Heaven On Earth Can Only Be Found Through Jesus

Psalm 23:1-4 & Revelation 21:1-5

When Jesus Brings Heaven To Your Hellish Situations, Your Soul Is Restored

Soul Food

Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)

“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.’”

Soul Search

• What is sometimes seemingly a very thin line between experiencing “heaven” and “hell” here on earth can shift very suddenly.
  One minute we are doing well and on a mountaintop and the next minute we have been cast down head-long into a seemingly bottomless chasm.
  Do you have any experiences that you can share where there was a very abrupt shift in your life and circumstances?
  Have you ever been tempted in some way to give up?
  What did ‘giving up’ look like for you?

• Have you ever experienced life in two very different worlds where the contrast between the two was incredible?
  Can you talk about it?

• Have you ever lived through a hellish experience but looking back on that time you can see how Jesus was there with you?
  Can you describe your experience and how Jesus manifested His presence to you?

• If you have a relationship with Jesus, does the hope of Heaven make a difference in your daily life?
  If so, how so?

Soul Moves

• If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus – if you’ve never invited Him to be part of your life and have have never given Him control of your heart/soul – consider it.
  See Romans 10:9,10 in the Bible

• If you’re in a ‘heavenly’ place right now and everything is going great, thank God.
  Enjoy it while it lasts because the next difficult and challenging thing is probably just around the corner.
  Make sure your relationship with Jesus is in good order because you’ll want to know He’s there with you and for you when the difficulties come.

• If you’re in a ‘hellish’ place right now, ask Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, to guide you through the dark, seemingly deathly, places you’re going through.
  Ask Him to tangibly let you know that you’re not in those places alone.

• If you’re weeping a lot remember it’s OK.
  That’s life on this place we call earth. When you ask Jesus to carry you through, you’ll experience heaven on earth even if you’re going through hell.
  Remember that God says in Revelation that the day is coming when He will wipe every tear away.
  Ask God to help you live in that hope that is Heaven.