SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1328

“Home”

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

Christmas. This season is an emotional one. It conjures up feelings for simpler, happier times. Television commercials, Christmas carols, Hallmark movies and the like all tug at our emotional heart strings fueling a longing in our hearts for home.

There are many in our Armed Services who are deployed far from home who experience this deep longing.

Then, also there are many among us whose Christmas memories are bitter-sweet. Memories of loved ones who are no longer with them temper their joy.

Still others, and there are many, have never experienced the joy, love, and peace of Christmas and this season brings only painful memories.

We live in a broken world, damaged by sin. Life is not like a Hallmark movie and that is precisely why Jesus came. The good news of the Gospel is that regardless of our past and present situations we can all know the joy and peace of Christmas through a personal relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is, after all, the reason for the season and He is our home.

Home is our place of abiding, our abode.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. – 1 John 4:15

Home is our warm and loving place.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. – John 15:9

Home is our peaceful place.

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

Home is our refuge and a shelter.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV)

Home is where we are fed and cared for.

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. – Psalm 145:16

Home is our joyful place.

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. – Psalm 84:2

Home is where we are welcome as family.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God; See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;- Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:1

May you know the joy, love, and peace of Christmas every day of the year through the abiding presence of Jesus.

Jesus is our home now and for eternity. Come to Him. Come home.

This is My Home – Jason Upton

Merry Christmas!