January 5th, 2023 – 7:41pm – Mom’s House, Sherman, Texas, USA:

I woke this morning with such a longing for home. A home that is not here. That is what it means to live for eternity… to long for heaven as our true home.

As Jesus said:

“I have given to them Your word [the message You gave Me]; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world and do not belong to the world, just as I am not of the world and do not belong to it. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world. For their sake I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth. “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.” – John 17:14-21 AMP

And it is written:

“Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17 AMP

Foreigners. Sojourners. Aliens. Enemies.

I have traveled to many nations all over the world and lived among them… but the whole time I was aware, as were those I lived among were also aware, that I was not of them. Different. Of a different kind.

I think about the command in the word, “Choose this day whom you will serve.”

Do you own your possessions or do they own you? It is easy to say, “Oh, I own my possessions! I love God more than this world!” But do you?

I didn’t really know how much I loved the things of this world until God asked me to give them away. Again I sit here with nothing… and I ponder this… again I think back to all the things God has asked me to give up. And it’s not just material things… it’s security… it’s bed… it’s home… it’s family and friends… it’s country… and language.

Four years ago I curled up behind a dumpster to get away from the icy wind of the cold night. All I owned was a t-shirt, shorts, underwear, socks, and shoes. I was homeless in Kansas City. I had obeyed God and it had lead me to that moment.

But it was in that moment that God wrapped His arms around me and comforted me unlike any other time in my life before or since. He asked for everything and I gave everything. And what it did in my heart was worth more than all the wealth of the world. Then He gave me back everything… and then again asked me to give it all away. And here I sit again… about to embark on another journey with nothing…

And I am so at peace… so happy to belong to Him. And so happy to know that I have been obedient. And so filled with joy that cannot be taken and isn’t based on any circumstance. I belong to the Living God. Me! This broken man… saved by grace alone… belongs to God. I am so humbled that I get to walk this journey. So blessed that God chose me for this path.

So I sit here thinking about what I can offer you as I experience all these things. And I guess what I want to say… when everything is stripped away and you have nothing left in this world… will you have Him?

Every single time I hear His voice speaking to me I am brought to life. His words are always filled with such love for me. The way He guides and disciplines me, oh I love it. I love His correction. I love the way He makes me feel like I’m the only one alive. And I love when I look at others and I feel His love for them. It’s all overwhelming… but I get it. I understand Him more and more and so I can in turn love and understand others the way He does.

I know all this seems all over the place but then… it’s not. It’s all connected. Re-read the scriptures above. Can’t you see it? You can’t love this world and love God… and you can’t love people without loving God.

Do you love your security? Do you love your house? Do you love your clothes? Do you love your job? What about your wife? Family? Friends? What if God asked you for them? Would you let them go?

Listen again to Jesus’ words:

““ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].” – Matthew 10:37-39 AMP

I’m not at all saying that family and friend and possessions are bad things… they are blessings… but the point is your heart. That’s what God has to deal with… your heart.

The truth is that one day… and you don’t know if it’ll be today or tomorrow or 60 years from now… you will stand alone before God.

I don’t know about you… but I want so desperately to hear God say, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your reward.”

And my journey leads out there… into obscurity… into the unknown… following wherever He leads… in total dependence on Him for everything. Leaving behind family and friends, comfort and security… and seeking to do His will first.

I’ve seen the outcome of obedience… it’s simply this… reaching the one along the way with His love and light. And that makes it all worth it to me.