The Pastor was preaching about Heaven. He became very excited about the prospect of going to Heaven and he tried to communicate his sincere excitement of future hope to the congregation. Deeply involved in stressing to his congregation the joy of going to Heaven, he decided on interaction.

He shouted to the people, “Everyone who wants to go to Heaven, raise your hand!” Everyone in the church raised his hand except one man.

Surprised, the Pastor said again, “If you want to go to Heaven, raise your hand now!” All except the same man quickly raised a hand.

Now he was exasperated. He could not understand why this one man would not want to go to Heaven. He determined to be more decisive. He shouted, “Everyone who wants to go to Heaven, stand up now!”

All stood except the one man who had not raised his hand. Thoroughly frustrated and confused, the preacher pointed to the seated man. “Brother,” he said, “don’t you want to go to Heaven when you die?”

Instantly the man stood. “Pastor,” he said, “I’m sorry I misunderstood you. Yes, I want to go to Heaven when I die – but I thought you were getting up a load to go NOW!”

There is a difference in being prepared for Heaven and being ready to go. Because you are prepared does not mean that you are ready to go this moment. Being prepared does not require you to want to leave this earth now.

I recommend that you be prepared for the promise Jesus made to you if you trust Him. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare that place, I will come again and take you there.” (John 14:3-4)

If you are prepared by your faith in Jesus as your Savior, you will be ready when the Lord calls you into your Heavenly home.

I believe in Heaven. I am prepared now to go there. When He calls me, I will ready to meet Him.

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Write the Pastor at PastorBill@firstagcc.org