One thing have I desired of the Lord , that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 27:4 KJV.

God the father created us in his image and likeness, to worship him here on earth in Spirit and in truth, that at the end we may spend eternity with him.
It is the love of God that puts the desire to be with him forever in our hearts.
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.
We are on a pilgrimage journey here on earth, we are on transit, we are passing through.
“I love the song which says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue….” by Jim Reeves.

I love it, because it reminds me that it doesn’t matter what I go through on this earth, I have a better place waiting for me in heaven, if I don’t give up, but endure to the end.
There is so much pain and suffering that truly born again, children of God go through in this life. It is all for the purpose of increasing our faith and strengthening us spiritually.
Jesus Christ himself said in Jn 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”.
There is tribulation and suffering everywhere but our joy and peace is in Christ Jesus and our reward awaits us in heaven if we don’t give up and quit.
I have heard this saying several times, “No pain, no crown”
It may have been said for other reasons but it is very much applicable to our Christian walk today.
Some people equate suffering with sin, because a Christian is suffering in different areas, be it health, finances, career etc. some people will accuse him of being a sinner.
They say if he is serving God, why is he in so much debt, why is he always sick, why is he jobless when he already got his degree, the list goes on and on.

Who are you to judge others and accuse them of sin because of their negative circumstances? You are not God. You don’t know it all.
I would rather say, if you call yourself a child of God and every thing is moving smoothly for you on every side, check yourself very well to ensure that there’s no compromise in your life, that has submerged you into the enemy camp making you part of them so the enemy is not attacking you, that he considers you as one of them without you even knowing it.

On the other hand we Christians should not suffer as criminals as Peter said,
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters”.
1 Peter 4:15.

Yes, if you commit an offence and you are punished for it, that is not persecution or tribulation, rather a well deserved punishment for your crime.

Desire to please God always, to obey his word, in order to spend eternity with him in heaven.

Matt 6:33, said. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you.

Seeking God’s Kingdom first and his righteousness should be the ultimate goal of every true child of God. It is God who gives the grace, power and anointing needed to follow him.
When we focus on eternity, on life after death, then we are motivated to surrender it all to the Lord, no matter what we are going through.

Rom 8:18 says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.

Think about the glory that shall be revealed, what the father has prepared for us his children.

Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”. John 14:2‭-‬3.
Have you ever taken time to imagine what heaven will be like? Quite amazing!
This is enough reason for a true believer to get excited and pray for God’s grace and mercy to run this race to the end without wavering.

PRAYER
Heavenly father we thank you for today. We thank you for your love towards us. We thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ.

Father we desire to spend eternity with you, we pray for your special grace and anointing to run the race that is set before us faithfully and to the end.
Help us oh Lord our God to see you face to face when you call us home, that we may spend eternity with you in heaven, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!