I do a lot of traveling with my job – on average about 1,000 miles/week or so; therefore, during that time I immerse myself in Godly things while I drive – The Message (ch 32 XM), an iPod full of music & messages (I have 3 lifetimes of teaching through the Bible from J. Vernon McGee, Chuck Smith, and Jon Courson – how awesome is that – over 130 years of teaching experience coming through my stereo with the press of a button), and an iPhone that plays ministry podcasts real-time.

Yes, technology and the Internet has definitely made some bad things more readily available to the public, with the possibility/likelihood that our children will be exposed to those bad things at an early age (that’s where we a Christian parents have to take charge), but, man, there is so much of God’s Word and solid Bible-based teaching out there that even if man wasn’t without excuse before, because Salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11) by convicting him through the physical Creation around him… You know what? Let’s just take this discussion to the Word of God – He said it better than I can paraphrase it.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. [1] – Romans 1:18-23

Back to technology, it has made the Word of God and the teachings of Faithful men and women of God so available that in these last days that mankind is really super-duper without excuse, and Believers who previously often had to go to seminary to understand the Deeper Things of God have the ability to simply press a button and learn the Bible – note: I said the Bible not some motivational speech that says “God’s okay – I’m okay – You’re okay” or “You can have your Best Life Now” – but Rock solid Bible teaching.

Anyway, I digress, on a trip back from PA Thursday evening to prepare for Hurricane Earl (which I don’t think it even rained at my house, and I’m 25 miles from the Connecticut coast), I was listening to Francis Chan teach, and he said something that I guess I already knew in the back of my mind, but I had never really dwelt on it before. He said words to the effect of “What does it really matter? What’s it matter what happens in this life to me? I’m immortal – yes, this body is going to die someday, but me – who I am – my soul is immortal – and man, even if you were able to kill me, what would that matter – I would just go to straight to Heaven.”

My friends, wrap your minds around that statement – “We’re immortal.” We need to think about that, because when we can understand that concept, then that changes everything – how we live – how we love – how we choose to divvy up or time and resources.

If you’re a Believer – if you’re counting on the Blood of Jesus to Redeem you when you breath your last here on earth, then you’re going to Heaven – what could life throw at you that matters?

Brother-Pastor Courson’s daily devotional spoke to that concept today – Let’s hear what he had to say.

September 4

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. – Philippians 4:3

After ministering in various areas, the disciples returned to Jesus excited about what they had seen. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the demons are subject unto us as we share in Your name. It’s amazing what’s happening!’

But what did Jesus say?

He said, ‘Don’t rejoice in what you’ve seen. Rather, rejoice that your names are written in the book of life’ (Luke 10:20).

We should be full of ecstasy and elated continually not because we cast out a demon or saw a healing or were used in ministry. We should be amazed constantly over one thing primarily: the fact that we’re saved.

Hell is real, gang. We don’t understand it. It’s still sort of fuzzy to us. But Jesus knew the reality of hell, even as He knew the reality of heaven.

That is why He said to His disciples, ‘Here’s what you should be excited about: because your name is written in the book of life, you’re not going to hell. You’re going to heaven where you will live with Me forever.’

The knowledge that we’re headed for heaven should keep a smile on our faces every day of our lives. Heaven alone should keep praise flowing from our lips perpetually.

‘I don’t feel good,’ we groan.

Who cares? We’re not going to hell!

‘I’m not appreciated at work,’ we cry.

Who cares? We’re going to live eternally.

‘I won the lottery!’ we shout.

So what? That’s nothing compared to heaven![2]

My friends, we’re all immortal! Our souls will live on once this body dies. Whether you spend the next part of your immortal life in Heaven or Hell is up to you.

Seek Jesus and the Salvation that is offered to you today.

The Great White Throne Judgment11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. [3] – Revelation 20:11-15

Father, You are our God and our Provider of all things – Help us to realize our immortality today and allow this knowledge to transform our lives. It’s in Jesus’ Holy Name we pray – Amen.

Semper Fidelis,

Jesse

The New King James Version. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 1:18–23.

Jon Courson, A Day’s Journey : 365 Daily Meditations from the Word (Santa Ana, CA: Calvary Chapel Publishing, 2003).

The New King James Version. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Re 20:11–15.

Chuck Smith · Immortal · J. Vernon McGee · Jon Courson · Revelation 20 · Ro 1:18–23 · We Are All Immortal