Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day nine from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home With Gifts

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

“To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.’“
John 3:27 (NIV)

What are some of the greatest gifts you have ever received?  Who gave them to you?  For what occasion?  What do you feel are some of the greatest gifts you have ever given?  Who did you give them to?  Why?  What made you believe they were so special?  Which has greater meaning to you, a gift or the person who gives you that gift?  What do you first think of when you consider a home with gifts?  Are there other gifts that a home might have beyond the ones that first come to mind?  What are they?

I still remember parts of my childhood and at that time of my life, a home with gifts meant Christmas or birthday.  I still remember some of those gifts that I longed for, but I no longer have many of those gifts that seemed so important at the time.  I do, however, still have the gifts of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and so many others that were given not only during my childhood but throughout my life.  As you pray, ask God to help you recognize Him as the giver of all good gifts.  Pray that  you would place greater value on the gifts that He gives from His home than on the stuff that will perish.

In prayer,

Tom