To Be Heirs…

Scripture:

Romans 8:15-17 (ESV)

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Devotional:

We ARE heirs of God...  not by rights or deeds but by His gracious gift...  He is our father.  What else can be said?  Too often I left fear of something cripple me.  Uncertainty fills my mind & heart.  I constantly question, ask, and repeat.  The uncertainty becomes fears and the fear cripples me into inaction.

Does any of this sound familiar?  What are some of your struggles?  I ask myself and you what are we focused on?  Do we see our struggles, problems, worries, or _____ fill in the blank dominate our thoughts and focus?  The truth is we are heirs.  We are not heirs of fear.  We are not heirs of worry.  We are not heirs of strife or worries.  We are not even heirs of this world.  WE ARE HEIRS of God.  It is not by rights or deeds.  It is by His gift.  Jesus has made it possible for us to be heirs of God.  Jesus makes it possible for us to call God Father.

Let’s face it.  We cannot earn it.  We do not deserve it.  But God loves you so much He sent Jesus to pay the debts that none of us can ever pay so that each of us can be reconciled back to Him.  Jesus made it possible for us to become heirs of God…

The Greatest of These

Scripture:

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Devotional:

Through Christ we have redemption.  We are set apart from the world.  Because of this we are to leave our sinful nature or our old lives behind.  As we leave the old behind, we strive to be more Christ-like.  Our goal in this life is to become as Jesus was and to be perfect.  Now of course we cannot ever be perfect.  Jesus is the only man to have lived a perfect sinless life.  So, what is the point?  Through the blood shed on the cross we have been atoned for.  Our debt to sin has been paid and the perfect righteousness of Christ is covering us.

We are a part of the body of Christ. His divine nature is part of who we become.  While we cannot become sinless, we can continue to grow in the likeness of Christ.  How do we do this?  I am glad you asked.  We allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.  We allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and be part of who we are.  We read the scriptures.  Most of all we pray.  We can hold regular conversations with God.  We should be seeking His council in every aspect of our lives.  We need to surround ourselves with like minded people, other believers.  As hard as it might be, we need to forgive wrongs done to us.  We need to show kindness to EVERYONE.  We do not have the right or luxury to pick and choose whom we are to love, be kind to, and forgive.  Nobody said it will always be easy.  But we do need to accept anyone and to show love and kindness to them.  Jesus came to seek the lost.  He lived among the sinners and societies downcast. 

Jesus never preached about burning down buildings or showing hate to those who appose him.  Just because someone chooses a sinful lifestyle, or lives and does things that are sinful and wrong does not give us permission to treat them badly or unjustly.  We still need to love on them.  Show them the love of Christ. 

There have been times when people burn down clinics because of abortion.  We see hateful comments and actions because someone chooses to have relations with others of the same sex.  Women are looked down upon because they live a life of a prostitute.  If you recall Jesus forgave a prostitute.  He was around those that blatantly lived a sinful lifestyle.   He forgave, even the thief on the cross.  In fact Jesus asked God to forgive the very people that were responsible nailing Him to the cross.

We are not to live lives of hate, fear, or selfishness.  We are to love those around us as Jesus loved them.  We have nothing to fear.  Christ gave everything, shouldn’t we?  You will never change someone else’s life or heart.  But the Holy Spirit can.  You just might be the one to introduce the Holy Spirit to another person. How can you if you show hate and cruelty?  You can’t.  It is through love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”

You The Shepherd

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Devotional:

Sometimes I find it amazing how much little kids can pick up.  Their brains are like sponges.  Kids soak up everything.  Think for a moment about some of the things your little tyke says or use to.  Have you ever heard a little child say something that is not appropriate?  Have you ever heard a little child repeat words, sometimes those words that shouldn’t be said?  Let’s face it, they heard you, or an adult say those things.  They soaked it up and remembered them.  Then at some later point in time they repeated the words.

Like it or not we are all influencers.  We continuously influence those around us.  They also influence us.  That is why it is important to surround yourself with the “right” crowd.  This is also why we need to heed Peter’s words.  How we act, what we say, what we do will impact someone else’s life.  Are you a positive influence?  Are you building the kingdom of God?  Will someone see Christ in you? 

We are shepherds and we have a flock.  What does your flock look like?  My flock has five kids in it.  It also has a group of adults scattered across the United States.  It is also a small group of men I meet with to Study God’s words.  There is also a small flock on Wednesday nights I am part of.  Sometimes I am the shepherd sometimes I am one of the sheep.  We teach and we learn.  You might not realize it at the time, but you do have an influence over others.  We have a family friend whose influence has given my son a love for guns.  I can watch my son cleaning his gun and taking care of it just like he was shown.  He learned how to shoot and care for a weapon by someone else.  My daughter has learned to bake from the teachings of my wife.  Each of my girls know how to play the piano thanks to the teachings of their piano teacher.  Pause a moment to reflect.  Think about those you are near.  What have you taught or passed on?  Are you even aware of it?

Mind what you say. Mind what you learn.  Be ever diligent because you never know what little eyes are watching.  You never know what little ears are listening…

Hold On, He Is There

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Devotional:

In times like these it can be hard to hold onto hope.  We see all that is going on around us and we question why.  I know there have been times when I ask God why.  After all God if you are there why do you let these things happen?  Why do you let innocent people, children, get hurt?  Why do you allow loved ones to get sick & die?  A few years ago, I lost one of my brothers.  A year later my dad passed away.  As hard as it was, I am so glad that I was with them when they passed. 

In all honesty we may never know why.  However, we do have a general answer as to why.  I am sure there are some who will scoff at my next comment.  But the simple fact is we live in a fallen and imperfect world.  There is sin in this world.  Because of that we have sickness, we have wars, we have those who look only to themselves even at the cost of others.  I could go on but that is the simple truth.  We live in a fallen and broken world.

Yes, God has the power and ability to fix, heal, and do any and everything.  I have a question for you.  Would you want to live a life of a puppet?  Having someone telling you what to say and do, when to say and do it, how to say and do it.  God can but even if he chooses not to we need to be faithful because He is.  God never abandons, never leaves, never forsakes His own.