The Apostle Paul, talking about Christians who have gone to Heaven, and those who are still here, said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19). Did you see that? Paul emphasized that we are the most miserable if all that we do—our preaching, our faith, our works—only benefits us on Earth.

If all that God gives us is a good car, a good husband, a good wife, good children, good houses, or even money to make us billionaires, but there is no hope beyond this world, then we are losers. Paul was teaching about the resurrection, the hope that comes beyond this life. If there were no resurrection, then we, of all men, would be most miserable.

In all the work you do for God, never forget this: your better days are not behind you; they are yet to come. Your participation in the Gospel should move you from glory to glory. Don't let anything stop you. Don't ever think yesterday was better than today. Always have this hope before you: the coming of Jesus Christ. One day, when you appear before Him, you will hear, "…Well done, thou good and faithful servant:…" (Matthew 25:21).

Think about the Apostle Paul. He lived in a cave. He lived in holes. He even lived inside a mountain just to preach this Gospel. What was Paul's motivation? It was hope. The hope of Heaven. This great hope gives us faith today. This is eternal hope—the hope of the Gospel—the hope that someday, we will appear in a better place, where we will be with Jesus, and the Bible promises, "…so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

This hope is not based on what we have today or what we experience in life. Comfort one another with these words, because even if you don't have the best shoes, cars, or wealth today, there is hope. There is hope to be in the heavenly city. The Bible describes it: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband...and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass" (Revelation 21:2,21).

There is no night there. There is no sun, because Jesus is the light of the city. The Lamb is the light. What a hope we have! You may think Paris or New York is beautiful, but those are men-made. Imagine what God Himself built—Heaven!

This is the hope of the Gospel. Don't be among those who preach and serve without this hope. All our preaching, fasting, holiness, and giving, lead to this. Let faith, hope, and love guide you. Remember, the greatest of all is love, because "Love bears all things... believes all things... hopes all things... endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7 SBA). Love can keep you in the journey and reflect the nature of God. So let love, faith, and hope be in you as you walk this path.