Dear Lord, help us to be filled with faith as Abraham was. Keep us focused not on the temporal but the eternal. Amen.
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-12
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-12
The Upper Room
Upper Room Devotional for April 12th, 2026
Now retired, my wife, Karin, and I decided to move closer to our daughter in Wisconsin. While loading the rental truck on moving day, I reflected upon the fact that Karin and I have lived in six homes in four different US states over the past 50 years. …
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Forwarded from Olive Tree Ministries - Jan Markell
Dr. Ron Rhodes: Devotional C.S. Lewis once observed, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” These words point us to an eternal reality beyond the fleeting pleasures of earth. Our longings and unfulfilled desires serve as spiritual signposts, reminding us that our true home is not here, but with God. Let’s consider three key truths drawn from Scripture.
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1. EARTHLY LONGINGS POINT TO HEAVENLY REALITIES
Deep within us, we all feel a sense of incompleteness — an inner ache that no earthly success, relationship, or possession can fully satisfy. That is because God created us with eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The pleasures of this world are temporary, but they stir in us a longing for something eternal. As Augustine prayed, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.”
—Psalm 73:25
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2. WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Believers in Christ live as pilgrims and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). The longings that go unmet in this life are not accidents; they are reminders that we were designed for glory, not for dust. This perspective gives us hope and perseverance as we walk through life’s trials.
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
—Hebrews 13:14
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3. CHRIST ALONE SATISFIES THE SOUL
Though we wait for heaven, we need not wait for joy. Christ Himself is the bread of life who satisfies our hunger (John 6:35) and the living water who quenches our thirst (John 4:14). In Him, we taste even now the joy of that coming kingdom. The gospel assures us that every unmet longing will one day be fulfilled when we see Christ face to face (Revelation 21:3-4).
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
—Psalm 16:11
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A PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for placing eternity in our hearts and for reminding us that this world is not our home.
Teach us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Help us to walk as pilgrims, longing for that city whose builder and maker is God.
Until that day, satisfy our souls with the living water of Christ and fill us with hope for the glory to come.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
1. EARTHLY LONGINGS POINT TO HEAVENLY REALITIES
Deep within us, we all feel a sense of incompleteness — an inner ache that no earthly success, relationship, or possession can fully satisfy. That is because God created us with eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The pleasures of this world are temporary, but they stir in us a longing for something eternal. As Augustine prayed, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.”
—Psalm 73:25
⸻
2. WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Believers in Christ live as pilgrims and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). The longings that go unmet in this life are not accidents; they are reminders that we were designed for glory, not for dust. This perspective gives us hope and perseverance as we walk through life’s trials.
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
—Hebrews 13:14
⸻
3. CHRIST ALONE SATISFIES THE SOUL
Though we wait for heaven, we need not wait for joy. Christ Himself is the bread of life who satisfies our hunger (John 6:35) and the living water who quenches our thirst (John 4:14). In Him, we taste even now the joy of that coming kingdom. The gospel assures us that every unmet longing will one day be fulfilled when we see Christ face to face (Revelation 21:3-4).
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
—Psalm 16:11
⸻
A PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for placing eternity in our hearts and for reminding us that this world is not our home.
Teach us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Help us to walk as pilgrims, longing for that city whose builder and maker is God.
Until that day, satisfy our souls with the living water of Christ and fill us with hope for the glory to come.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🙏7❤2
Heavenly Father, help us to put our trust in your guidance, even among hardships and uncertainty. Sometimes we cannot see the whole picture, but we know you can. Amen.
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-13
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-13
The Upper Room
Upper Room Devotional for April 13th, 2026
One day while traveling to work I had to change buses. When I reached my first stop, my phone navigation indicated that my next stop was across the road and to the left. But I didn’t see a bus stop on the left, so I walked to a stop I could see on the right.…
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What we do to be seen by people reveals our reputation. What we do to please God, and Him alone, reveals our character.
- Cousin Bill
- Cousin Bill
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Dear heavenly Father, thank you for loving and caring for us at all times. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-14
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2026-04-14
The Upper Room
Upper Room Devotional for April 14th, 2026
Several years ago, I watched a short video from a weight-lifting competition. The two competitors had to deadlift a huge amount of weight — over 200 pounds — as many times as they could within the allotted time. Whoever completed the most repetitions before…
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