Thousands of people around the world every day need reassurance and promises that comfort their souls. In the New Testament the promises and assurances of heaven offer great comfort, encouragement, and hope to us who are  believers in Jesus Christ.

The first assurance I love is this: “our citizenship is in heaven” [Philippians 3:20]. Citizenship in heaven is more real than any on earth. What’s more, it reveals our true identity.

The second assurance I love is this: “we eagerly await a Savior from [heaven], the Lord Jesus Christ.” We love Him, live for Him, and look forward to eternity with Him. Many of my friends live around the world. It is hard to be far apart from each other. Then again, we can’t wait to see each other again. Love binds our hearts. How much more the bond of love we share with Jesus Christ. We long to see Him, don’t we?

The third assurance is this: “[Jesus] will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” [3:21]. Now that I have stage 4 lung cancer, this third assurance means more to me than ever. Instead of despairing, I continue to thank God daily for His sovereignty, providence, holiness, love, and mystery. My life is planned by God Himself. It has purpose. And it has a glorious and eternal future. What more could I want? What more could you want? Share this with your world.       

This is Luis Palau.