hold on

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Transformation
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Transformation

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 twenty-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 Of Transformation

“He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.“
Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV)

How comfortable are you with change?  Do you think the people closest to you would agree with your answer?  Are there things about you that you would like to see changed?  What is keeping that from happening?  How has your life changed by being a follower of Christ?  Are there people that have noticed a transformation in your life?  Should they?  How much transformation would it take for you to become like a little child?  Where will you start?  Who will help you?

As the disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus taught that entering the kingdom of heaven required a transformation of significant magnitude.  We spend so much time wanting children to grow up and act like adults that we rarely comprehend the transformation that God desires in us.  As we make the journey toward home, God wants to do His work of transformation in our lives.  As you pray, ask God to lead you to a point of humility so that your heart can be transformed to become like that of a child.  Pray that you would work on, and allow, the process of transformation to continue as you make your journey home.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Supremacy
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Supremacy

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 twenty-six 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 Supremacy

“The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.“
John 3:31 (NIV)

Do you play or follow any particular sport or competitive activity?  Who is number one in that particular thing?  What did it take for them to achieve that ranking?  What does it mean?  How closely would you listen if the number one person in your occupational field offered to give you some advice?  Why?  Is there a difference between being supreme and having authority?  Why?  What effect does the misuse of the term supremacy by various individuals and groups have on your ability to see God as supreme?

When I think of heaven as being a home of supremacy, I think of Jesus being the One who was, who is, and who is to come.  This home we are headed to is the dwelling of the One who was first — who is number one in the entire universe of existence.  While there are some in this world who gain authority by force or deception, Jesus has authority by being.  His supremacy in the home we are headed toward calls for us to listen to Him as we make the journey.  As you pray, ask God to reveal Himself to you as the One who is supreme.  Pray that your life today would reflect that supremacy as you live in obedience.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Righteousness
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Righteousness

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 twenty-five 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 Righteousness

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.“
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)

When was the last time you did something wrong?  Are you sure?  Who defines right and wrong?  How would your life be different if you could live with, and be surrounded by, complete righteousness?  How upset do you get at the unrighteous acts of others?  How does that compare with the way you view your own unrighteousness?  Have you ever been a part of a group where, as much as humanly possible, all unrighteousness has been stripped away?  What was it like?

In a world where lying, cheating, stealing, disobedience, and every other sin seek to pollute every aspect of our lives, it is comforting to know we are headed to a home of complete righteousness.  This righteousness exists by the power of the blood of Jesus and the declaration of His Word.  This same power declares you and I to be righteous when we are found in Christ.  Our home today can show a glimpse of our future home when we live with a righteousness that is found in Christ.  As you pray, ask God to help you daily put on His righteousness.  Pray that you would reject sin and evil as you journey to a home that is filled with absolute righteousness.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Reward
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Reward

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 twenty-four 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 Reward

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.“
Acts 3:19-21 (NIV)

Does it ever feel like your work and efforts in life go unappreciated?  Are there times when your attempts to live in obedience to God are met with skepticism and ridicule?  How easy is it to live a life devoted to Christ in your home?  At your school?  At your place of work?  Are you joyful when people notice your walk with Christ, and hate you for it?  Does the promise of a future reward help you endure difficult circumstances?  How does a home of reward give you hope to persevere today?

Waiting under the best of circumstances is difficult for most people but when you add conflict and hardship, it is easy to lose sight of what we’re waiting for and give up.  It is by keeping our eye on the reward at the end that we are able to endure much.  I know people who have stood outside all night in freezing temperatures just to receive the reward of a Black Friday sale.  How much greater should our endurance be when we consider the reward waiting for us in heaven.  As you pray, ask God to help you endure hardship as you look forward to your eternal reward.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice in the midst of the testing that prepares you for home.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Restoration
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Restoration

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 twenty-three 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 Restoration

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.“
Acts 3:19-21 (NIV)

Is there a difference between repairing something and restoring it?  What might that be?  Have you ever had something of value that was worn out or broken that you had restored?  How did the finished restoration make you feel?  Are there things in your life that need restored?  What would it take for that to happen?  How much confidence would you have in something being fully restored if you knew the item’s designer and creator were doing the restoration?

I am pretty good at breaking things and am improving at repairing them, but generally lack the ability to actually restore them.  Many times when we mess up our life, we settle for a quick fix or simple repair when God wants to give us a full restoration.  While God has made the way for us to be restored through the work of His Son, that work in us will not be fully complete until we are home with Him.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the desire to repent in order to bring about restoration.  Pray that you would trust Him, as your designer and creator, to know how to fully restore you.  Pray that God’s restoration work in you would be brought to completion. 

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rescue
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rescue

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 twenty-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 Rescue

“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.“
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (NIV)

Have you ever been stranded and have to call someone to come rescue you?  How did you feel?  How much time did you spend trying to figure your own way out of it before calling for help?  How difficult was it to admit you needed help?  How did you feel about being rescued?  Was the relief of being rescued greater than the embarrassment of being stuck and in need of help?  Does the attitude of the one rescuing you influence how you feel about needing rescued?

After spending a weekend teaching at a church, I headed home late at night only to have my car break down an hour into my six hour drive home.  I popped the hood and fiddled around for a while before finally deciding it was hopeless and I needed rescued.  I made a phone call to the family I knew in the town where I had been staying and was greatly relieved when they said they were on their way and even more relieved when their car pulled up behind me some time later.  As you pray, ask God to help you comprehend your need to be rescued by Him.  Pray that you would know the home you’re headed to as one that has rescued you. 

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rejoicing
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rejoicing

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 twenty-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 Of Rejoicing

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.“
Luke 15:7 (NIV)

What has been the biggest celebration that you have been a part of?  What was the cause for the rejoicing?  How containable was the event?  How happy are you when something good happens to a close friend or family member?  Does their level of happiness influence how you respond?  How difficult is it to put into practice God’s command to rejoice always?  Why?  How does knowing that heaven is a home of rejoicing help you to rejoice on your journey?

A home of rejoicing has a tendency to attract people to it.  In the midst of celebrating success and accomplishments, we want to share our joy with the people around us.  Joy and laughter are contagious and especially so when we all have a reason to rejoice.  There can be no greater reason for rejoicing and celebration than to finally arrive home to an eternity with God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a spirit of joy as you journey toward His home filled with rejoicing.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice always as you consider the home that awaits you.  Pray that your home on earth would be filled with rejoicing because of your relationship with Christ.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home With Permanence
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Almost Heaven: A Home With Permanence

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 twenty 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 Permanence

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.“
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

What things have impressed you the most by how long they have lasted?  What things have been the greatest disappointment by not lasting as you thought they should have?  Have you ever headed somewhere with eager anticipation only to find out at your destination that the place no longer exists?  How did you feel?  How important is a sense of permanence in making you feel like you belong somewhere?

As a child, I never once worried about going home from school and not having a home to go to.  While I realize now that the possibility existed for something to happen to it, I grew up with the security of having a home I believed to be permanent.  Because of God’s nature, I am assured that the heavenly home I am headed towards has a permanence that nothing can destroy.  The hope I have on my journey to that home cannot be tarnished or diminished because I am confident my home will always be there.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the confidence of having a home that cannot be shaken.  Pray that you would live life boldly, knowing that you are headed to a home of permanence.

In prayer,

Tom