Are there any foreigners in your town to whom you could be a blessing today?

While home in the US, I spoke in a couple of churches. During one service, I became aware of a new associational missions program. It reminded me of a devotional that I wrote years ago that I will share below. Missionaries are not the only ones that miss home; foreigners that live in our American neighborhoods do, too. The question is: Are we sharing the Gospel with those around us? Our family travels overseas to a foreign land to minister. How many of us are ministering in the States right next door? Since I have been home, I have had the opportunity to witness to people from other cultures. The numbers of internationals are increasing even in small towns like mine (population 3000). Praise the Lord churches are working in the community to sponsor mission-oriented programs within the geographical boundaries of the city!

a city prepared for us

Path Light: Read Hebrews 11:9-15

Key Passage: By faith he traveled in the promised land, like foreign soil, living in tents… Because he looked for a city with foundations built and made by God… and confessed that they were foreigners on earth. For by saying this, they are plainly declaring that they’re looking for another land. -Hebrews 11:9-10, 13b

Some of my missionary friends and I struggle with the fact that we do not have homes of our own. Many of us have the desire to build a house, decorate it, and work in our yards planting flowers. “Normal” people do.

There have been times when I have tried to pinpoint my momentary restlessness and wondered if having a permanent place would satisfy my desires. Then I am forced to look at realty and focus on my heavenly home which is all that matters.

We know that God is preparing a place for us. Why do we sometimes long for a place to call home? Because within us is the desire to not feel as aliens and strangers. Within us is the desire to reside in the city that has been prepared for us-our heavenly home.

Path Application:
This week focus on the heavenly city. Let us not think of the country that we have left. Let us look for the better one.

Walk Farther:
1. How do you think the Israelites felt when they lived in tents for so long?
2. How do you handle feelings of homesickness or longing to be somewhere else?
3. Are there any foreigners in your town to whom you could be a blessing today?
A Winter‘s Path, path 23, L. Burch