No Place to Call Home
Opportunities past by
John 14:2 – 4
It was a beautiful October day, and I was working feverously to finish my route. As a pest control technician you have many stops a day to do in about 22 working days and it is not always easily done. However, this day would make me think about something harder than I ever thought before. On this day, I was going to an estate to do a pest control service. I have serviced this residence for more than 8 years myself, but the company has served it for many years. The elderly couple who owned this property had now passed away. The main house has 4 bedrooms and 4 baths in it. It is surrounded by 280 acres of fields and trees. The house itself is a magnificent work of art in my mind. It may not be fancy as some houses today, but in its day, it was nice. The estate also has a barn, an in-ground swimming pool and pool house, which has a kitchen, bath and bedroom in it. The estate also has a 2 bedroom house that a hired couple lived in, rent free, and part of their salary.
This day, as I pulled up in the drive way of the big house, the iron gate was closed. I had been to this house many times and never seen the gate closed. As I wondered what to do, I looked to my left and saw Norma trimming vines off a fence row. She is a lady, in her late 30’s to early 40’s, who was the person in charge of overseeing the Browns in their life time. She had worked for the Browns for twenty years or more. Her main job was to take care of them, see that they went to the doctors when scheduled, made sure they were fed, and took all their medications. She hired people to help in this job. She was in charge of paying bills, dealing with people who came in, and just really overseeing the whole deal. Her husband was the ranch foreman. He was in charge of taking care of the animals and the whole property. He repaired all the things he could on this estate, but also contracted others when necessary. They had devoted most of their lives to the Browns and did things for them that the Brown’s kids would not. As Norma trimmed the vines, she turned to me and politely told me the gates were not locked. I commented about how it seemed lonely here now, and she started talking from her heart.
It turned out that the kids immediately put the place up for sale to get the money to live their lives by. The Browns were a wealthy family and the land they lived on was family land from way back. During the time of Mr. Brown’s illness, Norma’s husband, who is not a healthy man either, decided he wanted a divorce and left her. She continued to treat Mr. Brown as her own Father. Mrs. Brown had died in 2003, which was a huge surprise in itself. The Brown kids would also include the house that Norma had lived in for over twenty years in the sale. They had reduced her pay from something she could live on to a measly 1000 dollars and told her that she would have to move out when the place sold. The Brown’s had apparently told her and Dana that the house was theirs when they died, but it wasn’t put in the will. As I talked to Norma, with tears running down her face, I realized the impact of what was happening to her. She had no computer experience or no public work experience and she would be on the streets. She has no clue at to what she is going to do.
As I finished up all the services on this account and wished Norma a good day, I told her that I would pray for her, and I have. During the past few weeks however, I could not get off of my mind about having no place to go.
There are thousands of people who live on the streets day in and day out in just the United States alone. We pretend to want to take care of them, but how did most of them get to this situation? Most of them got to living on streets by making wrong decisions in their lives, whether it was drugs, alcohol, or bad financial moves. Most of them chose not to live like they had the opportunity too. I have often thought about how people won’t be able to get in heaven because of one bad decision. That bad decision is made by not accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
So, in essence, they have no place to call home. Jesus said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know John 14:2 - 4.” Unfortunately these mansions are not for everyone. You may ask why not? Truth is, many people have turned the house down for life in this world. Many of these people are, what many people would call, ‘good people.’ They have good lives, never get in trouble with the law, and seem to model citizens. They may also be a member of a church, and work hard to help it, by teaching, being deacons or deacons’ wives, or just by being faithful to go to church, but they are missing Christ in their lives. How can this be? Jesus answered this in Matthew 7:13 – 14 when he said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” We need to understand that living a good life does not guarantee us a new home. We are told in Ephesians 2:8 – 9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.” A man cannot do anything himself to get to heaven, other than accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Like Norma, who may not have a place to go when the estate is sold, many are not prepared for the future. She never saw what was coming in her life, because this family had always treated her right. Now, the family that seemed to so much love her have, to some extent, turned their back on her. The world may seem to love you now, but it really doesn’t love you at all. When people find this out, they have no where to go. With Jesus, you always have HIM. HE will not turn you away, and HE will not turn HIS back on you. Be prepared for the future. Know where your destination is. Know that you have a Savior that loves you. How can you know this? Simply pray and ADMIT that you are a sinner and that God is right and you are wrong. BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and CONFESS it. Paul said, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed” Romans 10:9 – 11.
This seems to be a simply solution doesn’t it? The answer to getting to heaven is simple, but it is not always easy to accept it the way God meant for us too. It takes putting your pride to the side in believing that you are not a bad person. The scripture is plan. There are none good, no not one. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The word ‘all’ leaves no man out. This means every person has this decision to make, and now you have the same decision to make now. What will it be?
I love the song that sings this course, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through, If heaven is not my home, then Lord what would I do?” The facts are simple. If heaven is not your home, then hell will be. Being tormented day and night forever, and not being happy is the destination for any person who does not seek the Lord.
Lord, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be saved, and for making a way for all. Thank you for loving us even when we are not loveable. May the person who reads this devotional know their destination, and may it be with you. Convict them of their sins and draw them to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Chase's Wedding Day
I guess I never thought about my oldest son getting married. It may have been in the back of my mind and I just never thought of it much. Chase is marrying a girl namd Jill Ann Davis this evening at 7:00 p.m. I have the great honor of performing the ceremony, but I can't help but be concerned. For all the people who pray out there, please pray for these two kids. It's a tough world on single people, but it seems to be even tougher on married couples. They both seem excited aboutt he marriage and I guess I'm excited for them too. Pray for me as I perform the ceremony, that it may go well.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Thought for the day
Affections For Christ
Setting Our Lives on Things of God
Colossians 3:1 - 3
One thing that seems to always happen, in life, is that Satan puts obstacles in our way to keep us from doing what God has asked us, or has laid on our hearts, to do. I’m no different than any one person. I give you a great example of that in this thought for the day. I started doing this on a regular basis and all of sudden things changed in my life. Satan used a person, who, by the way, claims Christ, to hinder me from doing daily devotions on the way I was. I lost focus of what I needed to be doing and allowed things to take the place of this ministry. For this, I apologize to the people who have emailed me and told me how much they appreciate them and how much it helped them. I hope to get back to doing what I enjoyed so much. How do I do this? I found myself thinking about this scripture all week long, so I thought I would share them with you.
In Colossians 3:1 – 3, Paul wrote, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” What a great thought for the day and everyday for that matter. As the Lord spoke to my heart, in this scripture, I began to search myself and I began to see all the things that I have allowed Satan to place in my path that have become a stumbling block in my life. Paul tells us what we should do to help us keep Christ first in our lives.
SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE.
Today’s world has people seeking everything but Christ. Think about it. I guess you can call this a pet peeve of mine, but I really admire schools that still defy the law that says that people can’t pray at school. As a football official I often see schools still praying at the game. Some schools openly pray. The announcer will pray over the speakers or you will hear students saying the model pray found in the book of Matthew. Others, however, choose to deny Christ and just have a moment of silence. I once pastored a man, who was a teacher, and claims Christ as his savior, which told me, “Bro. Ronnie, I’m glad they choose not to pray in school. This means that other can’t pray to their false gods either.” I disagreed then, just as I do now. A good example of this is found when Daniel continued to pray daily even after the law said he had to pray to an idol. He chose not to listen to them and prayed to the true and living God. Because of his choice, he was delivered from certain death. God rewarded his obedience. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness,” (Matt. 6:33.) How can we get anywhere without seeking Christ first? We can’t! I have often said, as I still do, that we have gotten too busy for God, family, and ourselves. We have allowed things of this world to become idols in our lives. Think about it. We find things that we love and we stick more faithful to them than we do to God. We allow them to become our god in our lives. I like to officiate football and baseball, I like to fish and hunt, and I liked being a firefighter, first responder, and arson investigator. Have I ever allowed these things to become more important than God in my life? The answer to this would be a resounding yes. I’m guilty. How did I allow that to happen? I studied them more than I did about God. Now, I’m not knocking these things, because there can be a ministry in all of these areas. I still officiate, hunt, and fish at times. The fire department stuff has been taken out of my life for now. However, I try not to allow these things to get in the way of serving God. I have to keep my guard up though. I just choose not to do them when I know church is going on, or I try not to allow these things get in my way. However, I’m not successful at this all the time. I know I need to improve. How does a person improve in serving God?
SET YOU AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE
What does the word affection mean to you and me? When I think about it, I know my wife loves the attention I give to her when I’m affectionate. Affection means tender attachment. The Greek word for affection is ‘Phroneo, fron’ – eh’ – o.’ this definition is, to interest oneself in, with concern and obedience. In laymen’s terms, put your interest in things above. Paul continued in verse 2 with, “not on things on the earth.” When we allow things of this earth to get in the way of serving God, then we are sinning by allowing other gods to get in our way. I’ve always said you can find out what people’s interests are when you go into their house. Many times you will find out what they really spend time doing. Deer hunters, many times, will have horns mounted, heads mounted, lots of pictures, etc. Fishermen will have mounted fish, pictures, and pertinent stuff. Even dedicated firefighters will have things that pertain to that in their homes. Many times I have seen Bibles on lamp tables, scriptures in frames, and pertinent things to Christianity in houses too. You know what people do. However, a Bible on a lamp table doesn’t mean, a lot of times, as much as people might think. Is the Bible talked about as much as the deer mounts or fish mounts on the walls? Now I’m not just picking on hunting and fishing. If we allow anything to divert our attention or affection from Christ and being obedient to HIM, then we have allowed another god into our lives. Another definition for affection would be love. How much do we love God? It is shown in our lives by the way we live. If we seek Christ first then HE will be first in our lives, if not, then he won’t be first. Defining HIM in our lives and the things about HIM in our lives as Christians is the most important thing we can do.
The world may not show how important God is, and apparently, America has defined her definition of ‘one nation under god.’ It may not mean a whole lot to some, but to Christians it should be of most importance. Our affections should be set on HIM and HIS promises. It’s time for Christians to stand on the promises, which is the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. May we seek Christ in all that we do and show the world how important HE is to us.
Setting Our Lives on Things of God
Colossians 3:1 - 3
One thing that seems to always happen, in life, is that Satan puts obstacles in our way to keep us from doing what God has asked us, or has laid on our hearts, to do. I’m no different than any one person. I give you a great example of that in this thought for the day. I started doing this on a regular basis and all of sudden things changed in my life. Satan used a person, who, by the way, claims Christ, to hinder me from doing daily devotions on the way I was. I lost focus of what I needed to be doing and allowed things to take the place of this ministry. For this, I apologize to the people who have emailed me and told me how much they appreciate them and how much it helped them. I hope to get back to doing what I enjoyed so much. How do I do this? I found myself thinking about this scripture all week long, so I thought I would share them with you.
In Colossians 3:1 – 3, Paul wrote, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” What a great thought for the day and everyday for that matter. As the Lord spoke to my heart, in this scripture, I began to search myself and I began to see all the things that I have allowed Satan to place in my path that have become a stumbling block in my life. Paul tells us what we should do to help us keep Christ first in our lives.
SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE.
Today’s world has people seeking everything but Christ. Think about it. I guess you can call this a pet peeve of mine, but I really admire schools that still defy the law that says that people can’t pray at school. As a football official I often see schools still praying at the game. Some schools openly pray. The announcer will pray over the speakers or you will hear students saying the model pray found in the book of Matthew. Others, however, choose to deny Christ and just have a moment of silence. I once pastored a man, who was a teacher, and claims Christ as his savior, which told me, “Bro. Ronnie, I’m glad they choose not to pray in school. This means that other can’t pray to their false gods either.” I disagreed then, just as I do now. A good example of this is found when Daniel continued to pray daily even after the law said he had to pray to an idol. He chose not to listen to them and prayed to the true and living God. Because of his choice, he was delivered from certain death. God rewarded his obedience. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness,” (Matt. 6:33.) How can we get anywhere without seeking Christ first? We can’t! I have often said, as I still do, that we have gotten too busy for God, family, and ourselves. We have allowed things of this world to become idols in our lives. Think about it. We find things that we love and we stick more faithful to them than we do to God. We allow them to become our god in our lives. I like to officiate football and baseball, I like to fish and hunt, and I liked being a firefighter, first responder, and arson investigator. Have I ever allowed these things to become more important than God in my life? The answer to this would be a resounding yes. I’m guilty. How did I allow that to happen? I studied them more than I did about God. Now, I’m not knocking these things, because there can be a ministry in all of these areas. I still officiate, hunt, and fish at times. The fire department stuff has been taken out of my life for now. However, I try not to allow these things to get in the way of serving God. I have to keep my guard up though. I just choose not to do them when I know church is going on, or I try not to allow these things get in my way. However, I’m not successful at this all the time. I know I need to improve. How does a person improve in serving God?
SET YOU AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE
What does the word affection mean to you and me? When I think about it, I know my wife loves the attention I give to her when I’m affectionate. Affection means tender attachment. The Greek word for affection is ‘Phroneo, fron’ – eh’ – o.’ this definition is, to interest oneself in, with concern and obedience. In laymen’s terms, put your interest in things above. Paul continued in verse 2 with, “not on things on the earth.” When we allow things of this earth to get in the way of serving God, then we are sinning by allowing other gods to get in our way. I’ve always said you can find out what people’s interests are when you go into their house. Many times you will find out what they really spend time doing. Deer hunters, many times, will have horns mounted, heads mounted, lots of pictures, etc. Fishermen will have mounted fish, pictures, and pertinent stuff. Even dedicated firefighters will have things that pertain to that in their homes. Many times I have seen Bibles on lamp tables, scriptures in frames, and pertinent things to Christianity in houses too. You know what people do. However, a Bible on a lamp table doesn’t mean, a lot of times, as much as people might think. Is the Bible talked about as much as the deer mounts or fish mounts on the walls? Now I’m not just picking on hunting and fishing. If we allow anything to divert our attention or affection from Christ and being obedient to HIM, then we have allowed another god into our lives. Another definition for affection would be love. How much do we love God? It is shown in our lives by the way we live. If we seek Christ first then HE will be first in our lives, if not, then he won’t be first. Defining HIM in our lives and the things about HIM in our lives as Christians is the most important thing we can do.
The world may not show how important God is, and apparently, America has defined her definition of ‘one nation under god.’ It may not mean a whole lot to some, but to Christians it should be of most importance. Our affections should be set on HIM and HIS promises. It’s time for Christians to stand on the promises, which is the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. May we seek Christ in all that we do and show the world how important HE is to us.
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