Stuart Wright Ministries

2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NASB) 11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.   This “sure and trustworthy” statement is one of five used by the apostle Paul in his pastoral epistles (1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Tim. 4:9, 2 Tim. 2:11-13; Titus 3:8). It may well have been his last prison letter written to Timothy to instruct and encourage him with Paul sensing that the time of his death was near. Some scholars suggest that these verses may well have been a saying used in part during a previous baptismal ceremony, but it illustrates four truths that instruct and encourage every believer about their life in Christ here on earth, and also their bright, eternal destiny to come.   Two Positive Truths   These truths are promised in the Word of God, and are also dependable, unal...

Hebrews 11:16 (NASB) 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Many Christians tend to ponder very little about their eternal destination other than being satisfied in saying, “I know I’m going to Heaven someday.” If one thinks “too much” about Heaven, the accusation of “being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good” jokingly gets tossed around. But then “life happens,” when the stings and distresses of mortality – and eternity – threatens our lives. It is in the crucible of those times of sobering experiences of hardship, sickness, fear, loss or grief that we may become “hopefully homesick.” I have had many such occasions in my life, and I’m sure you have too, especially if you’re a Christian. I believe it would be more assuring rather than unsettling and uncertain to have a more grounded understanding about Heaven, the “better country” toward which we are di...