Home

Home is a special place. I remember every home I’ve lived in, some much better than others. As a child, we lived in a mobile home for years. The day we moved to a track home was exciting; it had an upstairs and downstairs. Two bathrooms, and I had my very own bedroom. I lived in that house until I left home for school many years later. When my husband and I got married, I had no idea that we would move as much as we have. We’ve lived in eleven houses! Each house holds special memories for all of us, and when we all get together as a family conversations often come up that involve one or more of the homes we’ve lived in. They all have a name such as: Lake Street house, Hidden house, Armstrong house, float house, and Valley house, etc. For me, I’ve found something about each place that I like, some I’ve loved and proclaimed that “I never want to move again!” Then, a few years later, we move! I’ve decided that God has given me adventure through moving. He’s given me opportunity to make many houses a home. He’s blessed me with abundance through homes, and also loss. He’s taught me the value of home and all that it means to family. I have found that it is important to me that my children, even my adult children that no longer live with us, want to be home. We have had a lot of children in our lives, for 38 years now our home has been filled with the laughter and tears of children. “Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward. Children born to a young couple will one rise to protect and provide for their parents. Happy will be the couple who has many of them! A household full of children will not bring shame on your name but victory when you face your enemies.” Psalms 127:3-4 (TPT)

I can testify that when children are involved a home is built.

Whatever the structure looks like, when we are able to build it into something better we are wise builders. I love this verse in Proverbs 24:3: Wise People are builders-they build families, businesses, communities . And through intelligence and insight their enterprises are established and endure. (TPT) As I was thinking about all this earlier today it brought me to the thought of God’s home. I know for most Christians we long to live with Jesus, in his home.

“Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.” Psalms 27:4 (TPT)

A godly home has a foundation that is rooted in Jesus. It is able to withstand the storms of life and still be a home. “When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation.” Matthew 7:25 How does a home get a strong foundation? I believe a strong foundation is built by being rooted in Christ Jesus. It’s having the ability to tap into our loving Father and know we are home with him all the time, in all places. It’s having the Spirit of God embedded in our hearts in such a way that we are able to follow his voice. When we live this way, we live home.

Jesus told his followers this: “My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you to rest, and when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am.” John 14:2. Yes, Jesus has provided home for us in more than one way. He promises that he is preparing a place for us. He also has given us His Spirit to dwell within us making us his home. So, as we wait for his arrival, we are not alone, we have him deeply rooted within us. This is why we are called the Temple of God. Just as we guard our homes on earth and the family within the walls, we are to guard the Temple of God too. God has many children to bring praise to his name, many children to love and to give love. Many children to spread the light of who he is, as we build our homes, communities and businesses here on earth!

What will you do to build your home within and without today?

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