Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, I maintained Nigerian citizenship because of my parents’ diplomatic status. I once met a lady from Indonesia who excitedly launched into her native tongue after learning my birthplace. Embarrassed, I informed her that I was only there briefly and had no knowledge of the language. I was born in the country—but am not of it.
Likewise, the Bible refers to believers as foreigners and nomads on the earth—not of it (Hebrews 11:13). Our identity isn’t created by the secular world; we live out God’s heavenly perspective. The heroes of faith profiled in Hebrews 11 were described as “looking forward to a country they [could] call their own” (Hebrews 11:14). This didn’t mean their birthplace or place of origin, “but they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).
It’s for this reason that Jesus urged His followers to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth, for our hearts tend to be centered wherever we have our treasure (Matthew 6:19-21). He went on to describe those who hoard material things in this life as fools who don’t have “a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:16-21).
Whenever I take a trip for work I focus on the tasks that need to be accomplished, but never lose sight of the fact that my home awaits me. This prompts me to be efficient with my time, so as not to delay or jeopardize my trip back there.
In the same way, we must strive to accomplish the earthly purpose for which we’ve been created in God’s power and leading. He’s the One who will one day renew the earth—uniting it with all that is heaven (Revelation 21:1).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Job 2:1-13
More:
Read 1 Peter 2:10-12 for further insight into the way we are to conduct ourselves during our time on earth.
Next:
How often do you think about your final destination after this life? What does it mean for you to store up treasures in heaven?
godlove on May 9, 2017 at 5:39 am
Thank you, Remi. Just like you, I and the rest of the nuclear and extended family into which God put me, were not born in our “town of origin” and have always lived away from our native home-town. However, that hasn’t prevented us from maintaining our roots as we have still been able to keep very strong links to home. I think you have used an excellent analogy to better understand what it means for us as believers, to consider ourselves foreigners in this world. Likewise, we must strive to keep and maintain a very strong link to our real home God has prepared for us His people. Jesus too promised us in John 14:2-3, “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 you may be also.”
remioyedele2015 on May 9, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Thank you, godlove! May God give us the grace to see Heaven as our true home, as opposed to a mythical location we try to attain.
Be blessed!
R
tedsenapat on May 9, 2017 at 6:51 am
Thanks Remi! I so identify with you on this! And the verse that blew my mind this morning was, “… God was not ashamed to be called their God …”! Blessings on You, Remi and continue to write your encouraging and inspiring devotions!
I have appreciated them even though this is my first comments to you!
remioyedele2015 on May 9, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Thank you so much, Ted! It is truly a blessing that though we may often be ashamed of our own behavior, God doesn’t look at us that way. His love and grace are indeed AMAZING.
Be blessed!
R
conmeo on May 9, 2017 at 9:01 am
Thanks for this Remi. Yes we are indeed nomads and foreigners, true in the 21st century not unlike the Israelites in the desert millennia ago. But Praise Him for our mission. His stewardship of His people shows how we can accomplish His mission. Oswald Chambers puts it something like this …minister where you are, among who you are with and amidst whatever is happening. When your mission is complete or sadly at times, utterly rejected without His example of reconciliation in His love, like Jesus and Paul’s examples, move and make God’s message of love and reconciliation known throughout our journey. And trust Our God and King is keeping watch over those we love. Lord give us Your Peace when we are on the move and can know that God’s Peace goes with us. Amen
remioyedele2015 on May 9, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Amen, and Amen Conmeo!! Thank you so much for that beautiful prayer :).
Be blessed!
R
Tom Felten on May 9, 2017 at 9:32 am
Remi, it’s fascinating to me that the way store up treasures in heaven is by actively reaching out to, serving, and loving others on earth. May we do so today in the power of the Holy Spirit!
remioyedele2015 on May 9, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Amen, Tom!! By His grace, may we adopt God’s perspective on what true treasure and what ‘homecoming’ means for believers.
Be blessed!
R
sandy229 on May 9, 2017 at 10:23 am
The Concept of Faith
By biblical definition we understand these defining issues that qualify a meaning for “faith” that exceeds humanism and avoids mere subjective, philosophical ideas. The concept of faith according to God’s Word, entails understanding that:
1) the entire creation, visible and invisible, is the result of a Creator’s direct, intelligent action and not the product of blind chance (Hebrews 11:3);
2) historic figures have encountered this Creator in personal ways, evidencing He is more than merely a force and that He is a personal God who relates to those who seek Him in providential and redemptive ways (Hebrews 11:2,4-39);
3) any worthy approach to God, with true faith, must believe these two propositions (#1 and #2)-if faith is to have a starting place and a realizable goal.
Hebrews 4:11, Revelation 12:11
The walk of faith is a glorious process of becoming increasingly free in Christ. By faith in Jesus’ resurrection, we become free from the fear of death. Through faith in Jesus as our High Priest, we know that we have one who understands our temptations and can help as we become free from sin. By faith in Jesus’ holiness in our lives, we can be free to boldly enter God’s presence without hesitation. Continue to put your faith in Jesus daily. Know that you can entirely trust Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Learn about faith from the lives of the stories of the heroes of faith in this chapter. Understand that faith is the confident assurance of what we hope for and the proof of things we cannot see.
sandy229 on May 9, 2017 at 10:27 am
Thank you Remi for our devotion for today!
remioyedele2015 on May 9, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Thank you, Sandy – beautiful write up on faith! 🙂
Be blessed!
R