PLANNING A TRIP?

Planning a Trip?

 

            Some of our family members are planning on taking a trip next fall to the Smokey Mountains.  We are all excited and have spent hours on our computers trying to find just the right place to go that will hold so many people.  We all talk about it all the time; finding the right dates to go; looking for good prices; who will sleep on the first floor, second floor or third floor.  It must have a game room, theater, hot tubs and a pool room.  Also, it needs to have a gourmet kitchen a big dining room.

            Sometimes a couple of us will be on the phone and our computer at the same time so we can look at the same thing.  We scroll through pictures of all the rooms; oohing and aahing over the magnificent views.  We aren’t sure how big a place we need to get; a 6-bedroom or 7-bedroom.  Depending on what time of year we go, we will have to pack certain clothing.  Another question is who will drive what vehicles; what route will we take, and on and on.
            I don’t know why we get so excited about it, other than it’s probably a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.  I think sometime we have more fun planning things than doing them.  We aren’t sure of the dates yet, but need to make up our minds before everything is booked. 
            All this excitement reminded me that we should all be planning and preparing right now for the upcoming trip we are all going to take.  I don’t have all the details, but I can tell you this much.
 
            It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience

            The views will be out of this world

            The place we will be staying in is already reserved

            There are rooms for everyone

            The food is even furnished

            No one has to be on a diet; all that is figured out for you

            The dining room table will be so long we probably won’t see the other end.

            Even our clothing is furnished

            Everyone will be in agreement

            It is the safest place you could ever stay in.

            It is a promise that we won’t be bored

            The date is already set (even though we haven’t been told yet)

            Transportation is furnished

            There are things planned for us that we haven’t even thought about

            All this has already been paid for so money is no object and we don’t have to take anything with us.  However, it is by invitation only and you must respond.

             Now you know what I’m talking about; Jesus will come back someday and take us to heaven to live with him for eternity if he is your Savior.  Now that’s something to get exited about.  We shouldn’t put off making plans for this trip because we don’t want to miss it.  In case you don’t know how to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, here are some ideas.
            Open the Bible; read and think about what you are reading.  These Bible verses will help you.
 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  I Thess. 4:16-18  

“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:2-3

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9

“Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Revelation 19:9

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:17  

“But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Corinthians 2:9

Enjoy your trip!