For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Memory of the Month: Psalm 33:4
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
Today's reading: NAHUM 1-3 REVELATION 14
Yes, We Can Go Home
Most all of us have heard and many have repeated, "You can't go home".
I think this may just be an obscure arrow shot by the enemy to always keep that negative thought in our minds. We go to visit and we have one negative always against the visit home that opens the door to conflict or hard feelings. Now these things might have happened anyway, I am just saying that we can either go home with a free and peaceful mind or we can walk in 'guns blazin' and have a good 'ole' brawl.
The Bible never says we cannot go home. Jesus did say that a prophet is without honor...
Mark 6:4-6
4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Jesus said nothing like , "You can't go home". He did warn us that we would be without honor so to prepare our egos ahead of time. If we walk humbly before God, our egos need not be warned so go home humbly without judgment.
The Bible then says that Jesus marveled at their 'unbelief'. Jesus identified their need and as a result went around the villages close by his home and taught His truth or His gospel. He knew whether they honored Him or not that they needed to hear the truth for their souls. So, when you go home, look for the needs of the hurting and minister the truth where God leads.
King David went home after Saul chased him around for years and was a great king except for his fall with Bathsheba. Even then, he did not leave his home in shame but was humble before all his people and they loved him for it. So if you carry some kind of shame when you go home, suck up the ego, walk humbly, and love whomever you meet whether they look at you judgingly or mumble about you over in the corner or whatever. Carry the honor of God with humility and love the unloving and let them pick that apart if they will, but your job is to walk as Jesus walked.
The whole nation of Israel went home after judgment and captivity and rebuilt with all the naysayers and enemies lurking to stop them-but they got it done with the Hand of God upon them.
The prodigal son-well, he left home with daddy's money, blew it all in sin, and wound up eating hog slop and swallowed his pride and went home to ask for a servant's job. His father was so happy that he threw a welcome home party for the young man with a robe, a ring, and a big bar-b-que. The big brother was furious and protested furiously with pop and all dad could say was, "But he was lost, now he is found."
If this story tells us anything, it tells us we can go home. Some will be lovingly glad and some will want to stay out in the field with the cows, so love them and let them alone if they choose, but your part is to love them whether they love you are not.
Some of you may already be there and some on their way or leaving soon for this great holiday. There is also a word here for those at home who will be 'welcoming' those who live away. The key is welcoming...if you know someone is coming who has sinned against you or the family(there are many, I hear the stories all the time) you have as great a responsibility to love unconditionally as anyone. You may be the one who celebrates the arrival, but if you are the one who would rather stay out in the pasture(in your mind)than even look at the visitor, isn't it time you let God change your heart? The same thing goes for you-suck up your pride, get in front of God and let Him fill you with His humility and let His love and His peace govern your words and actions-anything else is sin, plain and simple.
There is always loving to do...
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for allowing my ego to ruin things. Let me look at everyone and pray as I do, "Have mercy on me". Let me see the need and love as Jesus did.
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