What's Next?

The topic of death normally isn't one that comes up in your dinner conversations. Today many of us are saddened by the death of a very dear friend. Her battle against cancer ended as she entered Heaven's gates today and is now rejoicing and worshiping our Savior. We who are left behind are saddened by her absence and yet we are comforted by the confidence that as a Christian, to be absent from the body means you are present with the Lord. Some may say how can you know that? My answer would be-God told us so in His Word-the Bible-and I believe it. A common question asked when Christians are out witnessing is, "If you were to die today do you know that you would go to heaven?" It doesn't have to be a "hope so" answer. 

You CAN know and here is how:

 If you acknowledge you are a sinner (and we all are) Romans 3:23- "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." 

We then need to realize that there is a punishment for our sin, which is told in Romans 6:23:

   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Realize that God came to earth to die and take on the penalty for your sins-He was crucified, buried but conquered death and rose again-Romans 5:8- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 Then you ask for forgiveness, Romans 10:9-10- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

   10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Then you can say without a shadow of a doubt that you know what's next when you die! You will be in Heaven.

You have heard the saying from Benjamin Franklin- "'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Our Pastor has always said that 1 out of 1 die. It doesn't have to be a mysterious thing or something that you fear. None of us are guaranteed a certain number of years here on earth. We live one day at a time.But you can have the certainty of knowing what will happen next. 

Our prayers are with the family at this time of sorrow-thankful that our God is big enough to be their Comforter at this time. I am thrilled to say that it is only a temporary farewell as we look forward to the reunion when all we who are Christians get to Heaven-what a day that will be!