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 seventeen 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 Of Obedience
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.“
Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
How important is obedience in your home? In the home you grew up in? In the home you hope to have? How do you decide who/what to obey? Do you belong to any groups or organizations that requires adherence to their set of standards to belong? Why would you agree to obey their standards? How would you feel about someone that wanted the benefits of the group without following the rules of the group? How does a home of obedience provide a sense of belonging?
I grew up in a home where there was an expectation of obedience. While I didn’t always obey perfectly, the expectation in place always helped me feel like I belonged. While obedience in my earliest years had a lot to do with a desire to avoid punishment, I eventually grew to where I obeyed out of love and respect. The home we are headed to is characterized by obedient children who love and respect their Father. As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to do what He says. Pray that you would repent of acts of disobedience and seek to make choices that honor the One you love. Pray that your obedience today would prepare you for home.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 