Homeward Bound
First, let us pray: Heavenly Father, if it be your will, my neighbors could sure use a good rain. The crops are withering away, the cattle are running out of groceries and the ponds are going away in a hurry.
Father, we especially come before you today to lift up the injured, and the families and loved ones of those lost in shootings in California, Texas, and Ohio in recent days.
Thank You, Sir. In Jesus Name, amen.
I’ve shared this before. Many of us have a place we think of as the old home place. Your home place may have been handed down or maybe you purchased it. It could be that it’s no longer in the family. I have such a place in my childhood, and my wife and I did the best we could in providing that for our kids.
I want to talk today about another home. If Jesus is our Lord, then our real home is in heaven. We’re just visitors on this place called earth. We’re only here for a short time.
Jesus had to die so it would be possible for us to have a home and inheritance in heaven. And He makes it possible for us to receive that inheritance.
Jesus talked about heaven as a real place. It isn’t fiction and it’s not just somebody’s imagination! Heaven is our home place. It’s God’s Ranch, and His Son Jesus is at the right hand of His Father!
The Bible describes Heaven as:
a kingdom…for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2 Peter 1:11 b
And it’s an inheritance ...to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you...1 Peter 1:4
It is also seen as a country and city. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Heb. 11:16
It’s our home. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (all above is NASB)
Cowboy version of John 14:1-6:
“Y’all don’t let your hearts be settin’ heavy; believe in God, believe in also in Me. On My Father’s ranch are many waist deep pastures; if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to get your place ready for you. If I go and prepare a choice meadow for you, then you can know I will back to get you, for where I am, you’ll be there with Me. You boys know the way where I am headed.”
But ole’ Thomas said to Him, “Boss, we don’t know where You are headed, so how could I know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Jesus is gettin’ it ready, it’s gonna be good! Jesus didn’t just teach about and point the way to heaven. He is the way! Jesus died on a cross to give you and me an eternal part of a ranch in heaven!
If Jesus did all this for us, then we need to realize that there is nothing we can ever do to repay the debt we owe Him. Just give your all to Him; if you’ve not done it yet, give your life to Christ today! Let the old man in you die and be born again in Christ Jesus! And I’ll see you someday soon at the Home Place! And in the mean time…
God is good! Find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! Amen