First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton, TN -

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  Daily Devotion

  Rev. Ray's January 18th Devotion

  “So, teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

  Some will remember the song that says, “Heaven (happy home above); Heaven (land of peace and love).  Oh, it makes me feel like traveling on.  Heaven (supernal), Heaven (eternal).  I'm so glad it's real.” 

  Some folks think the church should not spend too much time talking about Heaven when there is so much trouble on earth to tend to.  I believe that is the reason we should proclaim it more.  We are not making things much better on this earth, and we will not until we live like citizens of Heaven, and we know that God expects us to number our days.  I’m tired of the battles we constantly fight over things that will end at the grave.  God has put eternity in our heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11); and eternity is our work.

  The saints of old made it through the trials and storms of life by singing songs of Heaven.  The family cemeteries grew too fast, and they knew that each day was a gift from God, and not to be taken for granted.  You lived with your feet on earth and your heart in Heaven.  These were the kind of people who were good to one another, they shared life and what they had because it was all temporary and you would not take it with you.  Sure, they were strict when it came to their religion.  They understood that the Devil intended to snatch them from the hand of God; and they held each other to the task of living by the Bible because it was the sword that he feared.

  Every night has a sunrise, each day has a someday; and we all have a somewhere: “Someday, beyond the reach of mortal kin, someday God only knows just where and when.  The wheels of mortal life shall all stand still; and I shall go to dwell on Zion’s hill.”

  As the grand old song says, “Going home, I’m going home; there’s nothing to hold me here.  I’ve caught a glimpse of that Heavenly land; Praise God, I’m going home.”  It is when we can sing these songs with a believing heart that we will make the best of each day on earth.  May we never get stuck in the mud of things that are going nowhere.  This world is not our home; why drop anchor here.  We are on our way to Canaan’s Land; so, let’s help each other over.

  Grace and Peace,  Rev Ray

• Sunday Morning Worship, January 09, 2022