A HEAVENLY INHERITANCE
Abraham was a wealthy man, but much of his wealth depended upon the wool his flocks produced. As the flock grew larger, it was important that he have access to water and grazing for them. Any spot would soon be grazed bare and thus he would follow good grazing, moving frequently. He, and all who served him, lived in tents. At the best, a tent is a temporary shelter.
The people Moses led out of Egypt, and for many long years thereafter formed quite literally, a huge tent city, subject to all the problems this involved. Sanitation, food, and water, being just a few.
During our first few years in Africa, largely for economic reasons, the missionaries lived in tents for the week of the annual convention, and also the during the Minister’s week. I vividly recall one convention when the first to arrive set up camp in a grove of trees on a hillside. There were several tents, including one large enough for us to use it as a cooking and dining base, and still have a few cots in it. During the afternoon a violent thunder and rain storm brought water ankle deep rushing through most of the tents and collapsing some. The contents of those tents in the deepest flow were carried down the hillside. We were a wet, unhappy group as we gathered for a cold and soggy meal that day! We barely gathered enough bedding to have a good night’s rest. Because of the mud, the dining tent became our gathering place. Half of it was totally spared.
My whole point is that our arrangements were temporary. Abraham’s tent home was a temporary in nature. The Children of Israel longed for their permanent home, that was promised to them and our group of missionaries longed for something better.
Christians are not meant to be too comfortable in this world. Our permanent home is still in the building stages of preparation. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” But, he also continued, “I will come again.”
1 Peter 1:3-12
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(2 Corinthians 1:3, Galatians 6:16, Titus 3:5, James 1 18, 1 Peter 1:25, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 3:5, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 John 3:3, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Peter 3:21)
THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR PERMANENT HOME
He is leading us even beyond this temporary world and he showed us by his resurrection that, our permanent home for eternity where we shall be for ever with our heavenly Father. As His His children Christians look forward:
IT SHALL BE PERFECT IN EVERY WAY
If you have ever had a new home built just for you, I am sure you found when you moved in that there were changes that you wish you had made when it was still in the planning stage. That will not happen in the home Jesus has goer ahead to prepare just for us.
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
(Acts 20:22, Romans 8:17, Colossians 3:24, 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 4:8)
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 4:13, 1 Peter 5:1, John 10:28, Philippians 4:7, Ephesians 2:8)
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
(Romans 5:2, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Peter 3:17, James 1:2, 1 Peter 4:12)
Even gold, precious as it is, does not meet our needs. Years ago, we visited the Gold Mine display at the Rand Easter Show, in Johannesburg. The highlight of the demonstration came when they opened a blast furnace and poured a large block of gold. They used to say, “If you can lift it with one hand, you may have it.” They don’t say that anymore, but instead they simply asked for a volunteer to hold it, as soon as it was cool enough. My wife, Phyllis, was quickest to volunteer so she lifted it, using both hands. As someone has pointed out, that was just a paving stone from the streets of heaven, it was worth many thousands of dollars here on earth.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with file, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
(James 1:3, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Romans 2:7, Luke 17:30, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 4:13)
CHRISTIANS LOVE THE LORD BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND WILL CONTINUE DOING FOR US.
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
(John 20:29, Ephesians 3:19)
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
(Romans 6:22)
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.
(Matthew 13:17, Luke 10:24, Matthew 26:24, 1 Peter 1:13)
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
(2 Peter 1:21, Matthew 26:24)
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desired to look into.
(1 Peter 1:25, 1 Peter 4:6, Acts 2:2-4, 1 Timothy 3:16)
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READING THE BIBLE THROUGH
2nd. Sunday - Daniel 3, 4, Revelation 2:1-17, Proverbs 29:10-18
3rd. Monday - Daniel 5, 6, Revelation 2:18-29, Psalm 137
4th. Tuesday - Daniel 7, 8, Revelation 3:1-10, Psalm 138
5th. Wednesday - Daniel 9, 10, Revelation 3:11-22, Psalm 139:1-8
6th. Thursday - Daniel 11, 12, Revelation 4, Proverbs 29:19-27
7th. Friday - Ezra 1:-2:42, Revelation 5, Psalm 139:9-16
8th. Saturday - Ezra 2:43-3:13, Revelation 6, Psalm 139:17-24
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MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 3 John 1:11
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FORGOTTEN PLEDGE FROM A JOKE BOOK
“At the age of ten I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, and had promised God at that time that I would go to Bible College and serve Him, but as a teenager I decided to flirt with the devil and ended up getting married and living in sin instead"
(This is not a personal confession)
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