Podcast
A Moment of Hope
Hosted by David and Marilynn Chadwick with Jenn Houston · EN
Begin your day with a "Moment of Hope." This podcast is a compliment to David and Marilynn's weekday devotional - providing deeper insights and encouragement. Featuring Jenn Houston.
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Five Minutes After You Die: It Was Worth It
Yesterday00:04:39Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick What happens five minutes after you die? You will have an immediate awareness of your surroundings. You will see Jesus face to face. You will experience eternal, perfect peace. It will be like awakening from a deep, restful sleep. What else? You realize it was worth it. What was worth it, you might ask? All that you walked through in this life! How? You will see the providence of God working in your life. You will find out why he let certain things happen to you. You will see the full picture. You will no longer see in part and know in part. You will fully understand and fully know the fullness of God and the glorious presence of fellowship with Jesus! This is so hard to comprehend on this side of eternity while we are still living in the midst of so much pain, uncertainty, hurt, and brokenness. When we are experiencing so much chaos, it's hard to even comprehend that it has a purpose. But the Bible says that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). I have often joked that I think the most often spoken word in heaven is "Oh!" as God reveals to each of us how he was working out his purposes in our lives for his glory. That is what Romans 8:18-24 means when Paul says that everything here that is groaning in pain will have it all alleviated in heaven. That our current sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that is coming. It's what Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 when he said our present difficulties are "light and momentary" in comparison to the eternal glory of heaven. Think about it: our pain has tremendous purpose in light of God's eternal plan. God always has purpose in the pain. In the victories. In the trials. In the successes. In the tragedies. All things are working for our good and his glory in this world. In the first five minutes in heaven, we will say, "Oh! It was worth it! It was ALL worth it!"
Transcribe →Five Minutes After You Die: There Will Be Perfect Peace
2d ago00:05:03Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick Peace is such a powerful word. It's not just the absence of chaos. It's wholeness in the midst of a storm. It's rest. Quietness. Tranquility. In fact, one of the biblical definitions for one of the Greek words for "peace" implies being exempt from the rage and havoc of war. What is something else that happens five minutes after you die? You will be in perfect peace! The Bible is very clear that in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). But in the same verse, he promises us peace. He promises undisturbed wholeness in the midst of the burdens, afflictions, tribulations, and anguish of this world. Our world throws us empty promises on a regular basis. Promises of temporary "peace" and comfort through carnal solutions. Take this medication. Eat this food. Buy this drink. Watch this tv show. Date this person. Land this business deal. Fill your immediate desires. But the peace that Jesus gives us is a very different peace than the world offers (John 14:27). The peace of Jesus exists outside of our earthly circumstances. It is untethered to this carnal world. It shines in the face of destruction. Jesus's peace is untouchable to the enemy's schemes. Someone once described it as, "joy in chaos. Peace that makes no sense." The peace that Jesus offers in this broken world is leading us to the ultimate, eternal peace we will find in heaven. That's what Revelation 21:4 clearly states when it says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more." In an instant, all fear, heartbreak, and grief will melt away. They simply won't exist anymore. From the reality of perfect peace, I think we will move toward worship. Profound, unabashed, relentless worship. Did you know that right now, thousands upon thousands of angels are presently worshipping God? They cry out, "Holy, holy, holy" and "Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne." As are the saints who have gone before us. We will join in on that chorus! Our worship will create extraordinary, eternal joy in our hearts. There will be no religion in heaven, just an eternal relationship with the King of kings and the Lord of lords, which will motivate more and more worship for all eternity. Heaven will resound with perfect peace.
Transcribe →Five Minutes After You Die: See Jesus Face to Face
3d ago00:05:27Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick What happens five minutes after you die? You will have immediate awareness of your surroundings. Eternity is real. Both heaven and hell are real. The Gospel of Jesus is real! And because of that, do you know what else will happen? You will see Jesus face to face! When Stephen was being stoned in Acts 7:55-56, he looked into heaven and saw Jesus standing before the throne. It says that Stephen, "full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Pause for a moment and imagine how powerful this vision must have been. I find Stephen's vision to be fascinating. It is almost as if Jesus were giving this faithful steward of the gospel a standing ovation for his courage and boldness during his final breaths. Let's look at some other Bible verses that also stir up a great anticipation of seeing Jesus face to face one day. 1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." Or how about 1 Corinthians 13:12? It says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." Now try to imagine, as best you can, Jesus's face. Full of love. Tenderness. Mercy. Kindness. Compassion. His eyes locked in with yours. A gaze of tremendous intentionality. His smiling face. Arms reached out. You finally realize you are surrounded by perfect grace. The face of Jesus that greets us in eternity will be a face that shouts, "Welcome home!" And maybe a standing ovation like Stephen received? Dear friends, this world is not our home. Heaven is. 2 Corinthians 5:1 clearly states, "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." May we all eagerly await the day when we see Jesus face-to-face and that becomes fully realized.
Transcribe →Five Minutes After You Die: Immediate Awareness
4d ago00:05:34Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick Death is often people's greatest fear. But as followers of Jesus, who carry the hope of heaven, we need not fear death. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to take some time to look at what happens five minutes after you die. People all over seem to be fascinated with near-death experiences and life after death, so let's take a look at this topic together. Each day, we will study one specific reality of what will happen after we die. Join me on this journey. Five minutes after you die, you will have immediate awareness of your surroundings. Please note here that this is assuming you are a believer in Jesus. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life and that those who believe in him, though they die in the physical, they will never die. Never means never! This must mean that believers in Jesus will have some sort of immediate awareness of heaven and its surroundings. In Luke 16:19-30, Jesus talks about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man cared about nothing other than himself, even though the poor man resided outside his gates every day. Both men died. The poor man was taken to Abraham's bosom, also known as paradise, but the rich man went to Hades. "Being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side" (Luke 16:23). Verse 26 describes a great chasm fixed between the two men. This passage clearly shows that both men, upon death, were immediately aware of their surroundings. With the thief on the cross, Jesus said that "today" he would be with him in paradise. This, once again, shows an immediate presence with Jesus forever in the glory of heaven. When our eyes close for the final moment here on earth and we breathe our last breath, it will be more like falling into a deep sleep and then awakening in heaven's glory. You will be beautifully aware of all that's going on around you. This is why, as followers of Jesus, death should not be feared! It's more like going to sleep and then awakening soon thereafter, with an immediate awareness of our Creator God! Please make sure you will awaken in Abraham's bosom, heaven, and not in Hades like the Rich Man!
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: Purposeful and Meaningful Work
1w ago00:04:56Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick Today, we conclude our two-week study on heaven. The hope and majesty of this eternal reality is made known to anyone who puts his or her faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Work is important to the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." 2 Thessalonians 3:10b says, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." From the beginning of time, and even after the Fall, God has designed his children to work hard. Work here on earth can certainly be wonderful. It feels good to accomplish a task. Whereas Satan has taken God's intention for labor and made it arduous, exhausting, and destructive, God's original design was for work to be a good gift. Did you know that there will also be purposeful and meaningful work in heaven for us all? Isaiah 65 talks about how in the new heavens and the new earth, joy and gladness will be everywhere. Verse 21 says, "They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit." Clearly work will continue in heaven. The difference between work in heaven and work on earth will be the absence of thorns and thistles that make work toilsome and hard. What came as a curse to make work hard here simply won't exist in heaven. As Jesus walked this earth, he implied that those who do a good job overseeing his possessions here will be given an even larger responsibility in heaven. He even suggested in Luke 19 that we will help oversee cities in heaven! Isn't that interesting to think that there will be cities in heaven, stretched throughout his universe? There will be continued creativity, hard work, and a sense of lasting accomplishment as we joyfully serve and worship the Lord and sit under his eternal oversight. All that we enjoy here will be eternally enjoyed in heaven. Cling to the hope of heaven! Jesus is coming back soon!
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: Eternal Relationships and Friendships
1w ago00:04:31Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick Eternal relationships and friendships will be a special part of the new heaven and new earth. Jesus implies in Luke 16:9 that we will have friends in heaven. Jesus basically tells his followers to use earthly riches to build relationships, knowing that it will form eternal bonds. All of our family and friends who love Jesus will be in heaven. We will also make new friends like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and all of the kings and prophets in the Old Testament. We will befriend the saints and disciples like Peter, Paul, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and others who have loved our Lord through the ages. The martyrs will become our friends. As will the millions upon millions of angels. They will never die. They will always be there, standing with us and for us. Never again will there be betrayal, treachery, slander, gossip, and hurtful actions. There will only be eternal love and acceptance among us. It's hard to even comprehend how perfect perfection will be. This world is so broken, and it is easy to become complacent and to forget what will happen on the other side of the squalor of this world. Might we be able to travel around the solar system together? Explore the vastness of God's newly created order? Share eternal memories with those we love the most? Who knows? But perfect joy and peace will be ever-present. The joy of the Lord will finally be our permanent strength (Nehemiah 8:10). One final thought: in heaven, we will worship forever before Jesus and relish in his gift of eternal life to us. The people surrounding us in this regular worship will be the people we love the most! It will be so wonderful.
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: A New Heaven and a New Earth
1w ago00:04:40Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick There will be a new heaven and a new earth. God's Word promises it. God says, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17). Revelation 21:1 says, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." Why is this interesting and important? Because it implies that our eternal home will be much like it is now, but all things will be new. There will be no hint of Satan's presence. None of his accusations that he has long whispered over our lives. Satan will have no power to rule, reign, or wreak havoc on us ever again. No sin embedded in the crevices of creation. Do you think the new heaven will be more expansive than it is now? Perhaps. And think about the new earth. Perhaps it, too, may be more expansive. Full of awe, wonder, and endless beauty. The earth will no longer have the curse of sin staining it. No more thistles and thorns. No more tornadoes or hurricanes. No volcanoes or tsunamis. Everything will operate perfectly. All will be restored. I looked up "all" in the dictionary. It means "all!" And here is another thing: The earth will be even more beautiful and glorious than it is now. Will there be new stars and galaxies more spectacular than those presently created? Do you think we will be able to move between these two dimensions whenever we want? Will we have a home in heaven (John 14:2) and here on earth? Will we be able to do things without any hindrance that our present bodies don't allow us to do? I can't speak for you, but I love new adventures, and this sounds like an extraordinarily wonderful adventure. I can't wait to experience the hope of heaven with my wife, children, grandchildren, family, and close friends. Heaven should be the most expectant part of our lives!
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: No Pain or Suffering
1w ago00:04:45Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick Revelation 21:4 says that one day, in heaven, God will wipe every tear from our eyes, "and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Once and for all, pain and suffering go away! No more crying, mourning, physical pain, suffering, or death. No regrets about the past. No fears about the future. In fact, no fears or anxieties at all! We will live in the perfect presence and care of our Creator forever. Fully healed. Fully present with the Father. Fully aware of the victory of Jesus. Fully alive! Studies show that death is the number one fear that people experience and that all other fears come from this fear of death. But for people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus, death becomes powerless. Think about this for a moment: If, because of Jesus, there is no more death, then fear of death holds no power in a Christian's life. If the greatest fear is eradicated because of the Gospel, then all other fears can evaporate as well! Imagine living every day without fear of bodily deterioration and pain. Imagine living in eternity, where we remain the same age forever. Imagine being around our loved ones forever. Imagine a reality where you live forever and never die. That is heaven! Many ask what age we will be in heaven. No one really knows. Some have hypothesized that it will be around 33 years of age, for that is the age Jesus was when he died. Physiologically, this is also the age of peak performance for most athletes. From there on, their careers generally go down. We really don't know! But what we do know is that we will live in a perfect body in a perfect environment where there is no more pain and suffering. Praise God! Because of his great love for the world, he sent Jesus to die for all of our sins and to offer us eternal life, the hope of heaven!
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: No Sun or Moon
2w ago00:05:08Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick In heaven, there will be no need for the sun or the moon. But why? Revelation 21:23 says, "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." The glory of the Lord will give us all the light we need! "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5). Psalm 27:1 says that the Lord is our light and our salvation. And Jesus said that he was the light of the world in John 8:12. Of course, this means that he guides us and our paths in this world. But could he have also been alluding to the light he will bring for all of eternity? According to these verses in Revelation, describing the Lord and Jesus as our light seems like it is not just a figurative description but a real one! He truly is a light! This begs the question: Will there be sleep in heaven? If there's no darkness, why will there be a need for sleep? This will be fun to find out in heaven. In heaven, there is no need for any natural light, electricity, light bulbs, or flashlights. No one will need anything else but Jesus. He will be our light for all eternity. Living in his presence will give us enough light for every second of every moment for all eternity. There will be a tree of life in the middle of New Jerusalem. When we eat from this tree, it will nourish our new bodies forever. It is hard to even comprehend with our finite minds how wonderful this will be. In Isaiah 55:9, God says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." God has a perspective that goes so beyond anything we could understand, especially when it comes to eternity. This very idea of God being our light in eternity should cause all of us to pause and try to imagine the glory of heaven. Yearn to be there! Imagine its glory! Allow your childlike imagination to run wild as you await in full assurance the day when it will become your reality.
Transcribe →The Hope of Heaven: Unimaginable Beauty
2w ago00:04:58Tap to summarizeby David Chadwick There will be unimaginable beauty in heaven. Inextricable joy. Eternal wonder. The New Jerusalem is described as a magnificent and glorious city. Revelation 21:2 says that this new city will come "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." One day it will come down from heaven and be established on the new earth at the end of the millennial kingdom. What will New Jerusalem look like? The walls are jasper, the streets are gold, and the gates are made of pearls. I wonder if what we describe on earth as "precious metals" are simply common sources of construction in heaven. Here on earth we search far and wide to find gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones like jasper and emeralds. They are precious and valuable because they are scarce. But in heaven, they are used in every basic part of the construction of the holy city! It reminds me of the joke of the man who decided to hide gold in his death suit, thinking that perhaps he could smuggle it into heaven and have some resources available to him in eternity. Upon arrival, St. Peter purportedly examined him and found the gold. He then jokingly asked the man, "Why in the world are you trying to smuggle street pavement into heaven?" What is valuable here will be common there. The beautiful things we cherish on earth will surround us in heaven. It will be splendorous. Beautiful. Unimaginably glorious. The reality of heaven should cause all of us who follow Jesus to exclaim, "I can't wait!" Are you one of his followers? Do you feel the anticipation swelling in your heart to go home one day? This should drive you to worship Jesus more and share him with others. When you are faced with the brokenness of this world, whisper to yourself, "I can't wait!" When discouragement settles in because the world is not yet restored, proclaim, "I can't wait!" And as you do, little by little, let hope arise in your heart for the most glorious reunion with your soon-coming King.
Transcribe →