“在我父的家里有许多住处；若是没有，我就早已告诉你们了。我去原是为你们预备地方去。” 约翰福音 14:2
天堂是永久的家。人们为自己建造房屋，不幸的是，房屋不是永久的。 房子是如此，帐篷是如此，家庭也是如此。孩子们长得很快，然后他们就离开家了。
虽然家庭对我们来说很重要，但它们并不是永久的。有时候我看着我们已成年的孩子们，真不敢相信他们都长大了、独立了。屋子里孩子们曾经的欢声笑语，现在已荡然无存。
那些为基督的缘故舍弃家园、土地和亲人的，对于家庭生活和家庭快乐知之甚少。就像耶稣对他们所说的：在这个世界我们没有永久的家，但是在我父的家里，我们可以永远在一起。
德高望重的莱尔主教（Ryle） 曾经说过：“天堂只为那些有准备的人所预备的，他们到那里会发现，他们不是不速之客，而是被期待已久的。”
今日祷告：
天父，祢为许多信仰、跟随祢的人预备了住处。我祈求祢不仅为我们预备住处，也为我们所爱的和为之祷告的人预备住处；奉耶稣的名，阿们。
July 7
MANY MANSIONS
In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
Heaven is a home which is permanent. One of the unfortunate facts about the houses which men build for themselves is that they are not permanent. Houses do not last forever. It is true of the house, the outer shell, and it is true of the family. How quickly the children grow up and leave home.
As much as our homes mean to us, they are not permanent. Sometimes I look at my own adult children and can hardly believe that they are all grown and on their own. The house that once rang with the laughter of children is now empty.
Those who for Christ’s sake had given up houses and lands and loved ones knew little of home life or home joys. It was as if Jesus had said to them, “We have no lasting home here on earth, but my Father’s house is a home where we will be together for all eternity.”
The venerable Bishop Ryle is reputed to have said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and those that enter shall find that they are neither unknown nor unexpected.”
Pray for the Day:
Father, You have made room for many people who follow You in faith. I pray that You will not only make room for us, but also for people that we love and pray for; in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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