Inheritance...

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Devotional:

The first-born.  Throughout the ages, the firstborn son was the heir.  He was the one who would become responsible for the family and its possessions.  He would get most if not everything.  Younger siblings would be jealous and sometimes try to cheat the firstborn out of their inheritance.  Just look at Jacob in Genesis chapter 27 Rebekah had Jacob bring a meal to Isaac that Esau was supposed to bring.  This way he would get the blessing, and inheritance instead of Esau. 

Luckily, for us Jesus is the firstborn and the inheritance.  He has paid the price in order that; we too may share in the inheritance.  It is through Jesus that we can be reconciled back to God.  We do not have to fear someone will swindle us from our inheritance.  We cannot lose salvation.  No one can take it away from us.  We inherit salvation, a place with God for eternity, because of Jesus.  John 17:11:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus is not going to lose anyone of us.  We are His… We will be with him with God for all eternity.  God the creator of all things cares enough for each of us that He has made it possible to be reconciled with Him.  He made it possible that we would not be slaves to sin.  We are indeed coheirs with Christ, because of Christ.  As a good friend of mine likes to say, “God does not have any grandchildren.”

Are You Shinning?

Scripture:

Philippians 2:14-18 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Devotional:

I remember growing up my parents owned and operated a motorcycle shop.  I remember being there and having the task of washing, waxing, and polishing the motorcycles.  After all, they had to be clean and shiny.  I never cared for the chore.  Sometimes, truth be told more often than not, I grumbled and or whined about having to clean the motorcycles.  You could say my heart was not in it.  I was not blameless, nor innocent.  I grumbled and wished I could do something else.  However, in the end I did what I was told.  I washed, waxed, and polished motorcycles.

Throughout my life as I walk with Christ how many times was my attitude the same as it was when I was a kid?  How often do I complain and grumble when He asks me to do something?  Somewhere along the way something inside changed.  I guess you could say I have been maturing as a Christian.  My faith is not what it was.  While I may not like or want to do a task my complaints are way down.  I try to put my best foot forward.  If I am not cheerful about a task, I at least try not to complain or grumble.

Where are you in your faith walk?  Are you still an infant, grumbling and complaining?  Have you matured?  What has Christ asked you to do?  Is what you do for Christ done in such a way to shine for Christ? On the other hand, are you just a dim little flicker barely seen?  What we do does not have to be big.  It does not have to be grand and spectacular for us to shine brightly for Jesus.  It is our attitude that matters.  It is how we carry ourselves in our work and daily lives. 

We can shine brightly for Jesus.  All we have to do is start.  Take one-step at a time to change our attitudes and way of thinking.  Eventually we will mature and grow.  Eventually we will shine brightly and our attitudes will change.  We can even find joy in our tasks.  It is not what we do but whom we are doing it for.  How do you want the world to see Christ?

Covered In Snow...

Isaiah 61:10 ESV

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Devotional:

Recently we had a beautiful snowfall in Atlanta.  Several of us stood at the door watching huge snowflakes fall to the ground.  The next morning, we have between one to two inches of snow on the ground.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Thoughts of growing up playing in snow came to mind.  I love how things seem to grow quiet and still during a heavy snowfall.  A hush seems to fall with the snow.  I love the way everything turns white and the air is crisp.

As the snow falls and covers everything in a blanket of white I am reminded of Christ.  How we are clothed in His righteousness.  We are full of sin, dirty.  Christ was born so that He could live to become the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.  Romans 5:21 ESV, “so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The next time you watch the snow fall and see the land transform around you think about Christ.  He has covered you in His righteousness and has cleansed you so that you may have eternal life in heaven.  Let the snow remind you of Christ’s righteousness that covers you…

Ask God For It

Scripture:
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Devotional:

Ask for anything and it will be granted.  At least that is what people want to read.  We tend to believe that this is a blank check and can ask for anything at all.  In Philippians 4:6 we are told to make known our requests.  In Matthew 7:7 it says “Ask, and it will be given to you…”  Jesus himself said ask and it will be given.  So why are so many things we ask for not given?  Why do we read what we want to and not what is really there?  I have heard and read that if we want to be given what we ask for it must be asked within the scope of His will.  Hmmm, doesn’t sound like a blank check to me.  I can’t just ask for anything at all and expect it to be granted.

Another way to look at this is a parent with their child in the grocery store.  How many times does a child ask a parent for that candy bar or toy trinket at the checkout counter?  Do parents always give their child what they want?  But of course, mom and dad want the best for their child and want their child to be happy.  When asked for that candy bar at the checkout line sometimes mom says no.  Sometimes she says yes.  Then there are times when mom says I will buy the candy bar but you must wait until later to eat it.

While we can ask Jesus for anything and it be given he isn’t a genie in a magic lamp to grant us or every wish.  He wants what is best for us.  Our parents have a bigger picture than a four-year-old child.  Jesus has a bigger picture than we do.  Mom and dad know more and have more wisdom than we did at four or five.  God knows more and is far wiser than we can ever hope to be.  We can ask in confidence.  We can be at peace knowing God knows best and will provide for us.  He will grant us what He knows is best.  We should also be grateful and thankful, even before asking, for God’s gifts, blessings, and provisions.  Let us rejoice in the Lord.  Let us rejoice knowing that we will not get our every whim but be given that which we need and that which will glorify Him.  God does give blessings beyond needs, just not our every whim and want…