hold on

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Peace
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Peace

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 nineteen 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 Peace

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’“
Luke 19:37-38 (NIV)

How peaceful was the home you grew up in?  How much peace exists in your current home?  How would you rate the level of peace in the world?  Why do you think that the level of peace is where it is?  How important is peace to you?  Would your activity as a peacemaker agree with your answer?  What would it take to have greater peace in your life?  In your home?  Do you feel that you are at peace with God?  Do you believe that He is at peace with you?

It seems that nearly everyone would like to have greater peace, but very few are willing to quit fighting in order to obtain it.  Jesus taught that He did not come to earth to wield a sword, but to bring peace.  He accomplished this through His death, burial and resurrection.  In paying the penalty for our sin through His death, He made a way for there to be peace between us and God.  In rising from the dead and defeating death, He made a way for that peace to be the core of our eternal home.  As you pray, ask God to help you be a peacemaker.  Pray that you would know the peace that comes down from heaven as you journey toward that eternal home.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Opportunity
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Opportunity

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 eighteen 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 Opportunity

“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.’“
Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Have you ever missed an opportunity for something because you signed up too late or waited too long?  How did you feel?  How would it feel for someone to make room for you at a sold out event?  How much potential do you think you have?  How much do others think you have?  What would God say is your potential?  Who do you most often believe?

I grew up in a home where I was given great opportunities to reach my potential.  I didn’t always make the most of those opportunities, but they were always present.  Because of that foundation, when Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed which starts out very small and grows into the largest of the garden plants, I am able to see the great opportunity that exists as a part of that kingdom.  Regardless of our size, or the size we think we are, God gives us the opportunity as a part of His kingdom to grow into something that draws people to Himself.  As you pray, ask God to help you make the most of the potential He has placed within you.  Pray that you would see the seeds of the kingdom of heaven growing into a home that has room for all who would come.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Obedience
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Obedience

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

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Majesty
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Majesty

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 sixteen 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 Majesty

“The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.“
Hebrews 8:1-2 (NIV)

What image comes to your mind when you think of majesty?  What does your dream home look like?  Do you expect it will ever be a reality, or just a dream?  Why?  Is it possible to build a place with all of the best and most valuable materials, and it not be majestic?  What does it take for something, or someone, to truly have majesty?  Have you ever walked into a room or building and simply said, “Wow!” (in a good way)?  What was so impressive?

As I travel, there are times I walk into a building and am instantly impressed by the majesty that it presents.  I am often more impressed by the majesty that I find out on a hike when I am surrounded by the true majesty of God’s creation.  While mankind has been gifted by God to build things which are beautiful and majestic, they all fall short of the majesty that flows from the very presence of God.  As you pray, ask God to help you notice the glimpses of His majesty that He has surrounded you with.  Pray that you would do your best each day to reflect the majesty that God has created in you.  Pray that you would never tire of the “Wow!” factor.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home With Living Bread
by

Almost Heaven: A Home With Living Bread

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 fifteen 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 Living Bread

“But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
John 6:50-51 (NIV)

What food do you find most satisfying?  Why?  How often do you eat it?  Do you think you would get tired of it if it was all you ever had?  Why/why not?  What things do you use to try to satisfy the hungers you have in life?  If you could have a single thing that would completely satisfy you, would you want it?  What would you do to obtain it?  How does knowing that Jesus is the living bread that can sustain you each day help you as you journey home?

I grew up in a home where there was little money but we always had food and plenty of homemade bread.  When Jesus began talking about being the bread of life, many began to question how Jesus could be greater than the manna Moses had given.  Jesus responded that Moses had only distributed bread which had come from God and now He was the living bread which came down from heaven.  As you pray, ask God to help you know Him as the one who sustains your very life.  Pray that you would share with everyone the living bread that God has given you in Jesus.  Pray that your home would be filled with the presence of this bread.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Right Judgment
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Right Judgment

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 fourteen 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 Right Judgment

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.“
Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)

Have you ever had someone pass judgment on you that was based on incorrect information?  How did it make you feel?  Do you tend to judge others based on information that may be incorrect or missing?  How do you know?  Have you ever had a judgment made against you that you didn’t like but you knew they were right about it?  How did you respond?  Does knowing that God’s standards are right and never-changing give you peace concerning His wrath?

While we may not mind undeserved credit, we definitely don’t want undeserved blame.  One thing we can count on in God’s home is that His judgments will be always be right and always be based on truth.  People, even you and I, can be very quick to pass judgment on others whether we have accurate information or not.  As we journey towards our home in heaven, God wants us to seek Him for right judgments.  As you pray, ask God to help you trust His judgments.  Pray that you would turn to God when others make judgments about you that are inaccurate.  Pray that the judgments you make in life would be based in the truth of God’s Word.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Innocence
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Innocence

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 thirteen 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 Innocence

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’  When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.“
Matthew 19:14-15 (NIV)

What are some of your favorite childhood memories?  What makes them so special?  Are there things you know now, that if you knew then, would have made them less memorable?  Why?  Do you ever say or do things with pure and innocent motives that get made into something not so pure and innocent by others ?  How does that make you feel?  How does a lack of innocence change the way you interact with people?

I can think of no scene that more vividly portrays the contrast between innocence and its loss, than the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden.   To go in an instant from walking in innocence with one another and with God to, for the first time, feeling a sense of nakedness and hiding from one another and from God.  Babies and very young children still have that innocence where they can live completely free and unhindered.  Our home with God restores that innocence so that we have no need to hide from God or from anyone else.  As you pray, ask God to help you walk with Him in complete innocence.  Pray that you would be innocent of the things that are evil and excellent in the things that are good.

In prayer,

Tom

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Influence
by

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Influence

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 twelve 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 Influence

“He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.'”
Matthew 13:33 (NIV)

What are some things that have had a huge influence in your life?  Are those exact things noticeable in your life today or just the effects of their influence?  What does it mean to you to have influence, or to be influenced?  What kind of influence are you?  Would the people around you agree?  How has being a part of the kingdom of God influenced your life?

When I was a young boy learning my way around the kitchen, I made brownies one day but got stuck in understanding the ingredient list.  I did okay until I reached a point where the recipe called for 1/4 teaspoon of B.P..  I had no idea what that stood for and decided to simply bypass that line as it was such a small amount — surely it wouldn’t matter.  Was I ever wrong!  The brownies needed the influence of the Baking Powder to keep them from being the thin, rock hard substance they turned out to be.  God says the kingdom of heaven is like that agent which works completely through our life to keep us from becoming a useless rock hard substance.  As you pray, ask God to fill your life with the influence of your heavenly  home.  Pray that your influence would represent that home.

In prayer,

Tom