‘However, as it is written: โ€œWhat no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceivedโ€ โ€” the things God has prepared for those who love himโ€” ‘

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

One of my favorite verses–and easily one of the coolest.

The Message paraphrases it in a beautiful way:

“No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it–What God has arranged for those who love him.”

This verse is probably one of my favorites (I have a lot of favorites though!) because of the promise it holds.

Our minds physically and mentally cannot fathom what goodness God has for those who love Him.

I like imagining heaven. Itโ€™s weird because in my mind, it’s always glowing and gold and weโ€™re walking on clouds, but thatโ€™s likely not how itโ€™s going be! Because heaven is going to be full of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), not just the gold roads and clouds. (Although I really hope we walk on clouds!) And every good and perfect gift–that’s a lot of blessings.

So in conclusion: crazy eternal goodness is coming for you!

‘โ€˜He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathโ€™ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.โ€’
Revelation 21:4 NIV

Willow Avatar

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14 responses to “Sunday Encouragement Week 19”

  1. โฑฟ๐Œ„แ•“๐Œ€ Avatar

    I don’t understand.

    Why make your death absolute paradise instead of when you actually live?

    Doesn’t it make more sense for life to be paradise?

    In my opinion, life already is paradise, for nothing, even my gods are perfect. So “paradise” can’t be absolutely perfect. Which is why I think (unlike most people), life already IS our paradise.

    And so that’s why I think when we die, our death will also be similar to how life was when we were alive.

    But that’s just me and what I believe.

    Cool post, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Willow Avatar

      It is confusing, I agree. But the thing is, before sin entered the world (Genesis 3) life WAS paradise. But then humans decided that they would be better rulers than God.

      Faith isnโ€™t really about โ€œmaking senseโ€ in my opinion. Itโ€™s rather about what is rightโ€”loving your enemies doesnโ€™t make sense but it is whatโ€™s right. (Not that thatโ€™s connected to this post, but thatโ€™s just referring to the โ€˜making senseโ€™ part.)

      So when we (humans) were given the chance to live in paradise, we screwed it up. And we will forever screw it up until we die because thatโ€™s how our minds workโ€”we want life to be about us and to be perfect, but itโ€™s not going to be perfect if we make it about US and ourselves.

      And I think that since our beliefs are differentโ€”which is totally coolโ€”that definitely shapes our framework (because while I believe that my God IS perfect, you believe nothing is perfect, as you stated.) Since this post is rooted in my/the Christian beliefs and Scripture, I believe that God is 1) perfect, 2) he has a plan for our deaths to make life perfect in heaven and 3) he is going to get rid of all the imperfect and sinโ€”cuz you have to admit, while life might seem like paradise at times, it sucks too with wars, famine, murder, and even just jerks at school. But all that will be gone in heaven.

      Paradise isnโ€™t just about making life good, but about making a life without sin. And right now, sin is an ever present thingโ€”it doesnโ€™t have to be just the big things like murder, but even just greed or hatred of someone. So paradise isnโ€™t the โ€œtropical paradiseโ€ we picture, but rather a life with only good things and void of all the bad things.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Zeva๐Ÿ™ƒ (I hope I didnโ€™t come off too aggressive๐Ÿ˜…) Have a good weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. โฑฟ๐Œ„แ•“๐Œ€ Avatar

        Cool!

        But if I may, how do you think you will feel if life is ALWAYS perfect up there? What if “paradise” isn’t actually a thing unless we feel and experience some bad stuff? What if isn’t even possible without anything to take you away from it for a little while, and so when you get back to it, it feels even better? And tbh…wouldn’t absolute paradise get boring after a while? lol.

        (I hope that made sense).

        Even so, it’s your faith and opinion. I’m not trying to fight or argue in any way. Thanks for taking the time to listen and respond!

        (You too!).

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Willow Avatar

          Ooh yeah good question! I agreeโ€”we need bad life experiences to shape ourselves. And I thinkโ€”lol Iโ€™m no scholar๐Ÿค“โ€”thatโ€™s why we are placed on earth first: so those bad experiences help define us.

          Yeah, to only have good things might sound a little boring! My high school pastor typically tells our youth group this: if you think youโ€™ve experienced every single good thing on earth, then you donโ€™t know what heaven is going to be like. Because it has every good thing on earth AND in heaven and the options are literally limitlessโ€”God knows what heโ€™s doing when weโ€™re signed up for eternity with him. (Not sure if that made sense lol)

          (Hope I didnโ€™t forget a question, I kinda blended it all together lol๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™€๏ธ)
          Yeah, same to you!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. โฑฟ๐Œ„แ•“๐Œ€ Avatar

            No, I think you answered them all pretty well lol.

            Have a great Sunday! Now I have a math exam to tackle T_T XD

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Willow Avatar

              lol ok!
              You too! Agh, good luck๐Ÿ˜ฌMath is pretty close to my worst enemy

              Liked by 1 person

  2. lordhunkyhair Avatar

    Oh wow it’s is a really good reminder Willow, thank you!!๐Ÿฉต

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Willow Avatar

      Glad you enjoyed it, thanks! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™ƒ

      Liked by 2 people

    2. โฑฟ๐Œ„แ•“๐Œ€ Avatar

      “Lord Hunky Hair”…

      I love Keefe form KOTLX XDDD I’m assuming you’ve read the series?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. โฑฟ๐Œ„แ•“๐Œ€ Avatar

        *From

        GAH, why do I keep making spelling mistakes? DX

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Willow Avatar

        Yesss Keefe๐Ÿ˜œlove him sm

        Liked by 3 people

  3. ladyhunkyhair Avatar

    YASSS!! I’ve only read through legacy but yes I’m a big Keefe fan! :D

    Liked by 1 person

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