This World is not my home...

This World is not my home 

And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:8 NLT Doubting one! You have often said, “I fear I shall never enter heaven.” Don’t be afraid! All the people of God will enter there. I love the quaint words of a dying man who exclaimed, “I have no fear of going home. I have sent all before me, God’s finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for Him to enter.” But someone asked him, “Are you not afraid that you might miss your inheritance?” “No,” the man answered. “There is one crown in heaven which the angel Gabriel could not wear—it will fit no head but mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the apostle could not fill—it was made for me, and I will have it.” Oh, Christian, what a joyous thought! Your portion is secure: there remains a rest (Hebrews 4:9). “But can’t I forfeit it?” No, it is permanently assigned. If I am a child of God, I will not lose it. It is mine as securely as if I were there now. Come with me, believer, and let us sit on the top of Mount Nebo, and view the good land of Canaan. Do you see that little river of death glistening in the sunlight? Across it, do you see the pinnacles of the eternal city? Do you observe the pleasant country and all its happy people? Know, then, that if you could fly over to that land you would see, written on one of its many mansions, “This remains for such a one; preserved for him only. He shall be caught up to live forever with God.” Poor doubting one, look at the inheritance—it’s yours. If you believe in the Lord Jesus, if you have repented of sin, if you have been renewed in heart, you are one of the Lord’s people. There is a place reserved for you, a crown laid up for you, a harp specially provided for you. No one else will have your portion—it is reserved in heaven for you, and you will have it before long. There will be no vacant thrones in glory when all the chosen ones are gathered. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

One of my favorite country music artists is Jim Reeves.  He was known for a great many songs but his Gospel songs were my favorite.  Here's the lyrics to one of them that applies to today's devotional. 

"This World is not my Home"

This world is not my home
I'm just passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue

The Angels beckon me
From Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore

Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home
Then Lord what will I do

The Angels beckon me
From Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore

I have a lovin' mother
Just hovering up in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop
Until I shake her hand

She's waiting now for me
In Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore

Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home
Then Lord what will I do

The Angels beckon me
From Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore

Just over in Gloryland
We'll live eternaly
The saints on every hand
Are shouting victory

Their songs of sweetest praise
Drift back from Heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home
Then Lord what will I do

The Angels beckon me
From Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore...

As I grow older I think less and less on the things that were 'important' in my younger days. My thoughts are many but not near as many as used to be about a hopeful future here on Earth.  In a few years time we have seen evil rearing its ugly head in the Congress of the United States. It never has been President Trump. Those in power are enraged that their dreams of conquest of the American people were derailed 4 years ago.  No this post isn't a political rant. It's about how we who are in Christ shouldn't be considering this world home.

This isn't our address in human history. It's our temporary residence.  Time is going to end.  At some point in the very near future the Church will be Raptured. Then 1007 years will be left, give or take a few months.  Then time will be no more. All mankind will step into eternity. Either with Jesus in Heaven or in the lake of fire apart from Him.  

I came to Christ around the fall of 1974. Still remember being in the Pastor's office when the sunshine was coming in shining on me.  The Bible says they had a celebration that day for me.  I have a hard time grasping the magnitude of all Heaven celebrating over me...but it's there. God said so. 

If I am being honest, I have indeed struggled to live this life.  Here, in today's world, I look back, in light of today's devotional and find some degree of comfort in why.  This world is not my home.  I am just passing through. 

There's no honor nor should there be rejoicing in the things of this world.  We are taught to celebrate our achievements. Taught to celebrate our genius in what we created.  Taught to show our pride to others.  Taught that we can redefine sin and embrace it.  Taught that pouring our passion into celebrities and sports or sports figures is good!  Taught that it's ok to berate those who don't share their views. Taught that you are allowed to force compliance towards 'new' world views, which are not remotely new. 

Heaven is nothing like any of that. 

I pray often, if not daily "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus".  I still pray for people whom I have met, worked with or know. But my longing is to step into Heaven and be held by Jesus.  To be welcomed home. 

It's easy to waste time, energy and effort on this world.  Are there sights to see in God's creation? Yes. A great deal of them I will never see.  I do not regret not seeing them.  I am constantly falling on my face because of sin.  It is an ever present indicator that I am not home yet. 

Things of this world are just that, things. 

Things are only heirlooms to those to whom it has value. To the rest of the world it's either useless junk or useful to them for whatever reason. 

As someone once said, nobody's casket comes with a U-haul trailer.  There's only one family in the history of the world who ever took their stuff with them...it's in the Old Testament...them and all they had went straight to Hell. There's no need for anything in this world in Heaven. The only treasure in Heaven is people. That is the most important thing to the Father. So much so that He sent Jesus to die on a cross to make it possible to be saved. 

Oh there are some days more than others that I am feeling ready for Heaven.  The older I get the more that feeling is there. 

But it's not for me to determine when Christ returns. It's up to the Father.  My Father in Heaven.  I am of the family of God. As imperfect as I see myself, in Christ, all My Father sees is Jesus. 

Oh that day is now one day closer than yesterday.  My hope is that all would find Salvation in Christ Jesus. Yet I know billions will not. Millions die each day and enter into torment in Hell. There isn't anyone in Hell who wants anyone to join them.  There isn't anyone in Hell who no longer believes that God doesn't exist. The truth is something they are painfully aware of.  There is nobody like Abraham to cry out to like in the true story that Jesus told. It's being filled with more and more people who have never been saved. Have never asked Jesus to save them. Who rejected Christ as their Savior. Yet even in all that pain and agony and sorrow, it's going to get worse for them. At the final judgment at the end of 1007 years, they will receive a glorified body and then be cast into the Lake of fire forever. A body that can never deteriorate. That will be their home. 

What about you? Where is your home?

If you don't know, now is the time to know. Now is the time to come to Christ Jesus to be saved. Now, before it's too late. 

Time is not on your side. In the twinkling of an eye that decision will be out of your hands. If when Christ returns you haven't decided, you will not be going with Him. You will live in the horrors of the following 7 years. You may live through it or be killed in the midst of it. That's the truth of our future. That's the importance of knowing where your home is.

Know today.