprisonment (vv. 24-25).

But it didn’t particularly matter to Paul whether he continued his ministry or went to be with the Lord. He knew the churches he had established needed his spiritual direction, but he also had an intense longing for home.

How can death, which human beings naturally fear, be considered a plus? Because it’s the curtain through which we step from earth into heaven. For Paul, to close his eyes in death was to open them in heaven and meet Jesus Christ face-to-face.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today’s reading is a great example of the fact that we really do experience two exciting worlds: we will enjoy Jesus’ company in heaven, and we can do His service on earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:1-7
God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
One genre of movies continues to draw millions of people and dollars to the box office year after year: adventure films. People flock to see the hero survive dangerous predicaments and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. These movies are often judged on their spectacular stunts and special effects, and moviegoers relish this vicarious experience of adventure.

At one time or another, most people are curious about experiences that we have never had. One reason these movies are so popular is that people like to experience things that are outside the ordinary routine.

We also carry within us a deep sense of curiosity about the next world, because God has set eternity in the human heart (Ecc. 3:11). You often hear people talk about how great it would be just to get a glimpse into heaven. Books and television programs about angels and heaven have been top-rated for several years.

But God wants to do far more than simply satisfy our curiosity about heaven, or give us just a little taste of what’s in store for us someday. Those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior are already in heaven in a very important sense.

That’s because we not only have new life in Christ, but we also share right now in the power of His resurrection and ascension. When God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the position of authority in heaven, we went with Him because we’re “in Christ.” To be “in Christ” means that we share in all that Christ accomplished for us on the cross. Since God knew that we would come to faith (Eph. 2:4), we were identified with Him even before our own salvation became a personal reality.

To appreciate how far believers have come, we have to go back to the beginning, when “by nature” we were cut off from God by our sin and were under His judgment (vv. 1-4). But all that changed when God saved us by His grace.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our feet may still be planted on earth, but the Word says we have a sense of heaven, because our ultimate home is there.