Daily Devo
Celebrating in Heaven
By: Lisa Hodgins
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8
My grandson and I had the joy of celebrating a 100th birthday with one of my clients. She’s lived through 17 presidents, experienced the great depression, and her husband served in World War 2. She and many of her friends took jobs to support the country's war effort. She still looks great, so she might even become a supercentenarian (someone who lives to 110). Science and medicine have come a long way in extending longevity, but at some point, we'll all stand before our maker.
Our frail human bodies aren’t designed to last forever. One day, every Christ follower will be with Jesus in our glorified bodies, and we'll be free of pain and sin. But until that time, the Lord has entrusted us with sharing His love and salvation plan to the lost. He has also given us spiritual gifts so we can build each other up and expand His church. One of the primary ways we are called to use our spiritual gifts is to encourage and strengthen each other. God designed our gifts to complement each other, so it important we work for the Lord together. After all, we are united into the body of Christ, so working in unison is how we expand His kingdom.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds... Hebrews 10:24
At times, we may need to "spur one another on" because our sin nature tempts us to be lazy. Christ followers aren't called to be self-seeking; Jesus commands us to think of others. During World War 2, those that couldn't fight chipped in wherever they could to help the war effort. That same mindset should be our battle cry today! Let's put on our spiritual armor and fight against spiritual lethargy and indifference in our community. As Jesus said, "The fields are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35). Jesus is still opening the eyes of the spiritually blind, and He's still softening the hardest heart. After He does, He sends us in to share the gospel and give them His hope.
I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7
Keep working for God until the day He calls you home, that day you'll be able to celebrate with Jesus in person!
Read: Philippians 3:2, Hebrew 10:24