The past year or so has been a very trying time in my life. As a matter of fact, it has been the most trying time I have ever experienced personally. I have dealt with an extreme level of stress through a difficult ministry season. It’s a long story and one of which the details are best kept in a small circle rather than sharing publically. One must be careful in sharing details of ministry related difficulties, lest the Gospel is hindered. Therefore, I refrain from sharing details. However, in context, just know that it was a heart-breaking experience. On top of that experience, I have also battled unknown health issues. Months of treating sinus issues, eye inflammation, on and off pain, tiredness, and weight loss has led to several tests and doctor’s visits. Thankfully, answers are being discovered and I am on my way, Lord willing, to much better health. It is in this time of sickness and waiting on the Lord to reveal where and how He would have me serve Him, that the Lord has spoken to me in a special way. Over the past number of weeks, I have done nothing but listen to sermons, read scriptures, pray, and worship; all day, every day. God has used this time in my life to draw me ever so close to Him. Therefore, I am thankful for the trial.
One powerful thing that God has taught me is the importance of family and friends. He has also taught me the need to live in the moment and serve Him with joy. I have spent a lot of time thinking about family and the joy of home. I am at what I refer to has the half-time of my life and ministry. Lord willing, if He keeps me healthy and tarries His coming, I have another 20 to 30 years to serve Him in the ministry. My prayer is that the second half will be much more fruitful and impactful than the first half. I also pray that it will be much more joyful. The Lord has showed me that to have a great impact, you do not necessarily need to have a big vision or great plans and goals to accomplish. The greatest impact is in the day to day moments. We all should learn to embrace each day with joy and serve the Lord in the moment rather than running around trying to accomplish personal agendas.
Recently, I heard a preacher mention that there are three homes: Heavenly Home, Earthly Home, and Church Home. In this season of trial and waiting, the Lord has showed me that these three things are what really matter. There is a need for us today to just be at home. There is something special about home. I love what Isaiah 32:18 says, “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”[1] It is true that there is no place like home! Each of these ‘homes’ are gifts from God. We should live in them and for them. Allow me to take some time and share with you some things about these homes.
Heavenly Home. In John 14:1-3, Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for us. Those who know Jesus as their Savior have a Heavenly home to look forward to. The Bible describes this place as a place that is beyond anything we can imagine. What a joy it is to know that I have a Heavenly home! Jesus also taught us that we are not to lay up treasures on this earth, rather, we are to lay up treasures in Heaven. We are to invest in the Kingdom of God instead of earthly treasures. We are to live our days on this earth with Heaven in view and live for Kingdom purposes.
The biggest question concerning this Heavenly home is, how do we get there? I heard an exposition of Matthew 7 recently that really speaks to our entrance into the Kingdom of God. When looking at Matthew 7, we tend to divide it into individual messages and applications. However, when you look at Matthew 7 in its entirety, it brings a whole new light concerning the Kingdom of God. In verses 1-6, we read that we are not to judge. Jesus mentions that you cannot remove the speck from someone’s eye if you have a beam in your eye. Jesus is telling us that we cannot judge someone’s salvation based on their behavior. We tend to look at someone and question their salvation based on the outward behavior that we observe. Jesus said to be careful with such judgement. He said that if we use such a standard for others, we must do so for ourselves. If we look at our behavior, how would we measure up? Think about it.
In verses 7-12, Jesus speaks of prayer. He said to ask, seek, and knock. He said that whatever we ask, seek, and knock; it will be given to us. Jesus then uses the illustration of a father who desires to give good gifts to his children. Jesus is speaking concerning entrance into the Kingdom. He says that those who come to Him, will not be denied. God desires for everyone to be saved. Therefore, all who come to Jesus will be given entrance into the Kingdom.
Verse 13-14 speak of the narrow gate. Entrance into the Kingdom is narrow. There is only one way, and that way is Jesus. The cross of Jesus is the gate. You cannot have a Heavenly home unless you go through Jesus. Many attempt to enter through a broad way. They attempt religion, good behavior, and good works. However, Jesus makes it very clear that there is only one way and He is that way.
Jesus warns us concerning false prophets in verses 15-20. There are preachers out there who add to the Gospel. What they say sounds good, but it is false. They say that you must believe on Jesus “and”. My friend, there is no “and.” It is just, believe.
In verses 21-23, Jesus takes it a step further by saying that many will come and say that they have done many great things in His name. But, Jesus will say, “depart from me, for I never knew you.” There is nothing that you can ever do to earn God’s favor. There is nothing that you can do to earn salvation. It is Jesus only! You must receive what Jesus has done for you on the cross. You must believe in Him.
Verses 24-29 give a basis for the assurance of our salvation. Jesus uses the illustration of one who builds his house on sand versus the one who builds his house on the rock. When the storms of life come, those who build their house on the sand of religion or good behavior or good works, will fall. However, those who built their house on the rock of Jesus, will stand. A test of genuine faith is how we stand in the trials. Do we lose our faith or do we praise Him in the storm? Do we get further away from Him in the trial or do we get closer to Him?
You see, entrance into that Heavenly home is simply: Jesus. Is your faith in Jesus? Is your house built upon the rock? If so, you can rejoice in your Heavenly home. That home is not something in the future that cannot be grasped. Our Heavenly home lives within our hearts. That is why we do what we do. Our motivation to press on in the midst of the storm is that Heavenly home within us. We serve with joy because we are living in light of eternity. Praise the Lord! I have a Heavenly home!
Earthly Home. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”[2] Not only do you need a Heavenly home, you also need a good earthly home. I am so thankful that I was blessed to be born into a Christian family. I am thankful that I had parents who taught me the Word of God and had me in church every Sunday. During this season of waiting and praying, I have done a lot of reminiscing. I remember those days as a child playing with siblings and cousins and friends. I remember family gatherings that were always so special. I remember when my children were little and taking them to the park and enjoying their laughter. Those memories also come with regrets. There is so much I missed out on because of my agenda. There are so many mistakes I made as a father that I wished I could change. There are so many moments that I wished I could relive. My friend, do not take your family for granted. If you grew up in a God-fearing home, be thankful. Enjoy every moment you have with your family. You may not have a good Christian family. However, there are those whom you could adopt as your family. We were created for relationship. We need each other. We need family. It is imperative that we build earthly homes that honor the Lord. We need the joy of Heaven in our homes. We need the love of Jesus in our homes. Make sure you have a good earthly home. Make sure you are building a home that honors the Lord.
Church Home. Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”[3] There is nothing more beautiful or more special than being a part of a church family. I love the church. Yes, I’ve had some difficult experiences serving as a pastor, but there is something about the local church that thrills my heart. There is nothing like gathering with God’s people to worship and to hear the Word of God preached. I am so thankful that I had the privilege of growing up in church. Dear Christian, do not neglect your church home. We need each other. In many ways, our church family may be more of a family than our blood relatives. I don’t see my parents or sisters or cousins as much as I see my church family. The church should be a safe place. It’s a place of love. It’s a place of forgiveness. It’s a place of friendship. It’s a place of serving the Lord together. It’s a place of joy. You cannot experience the fullness of these things unless you are present. Make going to church a priority in your life. I understand that churches change. There are various styles of churches. However, for me personally, I prefer a simple church. Where it’s not about the style or the latest trend or program. I prefer a church where it’s just all about Jesus. Where everyone loves everyone and we are one big family worshipping Jesus, serving Jesus, and sharing Jesus together. The church home is connected to our Heavenly home and earthly home. Families coming together as one in Christ. It’s such a beautiful thing.
As I face the second half of life and ministry, all I want is to be at home. I want to live with my Heavenly home in my heart, with my earthly home close to me and cherished and loved as we live life together, and my church home with fellow believers who love me and encourages me and serves with joy with me. What about you? What if we all just focused on being ‘home’ rather than trying to accomplish our own agendas? What if we focused on what matters most? How much more effective would we be for the Kingdom?
[1] The New King James Version (Is 32:18). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] The New King James Version (Ge 2:24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[3] The New King James Version (Heb 10:25). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
