Hebrews 11:13-16
Each one of these people of faith
died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How
did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their
greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world.
People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their
true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have
gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country
than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and
has a City waiting for them.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by perission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, a friend
posted pictures on Facebook of a family member’s graduation. This
graduate was the grand-daughter of some dear friends of my Mam-ma
Polly. She considered this couple and their children to be “like
family.” I commented that Mam-ma would have loved the photos and seeing
this beautiful young woman. For a brief moment, I was sad that I
couldn’t take my phone and share these images with her. And this is one
of many times I have thought, “I must tell Mam-ma”…or “Wouldn’t Daddy
love to see the great-grandchildren do XYZ”…or “How I wish Greg’s dad
had lived to see a particular change in our community.”
It
seems like I frequently have experiences that I wish to share and/or
enjoy with a loved one who is already in heaven. And yet, I realize
that there is not a single event that would be worthy of their return.
They would not come back to this earth for all of the celebrations and
momentous occasions in the world…because Heaven is just that much
better. I honestly believe this.
This scripture passage tells us
that those who truly trust in God and believe in His promises don’t put a
whole lot of stock in earthly events. There are countless wonderful,
exciting, exhilarating events in our lives…winning contests or receiving
awards…graduations…first jobs…engagements…weddings…first homes…the
birth of babies…and so many other milestones and special occasions. But
none of these compares to what awaits us in Heaven…and I am 1000%
confident that those who have already been received into Jesus’ arms
would not even think of returning to earth for something they have
“missed.”
You’ve probably heard people say that the more people
they “lose,” the better Heaven looks…that they now have more loved ones
in Heaven than they have on earth. And I will admit that I look forward
to Heaven a lot more now than I did a few decades ago before so many
friends and family members passed. But here’s the thing…God doesn’t
want us to live in the land of “Woulda-Shoulda-Coulda.” He doesn’t want
us to put too much stock in the things of this world…but He also
doesn’t want us to have regrets.
God wants us to live every
single minute of each day with purpose…confident that we are hearing
from Him and operating in His will. He wants us to be busy doing what
He has planned for us…accomplishing His goals and sharing the love,
grace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter
through our words and actions. When He gets ready for us to join Him in
Heaven, He doesn’t want us to spend one second thinking, “But I haven’t
seen this”…or “I haven’t done that!” God wants our faith to be so
strong and unwavering that we say, “If You’re ready for me, LORD…then I
am ready to come Home to You!”
It takes a lot of faith to say
this…and also to live with focus and intention in the days that we have
been given on this earth. Where do you stand? Are you looking – and
living – for your true Home? Isn’t it about time you started doing
exactly that?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label living every minute now. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living every minute now. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 22, 2013
1 Peter 1:3-5
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!
God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
The concept of a “future” is a funny thing. Many picture their “future” as… “when I graduate from high school – or college”… “when I get married”… “when I get my first car/house/job”…”when I get older”…”when the kids are grown and gone from home” …”when I retire”…”when I can no longer live alone and/or I have to have help with things”. You probably have a few ideas of your own about what constitutes the “future”.
But here’s the thing. Your “future” starts NOW. In fact, it started the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior… and this passage reminds us of this clearly. Everything about your life is part of your future, because every single day matters. The future is not some nebulous, far-away place or event. Your future with Christ includes whatever you are doing even in the next few minutes!
This should come as good news to us. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy His blessings. Because of Jesus, we can look forward to what lies ahead for us – here and now. Yes, things will be better and brighter there. Yes, we will have no worries about calories, illnesses, blemishes, and disabilities. But what we have today… here… now… can be as awesome and spectacular as we choose to make it – all because of Jesus and what He promises us in our “future” in Heaven.
So what are you waiting for? Are you living for a future far, far away in a distant galaxy? Or are you living the hopeful life of someone who knows that Jesus was raised from the dead and has given you everything to live for… including a future in Heaven that has already begun?
If Jesus is the author and creator of your future…isn’t it time you acted like it? If you have not yet secured your future in Heaven with Jesus, isn’t this the perfect time to fall to your knees, confess your sins, and invite Him to dwell in your heart forever? The future is NOW… or it can be…and the choice is totally up to you. Are you in?
©2013 Debbie Robus
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!
God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
The concept of a “future” is a funny thing. Many picture their “future” as… “when I graduate from high school – or college”… “when I get married”… “when I get my first car/house/job”…”when I get older”…”when the kids are grown and gone from home” …”when I retire”…”when I can no longer live alone and/or I have to have help with things”. You probably have a few ideas of your own about what constitutes the “future”.
But here’s the thing. Your “future” starts NOW. In fact, it started the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior… and this passage reminds us of this clearly. Everything about your life is part of your future, because every single day matters. The future is not some nebulous, far-away place or event. Your future with Christ includes whatever you are doing even in the next few minutes!
This should come as good news to us. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy His blessings. Because of Jesus, we can look forward to what lies ahead for us – here and now. Yes, things will be better and brighter there. Yes, we will have no worries about calories, illnesses, blemishes, and disabilities. But what we have today… here… now… can be as awesome and spectacular as we choose to make it – all because of Jesus and what He promises us in our “future” in Heaven.
So what are you waiting for? Are you living for a future far, far away in a distant galaxy? Or are you living the hopeful life of someone who knows that Jesus was raised from the dead and has given you everything to live for… including a future in Heaven that has already begun?
If Jesus is the author and creator of your future…isn’t it time you acted like it? If you have not yet secured your future in Heaven with Jesus, isn’t this the perfect time to fall to your knees, confess your sins, and invite Him to dwell in your heart forever? The future is NOW… or it can be…and the choice is totally up to you. Are you in?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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