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 ten 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 God

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.“
Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)

Who seemed to be the central presence in the home you grew up in.  Who would you say is the central presence where you live now?  If others live there as well, who would they say is central in the home?  What would a home look like where God is present?  What would the home’s atmosphere feel like?  Who would be central in that home?  Is it possible for a person to be in charge of a home in a way that makes it known to others that God is present?  How do you feel about a home with God even as you continue your journey?

I grew up in a home where my dad was very quiet but I always understood that he was in charge of the family and God was in charge of all of us.  When I think of God and the various descriptions in the Bible of His dwelling, I am constantly in awe of the magnificence of being allowed in His presence for eternity.  Not only that, but I can have a home with God even now as He makes His presence dwell within this jar of clay.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to be at home with Him — not only when you finish this journey on earth but that each day of your life would be lived in His presence.

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 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

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 eight 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 Forgiveness

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.“
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever been wronged?  Have you ever wronged someone else?  How easy is it for you to forgive others?  To forgive yourself?  To seek forgiveness from others?  How important is repentance to the topic of forgiveness?  Is it possible to forgive someone who refuses to repent of their wrong?  Is it possible to be forgiven if you refuse to repent of your wrong?  What is the difference between those two situations?  How would/does living in a home of forgiveness make you feel.

When I first got my driver’s license, my parents said they would take my keys if I got into an accident.  It wasn’t long until I put my car in the ditch and needed towed out.  When I got home, I handed my keys to my parents and went to bed.  In the morning, when explanations could be given and lessons learned shared, my keys were returned to me and I experienced the joy of forgiveness.  That wasn’t the first, or last, time for the experience as I grew up in a home of forgiveness.  As you pray, ask God to help you be a person who both gives and receives forgiveness.  Pray that you would live as one prepared for a home of forgiveness. 

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 seven 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 Feasting

“I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.“
Matthew 8:11 (NIV)

What is your favorite food?  What does the word feasting mean to you?  What is the longest that you have intentionally gone without food?  Have you ever gone without food simply because there wasn’t any to be had?  What role does food have in most celebrations you attend?  Do you enjoy entertaining guests?  How likely are you to ensure there will be plenty to eat when you invite people over?  How would you describe the most fabulous feast you have ever been to? 

It is difficult to imagine a wedding, graduation, or other significant celebration without an abundance of food.  If you’ve ever had to go without simply because there wasn’t any food or any money to obtain a meal, knowing that you are headed to a home with great feasting should be a great encouragement.  God describes our eternal home as a celebration which includes feasting.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with anticipation of what’s to come.  Pray that you would live life in a way that allows the people around you to have a glimpse of the feast God is preparing for those who complete the journey home.

In prayer,

Tom