Standing Out

Do you have a "life verse"? Maybe some explanation is in order. A "Life verse" would be that snippet of Scripture that might speak to you about God's care, or frame your life. In the latter, you could even use it to say, "this is who I am", like an email signature could do.

Over the years I've been able to hear many people recite their life verses to me, and I enjoy learning about how God uses His Word with different people.

Last night, we watched a video produced by the Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com) that let people hear and see from those who have suffered for their faith - their continuing and steadfast faith - in Jesus Christ. All sorts of questions rushed to me - "How could anyone do that to another?" "How could anyone endure...?"

And into my head popped a passage of Scripture that talks about people like that:

Hebrews 11:13-16 (Msg)
Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing.

How did they do it?

They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world.

People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home... But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country.

You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

In a world where life is cheap, they raise the value of it - by living it not for today, or tomorrow, but for eternity. In the days when the book of Hebrews was written, the days before, and the days after, people who understand that this earth is not our home stand out.

How? They make their choices on what they value in light of what really is lasting.

Where do you stand on that?

Grace!


David Wilson

This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.