1 Peter 3:18(NLT) “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. ”
Welcome back! One of my favorite words in this passage today is YOU. I wonder how YOU are doing and what God is teaching YOU. In fact, if there is something cool God is doing in your life through this time, I really would love to hear it. I have been praying for you in some pretty specific ways. One thing I’m praying for is your personal connection to God. I’m praying for your friendship with Jesus, that you would experience the kind of hope only He can bring.
Let’s be honest, if I asked you to share this verse with a friend, it might be easier than to receive it for yourself. The truth is, we can tell somebody else how much God loves them, but sometimes it’s harder to think of ourselves as the recipient of God’s love.
I like the way the New Living Translation says, “He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.”
I have a lot of memories of different homes throughout my life. The one place that sticks out most is 12034 Brewster in Livonia, Michigan. You can look it up; it’s a pretty cool house. My dad purchased it before he and my mom got married. The yard had a big grassy hill in the back. In the summertime, my brother Josh and I would roll down it like wrecking balls. We had a pool, a basketball court, a pool table, and a few really cool, big Michigan trees. When I think about that place, I miss it. It probably was the place that felt most like a home to me. It is the only home that I have memories of my mom and dad together.
Home is supposed to be a special place. It’s a place where you can laugh, cry, connect, and be yourself. It’s a place where you have access to the people you love the most. It’s a place where guests are honored and life is lived as it’s meant to be lived.
This world leaves a longing for that kind of place, a place to call home.
Stacie says to me that home for her is anywhere she can climb into bed with me at the end of the day. We’ve made our home in a lot of different places over the last 17 years of marriage. I love the thought that we could call any place home. In a shack of an apartment on James Ave in Fort Worth, Texas, to breathtaking San Jose, California. We are at home when we are together.
Jesus suffered for our sins so that we could be at home with God. He was marred beyond recognition so that you could do life with God for all eternity. When you are going through hard times, you especially need a place to call home.
One day we will see Him in all His glory! Our bodies will be made new. We will receive a new physical home. We won’t have to outbid one another or spend hours on Redfin trying to find it.
Jesus’ moment of suffering makes a way for us to live with eternal hope. He died one time; a full and final payment for all of your sins, and with that one willing sacrifice, He changed your identity from sinner to child of God. He was raised to life in Spirit, and now He invites you to that same life. Because of Jesus you have full access to the Father right now. You can enter into His presence with confidence, knowing He hears your every prayer. Jesus’ suffering has made a way for YOU!
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live at home with God today!
Take a few minutes to imagine yourself entering into the presence of the Father. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you increased understanding of grace and forgiveness. Spend a few minutes thanking Jesus for the price He paid so you could be at home with God.
Father, thank you for your mercy. Thank you, Jesus, for your death on a cross! Thank you for suffering for me. Holy Spirit, please help us experience “life in the Spirit” today.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Thank you Pastor Andy! Home is better when you have God’s peace in your heart, and understand his sacrifice gave us all a chance to live a full life with Him.
OK something cool I’m supporting 3 families through Palm leaf its providing educational material to the children I will bring my daughter next time we meet so she can experience what it feels like to give our personnel time to Gods work. I thought this was cool I was really excited and nervous I just kept praying Lord complete your work in me because there was a couple of times I started doubting if I could do this work turned out to be really easy thanks be to God. Thanks for sharing your story and the good news
“Because of Jesus you have full access to the Father right now.”
What a glorious thought. May I never take it for granted.
I am reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for me to have eternal home with Him, but this devotional also gives me a sense of gratitude..for Him to bless me with a home I have now, filling it with His love. Thank you, Pastor Andy for allowing me to open my heart to receive His love today!
Thank you Andy for this devotional! I have been going through it almost every day. I have thought about what it would be like when I am face to face with God. I have loved reading through 1 Peter.
I have really struggled with this lockdown. God’s blessed our health and finances, but I can’t help grumbling about being stuck at home. Thanks for using these devotionals to keep my eyes on the bigger picture and push into how God is working on me and the world all around me.
I enjoyed the reflection questions to think more about Jesus dying for me and how he lived his life. The prayer time gave me space to reflect, give thanks and ask for strength to be more like Jesus.
What a great image and comparison
There’s been soooo much that God has doing and showing me lately, I hesitate to write it here because I’d end up writing a novel ? But overall I am so incredibly grateful at how he makes dots connect in our lives when we literally have no idea what’s going on, what’s going to happen, what we should do, etc… He really does have it all in his hands.
Being more in tune with the Spirit is definitely another thing I’ve been challenged to do after God connected me with a spiritual mentor who spoke about that and has now given me daily dictums to recite twice a day. I pray that I would grow closer and deeper into the Holy Spirit and be able to not just know the Bible but to live it more actively, boldly, and powerfully!
“Spend a few minutes thanking Jesus for the price He paid so you could be at home with God.”
Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life on the cross for my sins. Thank you Jesus for strengthening me, providing guidance in my life, and for bringing me hope when I stumble. I pray that you give me peace of mind so that I can continue to stay focused in you and follow your lead. Amen
Thank you for these daily encouragements! We all need uplifting words and to hear from God, especially now. I love to see all the work God is doing through all the chaos. God is so good! ?
Thank you Pastor
Thank you Pastor Andy for sharing your life experiences with us as additional examples for us to see the bigger picture… with God as our center!
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi