Listen to this devotion
At last we hear His voice: “Welcome home, pilgrim!”
In the Word
I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing … (Philippians 1:23b GNT).
Of the Word
All who believe in Jesus have eternal life — right now! Jesus described eternal life this way: “And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3 GNT). Connected to Jesus through His Word and Sacraments, walking with Him daily by faith, we already enjoy a taste of heaven.
At the end of our earthly pilgrimage we step from this life into the next. St. Paul was eager to take that step, I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing… (Philippians 1:23b GNT). We are eager, too, because we trust Jesus’ promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25b–26a).
To leave this life and be with Jesus means at last we will feel His presence, see His face, hear His voice greeting us, “Welcome home, pilgrim.”
Walking with my Lord
Walking with You, my Lord, is my greatest joy! Your presence makes each day of my life a foretaste of the life to come. Help me serve You until You call me home to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 30/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.
