HEAVENLY COUNTRY

HEAVENLY COUNTRY

READ:

Hebrews 11:8-16

Our citizenship is in heaven

-Philippians 3:20

During high school, my closest friend and I took a pair of horses out for an afternoon ride.  We slowly roamed through fields of wildflowers and wooded groves.  But when we nosed the horses in the direction of the barn, they took off toward home like twin rockets.  Our equine friends knew that it was time for dinner and a good brushing, and they could hardly wait.

As Christians, our true home is heaven (Philippians 3:20).  Yet sometimes our desires tether us to the here and now.  We enjoy God's good gifts-marriage, children, grandchildren, travel, careers, friends.  At the same time, the Bible challenges us to focus on "things above" (Colossians 3:1-2).  Things above may include the unseen benefits of heaven:  God's enduring presence (Revelations 22:3-5), unending rest (Hebrews 4:9), and an everlasting inheritance (1 Peter 1:4).

Recently I read, "Believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger the faith is, the more fervent [the desire]."  Several Old Testament believers mentioned in Hebrews 11 had strong faith in God that enabled them to embrace His promises before receiving them (v.13).  One such promise was heaven.  If we too put our faith in God, He will give us a desire for that "heavenly country" (v.16) and will loosen our grip on this world. -Jennifer Benson Schuldt

When we all get to heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory. -Hewitt

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For the Christian, heaven is spelled H-O-M-E.

INSIGHT

True saving faith expresses itself in obedient action.  In Hebrews 11, often referred to as the Hall of Faith, we read examples of how authentic faith leads to life-change.  Then and now, belief and action based on an unseen reality (v.1) produce acts of courage and perseverance.

Have a blessed day and weekend.

God Our Creator's Love Always

Unity & Peace