Front Row Seats for Heaven on Earth
Heaven on earth? Really, Karen?
Is there even such a thing?
Why, yes. Yes, there is! And we have access to front-row-seat tickets.
Yet, I’m not talking about things or situations we attribute to the phrase, “It was heaven on earth.” Such as food, trips, or any experience we feel was heaven-like.
We are so limited in what we imagine for heaven. It’s much bigger and carries more awe than we realize.
A New Heaven and Earth
But the new heaven and earth will one day replace this fallen world we live in.
Look at how it’s all described in Revelation 21:
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Verses 1-5, NIV).
How wonderful this is what we have to look forward to. Still, in the present, there’s moments of heaven touching earth and touching our lives.
Moments of Heaven Touching Earth
1) Look around and look up—often. We may never know what God desires to rain down from heaven unless we remain aware, looking for it…looking for Jesus.
2) Engage in our life and in prayer. Who knows what is waiting behind the veil of heaven ready to pour over us until we ask. And ask on a regular basis.
Heavenly Father, oh how I need an outpouring from heaven in this situation, today, this hour, this moment in time. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
3) Be present in the present. Showing up in our loved one’s lives both physically and emotionally. Showing up at church, at work, in ministry, with our neighbors and friends. We carry a piece of heaven’s real estate, sealed by the Holy Spirit, as a promise of new life.
4) Act as Jesus with skin. That’s a sure-fire way to see glimpses of heaven. Model Christ to our family and friends; to the downcast, wayward—anyone without hope.
A sure-fire way to see glimpses of heaven. Be Jesus with skin to others. #Jesus #heaven Click To Tweet5) Abide in God’s presence. Worship and God’s Word both instill in us the riches of heaven.
We are a walking billboard, “The same God who reigns in heaven, lives and reigns in me. Click To TweetBringing Pieces of Heaven to Earth
Want to bring the hope of heaven, Jesus Christ, to this world? Grab ahold of true hope, the anchor for our souls. Living in such a manner that others ask where to find it. And then lead them to the cross and an empty tomb and a risen Savior.
Want to see the mercy of heaven displayed in living color? Access God’s mercies, new every morning, and then dispense mercy to others without limitation or hesitation.
Want to encounter the goodness of heaven as we dwell on this earth? Allow the Spirit to lead us, crucifying our flesh. The Spirit grows the fruit of goodness in us, pointing others to a good Father in heaven (See Galatians 5:16-24).
Want heaven’s love-factor brought down to our daily lives? Walk in God’s ways and His love. Refresh our minds with the unconditional love of 1 Corinthians 13. Since we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Acts of real love for our fellow man is one of the greatest manifestations of heaven on earth. #love #heaven Click To TweetSo, you see, we’re already citizens of heaven.
And we hold front-row-seat tickets to heaven on earth.
Top photo with cell phone and design of other photos created in Adobe Spark.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Jaime Wiebel/#SittingAmongFriends, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.
© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
This is wonderful! I love thinking about God making all things new and creating heaven on earth. Great reminders of how we can catch glimpses of Him each day!
I also love thinking about the new heaven and earth, Emily. Oh how much I want to catch those glimpses of Jesus every day and share it with others. We are a walking billboard, “The same God who reigns in heaven, lives and reigns in me. Hallelujah! Thank you!
Love your message. Look up and look around. God’s blessings are abundant. 🙂 What a great encouragement!
Thanks so much, Melissa. And may we act as Jesus with skin, ministering to those around us. That’s a sure-fire way to see glimpses of heaven. 🙂
Hope, mercy, goodness, and love. Such encouragement! Sometimes we are the only Christ people see–and that means we are the only ones who can show them a piece of heaven. And then we get to see it too! Thanks for a great post! God bless!
That’s so true, Nancy. We’re already citizens of heaven, a piece of real-estate lives in us to share with others. And we hold front-row-seat tickets to heaven on earth…the best part! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Hi Karen!
Loved your perspective here. We are often too limited in our perspective.
With love,
Edna Davidsen
Thanks, Edna. Appreciate your kind words and commenting. May we look around and look up—often. We may never know what God desires to rain down from heaven unless we remain aware, looking for it…looking for Jesus. Blessings!
I enjoyed reading. Thank you. Visiting you from Crysal Storms link-up. laurensparks.net
Lauren, thanks so much for stopping by. We really do experience moments of heaven touching earth and touching our lives.
Karen, “We are a walking billboard.” Wow! This says so much. Every place we go, we “advertise” Christ.
Thanks for another hopeful message, friend.
Yes, Beckie. We are advertising Christ. And as we abide in God’s presence through worship and God’s Word, both instill in us the riches of heaven. Thanks for commenting. Blessings!
Our ONE True HEAVENLY FATHER GOD CREATED the HEAVENS ( UNIVERSE ) and the EARTH from HEAVEN ABOVE, HE CREATED us in HIS OWN IMAGE, HE LOVES YOU ALL, through HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua!!
“Trust in the LORD Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua with all thine HEART, MIND and SOUL”!!
Praise Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday, HE is KING of kings and LORD ( ADONAI ) of lords, HE is the ALPHA and OMEGA, HE is the BEGINNING and the END!! Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha EVERYONE!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Kristi Ann, Amen. Who knows what is waiting behind the veil of heaven ready to pour over us until we ask. And ask on a regular basis.
Excellent ways to find and be heaven on earth. I’ve definitely been trying to be more present in the current events of life. Love these simple ways of life that can change life as we know it.
Yes, Brittany. Being present in the present. Showing up in our loved one’s lives both physically and emotionally. Showing up at church, at work, in ministry, with our neighbors and friends. We carry a piece of heaven’s real estate, sealed by the Holy Spirit, as a promise of new life. Thank you!
YES!!! So good! Lord, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Make me an instrument of Your love, peace, joy, hope, and mercy! Make me to shine for Your glory! Amen! Blessings!
Thank you, Liz. I’m so thankful that if we want to bring the hope of heaven to earth, we point people to Jesus. If we want heaven’s goodness and mercy and love-factor, we have front-row seats to access it in our daily lives. Appreciate you commenting.
Great post! So encouraging! Thanks for the reminder to see those glimpses of heaven that God provides daily! It’s easy to get lost in the daily slog through a fallen earth with fallen people. God bless!
Thanks for your kind words, Melinda. It is easy to get lost in the daily grind of life, forgetting we have front-row seats to God’s kingdom, heaven, in our day-to-day lives. We must simply access it.
I love thinking about Heaven. It certainly helps me keep positive and hopeful, especially in times of sorrow. I love your statement: “Be Jesus with skin to others.” That is the perfect word picture! Thanks for that. Bless you, Lisa Q
Me too, Lisa. What better way to display heaven itself than to be Jesus with skin to others. Blessings!
I also have been meditating on this thought that we are already seated with Christ in heaven and have the power through the Spirit to bring heaven to earth.
Great, Bailey. We are seated with Christ. Further, God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Eph. 1:3) Surely we have access to bring heaven to earth through our lives and actions. Thank you!
This is a beautiful reminder of God’s love for us! I love this message Karen. I love when you said look up to the sky it reminded me to keep my focus on our #1 Jesus. I don’t want to miss His blessings and your encouragement gives hope!! Thank you beautiful friend on sharing God’s truth❤️Blessings
Always
Sydell
Sydell, I need reminders often of all the wonderful characteristics of who God is and what He does in our lives and hearts. And yes, Amen, sister! To keep Jesus as our number one focus is what the Christian journey is all about. Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement. Hugs!
Amen.
The times when I am most aware of heaven coming close to earth is when the Body of Christ shows up in support of a need or to make something happen for the Kingdom of God.
So true, Michele. It really is heaven on earth and I don’t want to miss out by not looking, focusing, and acting. Thanks for commenting.
Such an encouraging and inspiring post, Karen! Love your personal graphics too. Sharing on Twitter and Pinterest.
Thanks so much, Sarah, for commenting and sharing. I love the Bible passage about heaven, yet I also enjoy thinking about how often heaven really does touch our lives in some ways on this earth…right now. Blessings!
Yes! I love this perspective. It’s easy to forget just how much of God’s goodness we can see in our everyday lives — and how we can encourage others and help them to see it as well. Thank you for sharing this!
We do easily forget, don’t we? Yet, we bring pieces of heaven to earth when we act in love, extend mercy, and share the goodness of a good Father with others. Thank you for commenting, Ronja!
Yes, we are seated with Him, we often lose sight of that, heaven on earth is in our hearts.
His kingdom is in our hearts, Rebecca. For we are already citizens of heaven seated in heavenly places. May His kingdom come to earth and our lives every day. Thank you!
These are all so good! The one that stands out the most to me in this season is this: “3) Be present in the present.” I want to enjoy the now; this is where God is. Thanks, Karen!
I love that, Lisa. “I want to enjoy the now; this is where God is.” Yes! Amen! Appreciate your comment.