Lesson9-Day 4 Committed to Hope-filled Endurance

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55)

This is probably one of the greatest things that I have learned through this study. The eternal hope in Jesus Christ enables us to persevere. My view of God is being greatly expanded.

I am reading "God Is The Gospel" by John Piper. Early in the book Piper poses a question that caused me to do some deep thinking. Here is the question he asks about our interest in going to heaven:

The critical question for our generation--and for every generation--is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever say, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?

I have to admit there have been times when feel I could be content in a Christless heaven. How sad and depraved I am. As Piper puts it "The best and final gift of the gospel is that we gain Christ."

God, continue to extend your grace to me and allow me to have a greater view of you yourself.