Post #64: Jesus loves me this I know

Post #64: “Jesus loves me this I know’

I have been rereading Heaven Is Beyond Imagination. You would think I know everything in it since I wrote it, but since this is really a love letter from God to us, as the Bible is, He can keep showing us more each time we read it, just like the Scripture does for us.

I decided I want to share some excerpts from the chapter on meeting Jesus, the longest chapter.

Steven Musick was talking with Jesus during his visit to heaven and in his book reported: ” As they talked, Jesus showed him the sovereignty of God and His provision but also His giving us complete freedom to choose the course of our lives and the attitudes we will have. But He controls the aftermath; we cannot choose the consequences of our choices. He saw how deep, attentive, encompassing, complete, and astounding Jesus’ love is. God knows all that has happened; it has a purpose, nothing is wasted, and He loves us intimately.    ” (quoted from Heaven Is Beyond Imagination, page 98)

Sometimes we wonder why things are not the way we would like or why something happened the way it did. I know I have this wonder and I am sure you do. What Jesus assured Steven was that no matter how it looks to us, “all that has happened has a purpose, nothing is wasted, and He loves us intimately.” What joy and peace we could have if we truly grasp what Jesus is telling us here.

The other thing He says is to reaffirm that He gives us complete freedom to choose the course of our lives, what we will believe, whom we will serve, and what we consider important. But we do not get to choose the consequences of our choices. In the Appendix there are stories of people who made wrong choices in their lives and then begged Jesus to let them out of hell, but His answer was always, “it is too late; it is too late. The judgment has come.” But it is also very clear it gives Him no pleasure to say that. He doesn’t want any of us to go that way because He loves us so much. But also He loves us so much that He allows us complete freewill to choose as long as we are in this life.

Jesus told Jeanne Enstad, “Your job is to tell my people about their home in heaven, to give them hope, to bring my glory to everyone. And do not forget to express to them how much I love them.” (Heaven Is Beyond Imagination, page 99)

This is the same thing He told many of these witnesses. He really wants us at this time to know what He has prepared for us and how much love is in store for us. As Colton Burpo said, “You can’t belieeeeeve how much God loves us.” In the chapter on meeting Jesus, this message is repeated over and over. Reading Heaven Is Beyond Imagination gives you just a profound glimpse of the depth of God’s love. That is the main message that comes through all these testimonies. It is the message that has changed the lives of everyone who has been there and hopefully it is the message that will change the lives of all who read Heaven is Beyond Imagination.

When he was with Jesus, the Angel gave Jesus a thin book of James Woodford’s life and “communicated the thought, “James, what did you do with the life my Master gave you?” As he stood face to face with Jesus, he had deep despair, wondering how he could stand in the presence of such love. But Jesus never commented on the thinness of the book but only exhibited love and acceptance, no shame or judgment. The shame and judgment was Jim’s own assessment of himself. In the midst of this encounter there flowed from Jesus joy! It was His heart’s desire to impart joy to Jim.” …”Jim’s whole perspective had been changed from only being interested in himself to now wanting to fulfill his new commission and live out the love of Jesus in the rest of his life for all to see and be changed themselves. But he had to depend on the grace of God for this task, as he was totally unprepared to fulfill it on his own. Now he carries heaven in his heart and recalls Jesus’ eyes when he looks into the eyes of others.” (Heaven Is Beyond Imagination, page 102)

Let that be you, too.