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 eleven 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 Hope

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints — the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.“
Colossians 1:3-5 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed hopeless?  Are you still in it or did you make it through?  What got you through, or keeps you going?  What role does encouragement, or the lack of it, at home have in your level of hope?  Does having a place of hope help you endure difficult situations?  How does the way you treat others change when you are filled with hope compared to when you feel hopeless?  Does knowing you are headed toward a home filled with hope help you share that hope with others?

There have been various times in my life when I felt like I was completely in over my head in situations that appeared to have no way out.  Some of those times were filled with such despair that it was only by holding on to the hope that I know awaits me in heaven that I managed to make it out of the darkness.  A home of hope will help us get through some of the most difficult times of life.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the hope that is stored up for you in heaven.  Pray that your home here on earth would be one filled with hope.  Pray that you would freely share the hope you have in Christ with 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 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

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 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 With Family

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.“
Ephesians 3:14-15 (NIV)

What does your family name mean to you?  Are you always proud of it?  Why?  Do you feel the same about your family now as you did five years ago?  Ten years ago?  Do you think you will feel the same way twenty years from now?  Why?  Are there people that feel more like family to you than actual family does?  Why?  What would you consider to be desirable qualities to have in a family?  Would a family led by God have all of those qualities?  How will living with those qualities help you as you journey toward home?

As those who have been adopted into God’s family, He has given us a collection of brothers and sisters who share the family name “Christian”.  True family are those who look out for one another as they care for and nurture those who are in need.  With God as our Father, we are part of a family that has full access to the family benefits of His glorious riches.  As you pray, ask God to help you be the family member He desires for you to be.  Pray that you would not only value being part of God’s family, but that you would value each person that God has called into the family as your brothers and sisters.

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 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 Eternal Dwelling

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.“
2 Corinthians 5:1-3 (NIV)

How many places have you called home so far in your life?  Do you think you will live at your current residence for the rest of your time on earth?  Do you have a place where you like to vacation, or visit, that sometimes you wish you could just stay at forever?  What things do you like most about that place?  How would your life be lived differently if you kept your focus on the permanence of an eternal home?  Does knowing you have an eternal home waiting help you in your life’s journey?

I don’t like change.  While I do enjoy wandering and seeing new sights, even when I travel I seek out familiar places to eat and stay.  But it is knowing that the comfort of home is waiting for me when the trip is over that helps me get through the unfamiliar parts of the journey.  When I keep my eyes fixed on my eternal dwelling, I am able to endure the “light and momentary troubles” that exist in this life.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the confident expectation that He is preparing an eternal dwelling for you.  Pray that you would live with endurance because of the hope that lies before you.

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 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 Completed Sacrifice

“It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.“
Hebrews 9:23-25 (NIV)

What are some things in your life that you would like to be finished with?  Do you have projects, or tasks, that you find yourself doing over and over that you wish could be done once and for all?  What sacrifices have you made to be where you are at in life?  What sacrifices have others made on your behalf?  Do you believe there will be further sacrifices necessary by yourself and others as you continue this journey of life?  How does knowing you have a home where all sacrifice is complete help you as you journey toward that home?

I grew up in a home where the sacrifices made by my mom and dad on behalf of our family was so complete that I didn’t recognize it or comprehend it until years later.  There is great peace in knowing that all necessary sacrifice has been made so that our home can be filled fully with God’s presence.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a confidence that He has called you to a home where all sacrifice has been made complete.  Pray that your journey would be filled with hope as you trust in the sacrifice that has been made on your behalf.

In prayer,

Tom