During my lifetime I have been privileged to speak from the subject of heaven on several occasions. Three of those times were rather unique. One was on top from a flat bed semi truck, in Fostoria, Ohio; another, atop a church roof in Kokomo, Ind., while the other was suspended in a hot-air balloon in Fairborn, Ohio. (Never mind about any hot-air balloon comment from…:)

Jesus said, If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. Heaven is a place, a wonderful place where the redeemed of all ages will live together in perfect love, health, and felicity.

THINK—-

Think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven;

Think of taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s hand;

Think of breathing new air and finding it celestial air;

Think of feeling invigorated and finding it immortality;

Think of passing from storm and tempest to an unbroken calm;

Think of looking up —- and finding it home!

Myrtlye Erickson

The Bible teaches us that there are three steps we all must take during our lifetime to be assured of entering God’s heaven.

STEP ONE IS THE STEP OF REPENTANCE.

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst of the trees of the garden.

And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou? (Gen. 1:8-9)

“Where art thou” is the call of repentance and mercy from a loving God seeking his lost children. In his holy book, God reminds us that we all like sheep, who have wandered off and gotten lost; We have all done our own thing, and have gone our own way. (Isa. 53:6-)tm

One much wiser then I has said; “The journey of a million miles begins with the first step.” The best step that the prodigal son made was the step he made back home, to his Father’s House. When you get homesick there is only one sensible thing to do, and that is to go home. The hymn writer said it well; “ye who are weary… come home” Jesus is saying the welcome mat is out, dinner is ready, the celebration is about to begin, Come home; you can get to heaven from Washington C.H. Ohio through the door of repentance.

STEP TWO IS THE STEP OF FAITH.

For It is by “grace” you have been saved, through faith —-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph.3:8)

I like to think of it this way; Grace is God’s part of our salvation, and Faith if our part. “Grace” is the key to heaven, “Faith” unlocks the door, and “Prayer” celebrates the gift of eternal life.”

How do we celebrate God’s Gift? By simply receiving Him personally! When we receive Him personally into our hearts by faith, our lives become continually transformed by the image of God’s dear Son. The context of this scripture refers to this celebration as “part time.” How’s that for a new twist; it’s party time in heaven!

This is the second step of faith to Getting to Heaven from Washington C.H. Ohio.

STEP THREE IS THE STEP OF COMMITMENT.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—-his good, pleasing, and perfect will is. (Rom. 12:1-2)

Commitment is a testing time, a proving time, and a time of sacrifice. This is true with all our relationships. The good news is that commitment has its rewards. Jesus said; well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charges of many things. Come and share the master’s happiness!

In addition to the rewards commitments bring, are the happiness and joys they inspire. Many them come during our lifetime, others are reserved until this life blooms into that land that is fairer than day.

This is the third step in Getting to Heaven from Washington C.H. Ohio.

Welcome to First Church of the Nazarene

990 St. Rte. 41 S.W. Washington, C.H. Ohio 43160

Intercessory Prayer Fellowship: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Night Live 6 p.m.

Discipleship Training Wednesday 7 p.m.

“Where Faith, Family and Relationship Matter”