The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: 1st Corinthians 15:12-20

“Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2

The Things Above

Without the hope of heaven in our hearts, life would be an empty and futile thing. It is good for us to remember that much of our weariness with life, much of our boredom and bitterness arises from the fact that we do not think enough about heaven. There are some who believe that “religion” should concern itself only with earthly affairs, and they like to say that if we talk too much and think too much about heaven, religion will cease to be a vital force in our daily life. On the contrary, it is when we forget our heavenly destiny and begin to live only for ourselves that our lives become small, meaningless, and fruitless.
When our affection is set on the things that are above, “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” [Colossians 3;1], then our hearts are filled with love for our Savior, who died to save us, and filled with a deep longing to be with Him where He is. Such a faith will brighten every corner of life and influence every thought, every word, and every deed.
These people who say that heavenly-mindedness makes life drab and confining are so very wrong. It is the wonderful prospect of heaven that makes our human life a glorious pilgrimage full of adventure, full of meaning, full of hope.

Blessed Lord Jesus, You have died that we might live forever; help us to live in this life as heirs of the life to come. Amen.

August 01, 1953