As It Is in Heaven

As It Is in Heaven

As it is in heaven
Jesus prayed “as it is in heaven” knowingly. He knew what it is like in heaven and he wanted us to lift our eyes from the ground up to heaven. This world is not all there is.

Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. (2 Cor. 5:4-5, MSG)

We really should not settle for anything less than what God has prepared for us. We should not let the world drag us down but bring heaven into our troubles, relationships, life in general. Because God has the answers we need. Because God is more than we can ever imagine. Because God is pouring out grace upon grace even as you read this.

 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Cor. 4:16-18, MSG)

“Thinking eternally helps us manage our pain, changes our expectations, and gives us purpose when we suffer”, Mary DeMuth writes in her new book  The Wall Around Your Heart.

Mary reminds us “Everything that hurts us on earth has the potential, when we let God put His hands in the conflict, to bless the world. In short, we hurt, and God heals, which makes us an agent of healing. In other words, when we’re brave enough to let God transform our pain, we bring heaven to earth.”

Living as it is in heaven does not mean there would not be any hardships. But it means we can already enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives. We just need to turn to God with everything.

Keeping our spiritual eyes on the things that don’t meet the eye will cheer us on on our way to heaven. Keeping our heart conditioned “as it is in heaven” will bless us here and now. Keeping our life centered on Jesus enables us to live and love as it is in heaven.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for reminding us of our true home.
Help us to keep our eyes on you.
Transform our pains into something beautiful.
Surround us with your amazing grace.
Lead us home.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Does a glimpse of heaven cheer you on? Do you live and love “as it is in heaven”?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you continue heavenward on your pilgrimage!

Photo courtesy of Jesse Weiler, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke.  Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Hear it on Sunday, use it on Monday, Playdates with God, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp:  #1053 Heaven is real. #1054 God heals. #1055 Our help comes from the Lord.

I am part of Mary DeMuth’s launch team for her new bookand I have to say that this book absolutely rocks. It’s not only well  written but it is full of uplifting stories that just I can’t capture here on the blog. But make sure to visit the other blogs that are linked up here. They are also blogging through the book. Maybe together we can give a more vivid and accurate picture of the book.

Flowing Faith

23 thoughts on “As It Is in Heaven

  1. Dear Mari-Anna
    As I was reading your post when I thought of Paul’s words to keep our eyes on the things unseen, for this world is not going to last forever. Just like our bodies, our Lord Jesus is going to create a new earth and a new heaven!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

  2. A glimpse of heaven definitely cheers me on. Oh how glorious it will be! Thanks for reminding us to keep our focus heavenward!

  3. So many good nuggets here!! I love what you said “…when we’re brave enough to let God transform our pain, we bring heaven to earth.” I wrote a post a while back titled “Wounded Healers”, how can we ever minister to others if we have not known pain ourselves? This was beautiful, the link to “heaven as it is on earth”. ♥

  4. It’s interesting that you’ve written on this topic (or more specifically, Mary DeMuth has), because I’ve been thinking a lot about heaven lately. I just went to the UK recently and visited a town in Wales called Tenby, right on the ocean. Our room actually faced the ocean and I could see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and felt like heaven couldn’t get much more beautiful. But I suppose, when I realize the awesomeness of God, I’m certain I’m aiming too low! Thanks so much, Mari-Anna! Inspiring thoughts and can’t wait to read Mary’s book.

  5. “We should not let the world drag us down but bring heaven into our troubles, relationships, life in general.”
    Yes, so true. Focusing upward, not inward, helps us discover that grace that he is pouring out on us. Another encouraging post, Mari-Anna. Thanks for the Word today!

  6. Another wonderful post! So encouraging. This world is not our home.

    The book you’re sharing reminds me of the book I’m sharing called, “The Fire of Delayed Answers” by Bob Sorge.

    I think you’d like the book.

      1. It really is turning out to be a great book and I think it could really be helpful after the books you’re reading.

        All is well here, minus too much to do and too little time- but that’s the norm 🙂

        God bless!

  7. Aw yes, needed to be reminded of a heavenly perspective. It really does change everything. I’m glad to know about Mary DeMuth’s new book.

  8. “Everything that hurts us on earth has the potential, when we let God put His hands in the conflict, to bless the world” – these are such hopeful and inspirational words from Mary de Muth. The key thing remains for us to surrender those hurts as God reveals them to us and to trust Him to work for our good through it all. Thank you, Mari-Anna, for this lovely encouraging post! Blessings for the journey ahead toward wholeness, healing and open heart living. Xx

  9. Hmm…we are not home yet, are we? Thanks for the reminder and for helping to keep our eyes on our heavenly Father.

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