King of our lives, living as royalty

King of our lives, living as royalty
by Heather Collver

Just say it, I am Royalty!! Awe, it sounds so magical, so enchanting. But what does it look like?

Being a part of God's kingdom, being a child of the King, means we are to live as royalty. That picture in my mind doesn't mean that we are to walk around expecting everyone to treat us as royalty or to bow down to us. It doesn't mean we get to flash a Christian card everywhere we go and we get special treatment. In fact, it usually means we will find persecution. Being a part of this royal family isn't always what the world wants to be a part of. Partly because Christians over time have expected far greater than what they should really be entitled to.

Do we really live under the authority of God, the creator of all things? Do we humble ourselves, do we reach out to the weak, widows and orphan's and the poor? Do we serve others and put them before ourselves? Being a daughter of the King means I have authority to heal the sick, move mountains and speak life into people, but it doesn't mean that I am better than the sick, that I can move a mountain to get my way or to speak down on people. It means I am expected to live above reproach and to reach out to the ends of the earth, in the mud and muck. It means that I am to be strong in knowing that God is my King and I am his daughter and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Not through my own might or power or through a title of royalty.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Please continue to pray for Sam C. this week.

Dear Lord, thank you for being our King of Kings. Thank you for your Word, which teaches us all things we need for a righteous life. Lord, I thank you for all you have done in our lives and that which is yet to come. I pray that we will reflect your heart, your desires more and that we will truly live as royalty of a gracious and loving God, You are our King and we thank you for loving us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Adoption

Day 1
Adoption

Huiothesia, from huios, “a son,” and thesis, “a placing,” signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong. The word is used by the apostle Paul only.

Happy New Year! What better way to start things off then with a reminder of our inheritance. Many of us have experienced adoption, bringing an orphan into our homes and giving them everything we would give a child of our own blood. Take a moment to focus on what it truly means to be adopted, to call out to God as Father. You and I have had our debts cancelled, we share in God’s glory because of adoption. Because we are believers we have been marked with His seal, given His Spirit because of grace, and offered eternal life.

Romans 8:15-18
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Day 2

Welcome to the family

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16

A little faith and the heavens are rejoicing over your new life (Luke 15:7). You are a new creation seen by God through the eyes of Jesus. A new father, one that offers you unconditional love. It is only by his mercy and grace (Eph 1:6) that you have the same Spirit living in you that rose Christ from the dead.

From the day of your salvation you are offered the inheritance of redemption and forgiveness (Eph 1:7). You are marked with a seal guaranteeing Eternal Life (Eph 1:13-14).

Welcome to the family my dear brothers and sisters. Remember the next time you are at church surrounded by other believers that you are all there for the same reason. At some point in your life you understood that righteousness is unattainable by your own works (2Corinthians 5:21). We all fall short of God’s glory. It is because Jesus died on the cross and overcame death that you and I have a relationship with our creator. We are all adopted.

Day 3

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Because of our adoption, what emotion do we need never feel again?

Ephesians 1:5
“he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—“

What is the basis of our adoption and its result?

Day 4

Promises in Scripture

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Day 5

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ~Hebrews 2:11 TNIV

Praise God that He loves you and I so much that he gave his Son for our sins.

Take a little time to offer thanks for the great sacrifice that was made on your behalf. For the blood that brings you into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Celebrate your Salvation. Take a moment to write down how being saved by grace has changed your life. Write down a few names of unbelievers you are close to. Take the time this year to pray for them. Challenge yourself to step out in faith and share your story of redemption with others.

Heavenly Father, I praise your name for all you have given me. Forgive me for not always remembering how your amazing grace has saved me. Lord I pray for those I love that do not know you. Use me in their lives to be an example of your family. Thank you Lord for the sacrifice made on my behalf. Thank you for the Spirit that lives in me. Thank you for bringing me into relationship with you, for loving me so much that you sacrificed your Son for my sins. In Jesus Holy Name.