The terms “home” and “house” are often used interchangeably, even in a dictionary. However, I personally have never considered the two necessarily same.

A house obviously is a structure made primarily of a substance like wood or brick that a person or persons live inside.

A home is considered the same, but also can be defined as a family unit of persons. It can even refer to an area where one lived while growing up, or currently resides.

Very simply, a house is a structure where the family lives, whether it is a family of one person, or more than one. A home is the total embodiment of the structure, the family and the life that emanates within that family. They exist as a whole. The structure cannot be a home without the family, but the family can be a home without the structure. This is briefly how I define the difference between a “home” and a “house.” But that’s just me.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m buying a home?” Well, you just can’t buy a home. You buy a house. You, your family, your presence, your life, your experiences, your memories, within the house make it a home. If you go to a realtor, you may hear them say something like, “We have many homes listed, and I would be glad to show you some of them to help you decide which home you wish to purchase.” Again, there are no homes listed, only houses.

You say, “What does it matter Grant? You’ve popped your cork.” Bear with me, because I still have one more quirk about this “home” and “house” issue.

When I think of a home, I think not only of a structure, but the family within the structure. I envision the house, the family and the lives that live within the house. That is the home.

In my case at least, I go one step further with the term “home.” A home “should be” a family unit that consists of each member supporting the other; Mom (female), Dad (male) and children. However, many homes are not necessarily pleasant situations to be in. In many cases, they are just a house with people who live there. To me, that isn’t a home, or at least, it isn’t one to be desired.

Homes are like ice cream. They come in so many different flavors. They’re as different as personalities allow. So to simplify this, let us just say that there are bad, good, better, and best homes.

When we hear of spouse abuse and child abuse, whether verbally, physically or both, these are obviously bad homes. Satan has crept into these homes and is at work to destroy any semblance of a good home life. I have seen many examples of this type of home over the years. The saddest part is knowing that the children within these situations will probably continue this negative atmosphere when they grow up and have their own “home.” It’s often a destructive, on-going cycle.

Then there are good homes. I would classify these homes as loving homes, but without Christ at the center. Yes, even non-Christians can have good homes. Mom and Dad love each other and their children.

The better home would be a loving home with Christ at the center. In these homes, Mom and Dad love each other, their children, but especially the Lord Jesus. In their love for Jesus Christ, they pass on to each other and their children a solid foundation built upon the Holy Word of God.

There is only one home that can be classified as the best, and that of course, is Heaven. Jesus said:

“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” (John 8:23)

 

“1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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 14:1-2)

Jesus Christ is preparing a home in Heaven for all who are His. In this home are perfect love, perfect communion and absolute peace. The very best home situation on earth cannot begin to compare with our home in Heaven. There will never be a sad day, only eternal happiness.

Every child of God has this home to look forward to, regardless of their home situation upon this earth. Whether one comes from a family that shares their love or embodies hate, our home in Heaven will be so satisfying, it is beyond our comprehension.

Anyone who has not put their faith in Jesus Christ can do so right now. Maybe you come from a bad home, or maybe even a good home, but you can have a better home while upon this earth, and top that off with the very best when in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I shudder to think of the many people who have had dads (even mothers) that treated them badly as a child. Because of this, when Christians speak of our Father in Heaven, others may have a very bad taste for God, and want nothing to do with Him. They feel this way because they identify “Father” in Heaven with their earthly “father,” and conclude that God is just another bad father.

 

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; [emphasis mine] and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9)

If you want to know what God the Father is like, all you have to do is look at Jesus. Look at His life, and witness for yourselves the love He has for you. Also, read the following verse and hear God the Father tell you how much love He has for you.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Would you like to be able to say, “I’m going home” and know you will experience nothing but the most glorious love possible when you arrive?

Many, many people dread going home, but with Jesus, even they can be at peace because they have a home in Heaven that is beyond anything we can imagine. The Apostle Paul said of his circumstances:

“11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Yes, we will have a “house” (dwelling place) in Heaven with the Lord, but more importantly we will have a “home” that is unlike anything we have ever experienced on earth.

Some say upon leaving, “I’m going to the house” while others say “I’m going home.” I prefer “I’m going home.” How about you?

Grant Phillips

“10 Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” 11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”

says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath

and your special days for fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. 14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,

for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. 16Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. 17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. 18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 21 See how Jerusalem [Washington D.C.], once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. 22 Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. 23 Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows.” (Isaiah 1:10-20; 21-23 NLT)

I certainly realize that the entirety of this passage is directed from God to Israel, Jerusalem being their capital. However, as I was reading this chapter, I was overwhelmed at the similarity between Israel’s spiritual condition at that time and ours today. In most of the verses, they are parallel.

Even though this message is for Israel, God still expects us to use the application that is meant for our benefit.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 5:4)

The shenanigans being played out in our government today are clearly laid out in the above verses. Is it not true that where once was justice and righteousness,  now there is murder on a grand scale? Think of the abortion of innocent babies. Is it not true that our governmental leaders are rebels and companions of thieves? Do they not love bribes and demand payoffs? Do our leadersreally help the orphans or fight for the rights of widows? I think not.

The majority of our governmental leaders are rotten to the core and care about nothing but their own greed and power. There are a few who have some scruples, but they are as rare as a virgin in a house of ill-repute.

Give me a minute. I’ve got to go take a shower after dwelling on that bunch of jackals.

I’m back. Let’s talk about the churches now. Where do I even start? Nearly all of the passages above zero in on the condition of the church today. I think Jesus called it “lukewarm.”

I applaud those few churches sprinkled throughout America that still stand strong on the Word, who recognize the true head of the Church and give Him more than just lip service. God bless those churches who know and practice prayer, who actually teach the whole Word of God. Praise to them who yearn for the souls of men to be saved, admonishing that there is only one way to God, and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Hats off to those dear churches who want nothing more than to know and serve their Savior and Lord. Pray for them who love righteousness and stand up to the evil that is sweeping this land. The time is quickly approaching when this Church will unite with the Lord in the clouds and stand amazed with the angels at the Lord’s judgment that is soon to come.

What about the majority of the so-called righteous?

These misguided folks can sing their songs, pray their prayers, give their money, proclaim their social gospel and continue their humanistic endeavors, but they will not be accepted by the very God they say they follow. Their god is a god of convenience and greed. They are not righteous in the eyes of God, and have missed the mark.

All the pretty bells and whistles mean nothing to God. He wants us to worship Him. He wants us to look for Him, to long for Him, to praise Him. He wants the heart of the repentant publican (Luke 18:13).

“For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV)

But proud people will not bow the knee of worship. They expect God to bow to their beliefs. They are more like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11.

What has happened to most of the local churches in this country? They have become a den of thieves, just as the offices of their political leaders. There is one difference though.

Our political leaders steal from the taxpayer. They steal money, opportunities, and most of all, freedom.

However, these corrupt churches steal something much more precious. They steal the opportunity of true worship and praise to Almighty God, and they steal the souls of man.

“How” you say? I never thought you would ask.

When homosexual lifestyles are condoned by the church, people die in their sins.

When sex outside of the marriage bed (husband/man & wife/woman) is winked at by the church, people die in their sins.

When God’s Word is not proclaimed as He wrote it, people die in their sins.

When prophecy is avoided, about 1/3 of the Bible, people will not be ready when Jesus comes for His Church, and will have to face God’s wrath in the Tribulation.

When leaders of the church are caught up in sexcapades and other sinful incidents, people die in their sins.

When leaders of the church steal from their parishioners then live like socialites, people die in their sins.

When music is allowed in the church that can be classified as nothing more than noise at best and blasphemous at worse, people die in their sins.

When church people fight among themselves, gossip and malign others, people die in their sins.

“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13)

Sadly, many local churches have become a “den of thieves” instead of “the house of prayer.” If you happen to be pastoring one, come to Christ as did the publican. If you happen to be attending one, ask God to show you what to do.

If your church group is not teaching all of God’s Word, not uplifting Jesus Christ, not in prayer, not witnessing, not loving others, but advancing a politically correct social gospel, you need to make a decision.

If the Holy Spirit has touched your heart with the Scriptures that have been shown, humble your heart and seek His face. Call upon Jesus. Get in His Word … now, and learn of Him.

Our country desperately needs the prayers of a God-fearing body of Christ. We the Church will be leaving this world when the Father says it’s time. That could be any time now. I don’t know when. That’s God’s call.

The point is, many are being led down the road of destruction by people they trust to tell them the Truth, but instead they are receiving only a social gospel. Thousands and thousands of innocent people are sitting in pews thinking they are in a house of worship, but are actually sitting among a “den of thieves.”

Time is quickly running out. We need to pray. We need to witness while we still can.

Grant Phillips