Category Archives: Heaven

Bible, Eternity, Glorify, Glory, Heaven, Life, Scripture

LIVE TO GOD

ROMANS 6:10

“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all time; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”

It’s funny how your life changes from season to season. I’m talking about seasons of life. When I was younger and single, I lived for Carl. All I thought about was doing what was good for me. I wasn’t a horrible person, but my priority was ME. When I got married and had children all that changed. Now, my priority was to my family. I worked to provide for them. I lived to protect them, to teach my children and hopefully live a life worth imitating in the eyes of God. Priorities shift, don’t they?

Jesus’s priorities never shifted. Before He came to earth, He lived to give glory to God. As a man on earth, He lived a life that pointed every to God. And now that He is in heaven, He still lives to point everything to His Father. Talking about consistency! Paul tells us in today’s verse, “the life that He lives (meaning now in heaven at the righthand side of the Father), He lives to God.” He points us all to the glory of the Father.

APPLICATION

Barnes has a wonderful explanation of Jesus’ life now and what that means for us as Christ’s followers. “He seeks to promote his glory. The argument of Paul is this: Christians by their profession are united to him. They are bound to imitate him. As he now lives only to advance the glory of God; as all his mighty power, now that he is raised from the dead, and elevated to his throne in heaven, is exerted to promote his glory; so should their powers, being raised from the death of sin, be exerted to promote the glory of God.”

Do you measure your plans and decisions against that metric? Are you seeking to give glory to the Father? It is so easy to make our plans and decisions and then ask the Father to bless them. Instead, we should be going to the Father first and ask Him what His plans are. Do you recall Jeremiah 29:11? “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Before you make a list of New Year’s resolutions, consult the Lord. He may change your path drastically. He may point you toward someone you need to disciple. But whatever you do, be like Jesus and point it all to God. Give Him the glory for all He does in and through you.

Father God, You have ordained my days and given me a path to follow. I want to stay close by Your side each and every day.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Forever, Heaven, Scripture

FOREVER IS A LONG TIME

PHILIPPIANS 4:20

“Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Having attended college and seminary, I have heard many teachers or professors speak long and longer. Now, I enjoyed my education. I actually kind of miss it, but I don’t miss those times when the topic or the speaker were especially boring. I would never call out names, but some of those teachers should have never been in front of students lecturing. It truly seemed liked forever.

In these last four verses of Philippians, Paul closes with a doxology followed by greetings and salutations. We often just skim these kinds of verses, but don’t do that. In today’s verse, Paul is giving glory “to our God and Father.” After all, all the glory belongs to Him, right? But he finishes that sentence by saying, “forever and ever.” There is nothing magical about the Greek word for “forever.” It means just that. But I do like what the Cambridge Bible says about it. “The idea conveyed by the phrase here is of circles of duration consisting of, embracing, other circles ad infinitum.”

APPLICATION

Are you prepared to praise God forever and ever? That’s exactly what we will do. When we receive our eternal reward and enter into heaven, we will be in the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. I will probably spend the first millennia on my face before His throne. How about you? Seeing the glory of the Lord displayed and lighting heaven will be overwhelming, to say the least.

We see a very similar doxology in Hebrews 13:20-21. “20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Very much like what Paul wrote in today’s verse, isn’t it?

Peter writes similar words in the last half of 1 Peter 4:11. “so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I think you can see that this phrase giving glory to God forever and ever was one embraced by many. Shouldn’t we embrace it as well. Try saying those words each day for a week as you end your prayer time. He does deserve the glory forever and ever.

God, Your glory is in You. We will only truly observe it when we see You face to face.

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Bible, Change, Conformity, Heaven, Jesus, Scripture, Transformation

WHAT A CHANGE!

PHILIPPIANS 3:21

“who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

When I come in from working in the yard, I am usually pretty dirty. I have grass stains on my shoes, dirt on my shirt and pants and fairly dirty hands even though I normally wear gloves. I have to strip off in the garage (with the door closed, of course) before coming inside. Then I go directly to the bathroom and get cleaned up. Afterwards, I put on clean clothes. There is quite the transformation in appearance and smell. But I am still in that same old body.

Paul tells us that will all change one day for the follower of Christ. Jesus will “transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body.” That’s a mouthful! What Paul is saying is this old, broken down, sin-filled body of ours which is prone to illness and disease will be changed one day. And we will become like Him. The word “conformity” means we will share the same inner essence and identity as Christ. Now, we won’t become God. That’s reserved for Him. But we will be God-like in our makeup. Pretty cool, huh?

APPLICATION

This Greek word for “conformity” is also used by Paul in Romans 8:29. “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;” It has been the Father’s original intention, since the foundation of the world, to conform us into the image of His Son. Once we accept His free gift of salvation, the transformation begins. Step by step it occurs until that glorious day when we are completely transformed in glory.

If you could model any attribute of God right now, what would it be? Gentleness? You can do that. How about compassion? You can show that. Maybe you would like to just be more loving. You can do that too. God’s transforming power isn’t limited to heaven. He can begin that process here, if you are willing to submit.

You’ve seen those 5 Minute Oil Change stores, haven’t you? I don’t really trust that to be honest. I have changed oil in a car a few times and I guarantee it takes longer than five minutes. But let’s apply that to our transformation in heaven for a second. If we are already working on our transformation down here, won’t that save God a little time (I know time has no relevance for Him)? Let the conformity begin today. Be more like Jesus.

I want to be more and more like Your Son, Lord. Help me shed the dirty, worn out way of living and cling to the new life I have in Him. 

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Bible, Citizen, Heaven, Jesus, Obedience, Scripture

REAL ID

PHILIPPIANS 3:20

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Here in the U.S., a new requirement has gone into place requiring every U.S. citizen to present a photo ID to board a domestic flight which can be a U.S. passport or the new state issued REAL ID driver’s license. I got my REAL ID last month. This new rule has been debated and discussed all across our county with many refusing to get that new ID. All I know is I was warned during my last flight that I would need it or my passport to board any future domestic flights.

Did you know we have to have the correct ID to enter heaven? Yep, no noncitizens are allowed. Hey, wait a minute Carl! I thought heaven was for everyone! Well, it is, but you must have your citizenship ID stamped to get in. How is that done? Paul states that in the verse – “a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no other way in, no matter what the world may tell you.

APPLICATION

The word for “citizenship” only occurs here in the noun form. It does occur in the verb form in Acts 23:1 where it is translated as “I have lived my life,” and in Philippians 1:27 where it says, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” You see, our citizenship isn’t just the fact that we are now children of the King. We also must live like it, conduct ourselves like it.

Why do we think we can just say a prayer and say we are followers of Christ and live any way we want? Why do we think we can disregard clear teachings from His Word and say we are citizens of heaven? Citizenship requires adherence to the requirements of the land. Our citizenship in heaven does also. We must follow God’s rules and regulations.

Jesus says is John 14:21, “‘He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me…’” I long for my heavenly home, but I am more concerned about how I represent my Savior down here. My conduct needs to reflect the One to whom I have pledged allegiance. So does yours.

I am thankful I am a citizen of Your kingdom, O Lord. Help me live in a manner to reflect it.

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Bible, Heaven, Prize, Race, Running, Scripture

THE PRIZE

PHILIPPIANS 3:14

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

When I was in high school, I accumulated some trophies for weightlifting and football. Man, I was proud of those trophies and carted them around with me for several years. Those trophies meant I had succeeded in something, that I was chosen as the best for that award. As time passed however, I realized those trophies really had no value and should be either packed up for good or just discarded. I chose the latter. And you know what – I haven’t missed them one bit.

Paul says he is seeking a prize, a trophy in today’s verse. The verb for “press on” can also mean to pursue, persecute, chase after. This isn’t a casual jog. No, it’s a pursuit. The word “prize” is the same word used to describe the prize awarded in the public games. Paul uses this same word in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 9:24 he writes, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”

APPLICATION

The beauty of our race, though, is there is not only one winner. All who run the race will receive the prize. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run; you will get there one day. Paul is obviously talking about his heavenly reward which he will receive one day. In his letter to the Colossians, he said in 3:23-24, “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

How’s your pace? This is really not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Now, I have never run a marathon, but I know people who have. They establish their pace early in the race to allow themselves to finish the course. Months and months of training go into these marathons. No one wants to burn out in the first three miles. Our spiritual journey is the same. We need to find our rhythm. There may be moments of sprinting or even standing still. But we need a steady pace to ensure we are running this race with the Lord and not by ourselves.

One day when you get to heaven and receive your heavenly prize, you will turn around and lay it at the feet of Jesus. Everything you do down here should be for Him. Any rewards or prizes belong to Him. So, run and press on for the prize. But remember, that prize truly belongs to Him for all He has done.

I love prizes, Lord, and can’t wait to receive the best prize ever.

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Bible, Heaven, Jesus, Journey, Perfection, Scripture

I HAVEN’T ARRIVED

PHILIPPIANS 3:12

“Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

I have some ministry colleagues who are leaving today for a trip to East Africa (Kenya and Uganda). I have made that trip more than a dozen times, so I know the grueling nature of it. It’s not just the plane rides and subsequent jetlag. It’s the layovers and delays. It’s the lost luggage and all the little things that can go wrong on the trip. So, when they reach their final destination tomorrow, I know they will be thrilled.

What has that got to do with today’s verse? Well, the word Paul uses for “become perfect” can mean “reach a final destination.” Some scholars believe that is more to what Paul is saying than claiming he isn’t perfect. No one can claim that, no matter how pious and holy they are. We can’t deny Paul’s spiritual dedication. He lived a life we should all strive for. But Paul knew he hadn’t arrived. He still had a long way to go to be like Jesus.

APPLICATION

It is true that the older we get and the more time we spend in the Word, the more we realize that we are still a work in progress. Our spouses don’t have to remind us of that. We know it. In Acts 20:24, Paul says this to the Asian believers he had called together, “‘But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.’” The word “finish” is the same word used in today’s verse for “become perfect.”

When you reach the end of your course, your journey with Christ, then and only then will you be perfect. You will have fully matured. You will have accomplished the task. Being perfect here is our goal for which to strive. Even though we won’t achieve it, we keep striving, knowing that with each passing day we are being perfected until that glorious day when we see Jesus face to face.

In the meantime, how close do you say you are to that perfection, to having arrived? Most days I don’t feel too close. Other days I could claim a little more. The only one worthy of judging my perfection is the only One who knows true perfection. He is my judge, not you. Nor am I your judge. Only Jesus sees our “Perfection level.” Only He can make us more like Him as we submit more and more of ourselves to Him.

Father, I want to become more like the Perfect One each day. Give me the hunger to know You more.

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Bible, Heaven, Jesus, Journey, Rapture, Resurrection, Scripture

FACE-TO-FACE

PHILIPPIANS 3:11

“if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

I do a lot of Zoom calls with men around the world. I say often that I wish I had invested in Zoom before Covid hit in 2020. I could have retired by now, lol. Zoom is great when you can’t meet face to face, but I still prefer that physical meeting. You can hide a lot of your body language in Zoom. Heck, you can even hide yourself by just cutting off the video. Or you can mute yourself. You can’t do those things if you are meeting in the same room.

Why am I talking about Zoom? Well, the word Paul uses in today’s verse for “may attain” (katantao) comes from two Greek words, kata and antao. It literally means to come face-to-face, to reach a destination. Paul desires to arrive at this point in his life. He is in prison. He is perhaps tired and weary. His spirit yearns for his heavenly home. I want to give you an explanation of this verse from Albert Barnes. I believe he explains it well. “Paul believed that all the dead would be raised (Acts 24:15; Acts 26:6-8); and in this respect he would certainly attain to the resurrection of the dead, in common with all mankind.”

APPLICATION

Katantaois used by Paul in Ephesians 4:13 where we are told, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith.” This attaining hints at our spiritual journey. It’s a journey we will be on until we are taken home to heaven. We will arrive or come face-to-face one day, but not now. Right now, we are trying to attain this unity.

Is there something you are trying to attain? Katantao can refer to a physical or spiritual journey. You may be planning a vacation or a holiday this summer. You probably have a destination in mind. As you make this trip, think about this verse and this word. You will attain your destination on this holiday, but you will always be seeking to attain your spiritual destination to the day you die.

Carl, are you telling me my spiritual journey is unattainable? In a way, yes, I am. We will not see Jesus face-to-face here on this earth. We may be one of the lucky ones who are raptured and will meet Him in the air. If not, we will meet Him the moment we die. Paul says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Are you ready to attain that? I am! Can’t wait!

Lord, one day You will take me home. I will attain the full promises You have made to me.

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Arrogance, Bible, Defense, Heaven, Pride, Scripture

LOOK AT ME!

PHILIPPIANS 3:5

“circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;”

Have you ever known someone who had to be the center of attention? They wanted everyone to watch them. They wanted everyone to give them praise. My ten-month-old grandson wants his Nana’s and my attention if we are both in the same room. For instance, if she is reading him a book and I am in the room, he will make sure I am watching him by making this little sound that means, “Hey, look at me.” No one taught him that. It’s just part of his little nature.

If you took this verse (and the next one) out of context, you would think Paul was bragging on himself. What he is doing is showing the Philippians if anyone had a reason to brag on their earthly pedigree, he did. Paul knows none of these things really mean much. His true pedigree is in Christ. But let’s take a look at some of these things Paul mentions here.

APPLICATION

Being “circumcised the eighth day” meant his parents had followed the law perfectly. This was the requirement (Genesis 17:12). He belonged to “the nation of Israel.” He was able to trace his lineage back as far as anyone. (I have traced my lineage back to 1555 in England. I think that’s pretty cool.) He is also “of the tribe of Benjamin.” In other words, his tribe has always been loyal to Israel, remaining with Judah when the nation split. Then Paul says he is “a Hebrew of Hebrews” which meant he was a pure Jew by blood. Finally, he says he was “a Pharisee.” He had kept the law exactly.

All of Paul’s accomplishments mentioned above would not get him into heaven. He knew that. He is laying out his argument much like a lawyer would. Don’t you love watching crime shows where the lawyer finally nails the bad guy with the evidence of their crime? Paul is laying out all the reasons why he should be declared righteous. We’ll see more of these tomorrow.

In verse 7 he will nail the coffin shut on all his achievements. We should do the same. Nothing we do will ever give us a heavenly home. Only Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary can open the doors to heaven for us once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Don’t stand up and say, “Look at me!” Instead, point to Jesus.

Lord God, I have no way of entering glory except through Jesus. Thank You for the assurance of my salvation.

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Bible, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Scripture

HOPE IN THE LORD

PHILIPPIANS 2:24

“and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly.”

Hope spring eternal! That’s not in the Bible. It’s from Alexander Pope’s poem Essay on Man. The Bible, however, is full of verses about hope. We can’t live without it, but don’t need it once we die (if we go to heaven). I have hoped for a lot of things in my life. Some of them were probably not the best for me. Other things, like a healthy baby or grandchild, are definitely worth hoping for. Hoping for something is okay as long as you consult the Lord first. Hopes become prayers, don’t they?

Paul is hoping to go visit the Philippians as soon as he is released. He says, “I trust in the Lord.” The NIV says it a little differently. “And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” The Greek word used there by Paul is peitho which is the root of pistis, faith. Paul had faith that he would be allowed by the Lord to visit Philippi again. Some scholars believe he did and perhaps visited Philippi a total of four times. I guess we will find out for sure when we meet him in heaven.

APPLICATION

What should you be hoping in? Please don’t tell me you are hoping to win the lottery! Our hope is not in the world’s riches or in anyone here on earth. Our hope belongs solely in Jesus. Paul said this over and over in his epistles. He was convinced in the Lord. In Romans 14:14, he says, “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus…” Later in 2 Thessalonians 3:4, Paul writes, “We have confidence in the Lord concerning you,…”

If Paul could continue to have hope in the Lord and be convinced by Him, we should do the same. Think of all the trials Paul went through. He lists some of them in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. I won’t list all of them here, but some were beatings, stoning and shipwrecks. He is writing this letter to Philippi as he sits under house arrest probably chained to a Roman soldier.

Where is your hope? Who or what are you hoping in? Hope does spring eternal in the heart of man, according to Pope. But we know as followers of Christ that our hope truly is eternal. One day, when we reach heaven, our hope will be fulfilled. There will be no need for any more hope. Why? Because we will be in the presence of the hope giver.

Father God, let my hope always be pointed towards You.

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Bible, Citizen, Conduct, Gospel, Heaven, Scripture, Testimony

WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT

PHILIPPIANS 1:27

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

I have shared before that years ago I worked for about six months at Walmart on their third shift (10 pm – 6 am). On that shift my job was to unload the trucks that arrived and stock shelves. It was a part-time job, but one I kind of enjoyed. A number of the employees, however, didn’t share the same attitude. They would look busy when the boss came by but would find places to hide and sleep or just goof off.

Paul wasn’t the Philippian believers’ boss, but he expected them to do the right thing whether he was present or absent. This verse is one we should all take to heart because He is coming soon. Amen? We need to be doing these same things today. Paul uses a Greek word here for “conduct yourselves” that is only used one other time in Acts 23:1 (we’ll see that in a minute). The word is politeuomai which means to live as a citizen. Let’s explore that.

APPLICATION

To live as a citizen means to live by the rules and laws of that city or country. One problem with illegal immigration is that they begin their life in the U.S. by breaking our laws. Now, don’t send me letters and postcards. I am just stating a fact. Being a good citizen implies maintaining the standard set by your community. In the Philippians’ case, Paul was exhorting them to live up to the standards set by Jesus.

In Acts 23:1, Paul is talking in his defense before the chief priests and the Jewish council. “Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.’” The phrase “have lived my life” is politeuomai. Paul had nothing to be ashamed of. He was living to please the Lord, not men. He was being a good citizen of heaven.

Are you living as a good citizen of heaven right now? Today is Easter Sunday. We have much to celebrate. Amen? We have the opportunity today to live in such a way that all those CEO (Christmas Easter Only) church goers that are in church today will marvel at our attitudes and worship. Live in such a way that the light of Jesus draws them like a moth to a streetlight. He is Risen!

O Lord, shine through me in every are of my life so that no matter where I am people will know that I am a citizen of heaven.

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