Co-Heirs with Christ

“If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” Romans 8:17                                 
We are co-heirs with Christ. Did you ever think of what that means? It means that Christ can't claim His inheritance without us. Christ needs us, sinners redeemed by Himself, so that He can claim His own inheritance from God, the Father. Moreover, we having done nothing to deserve our place, will be seated with Him, claiming that place alongside the Lord. Such a selfless act and humbling thought. 

Wisdom

"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding...counsel and might...knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of his ears." Isaiah 11: 3

Isn't that where basic judgement comes from? Do we not evaluate circumstances by what we hear and see? Sometimes we pass on "factual" information but what we have only heard - good on us if we have heard AND seen it as well. We base many decisions off these two elements, and these only. However, there seems to be more to wise discernment than hearing and seeing. It says in this passage that Christ would not judge by only the sight of his eyes of hearing of his ears; rather, "the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him." The Holy Spirit is what gives wisdom, understanding and counsel into many situations or decisions that we would tend to discern on our own. Looking to Christ, listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say, is really "the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10. Don't base everything off your own understanding.

Extra Weight

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

I've heard the excuse (and I've used the excuse) "well it's not really a sin. It's just not a good idea." Then could we say it's a weight? This seems to refer to something that is daily a burden, making life more difficult - keeping you from living a life fully for God. In other words, is it hindering you from knowing God more? Does it direct your mind above or below? Will it be worth it in an eternal perspective? These are useful questions to ask when engaging in books, movies, shows, continual facebook updates and instagram posts, blogging, music etc. In many of these things, there is nothing wrong with them in themselves; yet it can be a certain type, or the usage of them in your life that makes them weights and hinder us from the abundant life that Christ spoke of for us. Whatever it is, ask yourself what is weighing you down today.

Being Content

"...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Philippians 4:11

It's easy to fall into habit of looking backwards or look forwards, regretting or anticipating. This can lead to an attitude of ungratefulness towards the present position. When the days are routine with work or school, I would often be reflecting or dreaming of the places and times that weren't at hand. However, God has created each day and each situation for a reason. More than not, we live in these day-to-day situations and Paul's lesson is a valuable one to learn. Remembering that these everyday situations are times, just as important to glorify and point to Him, even though they may not be everything we hoped or wanted for in that moment. Be thankful, point to Christ in whatever way you can and ask God for contentment.

Feeling Bitter

"But if you have bitter envying and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie about the truth...for where envying and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." James 3:14,16

If I am bitter or envious in a given situation, it usually runs parallel with feelings of justice. I feel I have a right to be bitter at someone who wronged me, or I feel I deserve more in some instances. However, this verse clearly points out the deception behind these feelings and goes on to describe this as "sensual" and "earthly". This verse tells us not to "lie about the truth", in other words, don't deceive yourself and others by justifying these sensual feelings, labeling them under "okay". Rather than justice being created or situations becoming clear...it points towards chaos and things that aren't of Christ. Bring the situation to Christ and ask Him for wisdom: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, than peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits." vs.17.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

“When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathens do...Lord teach us to pray” Matthew 6:7 & Luke 11:1.

“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer” I heard those words while singing and couldn't help but think about what they really meant. Did people really pray an hour a day, back when this hymn was written? It seems like such a long time to me. I couldn't help but notice the stanza of the next song: “the hour before thy throne I fall.”

I knew my prayer life was feeble and repetitive. I had a hard time imagining an hour of prayer a day, as an exciting time or something I would long for, but the Lord also asks us to “taste and see that He is good”. If I don't try...how will I know?

In the evening, I opened the “Daily Light” to the devotional and came across the verses: “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathens do...Lord teach us to pray” Matthew 6:7 & Luke 11:1. So I did the only thing I could think of doing, I asked the Lord to teach me to pray

Knowing the Good

“These things have I written unto you concerning them that try to deceive you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 26-27

I don't know how many times I've heard people debate the benefit that comes from knowing that which is wrong, as oppose to simply knowing the good. Some believe it's good to study the bad and have knowledge about the things of this world...so we can further recognize the good. Even I have debated this, and often used this as an excuse to watch the films I want to see. However, the more we are occupied with things that are wrong, the less we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Read this verse again and try to argue. If we get to know the truth...really know the truth, we will be able to recognize the wrong when it comes along.

Sure Promises

“For the son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us...was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:19-20

In the Old Testament, God's promises could be “yea” or “nay” depending on how the people acted. At that time, they were conditional.  He could take back his blessings or carry them through, based on whether the people were following God, and honouring them with their lives. Now, despite all man's efforts to mess things up, God's promises in Christ Jesus are always “yea”. His promises, plan and purpose will come to pass, no matter what. The redemptive work has been done through Jesus Christ. The price has been paid. His Word stands sure. His promises for believers are unconditional. This mercy captures my heart. Is this not amazing?

By Faith

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

By faith Abraham....by faith Moses...

We live in the dispensation of Grace. We can look back through the Word and see what the Lord has been doing. We are also given the final story. We have seen the Saviour die and rise again and can look forward with the hope of heaven. We have promises given to us. So many: The Lord will never lead us; All things work together for good...

So where...WHERE is our faith? Are we not a little ashamed when we look at Noah who worked over 100 years to build an ark, in prospect of saving his family from a flood – unheard of and ridiculed by those around him! What about Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his own son for the Lord. These people didn't have a hope that everything would turn out for good. They didn't have the assurance of heaven. But they had faith.

Here I am in my first world nation, drenched in God's love, showered in His promises. I have proof of His word; I have full access to His throne, and I'm wavering in faith? Like, “God, I don't know about this one...you want me to talk to my friend about you?” or “God, my sister is really really bugging me today...you want me to show love?” Who are we kidding?

Personally, God hasn't asked me to build an ark, fight a war, burn everything that matters! God has given me full hope, assurance and I know, I know I am His! The longer I waver in my faith, the longer I'm wimpy in my service and gifts for Him...the things I will be able to accomplish for Him will get smaller and smaller. I have no reason...no excuse. The hope I've been given should only lead to a greater faith and trust in the One who has an unfailing love for Him. So, remind me again, where is my faith?

For His Sake

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25 KJV

Wait, isn't it for my sake, God? So that I can live without guilt? So that I can live without fear? So that I can live with freedom and enjoyment and hope? So that I can inherit earthly and heavenly blessings? So that I am saved from damnation? Isn't this all for me?

No, “for mine own sake.”

It's as if I turned and looked the Lord in the eye, realizing he'd been trying to catch it the whole time. And there was love. He'd done it for Him. He'd taken my place, died the death I deserved, gone through all that suffering because that is how badly He wanted a relationship with me. That is how much He loved me. It was for Him.

The gospel wasn't about me. It wasn't about guilt-tripping me into accepting salvation. It wasn't about making me feel inferior and small so I would accept the “only way out”. It started with a man who loved me so much that He was killed so that He could have a relationship with me.

I feel as if I'm just beginning to understand - “we love Him because He first loved us.”