My Hometown

Fort Payne, Alabama
my hometown

"Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives...Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives." (1 Peter 1:11-12 The Message)

Yesterday, I visited dear friends and family in Fort Payne, Alabama - my hometown. In the 50s through the 70s, my dad's law office sat upstairs above Owen Hardware (right edge of picture) - the best seat in town to enjoy the annual Christmas parade. I can't imagine a better family, better friends, or better place to grow up.

God, however, exclusively promises His children a better hometown...

"We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come...No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it - what God has arranged for those who love Him." (Heb. 13:14, 1 Cor. 2:9 The Message)

Who are the children of God? The Bible says that whosoever belongs to Christ Jesus is God's child - those who have the Spirit of Christ living in them. Remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all. Those who have the Spirit of Christ, God adopts as His own children. They call Him, Abba, Father. (Romans 8)

Beloved, are you God's child? If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved - you will become God's own child. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10)

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2)