NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Colossians 3:2 (NLT)
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
It’s always great to go on a vacation, take a trip, or even go camping if that’s your thing. But for me, one thing is always true—there’s no place like home. I’ve heard people say they get homesick after being away for a long period of time. What if, as believers, we lived like we were homesick? My wife and I have a son in the Marines, and he often shares how much he misses home. Homesick is his word. Is it the familiarity of the surroundings he misses? Is it the comfort and security of home? Yes, it’s all those things. But the greatest thing he misses is being in the presence of those who love him and that he loves. He understands that he is a member of our household. He has full access to our home. He has a key. He doesn’t have to knock. It’s home, and he always has access to it.
We can embrace that heaven is our home as believers because Jesus has given us full access. Jesus has made a copy of the key to heaven, and when you trust Him with your life, He gives you your own set of keys. This gives us the assurance that we are members of His household. When we need help, when we are down, or when we face hardships, we can always turn toward home, knowing we are never homeless. In Jesus, we are never subject to eviction because of whose household we belong to. We always have full access.
APPLICATION: Ask God today where your focus is. Is it on temporal things or heavenly things? Ask God to reveal to you, in Scripture, some glimpses of heaven in the now of your life; ask Him to give you an awareness of being homesick for heaven.
PRAYER: God, I know this world has so much to offer, but at the same time, I know it doesn’t last. Help me today to look to You for guidance. Help me remember that this life is a temporary home; it is a tent that will be taken down one day, and I will reside in a permanent home with You in heaven, where I get to enjoy now and for eternity. Thank You, Jesus, for rescuing me from hell and the grave. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?