Tosheng’s Weblog

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city“  Heb 11:13-16

Its this statement “acknowledged they were strangers and exiles on the earth … desire a better country a heavenly one” that gets to me, why am I so earthbound when they who are supposed to be examples to me of godly living weren’t? why do I still long for this worlds goods and gadgets? why am I so engrossed with this worlds fashion? why am I not satisfied with what God has given me and my eyes are wondering, longing after other things? why do I want to be like this worlds celebrities – not that I want to be well known but at times I find myself craving some of the wealth they have.

Yet I know that none of these things really matter, and so I ask myself why am I so earthly minded, when I want to be full of the desires and longings for God, I want my heart to be en-rapt with the Lord Jesus, who suffered the loss of all things for my sake, for whose sake I also should suffer the loss of all things.

So the question still remains, I know what I ought to be, one who is at loss for words, totally enthralled by the person and work of my Lord and Christ, yet I know what I am, one who is attracted by this worlds goods, and I know I don’t want to be like that so how can I be what I ought to be.

 Richard Baxter is quoted as saying “Frequency in heavenly contemplation is particularly important to prevent shyness between your soul and God. Frequent fellowship breeds friendship, and friendship increases love and delight.” -

So why am I so earth bound? Its because I have not spent much time in frequent fellowship, in heavenly contemplation, if I want my desires to be fanned into flames of passion then I will have to spend more time this coming year contemplating the heavenly.

But first I must ensure that there is a spark there for where there is no spark there can be no fire; no matter how frequently the fan is used. But where the spark is bright only there can the flame burn. So the first question, is am I saved, is Christ my Lord my Saviour, am I totally dependent on Him alone for my salvation or is within me a thought that I too am good and so approved of God, we all must answer this before we can contemplate heaven, for the unsaved can never fully savour heaven and must remain earth bound.

Why are you earth bound is it because:

1. You have not the love of Christ in you?  or
2. You have not spent time contemplating heaven.

Ensure you can answer this today. Don’t be earthbound.