"Because God is Good"

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalms 100:4)
I am sorry if there are some that don't want to admit it, but without God's unconditional love, we really do not stand a chance making it into heaven. That is really what I believe this verse might speak about the most; not that He blesses us in this life, even though He most surely does; but it's really what can be expected after this life is over, there is where it really counts the most. We can get cured from all sorts of different sicknesses and illnesses, but those are only temporary issues; there is still that issue with death, that one thing we must find the cure for. Well, guess what, we have found it! Death is no longer an issue that needs to be feared, because Jesus has defeated death once and for all! A friend of mine told me yesterday that his mother just passed away, and he was very happy as he expressed her last moments she spent here on this earth. What a difference it makes to know you are going to be with the Lord, there is absolutely no comparison to having no hope, not even a chance. I think we sometimes forget what that means, because we might just take it for granted. But to know that there is a God, that God loves you, that He has given you eternal life, and that there is life after death waiting for you; there is just no way to compare that to the alternative. Never mind hell; sure it might be a scary thought, but so is the thought of worms eating your body after your gone. We are talking about passing from life into eternal life with Jesus! What greater thing could there be waiting for us on the other side! I guess you might think I am a little excited, but I get excited when I see people who live out what they believe, especially at moments when others usually don't. If you have ever been to the funeral of someone who was not a believer, especially one where most of their close friends and relatives were not either, it is not very pleasant, to say the least. In fact, it is down right depressing. When you read the "Hall of Faith," recorded in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, there is a statement made at the end, "All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised." (Hebrews 11:39 NLT) We might not get why certain things never really go our way, at least not the way we think that they should; but there is one important thing we need to remember, that this is not our home. This is temporary, but our home in heaven is eternal. Live for what matters the most...
"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:12-17) NLT