It is so good to be HOME!  After spending 10 days in Indianapolis for the Nazarene General Assembly and then performing a wedding for my nephew near Chicago, I am reminded how much I miss my own bed, my wife's cooking, and my GoodNaz family.

 

Yesterday as we all celebrated our freedom as a nation, I was reminded often of our freedom from sin!  I was once bound by sins snare in my life.  I was selfish, carnal, and hooked by the desires of sin.  But one day there was a declaration in my life.  It started by humbling myself before God with the mess of my life and asked Him to forgive me of my sin.  AND HE DID!  I was gloriously set free from the bondage of a life full of sin.  God declared me NOT GUILTY and that I was His child!

 

But there was another declaration. One day I looked at my dreams, plans, and wishes for my future and I knelt before God once more and gave all of those to Him as well.  I declared that He would not just be my Savior but the absolute LORD OF MY LIFE!

   

Since that day I have never looked back with regret.  It was the beginning of my spiritual growth and foundation of a life that has been so much more wonderful than my mind could have conceived on that day.  I often think of the old song that says, "I have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back...no turning back!

 

I also realize that one day very soon we will see Jesus face to face.  If he is your Savior and you have declared Him Lord of your life then you will hear Him say, "Well done!  Welcome home!"  And on that day we will all say, "It is so good to be HOME!"

 

I look forward to beginning a new series over the next 2-3 weeks on QUESTIONS many of you have asked about God, the church, and our Christian walk.  Know that you are deeply loved and prayed for often.