President Trump and Heaven

A few days ago, during an interview the President was asked what motivated him in the quest to settle the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. His answer - “I want to end it. I want to try and get to heaven if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”  He believes what millions do – that Heaven is a reward for doing good.

GOD’S PLAN

Nice idea, but God has a better plan! Eternal life is a gift, not a reward.

I’m so thankful for that fact because without it, I would be hopeless and so would the President (and you). The Bible reminds that we all share in a sinful nature and are incapable of doing enough good things to remedy our guilt. “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.”  (Isaiah 5) The stark truth is that what we earn is spiritual separation from life. As unpleasant as we might find it, we are the walking dead, unless …

We know His Grace! I love this revelation. “God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 2)

THE STUMBLING BLOCK OF PRIDE

It’s hard to give up on our idea that we can somehow cut a deal with God, that we can do enough good, that we can live a little better than the other guy to gain a place in His House forever. That way of merit appeals to our pride, allowing us to ignore our flaws while lauding our successes.

That pride is at the root of our sinfulness, our desire to go our own way, do our own thing and it is difficult to admit – “I’m a sinner. I fail in ways, big and small, everyday to live up to God’s holiness.” But that confession is the starting point for discovery of God’s truth about living in Heaven.

CONFESSION, REALLY?

Honest confession of our inability to be perfect opens the door to the grace of Christ Jesus. When we abandon ourselves to God’s love, which is wide and deep, the Spirit tells us that we are the children of God, made whole.

THE PROMISE

This is the Word – ^“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  (Ephesians 2)

So, President Trump, while I agree that seeking to make peace is a good and noble goal for any person, it isn’t enough to set you right with God. He cares not a bit about your office, your wealth, or your earthly accomplishments. What He desires is a humble heart that receives Christ as Savior. The amazing result of that conversion is not just a home in Heaven but a heart that learns to love, to accept, to serve humbly.

And, for the rest of us, that is the truth, too. I hope for Heaven, not because I’m good enough, but because Christ’s grace is extended to me. How about you?

THE INVITATION

The word from the Word is an invitation to us. Believe it and live.
“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”  (Romans 8)

Confess.
Believe.
Receive.
Live!  Amen.

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Broken Promises

Who hasn’t been told a project would be done by a certain date, only to find yourself waiting a week later? Or as a parent, perhaps you promised your child a summer trip that never happened by Labor Day. Maybe you even felt the heartbreak when someone you loved decided that “’til death do us part” no longer applied.

Broken promises come in all shapes and sizes. They almost always bring disappointment, and often deep frustration.

Why Are Promises So Hard to Keep?

1. We overpromise.
Sometimes we simply commit to more than we can realistically do. Only later do we realize the cost is too high. Jesus warned:
“Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?” (Luke 14:28, NLT)

2. We get distracted by urgency.
Marriages don’t usually fall apart because one spouse deliberately chooses neglect. More often, the vow to “love and cherish” is slowly buried under deadlines, distractions, and packed schedules.
The Bible calls us to decide what matters most: “Choose today whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15) That principle applies to more than faith—it’s about priorities. Learning to say “no” to some demands frees us to say “yes” to what’s truly important.

3. We procrastinate.
“Tomorrow” feels safer than today, but putting things off slowly erodes life. Homes become cluttered because today’s mess rolls into tomorrow. Cars break down from years of ignored maintenance. Most things don’t collapse overnight—they crumble one neglected task at a time.

Years ago, a trainer taught me a principle: “Handle paper once.” The point was simple—finish what you start. If it only takes a few minutes, do it now. Imagine how many promises would be kept if we applied that same principle to life.

4. We are sinners.
Even our best intentions collide with our brokenness. Paul admitted, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV) Left on our own, weeds flourish while gardens wither. But with God as our Gardener, tending and cultivating our hearts, we gain strength beyond ourselves:
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV)

Living with Kept Promises

So what can we do?

• Guard your words—promise only what you intend to act on.
• Set wise priorities and stick to them.
• Keep your word, even when it costs something.
• Live daily in the Spirit’s presence, asking Him to strengthen and guide you.

God’s promises never fail. When we walk closely with Him, we find stability and fruitfulness:
“(Those) who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1)

That’s the kind of life I want. How about you?

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