Philippians 3:20, 21 - Live As Your Citizenship Is In Heaven.
Philippians 3:20, 21 " Live As Your Citizenship Is In Heaven.
Philippians 3:20, 21 (NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who,
by the power that enables him to bring everything under his
control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his
glorious body.
The Christian needs a constant awareness of the fact that he is
a citizen of heaven. Attachment to ones country leads him to be
loyal to it. Wherever he may be living he will conduct himself in a
way that will honor the good name of his country. Keeping in mind
the kind of life we expect to live in heaven, serves to guide us in
our life on earth. The purity, humility, gentleness, and love we
anticipate experiencing in the life to come may be demonstrated here below.
Our actions should disclose that we are citizens of heaven. Our
association with others should make heaven attractive to them Those who
eagerly await His coming will desire to prepare for that event (cf. on 1
John 1:3). They will feel that earthly affairs are of little
importance, since the scenes of this earth will soon close. They will live
above the world, constantly desiring the Lords appearing. [SDA
Bible Commentary]
Not long ago my wife and I were boarding a plane to Colorado
on Christmas Day. We handed our tickets to the attendant, but when
she scanned them, the machine kept indicating there was an error. We
were starting to get nervous, wondering if we had lost our seats. How
would we explain that to our grandkids who were eagerly awaiting our
arrival?
Just then another attendant asked to see our tickets. Without
looking up, she said, "Oh, the Owens. I have new tickets for them." Then
without explanation, she handed us first-class tickets and wished us a
Merry Christmas! As we settled into our roomy seats, I thought about
our heavenly Father and the joy he must receive when I finally
surrender my control, pride, anger, selfishness, and all the other tickets
I'm carrying, allowing him to give me new tickets stamped
"First-Class Citizen of Heaven!"
Jesus has paid for our first-class tickets. He's standing at
the counter, ready to exchange them for our messed-up tickets that
won't go through the scanner. Let's claim our new tickets and find our
seats.
Thank you, Father, for your daily, abundant provision for us.
We think so small when you think so big. Thank you for your
constant goodness. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into
the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into
problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix
everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your
conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also
distances you from Me.
Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever
so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the
world around you. Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that
are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your
primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My
perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that
comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important.
Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in
the Light of eternity. (Psa. 32:8; Luke 10:41, 42; Phi. 3:20, 21)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
SPECIAL MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:
Our Citizenship Is in Heaven:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/2247
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Music Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINK FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
http://www.aBible.com
