A Daily Encounter reader, C.A. wrote, “I returned home to New York City this morning after being away for 4 days visiting my Mom. At home, early on the first morning, I was awakened by the voices of my grandbabies, Charlene and Charles who were staying with us. As I came down the hallway to the bathroom, Charles was entering the hallway with his hands full of toys. He looked up at my face and said, ‘Grammie,’ dropped all his toys, stretched his arms upward for me to pick him up, gave me a kiss, and wrapped his little arms around my neck as I held him in my arms for a hug.

“It was such an overwhelming welcome that I continually thought about it until I realized that the lingering impact of the experience was so moving to me because I want Jesus to welcome me home just like that—with recognition, welcome, warmth, acceptance, love, and an all-enveloping embrace.”

That welcome home to heaven is available to everyone who has accepted Jesus as his/her Savior and has faithfully served the Lord [God] here on earth. Our service to God doesn’t get us into heaven. Only accepting Jesus as our Savior and his forgiveness for our sins does that. However, we will be rewarded for faithful service to God. How disappointing it would be when we meet Jesus face to face should we have nothing in the way of service to offer him. But how wonderful and rewarding to receive his welcome home knowing that we had served him to the best of our ability, and to hear his wonderful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, because you gave your life and died in my place on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins, help me to live my life in loving service to you every day for the rest of my life. Help me to so live that when I meet you face to face I will hear your welcoming words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: If you are not absolutely certain that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and thereby have received God’s gift of forgiveness so that you know that you know that you know you will go to heaven when you die, I urge you to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Matthew 25:23 (NKJV).