From Suffering to Glory

My question for each of you and myself today is do you believe in Heaven? Do you have hope? Do you believe that after the good times, bad times, and trials of this life our father in heaven and his son Christ Jesus has prepared for you a place to rest in the glory of God the father? I do... We are told by the apostle Paul in Romans to eagerly look forward with hope, knowing that we have to promise of this glory that awaits those in Christ. Is this a promise of an easy life without pain, suffering or trials? Not at all, in fact scripture tells us that when we give our lives to Christ we can even expect more trials to come upon us. We are even told again by Paul in Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Which is his way of saying I look forward to the trials that will come to me if they benefit Christ and bring me to him sooner with death. This is a strong statement some might even consider it suicidal in thought but it's not. When we have a passion like love for a spouse, child or a friend that passion takes us to the next step of unconditional love which also leads to the statement "I would give my life for you." Do you have that passion in your life? Would you give your life for your spouse, child or a friend? How about a total stranger? How about God and Christ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking anyone to put themselves in harms way just for the sake of death but I am saying LOVE each other as if life depended on it. I have included Romans 8:18-30 below where Paul tells us that our suffering and pain in Christs name is nothing compared to what God and Christ have prepared for us for eternity. I pray each of you takes comfort in his inspired words and that it helps each of us to strengthen our relationships and our personal relationship with God.

NKJV Romans 8:18-30
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us F25 with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Peace
Mark