Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison-- those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. 1 Peter 3:18-22
Home. There is no place like HOME! We've just returned from eleven
weeks visiting our family in South Carolina. It was wonderful to see them--and
take part in our grandchildren's lives...but it is so good to be HOME! To be
safely home—no sleeping on the floor in the airport when there were mechanical
problems this time—a nice comfortable motel—but that wasn’t home.
There is no place like home. Our
house where we live now is our earthly home and it is probably nothing like the
one that Jesus is 
preparing for us in Heaven. Jesus told His disciples…
preparing for us in Heaven. Jesus told His disciples…
Don't
let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more
than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told
you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I
will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John
14:1-3
Home—to the Father’s house. The wayward younger son of the rich father in the parable of the Lost Sons (Luke 15) went home to his Father’s house. Home. That father is said to represent our Heavenly Father—running to us, welcoming us home. When “home” was mentioned in a video at church yesterday I reflected on how I am at HOME with my church family. That goes back to when I first felt that that particular church was HOME about 25 years ago—singing “Alleluia” and standing next to a sweet older lady who had taken us under her wing. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I was HOME. I am HOME. This is where I need to be…where God wants me to be…and where I am.
Like that young prodigal son have you turned from anything
in your life that is telling you to go to the Father? What could be better than
repenting of thoughts, words or actions that don’t please God and spending time
with the Father?
Prayer ~ Lord – I humbly come before You acknowledging
that I am not who You want me to be. I especially don’t always communicate in a
pleasing manner with those around me. Help me not to come across as angry—when I’m
only trying to be heard above the roar of life. Help me to smile and welcome
others as if I were welcoming You, Jesus, for I love that concept of treating
everyone like I would treat You. That would really be showing love for others.
I look forward to the day when You call us all HOME. Come quickly, Jesus.
Daily
Bible Reading: February 20 – Leviticus 22-23
Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment