"Homesick Yet?"

“Always be ready (‘keep watch’ NIV), because you don't know the day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42, NCV) “The morning paper is reading like a scroll—Like the headlines from 2000 years ago—Everywhere I look I see the signs—My heart’s telling me it’s almost time ….(Chorus) Don’t it make you want to go home—Run through those gates and fall in Jesus’ arms—And all the cares of this world will be gone—Don’t it make you , Don’t it make you want to go home” echo the words of the Contemporary Christian group Newsong as they sing one of their songs from their “Sheltering Tree” CD. What a powerful and evangelistic reminder of God’s truth that this world is not our final home for we who have an abiding love relationship with Jesus Christ! As I prepare these daily devotions, and the LifeWalk messages each week for our church, Journey 2427, I am simply astounded by the continuing spiritual decline of faith and morality in today’s culture. Daily headlines report on parents who brutally murder their children, of women who kill their unborn children upon the “altar of choice,” of the growing number of companies who endorse and promote the homosexual lifestyle, of students shooting students in our schools, of governments who speak of a ‘one world order’ and a ‘universal monetary system,’ of increasing violence and sexual filth in television programs and in the movies and even now too in many commercials ... so much ‘sad news and negative trends’ can truly be overwhelming at times. Yet these headlines clearly affirm that we are living in the “perilous times” which must arise in the Last Days before the Lord returns as prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. So the most important question facing each of us is simply this—where is your heart today? Matthew 6:21 declares: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We are to be encouraged by the truth of God’s promises that better days are ahead …. not here on earth, but certainly in Heaven for those who have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ reminded His disciples of this promised place called Heaven that is already being prepared for all of God’s family – “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 14:1-4) We must remember—as Christians, we are all on a transforming journey through this life which God Himself has uniquely designed for each of us to prepare us for our final destination – the Promised Land of Heaven! Last week I was away 2-days at a Spiritual Leaders Conference. As much as I was blessed by this truly anointed conference, there was nothing like at its close to jump into my truck and begin my journey HOME to my family back in Concord. Although enjoying many blessings on the way home – a unique sunset filled with an array of colors, phone chats with some dear friends, anointed CCM on the radio (HIS Radio & KLOVE) – my heart was focused toward my journey’s final destination – to be home with my family. As I pulled into my driveway, Traci and the kids had just arrived home and I was warmly greeted with many hugs and loving shouts of “Daddy’s home, Daddy’s home.” The question the Lord ask you thru today’s WOTD is this – have you made HEAVEN your FINAL DESTINATION and if so, are YOU truly HOMESICK for Heaven? A wonderful celebration in Heaven awaits each of our arrival – but until then, let’s commit to enjoy the journey as we allow Him to prepare us for our eternal home Him and His family! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led CCM video is by Newsong and can be viewed by clicking on the song title, "Don't It Make You Want To Go Home" - G3 for sharing His power-filled words thru CCM & Praise!