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 two 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 Blessings

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.“
Malachi 3:10-12 (NIV)

What is the greatest blessing that could be found in a home?  How full of blessings would you say your life is?  What would you do if you were to experience blessings that your home, or life, couldn’t contain?  Is it possible you already have been blessed to such an extent?  What are you doing with the blessings God has already poured into your life?  Would you live differently today if you were to recognize the blessings that are being poured out from within the home you’re headed toward?

While the Bible teaches that it is more blessed to give than receive, our actions would say that most of us have a difficult time believing that.  Far too often we think that God’s blessings are meant solely for us when His intention is that we would allow them to flow through us and into the lives of others.  If the home we’re headed to is filled with more blessings than our lives can contain, then perhaps we out to be sharing those blessings as we take the journey home.  As you pray, ask God to help you recognize His blessings in your life so you would be able to share them.  Pray for a home that is a blessing to others.

In prayer,

Tom

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 one 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 Authority

“It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand –with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.“
1 Peter 3:22 (NIV)

When you think of authority, who or what comes to mind?  Why?  Do you prefer to be in a position of authority or under the authority of someone else?  Who was/is the authority in  your home?  Who is their authority?  What are some advantages of being under a good authority who truly cares for you?  How would you describe God’s authority to someone who has had unpleasant experiences with people misusing authority?

In today’s culture, it may not be the wisest move to write a book with authority as the first topic covered.  Yet, not only does it come first alphabetically, God’s authority in heaven and on earth really is the foundation for making our journey home be a preparation for what we will experience when we arrive.  Everything in heaven, even authority itself, exists in submission to Jesus so it may be a good idea to get used to that on our journey home.  As you pray, ask God to help you live with the freedom that comes from recognizing His authority over everything.  Pray that you would be a godly example of authority because of your submission to Him.

In prayer,

Tom

Thanksgiving.  What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read or hear that word?  Is it a day, a family meal, or perhaps a specific menu of foods?  Is it an attitude that comes and goes based on how you feel?  Or is it a way of life which flows from you regardless of your circumstances?  These devotions I will be sharing this month were originally written throughout November 2019 and then edited/updated during the summer of 2020 for a 31 day devotional journal, “The Heart of Thanksgiving:  Living a Life of Thankfulness”.  I will be re-sharing them here this month to encourage each of us to pursue a greater spirit of thankfulness in all we do.

Day thirty-one in the devotional is the outline of a Thanksgiving sermon I shared in 2019 titled, “How To Give THANKS”.  I’ll finish out this series of posts with a week focused on the points from that sermon.  Here is point six with a reminder that living with a heart of thanksgiving should lead us to a greater practice of using words and actions which are sweet.

How To Give THANKS:
Give Sweets

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.“
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

This version of “How To Give THANKS” is based around a “made-for-the-movies” stereotypical family thanksgiving day.  Here is the final one of the six things I think we can learn about giving thanks from a traditional Thanksgiving Day gathering:

We give thanks to God, and to others, when we give:

• Sweets: Proverbs 16:24 — Finally, the part that no one really needs but no Thanksgiving Day gathering is complete without — Sweets!  Take away the pie, the ice cream, the cookies, the fudge, the chocolate, the candies, and the other desserts and what do you have?  You have one very unhappy and disappointed family!  Sweets are those over-and-above extras in life that shout “thank you” in ways that little else can.  When we really want to give thanks, we adopt an “and then some” attitude.  We do what is expected and required . . . and then some.  We walk the extra mile.  We take the extra time.  We give the extra attention.  With our actions we say loudly, “you’re worth it!”.  Just as dessert completes the Thanksgiving Day gathering, our expressions of gratitude are completed when we give thanks with sweets.

So, how are you at giving THANKS?  I pray that as you gather with others on Thanksgiving day, and any other day, you would give “Turkey”, give Humor, give Abundance, give Naps, give Kindness, and give Sweets!

As we prepare to wrap up a month pursuing a “Heart of Thanksgiving”, I pray that each of us would continually be reminded of all that we are thankful for.  As you pray, ask God to help you live a life of thanksgiving every day.  Pray that your representation of Jesus would show a thankful heart to the people around you.  And thank you for your love, prayers, and encouragement.

In prayer,

Tom