Sunday, January 26, 2020

LONGING FOR HOME - Our deepest longing is for God Himself - All of us experience the pangs of homesickness at one time or another. People crave a place where they are well-loved. Even for those whose walls reverberate with love and laughter, there will come a time when the clamour fades, and favorite chairs sit empty. Scripture whispers that the eternal God has been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Jesus promised that the Spirit of God himself takes up residence in the life of anyone who trusts and obeys him. Almighty God desires to make his home in you! And he invites you to find your true home in him! That precious communion with God begins now — on this side of heaven. Recognize that when you wake up, he is there; when you lie down, he is there. Although you may still face an empty nest or an empty chair at the table, your heart will not be empty. The presence of God himself can fill you with his peace and strength and purpose. No matter what you’re facing today, rest assured that Jesus is with you.

Longing for Home
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Our deepest longing is for God Himself
Are You Longing for Home?
by Kathy 


Today’s post is a giveaway! My guest blogger today – Susan Booth – is a dear friend and the author of the new book “Longing for Home.” Comment below for a chance to win a copy!

Have you ever been homesick? The deep feeling of “longing for home” resonates with people across many walks of life.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman from my spin class posted a picture on Facebook of her former home in South Africa.
When I commented that it was lovely and she must undoubtedly miss it, she wrote: “I think I left part of my soul there.”
Surely all of us have experienced the pangs of homesickness at one time or another.
In today’s rootless world, people crave a place where they are well-known and well-loved.
Even for those whose walls reverberate with love and laughter, there will come a time when the clamour fades, and favorite chairs sit empty.
Are you longing for home?
If we are honest, sometimes a restless yearning for home even steals its way into our hearts even when all looks well from the outside.
But what if home is not a place, but a Person?
Perhaps our vague yearnings for home point to none other than God himself.
Intriguingly, Scripture whispers that the eternal God has been our dwelling place throughout all generations (Deuteronomy 33:27Psalm 90:1).
Astonishingly, Jesus promised that the Spirit of God himself takes up residence in the life of anyone who trusts and obeys him (John 14:1623).
Do you realize what an astounding statement that is?
Almighty God desires to make his home in you!
And he invites you to find your true home in him!
That precious communion with God begins now—on this side of heaven.
Our deepest longing is for God Himself
What does it actually look like to make your home in Christ?
Recognize that when you wake up, he is there; when you lie down, he is there. Weave his Word through every hour of your day.
Although you may still face an empty nest or an empty chair at the table, your heart will not be empty.
The presence of God himself can fill you with his peace and strength and purpose.
The God of reconciliation can mend broken hearts and broken homes. He adopts us into his family and knits us together into his dwelling place — the church.
No matter what you’re facing today, rest assured that Jesus is with you.
Set aside time to linger in his presence. Heed his invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
As you do, listen for the words you long to hear: “Welcome home!”

What are some ways you sense the deep longing for your true, eternal home with God? (Comment below for a chance to win a copy of “Longing for Home.”)
Longing for Home?
In her new book, “Longing for Home,” Susan Booth beautifully describes God’s answer to our spiritual homesickness – His presence with us.
Beginning with the creation account and mankind’s once unhindered communion with God, Booth traces the thread of God’s promise of full restoration.
This beautiful, unique book will give you a new perspective on God’s big story and His promises to us. This versatile resource can be used on your own or with a group.
Each chapter begins with an imaginative re-telling of key biblical events. Each chapter also includes questions for group discussion and meditational readings for personal reflection.
“Longing for Home” reminds us of awe-inspiring truth – God Himself is our true home. 
Susan Maxwell Booth serves as the Professor of Evangelism and Missions at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
 Susan and her husband Steve are under appointment with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
They lived in Budapest, Hungary, for seven years before transferring to Canada in 2000.
Susan has a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of “Longing for Home” and “The Tabernacling Presence of God.”

Kathy has been teaching the Bible since she fell in love with God’s Word almost 30 years ago. She speaks regularly at women’s retreats and events across the United States and internationally. The author of eight books, including five Bible studies, Kathy writes to have something to do while she eats chocolate and drinks coffee. She has a Masters in Christian Education and a certificate in women’s ministry from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary.
In recent years, God has been teaching Kathy more about His abundant grace. Through her own relationships and life experiences, she is learning to extend the grace God has so lavishly poured out on her own life.
On a personal level, Kathy calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in Louisiana, she has moved with her engineer husband around the U.S. and Canada. She says “pop” instead of “Coke” and “you guys” as often as “ya’ll.” But she’s still a southern girl at heart!
Kathy and her husband now live in north Texas. They have three children, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, four precious grandsons, and one tiny diva granddaughter. When the family gets together there are also five dogs in the mix.
https://www.kathyhoward.org/are-you-longing-for-home/



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Longing for Home

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