For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself. Philippians 3:18-21
My words…
Praise
The other day, as I worked in the heat of the sun, I closed my eyes as a rare, cool breeze blew across my face, lifting the hair off my sweaty forehead. I thanked You for that refreshing gift, then I went back to work. During the course of any day, as I go through scheduled tasks and appointments, I often remember (or You bring it to my mind) that I am a citizen of heaven. That’s when I feel a different cool breeze refreshing my spirit. Nothing covers me with a blanket of peace more than remembering that I am a rightful, though undeserving, citizen of the place where You are.
Prayer for others
Lord, I pray for my nation. I am a citizen of a country in its adolescence – bickering, biting, and scratching at each other, like middle-schoolers brawling between classes. I am proud to call America home, but many of my countrymen and women live as enemies of the cross of Christ, hence the brawling. I live among Your enemies. But You love them with Your whole heart. Help me to love them, too.
Thank You
There are so many more perks with being a citizen of heaven than there are being a citizen of earth. Of course. So I take a moment to thank You for creating a place for all of us citizens to be together, free from enemies, free from earthly things. I long to be a part of the throng whose transformed faces are refreshed by the cool breeze of heaven.
More Praise
It’s both mystifying and wonderful, being a citizen of a place I have never seen. Mystifying because I cannot fathom life beyond my senses, and wonderful because it doesn’t matter. I trust You with my eternity. I can’t wait!
