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Reflections: Daily Devotions in Disability Ministry

Citizenship

July 7, 2010

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (NIV)

Many who will read this devotion are Americans. We were either born in this country, or became Americans after we came here from another country. If you were born here, you belong here. This is your country. You are a ‘citizen’ of the United States of America. If you came from another country, you probably became a citizen after a time of living here and then studying all about this country. People often come to America because they want to start a new life. They like what they have heard about America and choose to make this their new home.

A ‘citizen’ belongs to a country, and can get a passport that says they belong. Citizens have rights, but they also have responsibilities.

As wonderful as it is to be a citizen of America, and to be able to live here, the Bible reminds us that we have a much better home waiting for us in heaven. We are citizens of heaven. Jesus paid for our sins when He died on the cross for us. When we trust in Him as our Savior, we become citizens of heaven. We belong next to Jesus in heaven. That is our real home.

One day, Jesus will take everyone who loves Him home to be with Him in heaven. In heaven we will have a new body. Nothing will ever hurt again. No one will ever cry again. No one will ever be sad again. It will better than any place here on earth. It will be better than anything we can imagine.

Let’s be thankful today for the wonderful country we live in, and also for the home that is waiting for us in heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful country that we live in. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us, so that we can be with You in heaven one day. Help us to tell others that Jesus loves them, so they can believe in Jesus as their Savior and be citizens of heaven, too. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jeanne M. Dicke, Ministry Consultant – MN & WI
http://bethesdalutherancommunities.org/resources/spiritualResources/pmc.asp

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